Week 12 Kicker Streamers and Starts - 2020 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

We’ve made it to Week 12. The NFL season continues to roll on. It was another unfortunate week for injuries, as Cincinnati Bengals’ quarterback Joe Burrow tore his ACL in a road matchup with the Washington Football Team. After our amazing performances in Week 10, it was a pretty quiet week on the kicker front, although we did see 10 double-digit outings heading into the Monday games.

We were one long-ball from Indianapolis Colts’ kicker Rodrigo Blankenship away from an incredible 19-point outing. He knocked a 50-yard attempt off the crossbar. Blankenship continues to be one of the NFL’s best, and you’re still more than happy with a 14-point day. Studs like Zane Gonzalez and Harrison Butker let you down because their offenses were too efficient and only scored touchdowns. The regression will come.

For the first time in two months, we have no byes to worry about this week. Every team will be suiting up assuming there are no Covid-19 outbreaks, which isn’t a guarantee considering the numbers we are seeing across the country. Pay close attention to those reports all week. Unless a team is playing on Monday, it’s unlikely any player would be able to clear the protocols in time.

Tier 1 NFL Kickers

1. Harrison Butker (KC) @ TB
2. Younghoe Koo (ATL) vs LV
3. Jason Sanders (MIA) @ NYJ
4. Graham Gano (NYG) @ CIN
5. Rodrigo Blankenship (IND) vs TEN

Butker claims the top spot again. The matchup is more difficult this time around, and I think the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should be able to force a field or two on the night. Atlanta Falcons’ kicker Younghoe Koo grabs our second spot. The Falcons’ offense is built to move the ball against the Las Vegas Raiders, so I’m expecting Koo to be busy. Miami Dolphins’ kicker Jason Sanders is up next. He remains the leader in fantasy points among kickers for the year, and a matchup with the New York Jets is too juicy.

New York Giants’ kicker Graham Gano grabs our fourth spot. The Giants have shown some life as of late, and Gano has been one of the NFL’s best kickers. Against a deflated Cincinnati Bengals’ roster, this is a great matchup for Week 12. Blankenship rounds out our top five. The Colts are rolling right now, and they need a win this week. At home against an average defense, get Hot Rod in your lineups.

Tier 2 NFL Kickers

6. Mason Crosby (GB) vs CHI
7. Jason Myers (SEA) @ PHI
8. Wil Lutz (NO) @ DEN
9. Zane Gonzalez (ARI) @ NE
10. Ka’imi Fairbairn (HOU) @ DET

Green Bay Packers’ kicker Mason Crosby finds our next spot. The Packers shot themselves in the foot in Week 11, and Week 12 finds them at home against a Chicago Bears’ team that doesn’t have their quarterback situation sorted as of now. Seattle Seahawks’ kicker Jason Myers is up next. Seattle’s offense is potent, and they’re built to take advantage of a soft Philadelphia Eagles’ defense.

New Orleans Saints’ kicker Wil Lutz comes in at eight. This Saints’ group, even against a good Denver Broncos’ defense, should be able to get some points on the board. It’s also a Denver game, which gives a nice bump. Gonzalez comes in at nine. The Cardinals’ offense is still great, and they can move the ball against the New England Patriots. Houston Texans’ kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn rounds out the top 10. Houston is still trying to win games, and they get a matchup with the Detroit Lions that have looked extremely flat throughout this season.

Tier 3 NFL Kickers

11. Daniel Carlson (LV) @ ATL
12. Justin Tucker (BAL) @ PIT
13. Tyler Bass (BUF) vs LAC
14. Cody Parkey (CLE) @ JAX
15. Ryan Succop (TB) vs KC

Raiders’ kicker Daniel Carlson leads off our third tier. The Raiders will be able to move the ball against this Falcons’ defense. Baltimore Ravens’ kicker Justin Tucker is up next. Baltimore is a wounded animal right now, and they need a win. Tucker will play a big part in that. Buffalo Bills’ kicker Tyler Bass joins the ranks after a week off. The Los Angeles Chargers just can’t stop anyone, including the Jets, so the Bills are great options this week.

Cleveland Browns’ kicker Cody Parkey slides in here at 14. They aren’t a high-scoring outfit, but they can move the ball against this Jacksonville Jaguars’ defense. Bucs’ kicker Ryan Succop rounds out our top 15. They can’t get out of their own way, but the Chiefs don’t have the secondary to fully slow them down.

Kickers to Avoid

Sam Ficken is our first avoidance of the week because *checks notes* Adam Gase is still the head coach. This team has shown some fight recently, and I still don’t want any piece of the Jets regardless of the matchup. 

Chase McLaughlin of the Jacksonville Jaguars grabs our next spot. The Jaguars got wiped out last week, and it’s unlikely they’re going to bounce back in what should be a low-scoring affair with the Browns. There are enough better options this week to avoid him.

Randy Bullock of the Bengals is the final avoidance of the week. Quarterback Ryan Finley is worse than just a guy. He struggled in relief last week, and he’s not going to dramatically improve against a decent Giants’ defense.

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