RADIO
We’ve made it to Week 9. Everyone pour one out because the NFL season is officially half over. We’ve seen more injuries to star players than I think we’ve ever come across before. Defenses continue to struggle to stop opposing offenses, and kickers are benefiting in a massive way thus far.
Due to some whipping winds across the midwest, we saw a relatively quiet week from kickers. Los Angeles Chargers’ kicker Michael Badgley was the top option with 15 points in a loss for the team. Despite his team putting up 41 points, Indianapolis Colts’ kicker Rodrigo Blankenship, who had been a strong option all season, had just three points for the week.
With Covid-19 continuing to weave its way through NFL locker rooms, bye weeks are getting more and more difficult to navigate. We have four teams currently slated for byes this week in the Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams. A couple of these guys have been locked for fantasy lineups, so you could be forced into a switch here.
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Tier 1 NFL Kickers
- Harrison Butker (KC) vs CAR
- Chris Boswell (PIT) @ DAL
- Michael Badgley (LAC) vs LV
- Ka'imi Fairbairn (HOU) @ JAX
- Jason Myers (SEA) @ BUF
We start off the first tier with one of the most consistent kickers in football in Kansas City Chiefs’ kicker Harrison Butker. Butker and the Chiefs look like they’re starting to hit that special level of offensive production, and the Carolina Panthers’ defense just won’t be able to keep up. Pittsburgh Steelers’ kicker Chris Boswell grabs the second spot. Pittsburgh is the only undefeated team in football, and they’re playing a Cowboys’ team that is rapidly heading down the drain for the 2020-21 season.
Los Angeles Chargers’ kicker Michael Badgley is next. This Chargers’ offense is putting up a ton of points, and, outside of a weather storm, the Las Vegas Raiders haven’t been able to stop anyone this season. Houston Texans’ kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn grabs the fourth spot. Houston’s season is lost, but they can run up the score on the Jacksonville Jaguars. Seattle Seahawks' kicker Jason Myers rounds out the top five. I think a ton of points get scored in this game in one of the top games of the week.
Tier 2 NFL Kickers
- Justin Tucker (BAL) @ IND
- Zane Gonzalez (ARI) vs MIA
- Tyler Bass (BUF) vs SEA
- Mason Crosby (GB) @ SF
- Daniel Carlson (LV) @ LAC
Baltimore Ravens’ kicker Justin Tucker leads off our second tier. Baltimore and their offense remain one of the league’s best, and they should have some scoring opportunities against the Indianapolis Colts. Arizona Cardinals’ kicker Zane Gonzalez is up next. Arizona doesn’t have their easiest matchup in Week 9, but they have the offensive firepower to get Gonzalez into scoring position frequently.
Buffalo Bills’ kicker Tyler Bass gets the next spot. This game is projected to score nearly 55 points, and the Bills’ offense will be able to move the ball against Seattle. Green Bay Packers’ kicker Mason Crosby gets our next spot. With multiple key injuries to the San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay has the potential to take this one big on the road. Las Vegas Raiders’ kicker Daniel Carlson rounds out this tier. The Chargers continue to allow points in bunches, and the Raiders have shown that they can do that at times this season.
Tier 3 NFL Kickers
- Robbie Gould (SF) vs GB
- Ryan Succop (TB) @ NO
- Younghoe Koo (ATL) vs DEN
- Dan Bailey (MIN) vs DET
- Brandon McManus (DEN) @ ATL
The 49ers are going to be without their starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (ankle) and best offensive weapon in tight end George Kittle (foot), but they will find ways to move the ball against Green Bay, who have shown an inability to stop the run which is what San Francisco does best. Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ kicker Ryan Succop is up next. This Bucs’ offense is cooking right now, and the New Orleans Saints just can’t keep anyone from scoring this year.
Atlanta Falcons’ kicker Younghoe Koo is next. This Falcons’ team is broken, but they’re scoring on offense. Against an inconsistent Denver Broncos’ group, he should get some chances to score. Minnesota Vikings’ kicker Dan Bailey slides in next. The Vikings showed some life in Week 8, and their matchup is even easier in Week 9 with the Detroit Lions. Denver Broncos’ kicker Brandon McManus rounds out our ranks for this week. Even if Denver has been inconsistent this year, the Falcons’ defense is the perfect get-right spot for them.
Kickers to Avoid
Sam Ficken is our first avoidance of the week because *checks notes* Adam Gase is still the head coach. Quarterback Sam Darnold is back, and I still don’t want any piece of the Jets regardless of the matchup.
Graham Gano of the New York Giants doesn’t have an enviable task this week. His team is taking on the Washington Football Team in a race to the bottom. Their defense is still playing well, and that’s going to cause some scoring issues for Gano and the Giants.
Greg Zuerlein of the Dallas Cowboys gets our final nod. This Cowboys team just can’t get out of their own way, and there is no guarantee quarterback Andy Dalton will be back. Throw in a matchup with an elite Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense, and it should just be avoided altogether.
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