Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

Don’t think kickers can bring any real value to your fantasy squad, think again. In Week 6, nine kickers posted double digit fantasy points, providing many fantasy owners with the boost they needed to get the week 6 victory. Heck, in one of the leagues I’m in with Bruno Boys Cavigs, he was able to pull off a 3-point win, thanks partly to Lawrence Tynes’ 10-point effort this past Sunday. So, as we continue to move forward in this 2009 season, remember not to sleep on the kicker position. With that said, let’s move into the Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Week 7 Kicker Rankings.

1. Stephen Gostkowski (New England Patriots) @ Tampa Bay

Snowy conditions are not the ideal conditions for a kicker to kick in, and Gostkowski demonstrated that by missing one of his two field goal attempts in week 6. Luckily, the Patriots provided their kicker with plenty of one point chip shots to help make up for the lack of field goals as Gostkowski attempted 8 extra points. The Patriots may not score 8 TDs in week 7, but against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defense allowing 28 points per game, New England will continue to light up the scoreboard. Play Gostkowski with confidence.
Point Projection: 13 points

2. Mason Crosby (Green Bay Packers) @ Cleveland

Crosby amassed an impressive 15 fantasy points in week 6 against the Detroit Lions, thanks in large part to a perfect 4 for 4 field goal day. The points should continue to come for Crosby and his fantasy owners this week as the high-scoring Packers head to Cleveland to face a Browns’ defense that is allowing 24.7 points to their opponents.
Point Projection: 13 points

3. David Akers (Philadelphia Eagles) @ Washington

Want consistency from your kicker? Look no further than Akers who has tallied 8 or 10 fantasy points in each of his first five games this season. The streak of 8+ fantasy points should continue on Monday Night when Akers kicks against a Redskins’ defense that is allowing opposing kickers 7.3 fantasy points per contest. With the Eagles looking to get the taste out of their mouths from that week 6 loss to the Raiders, expect them to come out firing on all cylinders on the offensive side of the ball.
Point Projection: 12 points

4. Nate Kaeding (San Diego Chargers) @ Kansas City

On the year, Nate Kaeding has gone for double digit fantasy points three times in five games. He makes it four of six this week against the Kansas City Chiefs, who have allowed the 5th most fantasy points to opposing kickers on the year, as the Chargers’ offense continues to move the ball down field.
Point Projection: 12 points

5. Matt Stover (Indianapolis Colts) @ St. Louis

For those fantasy owners wondering how Matt Stover has snuck himself back into the weekly kicker rankings, it’s due to cartilage issues in the knee of Adam Vinatieri. Making his 2009 fantasy debut against the hapless Rams, who are allowing 28.2 points per game, Stover should please those owners savvy enough to pick him up.
Point Projection: 10 points

6. Lawrence Tynes (New York Giants) vs. Arizona

Fantasy’s top kicker posted his fourth double digit showing in week 6 against the New Orleans Saints. Tynes should continue to get opportunities to put up fantasy points this week as the Giants will need to score a good deal of points to keep pace with the Arizona Cardinals.
Point Projection: 10 points

7. John Carney (New Orleans Saints) @ Miami

Even with Garrett Hartley’s suspension over, Carney remained the Saints’ kicker in week 6, and while he did not attempt a field goal, he still managed a solid 6 fantasy points thanks to extra point opportunities galore. Kicking for the high-powered Saints makes Carney a solid fantasy option week in and week out no matter the match-up.
Point Projection: 10 points

8. Nick Folk (Dallas Cowboys) vs. Atlanta

Folk is averaging a very healthy 7.6 fantasy points, and with all of the weapons the Dallas Cowboys currently sport, you’d be wise to expect him to remain around that number moving forward. The Cowboys are coming off a bye week, so look for them to have a solid offensive game plan for this one, leading to a better than (his) average day for Folk.
Point Projection: 9 points

9. Ryan Longwell (Minnesota Vikings) vs. Pittsburgh

The addition of Brett Favre has propelled the Vikings into a high-scoring machine as opposing defenses can no longer focus simply on shutting down Adrian Peterson and the ground game. As a result, the Vikings are scoring 31.5 points per contest, which is benefiting Longwell and his fantasy owners big time. Even against a solid Steelers’ defense, Longwell needs to be in fantasy line-ups.
Point Projection: 9 points

