Who Should I Start? Cairo Santos or Daniel Carlson

Saturday, September 6, 4:36 PM

Chicago Bears kicker Cairo Santos will open his 12th NFL season on Monday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings. Santos has been a steady presence in Chicago, connecting on over 90% of his field goals in three of the last five seasons. This year brings optimism for the Bears' offense with head coach Ben Johnson and second-year quarterback Caleb Williams at the helm. However, Johnson's track record in Detroit suggests he could favor fourth-down aggressiveness over settling for field goals, which would impact Santos' opportunities. Week 1 presents a tough draw against a Vikings defense that allowed the fifth-fewest points in 2024. Given the matchup and the uncertainty around how the new-look Bears offense will operate, Santos is best left out of fantasy lineups this week.

Friday, September 5, 8:03 PM

Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson enters the 2025 season in the middle tier of fantasy options after two straight years of declining accuracy. Once considered one of the league's most reliable legs, Carlson now finds himself tied to an offense that remains more potential than production. His Week 1 matchup against the Patriots does little to boost his outlook, as New England's defense should keep scoring opportunities limited. Until the Raiders prove they can sustain drives and finish possessions consistently, Carlson is best left on the waiver wire. For now, he's a low-end streaming option without dependable week-to-week fantasy value.