Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

- Written by Brad Berreman
- Edited by Marc Caviglia
- Predictions are based on Staff Consensus

::RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF DECEMBER 15, 2011::

Week 14 was a very good week for fantasy kickers, as he we saw nine players post 10 or more points (ESPN scoring) and three guys (Mason Crosby, David Akers, Mike Nugent) make four field goals in their game. This week brings a few favorable matchups for the top kickers that owners have relied upon this season.

Now is clearly not the time for fantasy football owners to get too cute when it comes to their starting kicker, but there does seem to be a significant line between the top options and the options that are not good this week. So go ahead and take a look at our Fantasy Football Week 15 Kicker Rankings to see where your starting kicker sits and see if an upgrade is needed for this critical week.

Standard Scoring

17-39 Yard Field Goal: 3 points |  40-49 Yard Field Goal: 4 points
50-plus Yard Field Goal: 5 points |  Extra Point: 1 point

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1. Sebastian Janikowski (Oakland Raiders) vs. Detroit

Janikowski has not attempted a field goal in two consecutive games, which may be at least in part to the fact he is dealing with a hamstring injury. A very favorable matchup is coming in Week 15 against the Detroit Lions, who have allowed 9.2 points (tied for third-most in the league) to opposing kickers despite allowing just one field goal attempt in their last two games combined. The Raiders have a fair chance to move the ball against a vulnerable Lions’ defense, so Janikowski should see some opportunities on Sunday. The potential for a long-range make always enhances his fantasy potential, and “The Polish Cannon” can be thought of as a top tier fantasy kicker for Week 15 as long as he is healthy.
Point Projection: 13 points

2. Mason Crosby (Green Bay Packers) @ Kansas City

Crosby went 4-for-4 on field goals, with a long of 49 yards, and also made four extra points against the Oakland Raiders in Week 14. Another nice matchup is coming in Week 15 against the Kansas City Chiefs, who prior to last week had allowed multiple field goal attempts in five of their previous six games. Even with the loss of wide receiver Greg Jennings (knee), the Green Bay offense simply cannot be stopped right now no matter who is active and the Chiefs’ defense has little hope of slowing them down. Fantasy owners can confidently roll with Crosby as their starting kicker, as the likely have all season.
Point Projection: 12 points

3. John Kasay (New Orleans Saints) @ Minnesota

Kasay made all three of his field goals along with his one extra point last week against the Tennessee Titans, and has now posted at least seven points (ESPN scoring) in five straight games heading into a favorable matchup for Week 15 against the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings have allowed the most points to opposing kickers (9.8 per game) this season, and kickers have only missed one field goal against them all season. The Saints’ offense should continue to give Kasay all the opportunities he can handle, though the expectation they will score more than a few touchdowns will actually hurt his fantasy production. That said fantasy owners would do well to roll with him this week, as there are few kickers with more favorable circumstances.
Point Projection: 11 points

4. Dan Bailey (Dallas Cowboys) @ Tampa Bay

Bailey went 2-for-3 on field goals and 4-for-4 on extra points in Week 14 against the New York Giants, and has now made multiple field goals in six straight games and in all but two games all season. He has missed three field goals in his last two games, but a chance for a rebound is coming this week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers have allowed 17 extra points in their last four games, which came on the heels of allowing multiple field goal attempts in each of their first eight games this season. The Dallas offense should give Bailey plenty of scoring opportunities again this week, so fantasy owners can consider the rookie out of Oklahoma State a solid top tier starting option.
Point Projection: 11 points

5. Steven Gostkowski (New England Patriots) @ Denver

Gostkowski made both of his field goals and went 4-for-4 on extra points against the Washington Redskins in Week 14, and has now put up over five points in all but one game all season. A very favorable matchup is coming in Week 15 against the Denver Broncos, who have allowed 9.2 points (third-most in the league) to opposing kickers this season, including a league-high eight field goal attempts from 50 or more yards out. The Patriots’ offensive efficiency puts a lid on his fantasy value, but Gostkowski is still a rock-solid No. 1 kicker for this week.
Point Projection: 11 Points

6. Mike Nugent (Cincinnati Bengals) @ St. Louis

“The Nuge” went 4-for-4 on field goal attempts and made his only extra point against the Houston Texans last week, and he has now made seven field goals over his last three games. Week 15 brings a nice matchup against the St. Louis Rams, who have allowed at least 11 points to an opposing kicker in four of their last five games and at least four field goal attempts in each of those four contests. Nugent has missed just one field goal in his last seven games, so he should make the most of his opportunities. He has very little downside in any case, but kicking indoors only solidifies his spot as a top tier starting kicker for Week 15.
Point Projection: 10 points

7. Lawrence Tynes (New York Giants) vs. Washington

Tynes made both of his field goal attempts and went 3-for-3 on extra points against the Dallas Cowboys, and he has now attempted multiple field goals in four of his last five games heading into Week 15 against the Washington Redskins. Washington has allowed the second-most points to opposing kickers (9.7 points per game) this season and have allowed multiple field goal attempts in nine straight games. The Giants are playing very well offensively recently, so Tynes is worth a shot as a low-end starting kicker for this week.
Point Projection: 10 points

8. Neil Rackers (Houston Texans) vs. Carolina

Rackers went 2-for-3 on field goals and 2-for-2 on extra points against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 14, as he continued to get opportunities to produce in T.J. Yates’ second start under center. He has a good chance for another productive game in Week 15 against the Carolina Panthers, who have allowed 9.0 points to opposing kickers (sixth-most in the league) this season along with allowing multiple field goal attempts in four of their last five games. The Panthers’ defense is unlikely to contain the Houston offense, so Rackers should see plenty of opportunities and can be regarded as a solid No. 1 kicker once again for Week 15.
Point Projection: 10 points

