Who Should I Start? Tyler Bass or Blake Grupe

Saturday, January 25, 12:00 AM

Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass remains a strong fantasy option for Sunday's AFC Championship against the Kansas City Chiefs. While the kicker position is somewhat of a crapshoot with just four teams remaining in the playoffs, Bass has a good chance to finish near or at the top of the final rankings when this week's games are complete. The 27-year-old has fared well in the playoffs so far, going 5-for-5 on field goals and 5-for-5 on extra points. His matchup against the Chiefs isn't ideal Kansas City allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to kickers during the regular season but Bass did make one field goal and three extra points when he faced them back in Week 11. Conditions are expected to work in Bass' favor, too, with minimal winds and no precipitation expected in Kansas City on Sunday.

Saturday, January 4, 4:22 AM

New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe was perfect in Week 17, hitting his lone extra point and a 34-yard field goal try. On the season he is 30-for-32 for extra point attempts and has converted 23 of his 27 field goal attempts. All of those misses have come from 40 yards out or further. Grupe won't be kicking in the comfort of a dome in Week 18 but he will have good weather conditions when the Saints travel to Tampa to take on the Buccaneers. That said, Grupe should probably be avoided for fantasy purposes. Since their Week 12 bye, the Saints have averaged just 11.4 points per game. Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler will be at the helm again in the season finale. The Saints have had a hard time sustaining drives since he took over for Derek Carr (hand), which means there is less of a chance for Grupe to get on the field. Grupe has a good leg and can be of service when called upon but the Saints' woes on offense should steer fantasy managers elsewhere in Week 18.