Who Should I Start? Jake Bates or Will Reichard

Friday, September 12, 1:49 PM

Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates held up his end of the bargain in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers, nailing both of his field goal attempts and an extra-point try in his team's 27-13 loss. Bates will not have to worry about any potential weather issues in Week 2, as the Lions return home to the domed Ford Field to take on the Chicago Bears. Bates has more career points scored (21) against Chicago than any other NFL team. The Lions should also have an easier time moving the football and generating scoring opportunities against the Bears than they did against the Packers. Bates profiles as a low-end top-12 fantasy kicker in Week 2 against Chicago.

Friday, September 12, 4:46 PM

Kicker Will Reichard of the Minnesota Vikings faces a middle-of-the-road matchup against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night. The second-year kicker had a strong opening week in which he converted two field goal attempts at Chicago, including a key 59-yarder that helped Minnesota get something out of a poor first half offensively. Now back in the friendlier confines of indoor U.S. Bank Stadium, Reichard and the Vikings will take on a Falcons defense that held Tampa Bay to 260 yards of total offense in Week 1. Reichard has been solid when healthy, but the Vikings' offense is likely to be hot-and-cold as they break in a first-time starting quarterback this season.