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.

Saturday, December 13, 12:31 AM

Although Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates saw his streak of four straight games without a missed field goal come to an end in Week 14, he still knocked in three out of four field goal attempts and all five of his extra point tries in Detroit's win over the Dallas Cowboys. Bates remains the current NFL leader in both extra-point attempts (47) and makes (45) through 14 weeks. In Week 15, the Lions will travel to Los Angeles to take on the Rams. The Lions and Rams enter the week as two of the NFL's top teams in points per game, so this game could have shootout potential. Additionally, playing indoors at Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium eliminates any potential issues Bates might have with the weather. Fantasy managers can view Bates as a must-start fantasy kicker in Week 15.