Lineup calls: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | D/ST
There’s value to be found for the much-maligned kicker.
Let’s find those value-added options.
Top Kickers
(Other than David Akers, Sebastian Janikowski, Robbie Gould, Matt Bryant, Mason Crosby, Billy Cundiff and Nate Kaeding)
Shayne Graham at Buffalo
Graham has converted at least one field goal and three PATs in every game that he’s participated in as a member of the Patriots. He’s logged nine field goals and 30 PATs in his six games. This game is a virtual layup against the 25th-ranked Buffalo defense (25.2 points allowed per game).
David Buehler at Arizona
Buehler has converted multiple field goals in four consecutive games while adding a field goal worth of PATs. In fact, Buehler has converted three or more field goals in 11 of the Cowboys’ 14 games played to date. Lock and load for another top-notch effort in Arizona (26.4 points allowed per game).
Josh Scobee vs. Washington
Scobee has quietly posted a very nice year behind the consistent efforts of David Garrard and the Jacksonville offense. He’s converted at least one field goal and one PAT in 12 of 14 games this season. I’m moderately concerned about the fact that Scobee has only converted multiple field goals in four games this season, but the consistency of the Jacksonville unit and the play of the offensive line help to mitigate those fears. Washington allows 24.5 points per game.
Adam Vinatieri at Oakland
Vinateiri had already been contributing a steady baseline of PATs behind Peyton Manning, as you’d expect, but he’s trotted out for five field-goal tries in the past two weeks. He’s offered fantasy owners a strong option off the wire for the playoff stretch as Manning left his turnover woes in the rearview mirror.
The Raiders rank 20th in total defense this season (23.6 points allowed per game). Manning will supply Vinatieri with opportunities, particularly if the running game stays on track.
Connor Barth vs. Seattle
Barth hasn’t been world-beating for the Buccaneers this season, but he’s been consistent. He’s converted at least one field goal in 11 of 14 games while posting 29 PATs (nine games with multiple PATs). Barth is in a glorious spot this week for the playoff-hungry Buccaneers against a Seattle squad tied for 26th in total defense at 25.9 points allowed per game.
Sleepers
Dan Carpenter vs. Detroit
Can Carpenter rebound from an atrocious Week 15 performance in which he missed four field goals? He was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing season and helped keep the Dolphins in playoff contention for much of the season. Carpenter has converted multiple field goals in seven games this season.
Stephen Hauschka vs. Houston
Matt Prater’s absence puts Hauschka on the radar for an advantageous spot against the Broncos. Hauschka has converted five field goals and three PATs in two games. I’m moderately concerned about the consistency of the offense with Knowshon Moreno ailing, but Hauschka figures to see multiple field-goal opportunities against a weak Houston defense.
Olindo Mare at Tampa Bay
Mare has converted 12 field goals in the past six weeks, including two huge efforts in which he booted a total of nine field goals in Weeks 10 and 11. He’s also converted three or more PATs in four of those six games.
I don’t anticipate a huge offensive display from the Seahawks, by any means. However, Marshawn Lynch should find enough success on the ground to set Mare up for multiple field-goal tries.
Flops
Lawrence Tynes at Green Bay
I’m not going to bury Tynes altogether, as he’s been giving owners a bucket of PATs with regularity. However, his field-goal attempts have been sporadic over the past month (multiple field-goal tries in one of the past five games). I’m fearful that Tynes’ trips to the field will be sparse against the stout Green Bay defense (15.7 points allowed per game) in this battle of teams grasping for a playoff spot.
Nick Folk at Chicago
The New York offense has sputtered in recent weeks, thereby putting Folk in line for multiple field-goal tries virtually every game. He’s a difficult start this week because of the opponent (17.3 points allowed per game), the weather (frigid with 15-20 mile per hour winds) and the lack of traction in the ground game.
