Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

Ahh kickers. Football’s private joke; the under-appreciated; the short time victors; the long-term losers. The truth is, most fantasy football owners don’t put too much stock in them and rightfully so. After all, the Bruno Boys did advise that you wait until the last round to pick up your kicker as there are always plenty of solid options to pick up on a waiver wire later on if needed. Plus, the difference in fantasy points among kickers in a season overall is not that much. However, think about the last time you lost a match by 2,3,or 4 points. Maybe you lost a playoff slot, a fantasy Super Bowl. Maybe it just made you so mad you wanted to rip off car doors Hulk-style. Like it or not, kickers are here to stay in fantasy football. So, let the Bruno Boys help you get the most out of the kicker position in 2009.

With week 2 behind us, it’s becoming clearer that this season is no different from the rest. The kicker position is one of the hardest to predict on a week to week basis. One week a kicker can go 2 for 2 with a game winning FG and then the next week miss 2 FGs to lose the game for his team. As the weeks go on, trends will start to reveal who you can rely on and who you can’t, but this early on, you’re bound to get a few surprises. That’s why it’s even more important to pay attention to the factors that can help determine what might make one kicker more valuable than another each week. And, that’s what the Bruno Boys have done once again in our Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Week 3 Kicker Rankings, helping to give your lineup the best chance this weekend.

1. John Carney (New Orleans Saints) @ Buffalo

What John Carney doesn’t get in FG points, he makes up for with extra points. Carney has remained consistent kicking the ball since week 1 and converted 2 FGs and 6 extra points in week 2 at Philadelphia. If Carney keeps kicking this well, the Saints will have a tough decision when original starting kicker Garrett Hartley returns from suspension. As long as the Saints continue to dominate offensively, Carney will put up good numbers.
Point Projection: 11 points

2. Lawrence Tynes (New York Giants) @ Tampa Bay

Lawrence Tynes has hit 7 FGs in the first 2 games of the season thanks to a Giants’ offense that has no problem driving the ball down-field. In week 2, he hit 4 of 5 FGs, one of which was the game winner for the boys in blue, plus 3 extra points. Tynes has looked nothing but solid so far, and with the Giants offense expected to continue with their success, he should be considered a must start in week 3 at Tampa Bay.
Point Projection: 11 points

3. Ryan Longwell (Minnesota Vikings) vs. San Francisco

Longwell continues to produce great fantasy numbers, and he hasn’t missed a FG with 4 total for the season. Longwell’s accuracy along with plenty of extra point opportunities make him a surefire option each week. Look for him to continue to put up good numbers week 3 against the 49ers in Minnesota.
Point Projection: 11 points

4. David Akers (Philadelphia Eagles) vs. Kansas City

With Kevin Kolb at quarterback, David Akers made 2 FGs and 2 extra points in week 2 against New Orleans. Not a bad outing. Akers remains one of the most consistent kickers right now, despite major changes to the Eagles’ offense. He could play an even bigger fantasy role in week 3 against a Chiefs’ defense that hasn’t looked great and should give Philadelphia lots of chances to score.
Point Projection: 10 points

5. Stephen Gostkowski (New England Patriots) vs. Atlanta

In each of the past two games, Gostkowski has attempted 3 FGs and has converted 5 overall. The Patriots don’t look like the same dominant offense right now, but there are too many weapons for that to continue. Look for Brady and the Patriots to be downright hungry after a bad loss to the Jets. They face Atlanta at Gillette Stadium in week 3, and Gostkowski should get several FG attempts and rack up some extra points as well.
Point Projection: 10 points

6. Neil Rackers (Arizona Cardinals) vs. Indianapolis

The Cardinal’s offense found itself in week 2 against the Jaguars, which made Neil Rackers owners very happy. He did miss a 48 yarder, but converted a 45 yard FG and 4 extra points. Despite missing 1 FG, Rackers has been pretty consistent so far. Arizona is an offense laden with great playmakers, so Rackers should be a great play most weeks, especially week 3 against a sub par Colt’s defense.
Point Projection: 10 points

7. Robbie Gould (Chicago Bears) @ Seattle

Thanks to a Bear’s offense that isn’t exactly clicking on all cylinders yet, Robbie Gould should continue to get plenty of use. In week 2 against the Steelers, he hit one FG for 45 yards, while adding 2 extra points. Gould is a very accurate kicker, and if Cutler and the Bears continue to display an offense still in the works, Gould should play a major role in how they score. Week 3 against Seattle is a great match up for Gould. He could have his best game yet.
Point Projection: 10 points

