Who Should I Start? Brandon Aubrey or Will Reichard

Tuesday, September 2, 11:36 PM

Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey should be inserted into fantasy managers' starting lineups despite a difficult matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1. Kicking on the road isn't easy, especially when the venue doesn't have a roof. However, Aubrey has repeatedly shown that he can nail long kicks in difficult conditions. Although he went 0-for-1 on field goals in Philadelphia last year, that came during a rough period of time when Dak Prescott was sidelined. He looked better when the Cowboys hosted the Eagles, going 2-for-2 on field goals with a successful 46-yarder. The biggest reason why you should start Aubrey, though, is his track record. He has been either K1 or K2 in each of his two NFL seasons, and Aubrey in an unfavorable venue is still better than many kickers in the serenity of a dome. Philadelphia's defense may limit Dallas' red-zone opportunities, but the Cowboys' kicker should still have several opportunities to add points via field goals. Start him with confidence in Week 1.

Friday, September 12, 4:46 PM

Kicker Will Reichard of the Minnesota Vikings faces a middle-of-the-road matchup against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night. The second-year kicker had a strong opening week in which he converted two field goal attempts at Chicago, including a key 59-yarder that helped Minnesota get something out of a poor first half offensively. Now back in the friendlier confines of indoor U.S. Bank Stadium, Reichard and the Vikings will take on a Falcons defense that held Tampa Bay to 260 yards of total offense in Week 1. Reichard has been solid when healthy, but the Vikings' offense is likely to be hot-and-cold as they break in a first-time starting quarterback this season.