Week 11 in the NFL was a wild ride, especially for kickers. The usually reliable Justin Tucker, one of the greatest in the game, had a rare off day, missing two field goals in a tight match that the Ravens lost by just two points. It was a surprising sight for fantasy managers who have come to rely on Tucker’s consistency.
But Tucker wasn’t alone in his struggles. Cleveland’s Dustin Hopkins had a particularly rough outing against the Saints, missing two kicks from under 33 yards on the same drive. First, he failed to convert a 32-yarder, but a penalty gave the Browns a new set of downs. Unfortunately, they couldn’t advance, and Hopkins then missed a 27-yard attempt shortly after. Talk about a rollercoaster of emotions for Browns fans!
Even Jake Elliott of the Eagles felt the pressure on Thursday Night Football. Despite the Eagles securing a win against the Commanders, Elliott missed two field goals and an extra point. These unexpected misses have left fantasy owners scratching their heads and wondering what to expect moving forward.
So, what does this mean for Week 12? It’s time to shake off those kicking woes and look ahead. After all, there’s a fresh slate of games coming up, and every week offers new opportunities for your fantasy roster. To help you navigate this week’s kicker landscape, we’ve compiled a handy set of rankings to guide your decisions.
Fantasy football kicker rankings Week 12: Who to start, sit at K
These rankings were updated on November 21 and will continue to be refined throughout the week, so make sure to check back often!
| RANK | PLAYER | TEAM | OPPONENT | CHANGE |
| 1 | Ka’imi Fairbairn | HOU | vs TEN | |
| 2 | Jake Bates | DET | at IND | |
| 3 | Cameron Dicker | LAC | vs BAL | Up 2 |
| 4 | Chase McLaughlin | TB | at NYG | Up 2 |
| 5 | Jake Moody | SF | at GB | Down 1 |
| 6 | Brandon McManus | GB | vs SF | Up 1 |
| 7 | Chris Boswell | PIT | at CLE | Down 4 |
| 8 | Brandon Aubrey | DAL | at WAS | Up 2 |
| 9 | Chad Ryland | ARI | at SEA | Up 2 |
| 10 | Jason Sanders | MIA | vs NE | Down 1 |
| 11 | Justin Tucker | BAL | at LAC | Down 3 |
| 12 | Spencer Shrader | KC | at CAR | |
| 13 | Joshua Karty | LAR | vs PHI | |
| 14 | Jason Myers | SEA | vs ARI | |
| 15 | Jake Elliott | PHI | at LAR | Up 3 |
| 16 | Matt Gay | IND | vs DET | Down 1 |
| 17 | Cairo Santos | CHI | vs MIN | Down 1 |
| 18 | Wil Lutz | DEN | at LV | Down 1 |
| 19 | Zane Gonzalez | WAS | vs DAL | Up 2 |
| 20 | Graham Gano | NYG | vs TB | |
| 21 | Daniel Carlson | LV | vs DEN | Down 2 |
| 22 | Dustin Hopkins | CLE | vs PIT | |
| 23 | John Parker Romo | MIN | at CHI | |
| 24 | Joey Slye | NE | at MIA | |
| 25 | Nick Folk | TEN | at HOU | |
| 26 | Eddy Pineiro | CAR | vs KC |
Who are the best fantasy kickers in Week 12?
Ka’imi Fairbairn has been the standout kicker through the first 11 weeks, and he retains his top spot heading into Week 12. Despite some struggles from the Houston offense, the return of Nico Collins brings a renewed sense of hope. The connection between Stroud and Collins should lead to more scoring opportunities, making Fairbairn a must-start for the rest of the season.
Jake Bates is another name to watch. The only way he could disappoint fantasy managers is if the Lions score exclusively touchdowns without attempting field goals. Even in those scenarios, Bates has managed to score points, making him a valuable asset in fantasy leagues.
The 49ers are back in business, and Jake Moody is poised to benefit. After some accuracy issues earlier in the season, he has been given ample chances to score since returning from injury. With a potentially high-scoring matchup against the Packers, Moody’s outlook is promising.
Who are the kickers on byes in Week 12?
When it comes to kickers, it’s best not to hold on to anyone during their bye week. Instead, it’s wise to cut ties, pick up another option, and hope to snag them back later. Here’s the list of kickers on bye this week:
Atlanta Falcons: Younghoe Koo
Buffalo Bills: Tyler Bass
Cincinnati Bengals: Evan McPherson
New Orleans Saints: Blake Grupe
New York Jets: Anders Carlson
Jacksonville Jaguars: Cam Little
Who are the best fantasy kicker sleepers in Week 12?
Chase McLaughlin is a sleeper to consider after the Buccaneers’ bye week. Currently rostered in just 11 percent of leagues, he’s a solid pickup. McLaughlin has scored double digits four times this season and has consistently provided scoring opportunities. With Mike Evans back, the Tampa Bay offense should thrive, giving McLaughlin more chances to shine.
Austin Seibert has been part of the high-powered Washington offense, averaging 13.3 points per game, the highest among kickers. Despite missing two games due to injury, he’s worth picking up if he returns. If he’s still sidelined, his replacement, Zane Gonzalez, is a viable plug-and-play option.
As we gear up for Week 12, it’s time to make those strategic moves. Whether you’re starting a reliable kicker or taking a chance on a sleeper, remember that every point counts in this exciting fantasy football season!
