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It’s Week 12 and it’s once again time for kicker rankings! This list is here to help all of us figure out who’s gonna kick for our teams this week, and make those streaming or start/sit decisions easier.
While finding a good FLEX and starting the right QB are crucial to winning your matchups, anyone who’s worth their salt will tell you the true X-factor in fantasy matchups can be the kicker.
Picking the right guy could net you 10 extra points any given Sunday, clinching you a victory, frustrating your opponents, and making you seem like a god amongst men - for you have proven to be the true Prophet of Special Teams. So buckle up buckaroos, things are bound to get wild as we dive into the mysterious world of kicker rankings...
Editor's Note: Once you're done here, be sure to read about even more Week 12 waiver wire recommendations, for all fantasy-relevant positions. Just click on any link: ALL - RB - WR - TE - QB - DEF - FAAB - CUTS
Week 12 Kickers To Start & Stream: Tiers & Rankings
Tier 1 NFL Kickers
- Dan Bailey (vs WAS)
- Stephen Gostkowski (@ NYJ)
- Graham Gano (@ OAK)
- Cairo Santos (@ DEN)
- Steven Hauschka (@ TB)
As much as it hurts me to admit it, Dallas is legit. They’ve proven time and time again that their offense cannot and will not be stopped. And heading into a Thanksgiving divisional matchup against a defense that kept letting the Packers back into the game last week, that isn’t gonna change. Dan Bailey has been crushing it week-in, week-out and is our top play this week.
The Panthers, on the other hand, have been nothing short of atrocious all season, but have recently started to gain momentum, which they’re desperately going to need against a strong Oakland Raiders team. Should Luke Kuechly miss time, the already-potent Raiders offense is only going to have an easier time running up the score. Carolina is going to need to put up points early and often to stay in this game, which is going to mean lots and lots of Gano.
Tier 2 NFL Kickers
- Adam Vinatieri (vs PIT)
- Dustin Hopkins (@ DAL)
- Wil Lutz (vs LA)
- Robbie Gould (@ CLE)
- Josh Lambo (@ HOU)
- Ryan Succop (@ CHI)
Wil Lutz continues to be an elite kicker play, as the Saints head back to the dome (where they’re best) to play a just-plain-sad Rams team coming off a pitiful loss to the Dolphins. If they’re so bad that they can let Ryan Tannehill beat them, imagine what hell Drew Brees will unleash on them. Lutz is going to be kicking non-stop as the Saints impose their will on the lowly LA Rams.
The Giants are playing the Browns. I really wish there was more to this ranking than that, but there isn’t. The Browns are just plain bad and the G-Men are on a roll - start Gould.
Tier 3 NFL Kickers
- Andrew Franks (vs SF)
- Dan Carpenter (vs JAX)
- Justin Tucker (vs CIN)
- Matt Bryant (vs ARI)
- Caleb Sturgis (vs GB)
The recurring theme here tends to be “start the kicker playing an awful team”, and Andrew Franks more than qualifies this week. While the Dolphins offense is nothing special, the 49ers ARE special in just how ineffective their defense is. They’ve gotten shredded every week since Navorro Bowman went down and that isn’t going to change. Ajayi and Co are going to have a field day and Franks will rack up the XPs.
Tier 4 NFL Kickers
- Chris Boswell (@ IND)
- Sebastian Janikowski (vs CAR)
- Chandler Catanzaro (@ ATL)
- Brandon McManus (vs KC)
- Mason Crosby (@PHI)
Like it or not, it’s time to face the facts and accept the Cardinals just aren’t good this season. David Johnson simply can’t beat teams by himself, especially when Carson Palmer is throwing 100 yard interceptions. Their offense just can’t seem to get in rhythm and against an improving Atlanta defense they’re likely to struggle once again. Catanzaro has had his fair share of mistakes this season, but this time around it’s his team that’s going to be letting him down.
Tier 5 NFL Kickers
- Jason Myers (@ BUF)
- Matt Prater (vs MIN)
- Roberto Aguayo (vs SEA)
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