Who Should I Start? Matt Prater or Matt Gay

Saturday, December 13, 10:12 AM

Buffalo Bills kicker Matt Prater has filled in admirably for Tyler Bass (hip, groin) this season, but he's not a must-start fantasy option for Week 15 against the New England Patriots. Prater hasn't scored double-digit fantasy points since Week 8, and he ranks as the overall K20 in total scoring through 14 weeks this season. To his credit, the veteran kicker has been mostly accurate, going 18-for-20 on field goals and 38-for-41 on extra points. However, with just 1.4 field goals per game and only one successful attempt from beyond 50 yards, Prater hasn't delivered very many high-scoring kicks. He'll also get a tougher matchup this week against the Patriots, who have allowed the 12th-fewest fantasy points to opposing kickers in 2025. Furthermore, he'll face questionable weather conditions with cold temperatures and snow forecasted for Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Sunday afternoon. Prater ranks as the #14 kicker in RotoBaller's Week 15 fantasy football rankings. Managers in leagues with 12 or fewer teams can find better options to fill the kicker spot this week.

Saturday, November 29, 4:55 AM

San Francisco 49ers kicker Matt Gay filled in reasonably well for the injured Eddy Pineiro (hamstring) in Week 12. In San Francisco's 20-9 win over the Panthers, Gay converted both of his extra point tries and nailed field goals from 29 and 47 yards out. Pineiro is listed as out on the 49ers' final injury report before their Week 13 showdown with the Cleveland Browns, so Gay will stay on as the team's kicker for at least one more week. Unfortunately, he won't be working in favorable conditions. Sunday's forecast calls for 25 to 35 MPH winds, rain, and snow in Cleveland. Gay will have to be at the top of his game to be of service to San Francisco. Fantasy football managers may want to look elsewhere to fill the kicker slot in their starting lineups for Week 13.