9. David Akers (San Francisco 49ers) vs. Pittsburgh

Akers went 4-for-5 on field goals and 1-for-1 on extra points against the Arizona Cardinals last week, giving him four field goal conversions in two straight games and four the fifth time this season. A much tougher matchup is coming this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have allowed the fourth-fewest points to opposing kickers (5.9 per game). The 49ers simply do not have enough offense to significantly challenge the Steelers’ defense, but Akers is basically a must-start for fantasy owners at this point and thus is virtually matchup proof. Be aware of the downside if you use him, but Akers can still be considered a solid starting kicker for this week.
Point Projection: 9 points

10. Rob Bironas (Tennessee Titans) @ Indianapolis

Bironas failed to make multiple field goals for the first time in three games last week against the New Orleans Saints, but he did make his only field goal attempt along with going 2-for-2 on extra points in the game. He will get an opportunity to rebound this week against the Indianapolis Colts, who have allowed the seventh-most points to opposing kickers (8.7 per game) this season. Bironas went 2-for-2 on field goals (50 and 51 yards out) and 3-for-3 on extra points against the Colts in Week 8, and similar results are a reasonable expectation no matter who is under center for the Titans this week. He can be considered a solid lower tier No.1 kicker for Week 15.
Point Projection: 9 points

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We’ve partnered with DraftStreet.com to provide our fans an opportunity to play WEEKLY salary cap fantasy football against the Bruno Boys Staff.  Through the first 14 weeks of the NFL season we have given away over $5,900 in cash prizes. This week, we are offering a $350 free roll in which the TOP 20 win prize money. Make sure to sign-up now for a chance to win money and take on the Bruno Boys… IT’S FREE!!

Please use this link to enter:  Week 15 $350 Contest  (click to register)

11. Matt Prater (Denver Broncos) vs. New England

Prater went 2-for-3 on field goals, with both makes coming from 50-plus yards out, and also made his only extra point in the game. He has now posted 31 points (ESPN scoring) in his last three games heading into what looks to be a tougher matchup against the New England Patriots this week. The Patriots have allowed just 6.5 points to opposing kickers this season (sixth-fewest in the league), but they have allowed multiple field goal makes in two of their last three games. The Broncos’ offense is rolling right now, and an inept New England offense will be hard-pressed to slow them down all game. Prater’s leg strength is good for his fantasy value even if he misses a field goal, so fantasy owners can consider him a decent starting choice for Week 15.
Point Projection: 9 points

12. Jason Hanson (Detroit Lions) @ Oakland

Hanson went 2-for-2 on field goals and made all four of his extra points against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 14, as he got back on track after missing three field goals in his previous two games. Another nice matchup is coming for Week 15 against the Oakland Raiders, who have allowed 40 points (ESPN scoring) to opposing kickers over their past three games, including 8-for-8 on field goal attempts and 10-for-10 on extra points. Weather should not be an issue kicking in Oakland, so the venerable Lions’ kicker can be regarded as a solid starting choice for Week 15.
Point Projection: 9 points

13. Ryan Longwell (Minnesota Vikings) vs. New Orleans

Longwell did not attempt a field goal last week against the Detroit Lions, but he did make all four of his extra points in the game. He has now attempted just four field goals in his last five games, with three coming in one game, heading into Week 15 against the New Orleans Saints. New Orleans is in the top half of the league against opposing kickers (7.5 points per game) this season, and they have not allowed multiple field goal makes in three consecutive games. The Vikings are expected to get running back Adrian Peterson (ankle) back this week and quarterback Christian Ponder (hip) seems to be closer to 100 percent, so there could be a lot of opportunities for Longwell to produce. He can be considered a low-end starting kicker for this week, but does have some upside.
Point Projection: 8 points

14. Robbie Gould (Chicago Bears) vs. Seattle

Gould converted his only extra point and made his lone field goal attempt (a 57-yarder) last week against the Denver Broncos, setting a franchise record for longest field goal. His production has been poor since the Bears had to turn to Caleb Hanie under center and a fairly tough matchup is coming against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 15. Seattle has allowed 7.2 points per game to opposing kickers this season (ninth-fewest in the league) and just 18 points to the position over their last five games. Gould is a good enough kicker to make the most of even limited opportunities, but he is nothing more than a low-end No. 1 kicker for Week 15.
Point Projection: 8 points

15. Matt Bryant (Atlanta Falcons) vs. Jacksonville

Bryant went 1-for-2 on field goals and 4-for-4 on extra points against the Carolina Panthers in Week 14, and has now made just one field goal in three consecutive games. He is listed as probable for Thursday night’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars due to an illness, but he looks likely to play at this point. The Jaguars have been tough on opposing kickers, allowing the fewest points (5.4 points per game) to the position this season. That said, the Falcons’ offense should be able to move the ball well and give Bryant a fair amount of opportunities. He is a solid low-end starting kicker for this week, just make sure he is active before solidifying him in your lineup.
Point Projection: 8 points

16. Billy Cundiff (Baltimore Ravens) @ San Diego

Cundiff was bothered by a calf injury heading into last week against the Indianapolis Colts, but was able to kick and made his only field goal attempt and all three of his extra points in the game. He is still dealing with the injury this week, but as of now is expected to play this week against the San Diego Chargers. It is a fairly difficult matchup, as the Chargers have allowed just five points to kickers in their past two games, but it can be argued the Ravens have a better offense than those two opponents. The calf injury is a concern, and that is enough to keep Cundiff out of the top tier of fantasy kickers for Week 15.
Point Projection: 7 points