Who Should I Start? Jake Bates or Andy Borregales

Wednesday, December 24, 10:39 PM

Across 15 games this season, Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates has converted on 22 of 28 field goal attempts and 52 out of 54 extra-point tries. Bates has the benefit of being tied to the Detroit offense, which enters Week 17 ranked second in the NFL in points per game (30.1). However, Bates and the Lions will face one of the league's top scoring defenses in Week 17 when they travel to Minnesota to take on the Vikings. Over the last three weeks, Minnesota has allowed opponents to score an average of just 13 points per game. In the first matchup between the two NFC North division rivals this season in Week 9, the Lions were held to 24 points, their fourth-lowest mark in a game in 2025. If there's one benefit for Bates, the game will be played indoors, which eliminates any weather concerns for the kicking game. Bates remains a viable starting kicker for fantasy managers in Week 17, but he profiles as a low-end option rather than a must-start player at the position against Minnesota.

Saturday, December 27, 12:31 PM

New England Patriots kicker Andy Borregales has been one of the most impressive rookie special teamers in the NFL this season, and he's likely headed for another high-scoring performance against the New York Jets in Week 17. Borregales has made 13 field goals and 14 extra points over his last five games, and he hasn't missed a kick in two games since the bye week. He has been the 10th-highest-scoring kicker in fantasy football this year, and he's surging just in time for the culmination of the fantasy playoffs. He should also benefit from an extremely enticing matchup against the Jets, who have allowed the most fantasy points to kickers in 2025. The stars are aligning for Borregales to be a top-five fantasy kicker this week. He should be started in all leagues.