Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

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

::WEEK 3 RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 24, 2010::

As the season goes on, you should be getting a better idea of how to determine which kicking matchup to take advantage of. Teams begin to show their true colors and offensive and defensive trends become more obvious.  For example, the Houston Texans’ potent offense has made Neil Rackers a must start every week and the inconsistency of the Detroit Lions’ offense has made Jason Hanson an risky play. If you are a fantasy owner trying to analyze their success our advice would be to try and find the most evidence possible to make a successful case to start your kicker.  Without further adieu, here are the Fantasy Football Kicker Rankings for Week 3.

1. Mason Crosby (Green Bay Packers) @ Chicago

Crosby is off to a perfect start this season.  He has hit 4-of-4 field goals, converting all seven of his extra point attempts, finishing with 23 points through two weeks.  In Week 2 he nailed two field goals and four extra points to finish with 11 points, completing his second straight week of double-digit fantasy points.  Crosby is an accurate kicker on a Green Bay Packers team whose offense is rolling (61 points in two games).  Expect continuing success from Crosby.
Point Projection:  12 points

2. Neil Rackers (Houston Texans) vs. Dallas

Rackers is proving the Texans made a wise choice choosing him over incumbent kicker Kris Brown to start the 2010 season.  Through two games, Rackers has hit 5-of-6 field goals, and all seven of his extra point attempts. This week the explosive Houston Texans offense face a Dallas Cowboy’s team that seem totally discombobulated this season.  Look for Rackers and the Houston Texans to take advantage.
Point Projection:  11 points

3. Robbie Gould (Chicago Bears) vs. Green Bay

Gould remained a member of the perfect kicker’s club, hitting 4-of-4 field goals and all four of his extra point attempts through two games this season.  The Bears offense looked in sync Week 2, scoring 27 points against the Dallas Cowboys.  The Chicago Bears rising offense face the Green Bay Packers Week 3 in a game that has all the makings of a shootout that will benefit both opposing kickers.  Gould is a great option this week.
Point Projection:  9 points

4. Jeff Reed (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Tampa Bay

A more conservative Pittsburgh Steelers offense has really benefited Reed.  In two games this season, Reed has hit 7-of-9 field goals, including four field goals in a 13-point effort against the Tennessee Titans Week 2.  The Steelers defense looked good Week 2 allowing only 11 points to a Tennessee Titans offense that scored 38 points Week 1.  Reed may see several opportunities to hit field goals against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers if the Pittsburgh Steelers defense can stop a far from robust Tampa offense.  Reed should be started in all leagues this week.
Point Projection:  9 points

5. Mike Nugent (Cincinnati Bengals) @ Carolina

In most leagues, Nugent began the season on the waiver wires, but now is one of the hottest kickers to pickup.  He has hit 6-of-6 field goals and three extra points the last two games, which included a 16 fantasy point game against the Baltimore Ravens.  The Cincinnati Bengals defense looked strong against the Baltimore Ravens allowing Nugent to frequently see the field in Week 2.  Nugent should once again have plenty of scoring opportunities this week against a Carolina Panthers team starting a young, inexperienced quarterback (Jimmy Clausen) that the Cincinnati Bengals defense can feast upon and put the Cincinnati Bengals offense and Nugent in primo field position.
Point Projection:  9 points

6. Nate Kaeding (San Diego Chargers) @ Seattle

After a slow start Week 1, Kaeding finally got going against the Jacksonville Jaguars Week 2.  Kaeding hit one field goal and hit five extra points, finishing with nine points overall.  The Chargers offense throttled the Jacksonville Jaguars, passing for 326 yards and three touchdowns, dropping 38 points total.  The pass- heavy Chargers should be able to exploit a Seattle passing defense that has been one of the worst this year and get Kaeding into scoring position.  Kaeding should have a similar scoring output to last week.
Point Projection:  9 points  

7. Lawrence Tynes (New York Giants) vs. Tennessee

So far, the New York Giants haven’t provided Tynes with many field goal opportunities.  Tynes has hit one field goal and six extra points in two games.  Looking to avenge a bad loss to the Colts, Tynes and the New York Giants face a Tennessee Titans team that allowed four field goals to Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Jeff Reed in Week 2 and have also allowed the second most field goals to opposing kickers this season (6).  This looks like the week where Tynes will approach double-digit fantasy points.
Point Projection:  9 points

