Who Should I Start? Dustin Hopkins or Riley Patterson

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.

Sunday, December 15, 10:28 PM

Cleveland Browns kicker Riley Patterson made his lone extra-point attempt in a 21-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15. Patterson was elevated from the team's practice squad on Saturday and replaced Dustin Hopkins as the team's kicker for the game as the latter has made just 16 of his 25 field goals in 2024. Patterson didn't get a chance to do much in the loss and will likely revert back to the team's practice squad as head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters after the loss that Hopkins will be his kicker in Week 16 against the Cincinnati Bengals as he just wanted to give the veteran the week off after his struggles this season.