8. Jay Feely (New York Jets) vs. Tennessee

Though all under 40 yards, Feely kicked 3 FGs in week 2 against the Patriots. He also had an extra point, totaling 10 points for the day. The Jets face the Titan’s defense in week 3 which is a tough match-up, but Mark Sanchez has looked surprisingly calm in the pocket, and the Jet’s defense has not allowed a TD yet all season. This game should be a battle and that might mean lots of FGs.
Point Projection: 9 points

9. Rob Bironas (Tennessee Titans) @ New York Jets

Rob Bironas kicked a 40 yard FG and notched 4 extra points in a week 2 loss against the Texans. He has missed 2 FGs so far this season, but it looks like he may be returning back to form. The Titan’s face a very tough Jets defense in week 3, but running back Chris Johnson should be able to keep them on their toes. This game could turn into a big defensive match up, which usually translates into many FG opportunities.
Point Projection: 9 points

10. Kris Brown (Houston Texans) @ Jacksonville

After only scoring 1 extra point in week 1, Kris Brown came back to fantasy life in week 2 with 2 FGs and 4 extra points against the Titans. The Texan’s offense is starting to get going which means a whole lot of potential for high scoring games. Brown kicks against the Jaguars in week 3, which makes him a great option on Sunday.
Point Projection: 9 points

11. Nick Folk (Dallas Cowboys) vs. Carolina

Folk could easily be on the top of this list most weeks if it weren’t for a Cowboys’ offense that is still trying to find its way, excluding an electric running duo of Marion Barber and Felix Jones. Folk hit a 47 yard FG and 3 extra points in week 2 against the Giants. There is no questioning Folk’s kicking abilities and Dallas’ offense is not bad it’s just under performing. If Romo can get a hold on his interceptions, Folk will start to produce like a true number one starter. He’s definitely worth starting in week 3 when the Cowboys play the Panthers in Dallas.
Point Projection: 9 points

12. Rian Lindell (Buffalo Bills) vs. New Orleans

Lindell scored fantasy owners a whopping 15 points in week 2 against Tampa Bay. He made all 4 FGs (though only one was beyond 40) he attempted and booted in 3 extra points. So far so good for Lindell. He’s 5 for 5 for FGs all season, and while the Bills are not totally dominating, their offense has a lot of potential in the right match up, which is why Lindell is a good play week 3 against the Saints lackluster defense.
Point Projection: 9 points

13. Mason Crosby (Green Bay Packers) @ St. Louis

Crosby made 1 of 2 FGs in week 2 against the Bengals. The one he made was from 45 yards out. In addition, he also racked up 3 extra points. Crosby has missed 2 FGs in the two games which is a cause for concern. However, he was recovering from an abdominal strain and that could be to blame for the inaccuracy. Right now, there is no better way to bounce back from a disappointing few games than to face the Rams in week 3. Look for the Packers to score a load of points.
Point Projection: 8 points

14. Steve Hauschka (Baltimore Ravens) vs. Cleveland

The Ravens offense is slowly starting to come into place and long distance kicker Steve Hauschka is as well. He has made 2 of 3 FGs this season, and last week against the Chargers, he had a FG and 4 extra points. Hauschka is not a good play every week, at least not until the Raven’s offense officially arrives. However, in week 3 the Ravens play the Browns in Baltimore. It’s a match up worth a look especially since the Raven’s defense should keep Cleveland’s offense off the field quite a bit.
Point Projection: 8 points

15. Nate Kaeding (San Diego Chargers) vs. Miami

Nate Kaeding gave a nice performance against the Ravens in week 2 with 4 FGs despite his team losing by 5. The Chargers’ offense is under performing a bit considering the weapons they have all over the field. Don’t expect that to continue. Kaeding may not knock in 4 FGs again anytime soon, but he will definitely get plenty of chances to score in week 3 against the Dolphins.
Point Projection: 8 points

16. Shayne Graham (Cincinnati Bengals) vs. Pittsburgh

Graham kicked a 40 yard FG and 4 extra points against the Packers in a week 2 upset. The Bengals need to give Graham more chances to put up points before you can consider starting him on a week to week basis. The offense is just not consistent enough yet. However, if you have to play him, week 3 against the Steelers could turn into a FG party.
Point Projection: 8 points