Admin December 5, 2024
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Most fantasy football managers are entering the final week of their regular seasons in Week 14. It will provide them with one of the biggest tests of the year, as it also happens to be the NFL’s second six-team bye.
The first “Byemageddon” occurred in Week 12, and saw the fantasy ranks thinned significantly. However, Week 14 figures to be worse than usual for kickers, as must-starts like Ka’imi Fairbairn and Justin Tucker will be unavailable while quality streamers like Wil Lutz and Zane Gonzalez will also be off.
Between that and the Kansas City Chiefs‘ uncertain situation, with both Harrison Butker and Spencer Shrader banged up, there could be some serious competition to land quality kickers on the waiver wire. That will test the depth at kicker, even though the position has been more bountiful than usual in 2024.
Who are the best kickers to trust in Week 14’s slate? Here’s is USA TODAY Sports’ start ’em, sit ’em advice at kicker for this week’s slate.
Fantasy football start ’em: Week 14 Kickers
Brandon McManus, Green Bay Packers (at Detroit Lions)
McManus has attempted three field goals in three of his six games since joining the Packers. That included Green Bay’s Week 9 game against the Lions, during which he made two kicks in rainy conditions at Lambeau Field. This week, McManus will have far more favorable conditions kicking in Detroit’s domed stadium.
The Lions are also dealing with several key injuries along their defensive line, so the Packers should be better positioned to move the ball in this matchup. That will give McManus even more scoring opportunities than usual.
Jason Myers, Seattle Seahawks (at Arizona Cardinals)
Seattle is among the NFL’s bottom five teams in field goal attempts per game, but Myers doesn’t need many to rack up points. Over his last three games, he has made four kicks from 50-plus yards. He has made 7-of-9 attempts from 50-plus in 12 games this season, so Mike Macdonald figures to keep trusting him from long distance.
The Cardinals are allowing 2.3 field goal attempts per game, tied for 10th most in the NFL, so that could give Myers a chance at a couple of longer-distance boots.
Blake Grupe, New Orleans Saints (at New York Giants)
Provided that the weather stays relatively mild in East Rutherford, Grupe has a great matchup in Week 14. The Giants rank middle-of-the-pack in field goals allowed per game, but they just lost their best defensive player, Dexter Lawrence, to a season-ending injury. That should allow the Saints to more easily move the ball on New York’s defense, which is already allowing 25 points per game at home this season, seventh-most in the NFL.
Grupe has made at least two field goals in four of his last five games. In the lone game he didn’t, he converted on all five of his extra point tries. He has a high floor and could end up being a top-10 fantasy scorer this week given the state of the Giants’ defense.
Cade York, Cincinnati Bengals (at Dallas Cowboys)
The Bengals are averaging 27.9 points per game this season, tied for the fifth most in the NFL. The Cowboys are allowing 28.3 points per game, tied for the third most in the league. York has only made 75% of his career field goals and is in his first game taking over for the injured Evan McPherson, but he should have plenty of opportunities to kick in what like a “Monday Night Football” shootout on paper. That gives him a high floor and makes him a solid dart throw.
Fantasy football sit ’em: Week 14 Kickers
Jake Moody, San Francisco 49ers (vs. Chicago Bears)
The Bears look like a good matchup on paper, as they are allowing 2.6 field goal attempts per game in 2024, good for the fourth-most in the NFL. However, Moody has made just one field goal in each of his last three games and has only attempted four extra points during that span. The 49ers’ offense doesn’t figure to get better in wake of Christian McCaffrey‘s season-ending knee injury, so that will continue to limit the inconsistent Moody’s opportunities.
Younghoe Koo, Atlanta Falcons (at Minnesota Vikings)
Over his last six games, Koo has made just 6 of 12 field goals. He has missed at least one attempt in four of those six contests, so it’s hard to trust him to consistently score against a Vikings team that is allowing just 1.8 field goal attempts per game, tied for the sixth-fewest in the league.
The Vikings are also tied for second in the NFL in takeaways, which could prove problematic for the Falcons. Kirk Cousins has thrown six interceptions without a touchdown over his last three games, so if his turnover woes continue in the red-zone, Koo could be robbed of some prime scoring chances.
Fantasy football start ’em, sit ’ems, Week 14
Looking for more fantasy football advice? USA TODAY Sports has you covered:
→ Need an edge under center? Here are the best quarterback options to start and to sit in Week 14.
→ A good running back makes all the difference. A bad running back can cost you a lot of points. Here’s who to start and who to sit in Week 14.
→ The wide receiver position has been decimated this season. Protect yourself in Week 14 with start ’em, sit ’em advice for wideouts.
→ Tight ends can be the perfect X-factor for any fantasy team. Here’s who you should start and sit in Week 14.
→ A good defense can shut down your fantasy opponent’s offense. Here are some D/ST options to start and sit for Week 14.