It is not a common occurrence for a kicker to be carried off the field at the conclusion of a Week 6 regular season game. But considering the dumpster fire that was Monday Night Football between the Broncos and the Chargers, and the fact that Dustin Hopkins kicked four field goals and an extra point with a painful hamstring injury, it’s not surprising that the Chargers carried hoisted Hopkins into the air as if they won a playoff game.

Hopkins fell to the ground in agony after each attempt, bringing into question whether or not he would be able to continue in the game. But he did keep kicking for head coach Brandon Staley, including a 39-yarder in overtime to give the Chargers a 19-16 win in what turned out to be another in a long string of ugly primetime games.

Scoring was down across the board for kickers last week, with only 10 kickers posting double-digit fantasy points. The 14 points scored by Wil Lutz and Ryan Succop were the lowest totals for top performers all season long, and only four kickers rostered in over 65% of Yahoo Leagues posted a top-12 finish.

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Week 6 Stud Performances from widely available kickers

Jason Myers (SEA) @ Arizona: 11% roster percentage on Yahoo

After a slow start to the season that included a combined seven fantasy points in his first two games, Myers has been a stud, with no fewer than nine points in each of his last four games. His 13 points last week was the third-best in fantasy, and he looks primed for another big game this week on the road against the Chargers. If you are in need of a waiver wire play this week for a bye week kicker, Myers is a great option.

Cade York (CLE) vs. NE: 9% roster percentage on Yahoo

The negative game script here was a bit of a surprise, as I anticipated a closer game that what transpired. Despite being on the end of a lopsided loss, York managed to kicker three field goals against the Patriots. He is a bit of a risk this week based on his inconsistent play, but his K Score of 36 does indicate another top-12 finish for the rookie.

Week 6 Dud Performances from widely-rostered kickers

Tyler Bass (BUF) @ Kansas City: 99% roster percentage on Yahoo

Six fantasy points is not a terrible outcome for Bass fantasy managers, but I thought I would include him here to remind readers that kickers on potent offenses are not always the best for fantasy production. Bass will always give you a floor of extra point production based on the logic that Allen and the offense will not likely get shut out. Yet on the flip side, he has just two games of double-digit fantasy points on the season and has fewer fantasy points in 2022 than Jason Myers, Chris Boswell, and Eddy Pineiro.

Kicker Rankings

*Red Zone Efficiency is based on the inverse of how well the kicker‘s offense does in the red zone. For example, the Ravens rank 12th in red zone efficiency; therefore Justin Tucker has a RZ EFF score of 29. The lower number, the better for kickers, as playing on a team that struggles to score touchdowns in the red zone equates to more field goal opportunities.

**The K Score is the sum of a player’s opponent’s red zone, the red zone efficiency of his offense, and the overall rank of his respective team in terms of total yards. A low score indicates that a kicker has variables working in his favor for a good fantasy kicking performance.

Kicker rankings are based on numerous factors, including matchups, Vegas lines and score projections, weather conditions, the ability of a kicker‘s team offense and their ability to move the ball into field goal range, offensive red zone efficiency, and how well the opposing defense limits touchdowns in the red zone. These factors are a guide, but not a definitive way to predict kicking success, as other variables and negative game scripts significantly impact the outcome.

Based on all of the variables mentioned above, the following two kickers are players ranked outside of the FantasyPros ECR top 10 who could be an excellent play in Week 7.

Dustin Hopkins (LAC) vs. Seattle: (18)% roster percentage on Yahoo

This one may be a bit of a risk based on his hamstring injury, but I am going to stay in the flames with Hopkins this week against the Seahawks. His K Score of 39 indicates he should be a top-12 play. I anticipate the Chargers should be able to move the ball against Seattle, and they are playing indoors.

Nick Folk (NE) vs. Chicago: 48% roster percentage on Yahoo

I am not sure why the fantasy industry has Folk ranked outside K1 status this week. A home game against a dreadful Bears team should present an advantageous game script for kicking, and Folk is one of the most consistent kickers over the last two seasons. Sure, he posted just 7 against the Browns last week, but I anticipate that will be his floor in this matchup.

Prediction Review

Each week I suggest two kickers ranked outside the FantasyPros ECR top 10 who I believe will be solid performers based on the variables described in the K Score section. The following is a review of my picks from the previous week to see where I was successful and where I missed the mark.

Taylor Bertolet/Dustin Hopkins (LAC) vs. Denver: (0,18)% roster percentage on Yahoo

• ECR Rank: 22
• My Rank: 11
• Week 6 Finish: T3

The Broncos’ offense is dreadful to watch, and Russell Wilson looks like the Seahawks traded a lemon to Denver this offseason. The lone bright spot is the Denver defense, particularly their ability to keep teams from scoring touchdowns. This proved to be correct, and despite a hamstring injury, Hopkins turned out to be a top-3 play this week.

Jake Elliott / Cameron Dicker (PHI) vs. Dallas: 1% roster percentage on Yahoo

• ECR Rank: 21
• My Rank: 12
• Week 6 Finish (Eagles’ Kicker): T8

Starter Jake Elliott returned from injury and posted an impressive ten fantasy points for the undefeated Eagles on Sunday Night Football. Although Dicker did not play, the K Score of 28 indicated an excellent opportunity for field goal production, and Elliott came through.

Waiver Wired

Top Add

Wil Lutz (NO) at Arizona: 15% roster percentage on Yahoo

Lutz posted a week-best 14 points against the Bengals and looks to be in line for another big game this week on Thursday Night Football. He has 30 points in his last three games and should be rostered in more leagues.

Other players to consider:

• Jason Myers (SEA) @ Arizona: 11% roster percentage on Yahoo

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