RADIO
Week 9 is here, and, for some teams, the NFL season is officially halfway over. The fantasy season is even closer to being done, and wins and losses are becoming more and more important. You're jostling to get into the playoffs and ideally going for that first round bye.
Kickers remain a fickle mistress. Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri missed a field goal and an extra point, but he still managed 13 points on the day. It's all about getting the right guy with the right matchup on the right day.
For Week 9, there are four teams on byes, but, for kickers, you're likely only replacing two of them. New Orleans Saints kicker Wil Lutz and Los Angeles Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein have been consistent top-5 options this year, but that will not be the case for them this week.
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Week 9 Kickers To Start & Stream: Tiers & Rankings
Tier 1 NFL Kickers
1. Brett Maher (DAL) @ NYG
2. Jason Myers (SEA) vs TB
3. Robbie Gould (SF) @ ARI
4. Dan Bailey (MIN) @ KC
5. Mason Crosby (GB) @ LAC
Dallas Cowboys kicker Brett Maher gets the top spot this week. With his offense rolling properly again, thanks to their offensive line being healthy, a matchup with the struggling New York Giants should keep him active. Seattle Seahawks kicker Jason Myers finds his way into the top-5 this week behind a powerful offense against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that has lost three of their last four and four of their last six. This offense racks up points, which helps Myers get many opportunities for field goals and extra points.
San Francisco 49ers kicker Robbie Gould is up next. Against an Arizona Cardinals Defense that can't stop anyone, Gould should be on the field often in Week 9. Minnesota Vikings kicker Dan Bailey is playing for one of the hottest teams in the NFL. They could be in a shootout this week. Rounding out the top-5 is Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby. With Green Bay's offense improving every week, Crosby remains one of the most consistent kicking options in fantasy.
Tier 2 NFL Kickers
6. Matt Prater (DET) @ OAK
7. Joey Slye (CAR) vs TEN
8. Jake Elliott (PHI) vs CHI
9. Mike Nugent (NE) @ BAL
10. Austin Seibert (CLE) @ DEN
Detroit Lions kicker Matt Prater continues to hold down his sixth-spot in these rankings this week with a matchup against the fading Oakland Raiders. This offense keeps scoring points, and that keeps him in the scoring column. Carolina Panthers kicker Joey Slye is up next. His offense struggled in Week 8, but the Tennessee Titans are an easier matchup that they should be able to put up points against.
Philadelphia Eagles kicker Jake Elliott is next in the rankings. This offense is doing enough to get the job done, and the Chicago Bears Defense can hold them out of the end zone but in the red zone. New England Patriots kicker Mike Nugent is next up. The Baltimore Ravens have shifted their identity to the offense, and this figures to be a shootout on Sunday night. Cleveland Browns kicker Austin Seibert gets the Denver air nod. This offense has the pieces to be good, and they could get something going this week.
Tier 3 NFL Kickers
11. Matt Gay (TB) @ SEA
12. Steven Hauschka (BUF) vs WAS
13. Adam Vinatieri (IND) @ PIT
14. Harrison Butker (KC) vs MIN
15. Justin Tucker (BAL) vs NE
Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Matt Gay is at the top of our third tier. This defense may not be able to stop anyone, but the offense is moving the ball a lot. Buffalo Bills kicker Steven Hauschka is next up. It's a home game, and this Washington Redskins team has been just brutal. Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri still earns a spot in these rankings because he continues to put up points. Until that stops, he's getting into these rankings.
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker remains low in these rankings, but, if somehow quarterback Patrick Mahomes can play, he'll be moved up accordingly. This offense looked like it was plug-and-play last week though. Rounding out these rankings is the best kicker in the game in the game right now in Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker. Tucker has a brutal matchup this week, but you have to play him if you got him.
Kickers to Avoid
Zane Gonzalez has been excellent this year on a high-paced Arizona Cardinals offense, but I can't trust him on a short week against one of the best defenses in the NFL this season in the San Francisco 49ers. The Niners beat a good team in the Carolina Panthers last week, and their defense was terrifying.
Chris Boswell of the Pittsburgh Steelers has a few things working against him. For one, his offense continues to underwhelm with quarterback Mason Rudolph under center. The Indianapolis Colts Defense is playing well this year, and the Heinz Field conditions are typically working against kickers.
Dustin Hopkins of the Washington Redskins remains in a miserable place, and he's playing against one of the best defenses in the NFL in the Buffalo Bills. The game is also on the road. With starting quarterback Case Keenum dealing with injuries while backup Dwayne Haskins figures things out, just avoid him.
More Weekly Lineup Prep
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