Who Should I Start? Chase McLaughlin or Tyler Bass

Saturday, November 8, 7:59 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Chase McLaughlin has been reliable again this season, making 17 of his 21 field goal attempts and converting 16 of 17 extra points. His 81% field goal percentage ranks just below the league average of 83.6% and is a sizable step down from last season's career best mark of 93.8%, which was third best in the league. The 29-year-old has been money on kicks from 50 yards or longer this season, drilling all eight of his attempts. No other kicker has made more than six. The eight field goals from 50 yards or more are already one shy of his career best mark set back in 2022. McLaughlin has solid streaming value in Week 10 against New England, which is one of the highest projected totals of the week.

Thursday, October 9, 12:55 PM

While Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott remained non-committal on whether kicker Tyler Bass (groin, hip) would be able to play this season, he did say that he is "heading in the right direction," according to Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic. Bass remains on Injured Reserve, and the Bills didn't feel comfortable opening his 21-day practice window this week, which means he will not be ready to return for Monday night's contest in Week 7 against the Atlanta Falcons. The Bills probably aren't in any rush to bring the 28-year-old Bass back, with veteran Matt Prater being a reliable fill-in through the first five weeks of 2025. Prater has gone 10-for-15 on his field-goal chances while making all 15 of his extra-point opportunities for the 4-1 Bills. When/if Bass is fully healthy and ready to resume kicking, he should take back over as Buffalo's starting placekicker.