Who Should I Start? Jake Bates or Joshua Karty

Friday, October 10, 6:22 PM

Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates has made six of his eight field goal attempts so far this season and has not yet missed an extra-point try. Playing for a Lions team that has averaged 34.8 points per game, Bates currently leads the NFL in extra-point attempts for the second straight season. The 26-year-old will face the Kansas City Chiefs on the road in Week 6. Kansas City is allowing an average of 21.4 points per contest, so this could be a more difficult game for Detroit to put up points. Still, Bates profiles as a low-end starting kicker option in Week 6.

Monday, October 13, 12:32 PM

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said he's "not giving up" on the kicking unit and kicker Joshua Karty, despite their rough showing in the 17-3 win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 6 on Sunday, per Sarah Barshop of ESPN. "Josh Karty is a guy that I'm ready to stick with," McVay said. Karty missed one of his two field-goal tries and made both of his extra-point attempts on the road in Baltimore, but it's the second straight game that he has missed a kick. The 23-year-old's miss on Sunday came from only 26 yards out. Through six weeks, Karty has gone 10-for-14 on field goals and 14-for-16 on his extra points. It sounds like the Rams will stick with Karty in Week 7 in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but if he's shaky again overseas, the team could consider replacements during their bye in Week 8. Fantasy managers should seek more reliable kicking options going forward.