Admin December 25, 2024
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If you’ve made it this far in the fantasy football season, congratulations. You are almost certainly playing for a championship in Week 17 (unless you’re one of the leagues that plays an 18-week season).
To get to the championship game is an impressive feat, but without a win, it will all be for naught. That’s what makes your team’s start ’em, sit ’em decisions at kicker more important than ever.
Kickers are difficult to predict on a week-to-week basis, but there are a few key factors that can make it a bit easier to determine whether you should trust a player. Notably, always look at the weather before trusting a kicker. Even the best at the position will have issues with footing and accuracy in rain and snow while wind can also have a major impact on the ceiling and floor of each kicker.
There are plenty of cold-weather games in NFL Week 17, so you might not be able to avoid those entirely. But so long as you have a kicker with a big leg who plays in an offense that creates a lot of scoring opportunities, you can trust a player in the fantasy championship game.
Who are the best kickers to trust in Week 17? Here’s is USA TODAY Sports’ start ’em, sit ’em advice at kicker for this week’s slate.
Fantasy football start ’em: Week 17 Kickers
Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens (at Houston Texans)
Tucker is in the midst of his worst career season but has made a 50-plus-yard field goal in three of his last five starts. That includes his Week 16 performances against the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he made two field goals and four extra points.
The Texans play in a domed stadium and have allowed 2.3 field goal attempts per game over their last three games. If ever there was a time to trust Tucker, it’s in this short-week matchup.
Brandon McManus, Green Bay Packers (at Minnesota Vikings)
McManus has attempted at least three field goals in four of his games since joining the Packers and has just one miss overall. The Vikings play in a domed stadium, so getting a strong, accurate kicker shielded from the elements could be the key to winning your fantasy championship. McManus should get plenty of chances to kick against Brian Flores’ bend-don’t-break defense considering that the Packers have a top-10 scoring offense.
Chad Ryland, Arizona Cardinals (at Los Angeles Rams)
Ryland continued his hot streak and nailed all three of his field goal attempts in Week 16 against the Carolina Panthers. He is averaging 3.4 field goal attempts per game over his last five outings, so expect him to take advantage of a Rams team that allows an above-average 2.1 field goal attempts per game to opposing kickers.
Fantasy football sit ’em: Week 17 Kickers
Jake Elliott, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Dallas Cowboys)
The Eagles have one of the NFL’s best offenses, but it isn’t currently clear whether Jalen Hurts will be able to suit up in Week 17 as he deals with a concussion. If he can’t, Kenny Pickett will get the start. Elliott got five field goal attempts in Week 16 with Pickett playing a majority of the game, but he may not get as many opportunities against a Dallas defense that has rounded back into solid form with Micah Parsons in action.
Elliott also remains just 1 of 7 on the season from 50-plus yards. He could end up tanking a championship lineup with another deep miss, so it’s best to steer clear of him.
Jason Sanders, Miami Dolphins (at Cleveland Browns)
Sanders has been excellent of late, making seven field goals from 50-plus yards over his last seven games and racking up 11 field goals over his last three games. That said, it’s hard to trust him given how the weather looks in Cleveland. It won’t be too cold – temperatures will be around 50 degrees – but it looks like there will be wind and rain in the forecast for the contest. Unless that changes, don’t consider Sanders to be an automatic start.
Jake Moody, San Francisco 49ers (vs. Detroit Lions)
Moody has only made multiple field goals once in his last six games. He is just 7-of-10 on field goals overall in that span and has averaged just 1.8 extra point attempts per game. The Lions are the NFL’s top scoring team, so the 49ers may eschew some field-goal attempts in order to go for touchdowns. Thus, trusting a shaky, low-volume kicker shouldn’t be in the cards this week.
Fantasy football start ’em, sit ’ems, Week 17
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 17.
→ 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 17.
→ Tight ends can be the perfect X-factor for any fantasy team. Here’s who you should start and sit in Week 17.
→ The wide receiver position has been decimated this season. Protect yourself in Week 17 with start ’em, sit ’em advice for wideouts.
→ A good defense can shut down your fantasy opponent’s offense. Here are some D/ST options to start and sit for Week 17.