Believe it or not, it is possible to gain an advantage in fantasy football each week with the many streaming kickers who are available on the waiver wire.
Week 14 represents the beginning of the fantasy football playoffs in most leagues. So, if you are reading this column, congrats, you are either in the fantasy playoffs or just really enjoy kickers. Either way, I am here to help you make the right selection in order to secure a first round win in the fantasy football playoffs. Its playoff time and every decision matters. One field goal could be the difference between your team advancing to next week or ending your season early.
If you have been riding with the same kicker week in and week out despite his poor production just because your team has been winning, it’s time to move on. There’s no room for sentimentality or superstition in the fantasy playoffs. With half the league presumably eliminated, the waiver wire will be a little more open. However, make sure to get your waiver priorities in and lock up one of these kickers to help you live to see another week in pursuit of a fantasy championship.
Aldrick Rosas (NYG)
Aldrick Rosas has been unbelievable all season and has only ramped up his production over the past few weeks. Since their Bye in Week 9, the Giants offense has been far more productive than it was early on in the season. This uptick in production for the offense has really helped Rosas’s fantasy production. Rosas has been averaging nearly 12 points per game over his last four outings, and he has been doing it against some tough matchups for kickers.
Rosas is the No. 6 kicker in fantasy football so far this season, yet he is only 7 percent owned. The Giants have a matchup with the Redskins in Week 14 who have been pretty generous to kickers lately allowing over 9 points per game to the position over the last three weeks. Rosas has only missed one field goal this season and it came all the way back in Week 6. He is locked in and should be owned in all leagues. Look for Rosas to stay hot in Week 14 and help you advance in the playoffs.
Cody Parkey (CHI)
Parkey has been a top 12 kicker this season yet is only 28 percent owned. The Bears offense has not been as productive since Mitchell Trubisky has been sidelined with injury, however, Parkey has still been a very viable kicker. Trubisky is scheduled to return to the starting lineup this week which will improve Parkey’s opportunities as the Bears offense should be able to move the ball up and down the field more easily.
Additionally, Parkey has a nice matchup against a Rams defense that has been allowing nearly 10 points per game to opposing kickers over their last 5 games. Trubisky’s status for the week will obviously play a big factor in Parkey’s success. But assuming Trubisky is good to go, Parkey will be a great streaming option for Week 14.
Dustin Hopkins (WAS)
Dustin Hopkins might seem like a very risky play this week given the uncertainty of the Redskins quarterback situation. Mark Sanchez is slated to get the start which may seem like a terrible fate for a kicker. However, Hopkins gets the best matchup possible this week against a Giants defense that has been giving up over 11 points per game to opposing kickers. To put that in context, the league average is 7.7 points per game to opposing kickers. The Giants rank 32nd against opposing kickers giving up 11.3 points per game to the position, a full two points per game better than the next best matchup which is the Vikings allowing 9.3 points per game to opposing kickers.
Playing against the Giants has been so good this season to opposing kickers that it should be considered a no brainer for streaming. Only one kicker has been held under 8 points against the Giants this season and that was in Week 11 when the Buccaneers scored 5 touchdowns and did not even attempt a field goal which should be viewed as a statistical outlier. The thought of relying on Sanchez to put the offense in kicking situations is risky. However, the matchup has been too friendly this season to move away from it. Hopkins should still be able to produce in Week 14.
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