Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

- Written by Kyle Smith
- Edited by Marc Caviglia
- Predictions are based on Staff Consensus

WEEK 4 RANKINGS  QB  |  RB  |  WR  |  TE  |  K  |  DEF

Week 3 was a good one for fantasy football  kickers, as a dozen registered double-digit fantasy points for their owners. In fact, it’s been a good year so far for kickers in general, because as a unit kickers have made 18 of their 21 attempts from 50 or more yards, and a whopping 18 kickers have yet to miss a field goal attempt. Obviously that number will dwindle in the coming weeks, so fantasy owners should enjoy it while they can. For now, let’s look ahead to our Fantasy Football Week 4 Kicker Rankings.

::RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 29, 2012::

 
1. Stephen Gostkowski (New England Patriots) @ Buffalo

Gostkowski is third in the league in field goals, and tied for third at his position in fantasy points. He made all three of his field goals last week in New England’s loss to Baltimore, hitting from 20, 37 and 49 yards, and tied for fourth in fantasy scoring on the week. He doesn’t seem to have any truly down weeks, and that type of consistency is gold to fantasy owners.
Point Projection: 15 points

2. David Akers (San Francisco 49ers) @ New York Jets

The 49ers lost to the Vikings last week, and fantasy owners didn’t reap much reward from Akers either. He was 2-for-3 in field goals, though the miss came on a blocked kick. Nevertheless, he’s a solid option for his fantasy owners on a weekly basis, and that’s no different this week as the 49ers travel to New York to face the Jets.
Point Projection: 15 points

3. Sebastian Janikowski (Oakland Raiders) @ Denver

Janikowski’s two field goals in the final 6:30 last week against Pittsburgh put them over the top, with his 43-yarder as time expired winning it. He also booted four extra points and tied for ninth in fantasy scoring for the week. He brings his mammoth league to the thin air of Denver this week, a place where he accumulated 13 fantasy points last season.
Point Projection: 14 points

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4. Justin Tucker (Baltimore Ravens) vs. Cleveland

Tucker made only one field goal last week against New England, a controversial game-winner from 27 yards, but he’s still tied for third among kickers in fantasy points. He’s made all seven of his field goals attempts, including five from 40 yards or longer, and is third in the league in PATs. We love him this week at home against a Browns team that the Ravens should throttle.
Point Projection: 14 points

5. Shayne Graham (Houston Texans) vs. Tennessee

Houston is arguably the best team in the NFL, and though you can’t say the same thing about Graham’s spot among fantasy kickers, he should be in lineups. He made four extra points and a 41-yard field goal last week in Denver, and those four PATs helped to put him tied for fourth in the league in that category. Graham and his Texans teammates get to face the Titans this week, which is good for all fantasy owners of Houston players; the Titans are giving up the second-most yards and most points in the NFL.
Point Projection: 12 points

6.  Jason Hanson (Detroit Lions) vs. Minnesota

If things had gone as planned in overtime last week for the Lions, Hanson would have, at the very least, tied for the lead in fantasy points for the week. But instead of trotting him out to kick a short field goal, the Lions inexplicably tried to gain the first down on fourth and 1, with Shaun Hill rushing up the middle for no gain. Whether there was miscommunication or not, that play cost Hanson’s fantasy owners a potential three points. But even without those three points, Hanson had a very good day, with four field goals and three extra points, and was third in fantasy points for the week. He now leads all kickers in fantasy points for the season, and is tied for the league lead in field goals made.
Point Projection: 12 points

7. Mason Crosby (Green Bay Packers) vs. New Orleans

Crosby connected on both of his field goals in the Packers “loss” to the Seahawks on Monday night, making kicks from 29 and 40 yards. With Green Bay’s offense struggling, he’s not doing what fantasy owners figured he would so far this year. We fully believe that will change this week as the Saints come to town. New Orleans has allowed the most fantasy points in the league to opposing kickers, is tied for 30th in points per game allowed and is dead last in yards allowed.
Point Projection: 11 points

8. Matt Bryant (Atlanta Falcons) vs. Carolina

It wasn’t Bryant’s fault that he was fourth from the bottom in fantasy scoring this week – blame Atlanta’s offense. Instead of stalling, they scored four touchdowns to take Bryant’s opportunity to score away from him. He should have plenty of opportunities this week against the Panthers, who have allowed the second-most fantasy points in the league to opposing kickers, giving up double-digits in each of their three games this year.
Point Projection: 11 points

9. Lawrence Tynes (New York Giants) @ Philadelphia

Tynes connected on five field goals against the Panthers last week, making kicks from 27, 30, 36, 47 and 49 yards. Those boots helped him register 20 fantasy points for the week, which was second behind the Chiefs Ryan Succop. Tynes is one of just three kickers to have attempted at least 10 field goals this season, but the only one who has made them all. That’s helped propel him to second among kickers in fantasy points on the year.
Point Projection: 10 points

10 Garrett Hartley (New Orleans Saints) @ Green Bay

Hartley had a poor day last week as the Saints lost to the Chiefs, missing a 37-yard field goal near the end of the second quarter. He did make a 40-yard kick and three PATs, so the day was not lost for his fantasy owners, but it remained a disappointment. The Saints offense is still scoring nearly 28 points per game, despite the notion that they’re struggling a bit, so we remain a backer of Hartley’s, and like his chances for a solid game against the Packers.
Point Projection: 10 points

11. Greg Zuerlein (St. Louis Rams) vs. Seattle

With his field goals from 46 and 56 yards last week against the Bears, Zuerlein has moved up to sixth in fantasy scoring among kickers, and is one of three rookies who occupy a spot in the top half-dozen. He’s tied for fourth in the league in field goals made with eight, and five of those eight kicks have come from at least 40 yards. His leg will be needed this week as the Rams’ struggling offense will face a test against a good Seahawks defense.
Point Projection: 10 points

12. Matt Prater (Denver Broncos) vs. Oakland

Prater was tied for fourth in fantasy scoring at his position last week, making field goals from 23, 32 and 53 yards, as well as a pair of PATs. He hadn’t gotten it going until last week, and fantasy owners are hoping that could jumpstart him. It helps that the Broncos Peyton Manning-led offense will be facing the Raiders this week, as their 26th-ranked scoring defense should allow Manning, and by extension Prater, to accumulate points.
Point Projection: 10 points

13. Billy Cundiff (Washington Redskins) @ Tampa Bay

Cundiff made his only field goal attempt last week, from 36 yards, in Washington’s loss to Cincinnati. He also made four extra points, and is tied for first in PATs for the season. The Redskins have formed a very good offense, which should keep Cundiff busy enough to be in consideration to start for most fantasy squads.
Point Projection: 10 points

14. Blair Walsh (Minnesota Vikings) @ Detroit

Walsh made just a single field goal last week in Minnesota’s surprising win over San Francisco, but it was from 52 yards out, and he’s now 3-for-3 in field goals from 50 or more yards. He’s fifth at his position in fantasy scoring this season and fantasy owners shouldn’t hesitate to keep using him as long as he produces.
Point Projection: 9 points

15. Nick Novak (San Diego Chargers) @ Kansas City

With news that Nate Kaeding will be out of action in Week 4, Nick Novak has made the trip to Kansas City and will be the kicker for San Diego. Good thing San Diego had his number on speed dial, as Kaeding can’t seem to stay healthy. Novak was solid in 2011 and should see enough kicking chances to be a starting in 12-team or 14-team leagues.
Point Projection: 9 points