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We’re getting down to the final weeks of the fantasy football season. That makes start’ em, sit ’em decisions at kicker more important than ever.
Kickers are invariably the most difficult position to predict on a week-to-week basis, but there are plenty of factors that can influence the performance of top fantasy options at the position. Most notably, the weather has a major impact on the scoring potential of even the best kickers. It’s best to avoid games where there’s snow, rain and, to a lesser extent, freezing temperatures where the ball won’t travel well.
It’s also an important time of the season to monitor kicker injuries. Sometimes, teams quietly make changes at the position that can catch unsuspecting fantasy owners off-guard. Don’t fall into that trap and make sure you check your placekicker spot before kickoff.
In evaluating kickers, the best options usually have strong legs, play for good (but not great) offenses and play in either warm-weather climates or domed stadiums. If you’re looking for a new option at the position, try to get one that checks as many of those boxes as possible.
Who are the best kickers to trust in Week 16? Here’s is USA TODAY Sports’ start ’em, sit ’em advice at kicker for this week’s slate.
Fantasy football start ’em: Week 16 Kickers
Jake Moody, San Francisco 49ers (at Miami Dolphins)
No NFL team is allowing more field goal attempts per game than the Dolphins (2.7). The 49ers rank top-five in field goal attempts per game (2.6), so this seems like a great opportunity to back Moody, who made kicks from the 40- and 50-yard range in the 49ers’ 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 15. Perhaps he will get more chances from distance in this good-looking matchup.
Riley Patterson, Atlanta Falcons (vs. New York Giants)
Atlanta’s offense hasn’t inspired much confidence over its last five games (14.4 points per game), but they are giving Michael Penix Jr. a chance to start at quarterback. That may spark the Falcons and create some field goal chances in a contest during which the Giants will have trouble containing the Falcons’ Bijan Robinson-led running game.
Patterson is replacing Younghoe Koo, who is going on IR with an undisclosed injury.
Chad Ryland, Arizona Cardinals (at Carolina Panthers)
Ryland has averaged 3.5 field goal attempts per game over his last four outings. The Panthers are one of six NFL teams allowing 2.5-plus field goal attempts per game and are allowing a league-high 29.9 points per game overall. Expect another solid showing from Ryland that could catapult him into the top 10 this week.
Fantasy football sit ’em: Week 16 Kickers
Harrison Butker, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Houston Texans)
Butker returned from a calf injury in Week 15 but didn’t look very good when called upon. He shanked a 29-yard field goal well wide of the post, as his legs appeared to buckle on him when he attempted the kick. He should bounce back as he gets healthier, but with questions about when that might occur and whether the Chiefs offense will have Patrick Mahomes at its disposal in Week 16, it’s probably best to avoid Butker this week.
Tyler Bass, Buffalo Bills (vs. New England Patriots)
The Bills have a fairly easy matchup against the Patriots, but it’s hard to recommend trusting Bass. He has attempted just five field goals over his last four games and has made only three of them. He has made 20-of-21 extra points in that span, which raises his floor a bit, but with temperatures below 20 degrees expected in Buffalo on Sunday, it’s best to seek out a higher-volume kicking option in better weather.
Jason Myers, Seattle Seahawks (vs. Minnesota Vikings)
Myers has made multiple field goals in three of his last four games with four 50-plus-yard field goals in that span. That may make him look like a solid choice, but it isn’t clear if Geno Smith will be healthy enough to play in Week 16. If he can’t, it will be hard to trust him to get opportunities with Sam Howell – who took the fourth-most sacks in NFL history during the 2023 season – starting behind a shaky offensive line.
Fantasy football start ’em, sit ’ems, Week 16
Looking for more fantasy football advice? USA TODAY Sports has you covered: