Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

- Written by Ryan Czopek
- Edited by Marc Caviglia
- Predictions are based on Staff Consensus

::WEEK 2 RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 16, 2010::

Last week, we saw some surprising performances from typically lower scoring fantasy football kickers. For example, Carolina Panthers kicker John Kasay put up 13 fantasy football points against the New York Giants. However, there were also some disappointing performances from kickers predicted to have great games. For example, Garrett Hartley missed two field goals and accumulated a whopping zero fantasy points against the Minnesota Vikings. The point is it’s tough to predict a kicker’s offensive output sometimes, but more often than not there is enough evidence to make a fairly accurate projection.  Here are the kicker rankings for Week 2

1. David Akers (Philadelphia Eagles) @ Detroit

Akers had a solid game in the Eagles season opener against the Green Bay Packers.  He kicked two field goals and two extra points, finishing with 9 points overall.  Akers is as consistent and accurate a kicker as they come and has a favorable matchup against the Detroit Lions this week. Look for Philadelphia to have no problem moving the football against the Lions and for Akers to put together a double-digit points outing for the first time on the young season.
Point Projection: 12 points

2. Mason Crosby (Green Bay Packers) vs. Buffalo

Crosby showed off a strong leg when the Packers beat the Philadelphia Eagles in the season opener.  Crosby connected on two kicks over 40 yards, which included a 56 yard field goal and three extra points, good enough for 12 fantasy football points.  The Packers dynamic offense (27 points in Week 1 against the Eagles) will no doubt give Crosby plenty of chances to score points this season.  This is especially true against the offensively challenged Buffalo Bills team who will have a hard time dealing with the Packers on the road. Look for Green Bay to have excellent field position throughout the game and for Crosby to make it two straight weeks with 10-plus fantasy points.
Point Projection: 11 points

3. Stephen Gostkowski (New England Patriots) @ New York Jets

Gostkowski had a case of the “shanks” in the Patriots season debut against the Bengals.  He hit 1-of-3 field goals and 5 extra points, finishing with 6 points overall.  The Patriots proved Week 1 that they are still one of the best offenses in the league and should give Gostkowski multiple chances to score in the coming weeks.  The Patriots face an excellent Jets Defense Week 2 on the road, but the Patriots had no trouble putting up points in bunches against a good Cincinnati defense.  Gostkowski should be a top-five fantasy option going forward until proven otherwise.
Point Projection: 10 points

4. Jeff Reed (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Tennessee

Reed’s performance Week 1 against the Falcons was a mixed bag.  Reed nailed 3-of-5 field goals, contributing 9 points overall.  The Pittsburgh defense shut down Michael Turner Week 1, which doesn’t bode well for the Titans run heavy offense.  Expect the Pittsburgh offense and Reed to have plenty of time on the field and opportunities to score against a Titans offense that allowed 135 yards rushing last week. 
Point Projection: 10 points

5. Ryan Longwell (Minnesota Vikings) vs. Miami

Despite holding the mighty Saint’s offense to fourteen points, the Viking’s offense couldn’t find their groove and were only able to score nine points Week 1.  Longwell only had 1 field goal and missed an extra point attempt.  He finished with 3 fantasy points overall.  Week 2 Longwell has a solid matchup against the Miami Dolphins who allowed the most field goals to opposing kickers in 2009.  The Vikings play well at home and quarterback Brett Favre should shake off some of the rust he showed against the Saints.  Longwell should be among the top fantasy kickers this week.
Point Projection: 10 points

6. Neil Rackers (Houston Texans) @ Washington

Rackers reached double-digit fantasy points Week 1 against the Colts.  He nailed 2 field goals and 4 extra points, finishing with 11 points.  The Texans were clicking on all cylinders Week 1 offensively, using the run and pass effectively against the Colts.  The Texans already had one of the best passing attacks in football, but Week 1 proved they could have a productive running game going forward, which means plenty of scoring chances for Rackers in the future.  Look for Rackers to continue to put up double-digit points versus the Redskins.
Point Projection: 10 points

7. Rob Bironas (Tennessee Titans) vs. Pittsburgh

One of the best fantasy kickers the last few years, Bironas didn’t have many chances to sink field goals Week 1 against the Raiders because the Titans were too busy scoring touchdowns.  That being said, Bironas still had a solid day hitting 1 field goal and 5 extra points to finish with 9 points overall.  Bironas and the Titans face Pittsburgh who allowed the fourth most rushing yards in the league Week 1 (143) against Atlanta. Expect the Titans heavy rushing attack to put Bironas in prime position to collect points against Pittsburgh.
Point Projection: 9 points

