Who Should I Start? Joey Slye or Jake Bates

Friday, October 10, 2:16 PM

Tennessee Titans kicker Joey Slye (calf) has officially been ruled out for the team's Week 6 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders due to a calf injury, per Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com. Slye leads the league in both field goal attempts (17) and makes (13 through five weeks so far this season. With Slye sidelined, Tennessee will reportedly let veteran Matthew Wright handle the kicking duties in Week 6. Wright has appeared in 29 games across five NFL seasons for six different teams. He's made 55 out of 63 (87.3%) of his career field goal attempts. Wright should be avoided by fantasy managers in Week 6 against Las Vegas.

Saturday, November 1, 12:09 AM

Through seven games so far in 2025, Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates has made an uninspiring eight out of 11 field goal attempts. However, Bates leads the NFL in both extra-point attempts (27) and makes (27). The Lions are currently averaging over 30 points scored per game, which has given Bates a relatively safe fantasy floor. In Week 9, Detroit will host the Minnesota Vikings. Playing inside the domed Ford Field, Bates will not have to deal with any potential weather concerns. In 12 career games at Ford Field, Bates has scored an average of 8.67 points per contest. He profiles as a must-start fantasy kicker in Week 9 against Minnesota.