10. Jay Feely (New York Jets) @ Oakland

The Oakland Raiders are allowing the most fantasy points per game to opposing kickers at a 9.2 clip, which good news for Feely. Feely is a solid 10 of 11 on FGs this season, and he should get a couple of chances to add to that total in this one as the Jets’ rushing game should be able to do at least enough damage against Oakland to get the Jets into field goal range.
Point Projection: 9 points

11. Joe Nedney (San Francisco 49ers) @ Houston

Following outings of 10 and 12 fantasy points to start the year, Nedney has cooled down, posting just 13 fantasy points combined over his last three contests. The Niners’ offense, though, gets a boost with the return of Frank Gore and the arrival of Michael Crabtree. As such, use Nedney with confidence against the Houston Texans.
Point Projection: 8 points

12. Jason Elam (Atlanta Falcons) @ Dallas

Elam’s fantasy value has taken a hit the last couple of weeks due to the Falcons’ ability to get the ball into the endzone. In fact, while Elam has attempted just one FG over the past two weeks, the Falcons have notched 9 TDs. Look for the Falcons to come back to earth with a drive or two stalling in field goal range this week, leading to a solid outing for Elam against the Cowboys.
Point Projection: 8 points

13. Jeff Reed (Pittsburgh Steelers) vs. Minnesota

As long Jeff Reed isn’t drunk while kicking on Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ kicker should be solid enough to warrant a play in deeper fantasy leagues. The Steelers’ frequent trips to the end zone should slow a bit in this one against the Vikings, which should lead to more 3-point opportunities for Reed than in weeks past.
Point Projection: 8 points

14. Robbie Gould (Chicago Bears) @ Cincinnati

Expect this game to be one of the better games of the week and for the Chicago Bears offense to move the football on a banged up Cincinnati defense. With the Chicago offense finding the end zone at a higher rate in 2009 Gould has just seven kicking chances in five games this season; however expect him to kick 2-3 extra points to go along with two FGs in this Week 7 showdown.
Point Projection: 7 points

15. Dan Carpenter (Miami Dolphins) vs. New Orleans

Point Projection: 7 points

16. Neil Rackers (Arizona Cardinals) @ New York Giants

Point Projection: 7 points

17. Rian Lindell (Buffalo Bills) @ Carolina

Point Projection: 7 points

18. Kris Brown (Houston Texans) vs. San Francisco

There are two things not going as planned for Kris Brown right now. First, he has been relegated to mostly kicking extra points because the Houston Texans offense has been in full gear over the last few weeks. Second, his accuracy has been sub-par and he has been missing field goals at the same rate he has been making him. Brown has missed three of his last five FG chances and until he figures it out you can only rely on him as a 3-5 point point after touchdown play.
Point Projection: 6 points

19. Ryan Succop (Kansas City Chiefs) vs. San Diego

Succop was a perfect 4 of 4 in the Chiefs Week 6 win over the Washington Redskins and the rookie has an impressive 41 fantasy points through six games. If Kansas City is going to keep up with the San Diego Chargers in Week 7 they will need to find pay dirt on a consistent basis so don’t be surprised of Succop doesn’t duplicate his 14 fantasy point showing of last week.
Point Projection: 6 points

20. Sebastian Janikowski (Oakland Raiders) vs. New York Jets

Kudos to Janikowski for being automatic in 2009. The veteran has converted on all nine of his field goal attempts and has made two FGs in four of the teams six games this season. However, with the Oakland offense being arguably the worst in the NFL you can’t expect Janikowski to ever have a game in which he combines 4-5 extra points with 3-4 FGs.
Point Projection: 6 points

21. John Kasay (Carolina Panthers) vs. Buffalo

Kasay is another big leg kicker that hasn’t been able to find any consistency because the Panthers’ offense has struggled for the majority of the season. In Week 6 he was held to just four fantasy points (all extra points) and for the firt time this year Kasay missed a field goal attempt. In what looks to be a low scoring game that features plenty of running plays we can’t see Kasay getting enough kicking chances to put together a solid fantasy afternoon.
Point Projection: 5 points

