Kickers Corner

Hello all you good, kicking lovers out there.  This is PVAaron with your weekly dose on all things that deal with 3 points.  I would first like to point out that since Monday I have been on the road with some heavy driving.  Starting in El Paso, and then driving 5 hours into New Mexico, then 8 hours through NM, Texas, and finally stopping in Tulsa.  Then Tulsa to St. Louis.  St. Louis to Indy, then the next day Indy to STL.  I am finally stopped until the apartment is available next week, so finally able to give you guys those kicker picks.  The list will be shorter this week, but I do think there will be a lot of kickers who get the chance to go off.  There is almost no bad pick, but these are the ones I like best.

The Kickers

Cash or Cash+

Vinatieri – 5100 – Viny is in a game that counts, both Indy and the Texans need to win.  Viny has proven over and over this season that he can kick from 50+ yards, and if the Colts can keep themselves in this game, but stall out anywhere in the 50 yard range Viny should get the work.  I like to focus on games that matter, and this game matters. The largest risk to Viny is will he be needed to kick if Indy moves the ball well.

Prater – 4900 – A pick brought up by ndsf in Slack, which is where I started to talk kickers this week (join already).  Prater has a great match up, and can be stacked with the Def for that correlation pick. Match up boost, should see Prater holding 10 points easy, with that 20 point upside if this becomes a one sided affair.

GPP+

Hopkins – 4800 – If Hopkins were at home he would be a Cash play, but with him being on the road against Philly, I do worry a little about the floor.  Still if Washington plays like they have the last 5 weeks, I really like the chance Hopkins gets to those 12-15 points.  He is kicking well from distance, and is attempting more kicks than most kickers.  I would like him to be a little more accurate, but his miss rate is within range for me to use him.

Bailey – 4700 – Again this is a pick who would go cash safe if at home.  NYG has played best at home, but this game matters for the Boys.  I think any chance to score, as long as this game stays close will find Bailey being used.  This game should be hard fought, and while I like other roll players in this game, Bailey is one I really like.  He kicks the ball better than any other kicker in the league, and he is in a game that matters.  I worry most that this becomes a TD dependent game, which would hurt the floor.  If the game stays close and kicks are made on both sides Bailey is the kicker with the better upside.

Lambo – 4600 – Lambo is either used or not.  He does not often offer a safety net, but he does kick for big scores when he is used.  Going on the road to face the Panthers is a good spot for him.  SD should be able to move the ball, and with the way SD defense has been stepping up, I also like the GPP stack of kicker/def.

GPP

Dawson – 4500 – Dawson is a name I have never put on my list before, but SF is trying to prove itself, and I do not think the coach will let them quit just yet, as he is also still proving his worth.  This is a long shot, but here because my gut says he could have a big game.  This is the GUT CALL OF THE WEEK! Something you have never seen before because I normally do not like trusting my gut for write ups.

Nugent – 4500 – Another risky play, but this one gets a match up boost for a road game against Cleveland.  There are a lot of missing parts for the Bengals, which could help keep him as a much more needed piece of the offense than he was last time these 2 teams met.

Final Note

There are a lot of kickers I could see having big games, who I did not mention here.  There are actually more good choices than bad ones, but this list has the ones I will focus my building around when I play Fanduel…Yay I get to play Fanduel without the drive anymore!  Still there is a large amount of games that mean something, and there are even a lot of 2nd divisional games this week.  Should be a good week for the kicker…as long as they don’t forget how to kick.  Focus on domes or where weather will not be a factor, as those outside stadiums are getting cold, and windy.  There is also a lot of winter weather called for this week.