Who Should I Start? Jake Elliott or Jake Bates

Thursday, November 27, 1:12 AM

Philadelphia Eagles kicker Jake Elliott just gave fantasy managers whiplash, going from his highest-volume performance of the season in Week 11 to missing his lone field goal attempt in Week 12. Elliott will kick at home in his upcoming game against the Bears, who give up the sixth-most points per game (26.5) in the NFL this season. While Chicago's defense should allow for plenty of scoring opportunities for Philly, Elliott has gotten just 14 tries at field goals this year and missed three of them. He isn't given consistent chances and isn't exactly automatic when his number is finally called. There are better kickers to roster in Week 13.

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.