8. Nate Kaeding (San Diego Chargers) vs. Jacksonville

The top kicker in many fantasy drafts didn’t see the field much in San Diego’s season opener connecting on 2 extra point opportunities, finishing with 2 points overall.  This week Kaeding and the Chargers will look to exploit a Jacksonville secondary that allowed the sixth most passing yards Week 1.  The Chargers had the fifth most passing yards in the NFL in 2009.  Look for Kaeding to have solid contribution this week.
Point Projection: 9 points

9. Garrett Hartley (New Orleans Saints) @ San Francisco

Hartley had a miserable game in the Saint’s season opener against the Vikings.  Hartley missed 2 field goals and connected on 2 extra points, finishing with 0 fantasy points. The Saints looked rusty offensively Week 1, but that should be considered an aberration as the Saints are still one of the best offenses in the league and will give Hartley opportunities in bunches to score.  The Saints face San Francisco Week 2 who were near the bottom of the league in field goals made by opposing kickers in 2009, so expect a bounce back game for Hartley.
Point Projection: 9 points

10. Robbie Gould (Chicago Bears) vs. Dallas

The Chicago Bears struggled to reach field goal range against the Lions, but when they reached it Gould showed why he’s been a model of consistency.  Gould was perfect hitting 2 field goals and 1 extra point, finishing with 7 points overall.  He and the Bears face Dallas who exhibited poor offensive line play against the Redskins resulting in a 13 to 7 loss and 8 points given up to opposing kicker Graham Gano.  Look for Gould to have a similar game against the Cowboys.
Point Projection: 9 points

11. Billy Cundiff (Baltimore Ravens) @ Cincinnati

The Ravens weren’t able to put many points up against a tough Jets defense in their season opener and Cundiff’s production suffered.  He hit 1 field goal and 1 extra point to finish with 4 points overall.  The Ravens should have an easier time scoring points against a Cincinnati defense that allowed 38 points against the Patriots Week 1.  Cundiff will be a solid option Week 2.
Point Projection: 8 points

12. Matt Bryant (Atlanta Falcons) vs. Arizona

Bryant saw his fair share of field goal opportunities in the Falcon’s season opener against Pittsburgh.  Bryant hit 3-of-4 field goals, finishing with 9 total points.  The Falcons were able to get their passing game going, which aided in many long drives for the Falcons, which created a fair amount of field goal opportunities for Bryant.  Bryant has a chance to have a similar week against Arizona who allowed 7 points to Ram’s kicker Josh Brown Week 1.
Point Projection: 8 points

13. Sebastian Janikowski (Oakland Raiders) vs. St. Louis

Janikowski was one of the few bright spots to come out of the Raiders humiliating loss to the Titans.  He connected on 2-of-3 field goals and 1 extra point, finishing with 6 points overall.  Janikowski and the Raiders face a Ram’s team who allowed the sixth most total yards Week 1 and were among the league’s worst defenses last year.  If the Raiders were able to run the ball against a good Titan’s run defense Week 1 they will have no problem moving the chains against a Ram’s defense that were among the worst in the league against the run in 2009.  If there was ever a time to start Janikowski its this week.
Point Projection: 8 points

14. Ryan Succop (Kansas City Chiefs) @ Cleveland

Succop wasn’t needed very much in the Chiefs win over the Chargers Monday night. He hit 3 extra points, finishing with 3 points overall.  The Chiefs offense looked good against the Chargers scoring 3 touchdowns.  Kansas City takes their rising offense to Cleveland to face the Browns who were among the leagues worst defenses and allowed the fourth most field goals to opposing kickers in 2009.  Succop is a solid start in most fantasy leagues this week.
Point Projection: 8 points

15. Matt Prater (Denver Broncos) vs. Seattle

Prater looked good in the Broncos season opener against Seattle hitting 1 long field goal and 2 extra points, finishing with 7 points overall. The Broncos achilles heal last season was against the rush and this week they face the less than dynamic rushing offense of the Seattle Seahawks who compiled just 49 rushing yards against the 49ers Week 1.  It’s possible the Broncos offense may see more time on the field against Seattle, which means more chances for Prater to score.  Prater is a good play this week and should be started in most fantasy leagues.
Point Projection: 8 points

16. John Kasay (Carolina Panthers) vs. Tampa Bay

Kasay was stellar in Carolina’s season debut against the Giants.  He nailed 3 field goals and 1 extra point, finishing with 13 points overall.  It was a great start for Kasay who struggled with his accuracy last year.  The Panthers strong rushing offense will face a Buccaneers team that allowed the most rushing yards in the league in 2009.  Look for Kasay to cash in the opportunities Week 2.
Point Projection:  8 points