Who Should I Start? Jake Moody or Jake Bates

Saturday, December 6, 10:29 AM

Washington Commanders kicker Jake Moody was perfect in his team debut last week against the Denver Broncos, nailing both field-goal attempts and two extra points. Moody has made 10 of his last 11 attempts since missing two kicks in Week 1 with the San Francisco 49ers and subsequently being released. The 26-year-old profiles as a solid option in Week 14 against the Minnesota Vikings, with Washington's offense consistently able to move the ball into scoring position. The return of quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) also boosts the appeal of streaming Moody in fantasy football with Washington's offense as close to full health as it's been all season.

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.