22. Shayne Graham (Cincinnati Bengals) vs. Chicago

Can you say “Bring Out the Pepto?” We hope so because Graham has been nothing short of bad this year. The veteran kicker has missed three field goals, failed to convert on multiple FGs in a single game and has scored five or less fantasy points in all but two games. There should be some points scored in this game and Graham could see multiple kicking chances but you are better off using someone who has been the “sure thing” thus far.
Point Projection: 5 points

23. Shaun Suisham (Washington Redskins) vs. Philadelphia

You can’t blame the Redskins struggles on Suisham, because when called on each week he has been automatic. Not known for his accuracy, Suisham is a perfect 8 of 8 in field goal attempts and despite the Redskins offense lacking consistency he is averaging 5.5 fantasy football points per game. Expect him to reach the five point total again on Monday Night Football but anything else would be a bonus.
Point Projection: 5 points

24. Josh Brown (St. Louis Rams) vs. Indianapolis

In Week 6 Brown had his best game of the season as he nailed two 40+ yard field goals and chipped in two extra points. His 10 fantasy football points were just two points less than his total for the first five games of the season. With the Indianapolis Colts defense being one of the best in the NFL at keeping opponents it looks to be another lackluster week for Brown. In other words, keep Brown and his 3.7 point per game average on the waiver wire.
Point Projection: 4 points

25. Billy Cundiff (Cleveland Browns) vs. Green Bay

As we have stated in weeks past, when given the opportunity to kick Cundiff has been solid thus far. After taking over for injured kicker Phil Dawson in Week 3 the veteran Cundiff is 5 of 5 in field goal attempts and has converted all four extra points he has attempted. Don’t expect anything to change this week as the Browns are likely going to have to score touchdowns, and not field goals, to keep up with a high powered Green Bay Packers passing attack.
Point Projection: 2 points

26. Shane Andrus (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) vs. New England

It’s tough to suggest you use Andrus as your fantasy football kicker when he has just five points in two games and faces a bad match-up in Week 7. Andrus was signed in Week 5 to replace the struggling Mike Nugent but he missed his only field goal attempt and with Tampa Bay likely trailing early in this game you can’t expect anything more than an extra point or two.
Point Projection: 1 point

WEEK 7 BYE WEEK KICKERS

Steven Hauschka (Baltimore Ravens) - As an athlete, when you mess up as Hauschka did in missing a last second FG against the Vikings that would have given the Ravens the win, you want nothing more than to get another chance. Hauschka, though, will have to wait with the Ravens on a bye. If you’ve been using him, you better hope the miss doesn’t effect his mental game.

Matt Prater (Denver Broncos) - Making just 12 of his 16 field goal attempts on the year, Prater would be wise to use the bye week to work on his accuracy issues. You can’t last long as an NFL kicker when converting on less than 80% of your opportunities.

Jason Hanson (Detroit Lions) - Outside of Kevin Smith and Calvin Johnson, Hanson may be the only other Lion to have any fantasy value whatsoever.

Josh Scobee (Jacksonville Jaguars) - One thing you want out of your kicker is consistency and despite Josh Scobee having a big time leg the Jaguars offense has hindered his ability to delight his owners with solid production on a weekly basis.

Olindo Mare (Seattle Seahawks) - Despite ranking ninth overall at the kicker position Mare has not been as valuable to fantasy football owners as the stats might show. He has 43 fantasy points through six games and averages 7.2 points per game but keep in mind 27 of those points came in two games. The other four weeks Mare had 4,4,5 and 3 fantasy points.

Rob Bironas (Tennessee Titans) - It’s hard to get in any kind of kicking rhythm when your team is down by two or three touchdowns by halftime. However, this has been the case for Bironas as the Tennessee Titans have the worst defense in the NFL to date. Hopefully the bye week will help Tennessee shore up some problems on defense but until it happens keep Bironas on your waiver wire.

Week 7 Rankings:  QB  |  RB  |  WR  |  TE  |  K  |  DEF  (click to read)

Week 7 Start & Sit:  START ‘EM  |  SIT ‘EM    (click to read)

Week 7 Waiver Wire Advice:  PICK THEM UP  |  CUT THEM LOOSE    (click to read)

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