Who Should I Start? Matt Prater or Jason Sanders

Thursday, December 26, 7:36 PM

Arizona Cardinals kicker Matt Prater (knee) was limited in practice all week but was ruled out on Friday for the team's Week 17 divisional contest against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday night. Prater had his 21-day practice window opened to return from Injured Reserve last weekend and has been limited in six practices. However, the 40-year-old will not be activated from IR, and with the regular-season finale being next weekend with the Cardinals eliminated from the playoff picture, we have a suspicion that he will not play again this year. With Prater out again this weekend against the Rams, Chad Ryland will once again fill in as the starting placekicker. In an inconsistent Arizona offense now with nothing left to play for but pride, Ryland won't be a recommended fantasy starter in Week 17. The 25-year-old has made 25 of his 29 field-goal tries and all 21 of his extra points in 11 games with Arizona in 2024.

Monday, December 23, 11:21 AM

Miami Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders made 5-of-5 field goal attempts and 2-of-2 extra points in their 29-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers. His longest came from 54 yards out. Sanders continued to stay hot and has now made his last 23 field goal attempts. As the Dolphins offense has looked more formidable, he continues to get more opportunities than almost anyone in the league, and his conversion rate has been phenomenal. The 29-year-old is now the sixth-ranked kicker overall in fantasy football and should be a weekly start for anyone still in the playoffs. He will have a challenging task traveling to take on the Cleveland Browns in likely freezing conditions in Week 17.