Who Should I Start? Austin Seibert or Jake Bates

Tuesday, November 26, 4:30 PM

The Washington Commanders placed kicker Austin Seibert (hip) on Injured Reserve on Tuesday, meaning he will have to miss at least the next four games. Seibert was held out of action in Weeks 10 and 11 due to a right-hip injury and returned for the Week 12 loss to the division-rival Dallas Cowboys, where he missed a 50-plus yard field goal and two extra-points -- one at the end of the contest that would have tied the game. The 28-year-old didn't look right and now won't be eligible to return to Washington until the regular-season finale in Week 18 versus the Cowboys. With Seibert on the shelf, the Commanders will most likely bring Zane Gonzalez back to the active roster after he filled in for Seibert in Weeks 10 and 11. The 29-year-old Gonzalez made his return to the NFL this year for the first time since 2021 and went 3-for-3 on FGs and 4-for-4 on extra points in his two games recently for Washington.

Wednesday, December 24, 10:39 PM

Across 15 games this season, Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates has converted on 22 of 28 field goal attempts and 52 out of 54 extra-point tries. Bates has the benefit of being tied to the Detroit offense, which enters Week 17 ranked second in the NFL in points per game (30.1). However, Bates and the Lions will face one of the league's top scoring defenses in Week 17 when they travel to Minnesota to take on the Vikings. Over the last three weeks, Minnesota has allowed opponents to score an average of just 13 points per game. In the first matchup between the two NFC North division rivals this season in Week 9, the Lions were held to 24 points, their fourth-lowest mark in a game in 2025. If there's one benefit for Bates, the game will be played indoors, which eliminates any weather concerns for the kicking game. Bates remains a viable starting kicker for fantasy managers in Week 17, but he profiles as a low-end option rather than a must-start player at the position against Minnesota.