Who Should I Start? Dustin Hopkins or Matt Gay

Friday, December 20, 7:09 PM

Cleveland Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins was given the week off to clear his head in a Week 15 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs as the team tabbed Riley Patterson as their kicker for the game. Hopkins will now return to the field after a one-week absence to take on the Cincinnati Bengals on the road in Week 16. The Bengals have been decent against opposing kickers this season, allowing the 14th-fewest fantasy points per game to the position. Hopkins has struggled with his accuracy this season, making just 16 of his 25 field goals. In addition, the Browns offense could find it hard to move the ball as they will start Dorian Thompson-Robinson in place of Jameis Winston against Cincy. Those two factors combine to make Hopkins tough to trust in fantasy heading into Week 16.

Friday, December 20, 5:54 PM

Indianapolis Colts kicker Matt Gay (neck) is listed as questionable to kick for the Colts in a Week 16 divisional matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Gay did not practice on Wednesday and Thursday but returned to a full practice on Friday, giving him a shot to be available this weekend in a must-win game for Indy. The fact that he was a full-go on Friday probably puts him on the right side of questionable for this one, but fantasy managers probably should be looking in another direction in semifinal matchups in most leagues. The 30-year-old veteran booter has gone 24-for-27 on his field-goal attempts in 2024 while also knocking down all 23 of his extra-point tries. The Colts don't have another kicker on roster, and the fact that haven't added one as insurance this week likely means they are expecting Gay to be ready to roll on Sunday.