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Kickers are mercurial beings and projecting them each week can be tough, but you can usually get in the ballpark of a good play versus a bad play when it comes to the position. Thankfully this week we don’t have as much wind in the forecast to tip-toe around. I like to look for high-scoring games, good weather and defenses that have given up consistent attempts each week.
Kicker Starts
Ka’imi Fairbairn, Texans vs. Jaguars
The Texans played the Jaguars once this season and it was Fairbairn’s best fantasy game, as he hit three field goals, including a 50+ yarder, and two extra points. The Jaguars consistently give up scoring opportunities and on the season have allowed the third-most fantasy points to the position. He’ll also be kicking at his home field this week and the weather looks perfect. At just 21 percent rostered in Yahoo leagues, he should be a good bye-week streamer at the least.
Daniel Carlson, Raiders vs. Chargers
Carlson has been steady all season, as he’s made two or more field goals in every game, while also hitting all three of his 50+ yarders. And he actually made three of four attempts in the crazy Cleveland wind last week. This week he faces a Chargers defense that has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to kickers this season and he’s just 39 percent rostered at Yahoo.
Kicker Sits
Rodrigo Blankenship, Colts vs. Ravens
Blankenship has been great this season and I can understand leaving him in your lineup, because, well, it’s just a kicker and he’s good. But, he also gets an extremely tough matchup with the Ravens, who have allowed nine field goal attempts in seven games.
Greg Zuerlein, Cowboys vs. Steelers
I only bring up Zurlein here because he is rostered in around 60 percent of Yahoo leagues and if you are one of those teams, then it’s time to switch him out this week. He can still be useful for a poor offense like the Cowboys, but his opportunities are going to be hard to come by. And this week, he faces a Steelers defense that has allowed just eight field goal attempts and 15 extra points all season.