Who Should I Start? Jake Bates or Tyler Loop

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 20, 9:51 PM

Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop remains on the fantasy radar as a fringe top-12 option heading into Sunday Night Football against the New England Patriots in Week 16. Loop is the 12th-highest-scoring fantasy kicker this season and is coming off a decent game in which he made all four of his kicks, including one field goal. Overall, the rookie has gone 33-for-35 on extra points and 26-for-28 on field goals (including one from 50+ yards) through 14 games. On paper, this week's matchup is far from ideal, as the Patriots have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing kickers in 2025. That could be a product of New England's softer schedule, though, and Loop should continue to get extra-point and field-goal opportunities behind Baltimore's strong offense. Furthermore, he'll be kicking in calm conditions, as Baltimore's forecast calls for 5-10 mph winds and no precipitation. Loop ranks as the overall K11 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy rankings for Week 16.