Who Should I Start? Brandon McManus or Jake Bates

Monday, November 3, 7:41 PM

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said on Monday that the "plan is to stick with" struggling kicker Brandon McManus, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. LaFleur also said that McManus is "definitely" working through some things health-wise, but the Packers have rolled with him the last two games because of what they've seen in practice. The 34-year-old came out of the team's Week 5 bye with a quad injury that sidelined him in Weeks 6 and 7. He returned to kick in Week 8, but McManus hasn't been himself the last two games, making just four of his seven field-goal attempts and connecting on all four of his extra-point tries. His miss from 43 yards out on Sunday was costly, as the Packers lost to the Carolina Panthers by only three points. The Packers will stick with him for a Monday night showdown in Week 10 against the Philadelphia Eagles, but fantasy managers should be looking to avoid him in that one.

Saturday, November 1, 12:09 AM

Through seven games so far in 2025, Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates has made an uninspiring eight out of 11 field goal attempts. However, Bates leads the NFL in both extra-point attempts (27) and makes (27). The Lions are currently averaging over 30 points scored per game, which has given Bates a relatively safe fantasy floor. In Week 9, Detroit will host the Minnesota Vikings. Playing inside the domed Ford Field, Bates will not have to deal with any potential weather concerns. In 12 career games at Ford Field, Bates has scored an average of 8.67 points per contest. He profiles as a must-start fantasy kicker in Week 9 against Minnesota.