Who Should I Start? Blake Grupe or Jake Bates

Saturday, October 18, 1:05 AM

New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe was perfect in Week 6, making all four field goal attempts and his lone extra point in the loss to the Patriots. This marks his second straight game with four field goals, and with New Orleans struggling to reach the end zone, Grupe has established himself as one of the more reliable fantasy kickers, currently ranking fifth overall. He's 14-for-19 on field goals and 9-for-9 on extra points this season. Grupe faces the Bears in Week 7, who have allowed 8.2 fantasy points per game to kickers, 10th in the league. With the Saints moving the ball but struggling to score touchdowns, Grupe offers a strong floor and high-upside production for fantasy rosters.

Saturday, October 18, 11:02 PM

Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates has benefited from his team's high-powered offense through the first six weeks of the season, as Bates has both attempted and made the most extra-point tries (24) in the NFL. The 26-year-old has also knocked in seven of nine field goal attempts. The Lions will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7 in what looks on paper like a high-scoring affair. The two teams are currently averaging a combined 59.3 points per contest. Bates will also have the advantage in Week 7 of kicking at home inside the domed Ford Field, so weather will not play a factor in the kicking game. Bates profiles as a must-start kicker in Week 7 against Tampa Bay.