8. David Akers (Philadelphia Eagles) @ Jacksonville

Akers is once again showing why he is one of the best kickers in the league.  Akers has hit 2-of-2 field goals and has hit all seven of his extra point chances this season.  The Philadelphia Eagles have had no trouble moving the ball accumulating 55 points total in two games.  The consistent Akers should see the field plenty of times against the Jacksonville Jaguars who have allowed 62 points in two games this season. Akers is a good looking play this week.
Point Projection:  8 points  

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

The Tennessee Titans offense has had mixed results this season, which have affected Bironas’ production.  Bironas has hit 2-of-2 field goals and five extra points accumulating 12 fantasy points through two games.  The Titans run-heavy offense should be able to move the ball against a New York Giants team that allowed 160 yards rushing to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2.  The New York Giants have also allowed the third most field goals to opposing kickers this season (4). Bironas remains a great start in all leagues.
Point Projection:  8 points  

10. Ryan Longwell (Minnesota Vikings) vs. Detroit

The Vikings offense has looked far from the dynamic offense that it was last year and Longwell’s production is suffering because of it.  Longwell has 2 field goals and an extra point, for a meager total of 7 points in two games this season.  The Vikings have a great chance to get out of their offensive funk against the Detroit Lions who allowed 35 points to the Philadelphia Eagles Week 2.  Expect Longwell to have one of his better games of the season.
Point Projection:  8 points

11. Stephen Gostkowski (New England Patriots) vs. Buffalo

One of the most accurate kickers in recent years, Gostkowski is having a miserable start to the 2010 season.  Gostkowski has hit 1-of-4 field goals and has hit seven extra point opportunities. Gostkowski and the New England Patriots offense have a chance to bounce back against the Buffalo Bills who allowed 34 points to the Green Bay Packers Week 2.  Gostkowski will have his chances to redeem himself.
Point Projection:  8 points

12. Matt Bryant (Atlanta Falcons) @ New Orleans

Bryant has had a terrific couple of games to start the season.  He has hit 5-of-6 field goals and converted five extra point attempts to finish with 21 points in two games.  The New Orleans Saints looked vulnerable to the run on Monday night surrendering 112 yards rushing to San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore.  Atlanta had 221 yard rushing against the Arizona Cardinals Week 2 so they should be able to move the chains enough for Bryant to continue his successful season. 
Point Projection:  8 points

13. Ryan Succop (Kansas City Chiefs) vs. San Francisco

Succop looked good Week 2 when Kansas City’s offense stalled in the red zone.  He hit 3-of-3 field goals and an extra point, finishing with 10 points overall.  Succop and the Chiefs face a San Francisco 49ers team who has allowed the third most field goals to opposing kickers (4) in 2010. Succop should see a fair amount of opportunities Week 3.
Point Projection:  8 points

14. Nick Folk (New York Jets) @ Miami

Folk has looked solid in two games as a New York Jet.  He has hit 5-of-5 field goals and 2 extra points in two games, totaling 19 fantasy points.  Despite looking terrible last year, Folk looks like the fantasy success he was two seasons ago.  The New York Jets smothering defense should help Folk continue to see plenty of scoring opportunities especially in a game against the Miami Dolphins that will be a battle for field position.  Look for Folk to see enough chances to make an impact Week 3.
Point Projection:  8 points

15. Matt Prater (Denver Broncos) vs. Indianapolis

Prater has been solid in the first two games of the season.  Prater has hit 2-of-2 field goals and six extra points, finishing with 14 fantasy points through two games. The Denver Broncos offense looked great Week 2 scoring 31 points against the Seattle Seahawks. The Denver Broncos’ rising offense should be able to move the ball against an Indianapolis Colts’ defense who have looked vulnerable to the big play at times this season.  Expect Prater to have a solid game against the Colts.
Point Projection:  7 points

16. Sebastian Janikowski (Oakland Raiders) @ Arizona

Janikowski has been one of the better fantasy kickers to start the season.  So far he has hit 5-of-7 field goals and 2 extra points, finishing with 16 points in two games.  Janikowski and the Oakland Raiders face an Arizona team that allowed 41 points to the Atlanta Falcons and have also allowed the third most field goals to opposing kickers this season (4).  Look for Janikowski to continue his fantasy success.
Point Projection:  7 points