Who Should I Start? Jake Moody or Jake Bates

Friday, September 12, 5:06 PM

Former San Francisco 49ers kicker Jake Moody is signing with the Chicago Bears practice squad on Friday, a source told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. After struggling in the Week 1 win over the Seattle Seahawks last Sunday, the Niners cut Moody earlier this week. Moody is going to need to kick better to have a shot at replacing the veteran Cairo Santos after Santos missed one of his two field-goal tries in the season-opening loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night. The 25-year-old Moody missed two of his three field goals in Week 1, continuing a downward trend after a solid rookie campaign in 2023. Right now, the former third-rounder will just be insurance for Santos in Chicago, and he should remain on the waiver wire in all leagues. Moody has made 74.2% of his 62 field-goal attempts in his three years in the NFL and 97.9% of his extra-point tries.

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.