More than a few fantasy owners were burned by their kicker on Sunday, as four of the top-ranked players delivered single-digit duds, including a surprising one-point performance by No. 1 kicker Greg Zuerlein against the Vikings.
After four consecutive games of at least 10 fantasy points, highlighted by a 23-point explosion at home Week 7 against Baltimore, Kai Forbath managed just three fantasy points in Minnesota’s 23-7 win over the Rams. Forbath miss two of his three attempts on the day, including a 39-yard attempt in the third quarter that bounced off the left upright.
The most disappointing performance of the week came from rookie Jake Elliott of the Eagles, who gave owners negative points after leaving the Sunday night game early with a head injury. In what could have been a lucrative matchup indoors against the Cowboys, Elliott missed his only attempt on the day before sustaining a concussion covering a kickoff.
With the Thanksgiving break on Thursday, it is time for fantasy owners to start considering weather conditions when evaluating kickers. Snow, wind, and cold weather significantly impact place kickers not comfortable kicking in sub-par conditions. There are a few kickers, like Justin Tucker, Stephen Gostkowski, Matt Bryant, and Matt Prater, who are must-starts regardless of the weather. For the rest of the players in the kicker pool, streaming a kicker playing indoors vs. playing a rooking like Elliott or Harrison Butker outdoors might be the smarter play.
Here are a few streamers for Week 12 of the NFL season.
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Dan Bailey (DAL) vs. L.A. Chargers (21% Owned on Yahoo)
Bailey is set to return to the field after missing multiple weeks with a groin injury. The most accurate field goal kicker in NFL history is a solid fantasy play this week against a Chargers team that ranks 14th in fantasy points allowed. The Cowboys have floundered in two losses without starting left tackle Tryon Smith and suspended RB Ezekiel Elliott. Offensive struggles often lead to stalled drives in the red zone, which equate to fantasy gold for fantasy football kickers.
Adam Vinatieri (IND) vs. Tennessee (38% Owned on Yahoo)
The ageless one has been a repeat offender as my red flag play this season due to the fact that the Jacoby Brissett-led Colt offense typically does not provide enough opportunity for multiple field goal attempts, and the terrible Indy defense creates too many negative game scripts.
Regardless of how many times kickers grace my red flag section, certain opponents provide even the worst fantasy kickers opportunities to excel. A home game against a Titans defense that allows the ninth-most points to opposing kickers is one such opportunity. Vinatieri delivered his second-best performance of the season Week 6 against Tennessee in Nashville and should have another double-digit performance Week 12.
Josh Lambo (JAC) @ Arizona (30% Owned on Yahoo)
Nasty weather conditions in Cleveland cost Lambo his third double-digit performance in the last four games, as a difficult crosswind in the snow pushed one of his kicks wide right. Weather will not be a concern this week inside University of Phoenix Stadium, and the Blaine Gabbert-led Cardinals offense should provide numerous short fields conducive for a big kicking performance. It would not surprise me to see Lambo lead all kickers this week in fantasy points, yet he will continue to be owned in less than 45% of leagues.
Nick Novak (LAC) vs. Dallas (2% Owned on Yahoo)
Novak’s ownership percentage is set to skyrocket after a 17-point performance against the hapless Bills on Sunday. While I don’t anticipate another four field goal game for the veteran kicker, I do think the underrated Charger offense will be able to move the ball against the Cowboys. If Tyron Smith is unable to play or is not in top form, the No.3 ranked Chargers defense (in sacks forced) will cause havoc for Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense, opening the door for multiple short fields for Los Angeles.
Red Flag Alert
Mason Crosby (GB) @ Pittsburgh (36% ownership on Yahoo)
Too many owners chased points with Crosby after his 12-point performance against the Bears Week 10. The Green Bay offense is terrible, and Crosby should be dropped in all formats. All four kickers listed above should be owned and started over Crosby, especially this week with Green Bay likely chasing points on the road against the Steelers.
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Andrew Swanson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Andrew, check out his archive or follow him @FantasyProsAndy.
