Week 9 Kicker Streamers and Starts - 2023 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

Welcome back RotoBallers to our Week 9 fantasy football kicker streamer and starts. Week 9 has arrived with some challenges, as the 49ers, Jaguars, Lions, and Broncos are all on bye. For fantasy players searching for a replacement kicker or playing the streamer game, we've got you covered. First, let's take a look at how last week's streaming kickers performed.

Last week’s streaming kicker picks were a success. Dustin Hopkins and Blake Grupe each had eight fantasy points in their team’s win. Meanwhile, Brandon Aubrey was a top-five scoring fantasy kicker in Week 8. The former USFL star had 13 fantasy points in the blowout win over the Los Angeles Rams. He has scored double-digit fantasy points in all but two games this year.

Selecting the right kicker could be the difference between winning or losing your league matchup, and we are here for fantasy players to help make those tough decisions. Below are the top streaming kickers to target on the waiver wire, as well as the kicker rankings for Week 9.

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Week 9 Kicker Rankings for Fantasy Football

Kicker Streamers to Target in Week 9

All streamers in this article are rostered in under 60% of Yahoo leagues.

Chris Boswell (PIT) vs. Tennessee Titans (13% Rostered)

While the Steelers have struggled on offense, Chris Boswell has been a solid fantasy kicker. The veteran has averaged eight fantasy points per game this season. Yet, he scored 11 or more fantasy points in nearly half the contests. Last week, Boswell missed his first field goal of the year. However, it came after an awful penalty call that cost Pittsburgh five yards on the field goal attempt.

Fortunately, the veteran kicker will get to put last week’s performance behind him on Thursday night. The Titans have been a fantasy-friendly team to opposing kickers, surrendering 11.4 fantasy points per game to the position. They have given up double-digit fantasy points in all but one game this season. Furthermore, kickers have scored at least 12 fantasy points against the Titans in three consecutive games.

Blake Grupe (NO) vs. Chicago Bears (16% Rostered)

After missing three field goals over the previous two weeks, Blake Grupe was productive in Week 8 against the Indianapolis Colts. The rookie kicker only got one field goal opportunity and nailed it. However, he also made all five extra-point attempts in the game. More importantly, Grupe has averaged 9.1 fantasy points per game this season, scoring at least seven points in five consecutive contests.

The rookie kicker was one of my favorite streaming options in Week 8 because of the matchup. Thankfully, he has another fantasy-friendly matchup in Week 9. Chicago has surrendered 9.8 fantasy points per game to kickers this year, giving up double digits in half of their contests. Furthermore, kickers have scored at least seven fantasy points in all but one game against the Bears this season. Grupe has a safe floor and plenty of upside this week.

Eddy Pineiro (CAR) vs. Indianapolis Colts (1% Rostered)

Carolina finally got in the win column on Sunday with a 15-13 victory over the Houston Texans. Eddy Pineiro played a significant role in the team’s win, making all three field goal attempts, including the game-winner from 23 yards away. More importantly, the veteran kicker scored 10 fantasy points in Week 8. He has totaled double-digit fantasy points in half of his games since opening weekend.

Pineiro scored 10 fantasy points last week against a Houston team that held kickers to eight or fewer fantasy points in every other game this season. Meanwhile, the Colts have been one of the most fantasy-friendly teams to opposing kickers. They have surrendered 11.8 fantasy points per game to kickers, giving up 12 or more in four of their past five contests. Don’t be surprised if Pineiro has his second consecutive game with double-digit fantasy points.

Kickers to Avoid in Week 9

Fantasy players should always stream the kicker position. However, it’s important to avoid picking up and starting a kicker that will be a bust. Let’s see which two kickers you shouldn’t pick up off the waiver wire this week.

Matt Prater (ARI) vs. Cleveland Browns (3% Rostered)

According to head coach Jonathan Gannon, Kyler Murray or Clayton Tune will start in Week 9 after he initially said Joshua Dobbs would start. Unfortunately, that won't help Matt Prater's fantasy value. The veteran kicker has averaged only 7.4 fantasy points per game, scoring more than eight fantasy points in less than half of the contests. Furthermore, he has made only 67% of his field goal attempts and scored nine fantasy points over the past two weeks.

Meanwhile, the Browns have been one of the worst teams to stream kickers against this season. They have held opposing kickers to only 5.6 fantasy points per game, one of the lowest averages in the NFL. Cleveland has surrendered more than seven fantasy points to kickers only once this year. That lone performance was in Week 2 to Chris Boswell. Over the past five games, kickers have averaged only 4.8 fantasy points per game against the Browns.

Chase McLaughlin (TB) vs. Houston Texans (1% Rostered)

Chase McLaughlin started the year playing well, averaging 7.8 fantasy points per game before Tampa Bay’s Week 5 bye, scoring double-digits twice. However, the veteran kicker has struggled over the past three weeks. He has averaged six fantasy points per game since the bye week, scoring fewer than seven in all three contests. Yet, McLaughlin has made 75% of his field goal attempts from 50 or more yards this year.

Unfortunately, things won’t turn around this week for the veteran kicker. The Texans have held opposing kickers to only 6.6 fantasy points per game this season. Last week, Eddy Pineiro had 10 fantasy points in the win over Houston. However, it was the first time an opposing kicker had more than eight fantasy points against the Texans this year. Last week’s result was a fluke. Don’t start McLaughlin in Week 9.

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