Kickers proved to be a major asset early in the fantasy football season, but their consistency has waned as the season has progressed. As the regular season is winding down and the Thanksgiving playoff push begins in Week 13, fantasy managers are looking for consistent kickers who can threaten double digit points in each matchups.
Those options aren’t easy to find. Chris Boswell has routinely been one of the top scorers at the position, but other top players like Justin Tucker and Younghoe Koo haven’t been as consistent as usual in recent weeks. And last week, breakout top-five fantasy kicker Austin Seibert endured a rocky week, missing a field goal and two extra points in the Washington Commanders‘ 34-26 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
These recent kicking woes are enough to strike fear into even the most experienced fantasy football owners. The good news is that no teams will be on bye in Week 13, so fantasy aficionados will have a plethora of options from which to pick as they seek out productive kickers.
Who are the best kickers to trust in Week 13’s full slate? Here’s is USA TODAY Sports’ start ’em, sit ’em advice at kicker for this week’s slate.
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Fantasy football start ’em: Week 13 Kickers
Wil Lutz, Denver Broncos (vs. Cleveland Browns)
Sean Payton has the Broncos playing at a high level and seemingly improving each week after their 29-19 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Denver has scored at least 28 points in each of its last five wins and is capable of putting together offensive outbursts when it isn’t facing top-tier teams like the Baltimore Ravens or Kansas City Chiefs.
The Browns have a good enough defense that they should be able to slow down Bo Nix and Co., so that could create extra opportunities for Lutz, who kicked five field goals against the Raiders. Add in that Denver is playing at home in the high altitude and this looks like a favorable spot to trust Lutz.
Zane Gonzalez, Washington Commanders (at Tennessee Titans)
The Commanders placed their top kicker Austin Seibert on IR because of an undisclosed injury after he missed three total kicks (one field goal, two extra points) against the Cowboys. Gonzalez will now take over for Seibert and should be positioned for success in a high-volume offense.
Washington still ranks second in the NFL in field goal attempts per game (2.9) this season, so Gonzalez will have plenty of opportunities. He has made all seven of his kicks this season (three field goals, four extra points) so he can be expected to post solid marks against the Titans in Week 13.
Nick Folk, Tennessee Titans (at Washington Commanders)
Folk is fresh off an outing during which he made three field goals from 50-plus yards and has attempted at least two field goals in each of his last four games. His combination of volume and accuracy (94.4% on field goals this season) make him a solid streaming option, especially since Washington is allowing an average of 2.7 field goal attempts over its last three games (tied for fifth-most in the NFL).
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Fantasy football sit ’em: Week 13 Kickers
Chad Ryland, Arizona Cardinals (at Minnesota Vikings)
Ryland has been a surprisingly consistent kicking option for the Cardinals, but this spot simply doesn’t suit him well. He missed just his second field goal attempt of the season at the end of Arizona’s 16-6 loss to the Seattle Seahawks last week and is now facing a Vikings defense that allows a league-low 1.5 field goal attempts per game.
Kyler Murray and the Cardinals offense just struggled to consistently move the ball against Mike Macdonald’s well-coached defense. Expect them to have similar struggles against Brian Flores’ stop unit which could limit Ryland’s opportunities.
Jake Moody, San Francisco 49ers (at Buffalo Bills)
The 49ers are tied for third in the NFL in field goal attempts per game this season (2.7) but Moody has only been asked to kick once in each of his last two games. He may be similarly limited against a Buffalo squad that is allowing just 1.5 field goal attempts per game this season.
And if Brock Purdy isn’t 100% for the Sunday night game or doesn’t play, that could further limit Moody’s opportunities to kick in what could be cold, windy conditions.
Jason Sanders, Miami Dolphins (at Green Bay Packers)
Speaking of less-than-favorable conditions, the Dolphins are traveling to Green Bay on Thanksgiving for what figures to be a cold weather game. Sanders has been remarkably consistent this season, receiving at least two field goal attempts in eight straight games, but Tua Tagovailoa has tended to struggle in cold weather games.
If Tagovailoa can’t get on track, Sanders will likely have few opportunities to produce points. It also isn’t clear whether Sanders will adjust well to kicking in below-freezing weather at this point in the season, so it’s best to steer clear of him in this matchup.
Fantasy football start ’em, sit ’ems, Week 13
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 13.
→ 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 13.
→ The wide receiver position has been decimated this season. Protect yourself in Week 13 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 13.
→ A good defense can shut down your fantasy opponent’s offense. Here are some D/ST options to start and sit for Week 13.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Week 13: 6 Ks to start or sit