Week four of the NFL season was a banner week for kickers, with seven players scoring double-digit points, including Greg Zuerlein, who made seven of seven attempts and two extra points. Legatron finished just one field goal away from tying the late Rob Bironas for most field goals in an NFL game, a record that Bironas set in 2007 as a member of the Titans.
Veterans Robbie Gould and Phil Dawson combined for nine field goals in a defensive struggle in Arizona, while rookies Jake Elliott and Ka’imi Fairbairn each posted double-digit games for their respective teams. As an example of the frustrating nature of kicking in fantasy football, not one of the four kickers are owned in more than 15% of Yahoo leagues, while heavily owned studs like Matt Bryant and Justin Tucker combined for two field goals on the day.
Predicting success from a kicker is one of the more difficult aspects of fantasy football and a reason why many leagues have opted to move away from kicking altogether. For those still stuck in leagues with a kicker requirement, the following streamers have attractive matchups for Week 5.
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Ka’imi Fairbairn (HOU) vs. Kansas City (2% Ownership on Yahoo)
Fairbairn has quietly posted back-to-back double-digit games, including three field goals last week in Houston’s blowout win over the Titans. I like Fairbairn to continue his hot play at home against Kansas City, a defense that will likely stall more of Deshaun Watson drives in field goal range. Fairbairn’s ownership continues to hover in the low single digits, as fantasy owners have yet to buy into the rookie’s potential as the kicker for a surprisingly good Texans offense. Don’t let the name fool you; John Christian Ka’iminoeauloameka’ikeokekumupa’a “Ka’imi” Fairbairn is the real deal.
Robbie Gould (SF) @ Indy (1% Ownership on Yahoo)
Fellow NFC West kickers Greg Zuerlein and Phil Dawson each posted double-digit games against an Indianapolis defense that is allowing the ninth-most points to opposing kickers this season. Gould is a perfect 11 of 11 on the season, and the 49er’s 29th-ranked red zone offense should give him ample opportunities in what could be a high-scoring game. Gould, the 7th-best kicker in NFL history in terms of FG%, is on pace for the most field goals attempted (46) and made in his 14-year career, yet because he plays on the San Francisco 49ers fantasy owners have not given him much usage this season. I look for that to change after another big game from Gould on Sunday against the Colts.
Graham Gano (CAR) @ Detroit (35% Ownership on Yahoo)
The kicker with arguably the best leg of the three players listed in this piece, Gano enters Sunday’s game against the Lions on the heels of a game-winning 48-yard field goal against the Patriots in Foxboro. Gano and the Panthers head north on Sunday to take on a Lions defense that is tied with Carolina for sixth in points allowed this season. This game has the makings of a kicker duel between Gano and Prater, with each player poised for multiple field goals in what could be a low-scoring game.
Red Flag Alert
Justin Tucker (BAL) @ Oakland
Although he is one of the best kickers in the league and one of the most productive fantasy kickers over the past three seasons, Justin Tucker has been marginalized this season by an ineffective Baltimore offense. With Oakland in need of a win at home after two disappointing losses to Washington and Denver, the Ravens offense could be in for another rough day against Khalil Mack and the Raider defense.
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Andrew Swanson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Andrew, check out his archive or follow him @FantasyProsAndy.
