Who Should I Start? Evan McPherson or Jake Bates

Friday, November 28, 3:34 PM

Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson had a productive night in Thursday's win over the Baltimore Ravens, draining a career-high six of his six attempts. The 26-year-old had a quiet start to begin the 2025 campaign. However, with the Bengals offense clicking, he's been more involved since going 4-for-4 in the meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 16. With Joe Burrow (toe) back in the equation, the Bengals offense could have an easier time getting up and down the field, especially if the defense plays as well as it did on Thanksgiving. If that happens, McPherson should have no problem remaining one of the best fantasy kickers going. Keep him starting in Week 14 versus the Bills, assuming the weather in Buffalo cooperates.

Wednesday, November 26, 11:08 PM

Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates was one of the heroes of his team's Week 12 win over the New York Giants, bending in a 59-yard field goal to send the game to overtime. After a relatively shaky start to the season, Bates has now made six straight field goal attempts over his last three games. He'll have a second straight game in the friendly confines of Ford Field in Week 13 against the Green Bay Packers. For his career, Bates is averaging 8.6 points per game at home, compared to 7.4 on the road. If there's one concern for Bates in Week 13, it's Green Bay's prowess as a scoring defense. The Packers have held three of their last four opponents to 16 points or fewer and held the Lions to 13 points in the first matchup between the two teams this season in Week 1. Still, Bates profiles as a solid starting kicker option for fantasy managers in Week 13.