Who Should I Start? Matt Prater or Blake Grupe

Saturday, November 29, 12:51 PM

Buffalo Bills kicker Matt Prater has been a reliable player through 11 games this season, connecting on 15 of 17 field goal attempts and 32 out of 34 extra-point tries. The 41-year-old may have limited range at this point in his career, as he's attempted just two field goals from 50-plus yards out on the season, making one and missing one. In Week 13, the Bills will travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers. Through 12 weeks, Pittsburgh ranks 19th in the NFL in points per game allowed (23.9). While that points to the Bills being able to move the ball on Sunday, the weather in Pittsburgh may play a factor in the kicking game. The current forecast calls for precipitation and colder weather in western Pennsylvania. Prater profiles as a borderline starting kicker option in Week 13, but fantasy managers should be mindful of potential weather issues and check the forecast before lineups lock on Sunday.

Tuesday, December 2, 5:53 PM

The Indianapolis Colts signed former New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe to their practice squad on Tuesday, a source told Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Grupe was recently cut by the Saints, but he'll latch on with another team quickly after impressing the Colts during a workout on Tuesday. The 27-year-old will be replacing Michael Badgley, who was waived on Tuesday after missing his third extra point of the season in Sunday's loss to the Houston Texans. In addition to Grupe, the Colts also worked out kickers Justin Tucker and Maddux Trujillo. Grupe, 27, will be Indy's placekicker this weekend for a crucial divisional battle against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Before getting cut by the Saints, he went 18-for-26 on field goals and 15-for-15 on his extra-point tries in 11 games. Fantasy managers should be looking elsewhere for a more reliable kicking option in Week 14.