Who Should I Start? Wil Lutz or Jake Bates

Monday, January 13, 10:54 AM

Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz was a top-10 fantasy kicker during the regular season, but we warned fantasy managers setting DFS lineups in playoff leagues to avoid him for the wild-card matchup in Buffalo against the Bills on Sunday. Hopefully you did, as Lutz didn't attempt a single field goal and made just one extra point in the 31-7 blowout loss at Orchard Park. Although the Broncos put up a dud to close out what was a successful 2024 season, the 30-year-old Lutz was money in the bank for Denver in his second year with the team. He made 91.2% of his 34 field-goal attempts in 17 regular-season games and didn't miss any of his 47 extra-point opportunities on the year. In his final eight games, Lutz made all 27 of his field goals and went 13-for-13 on extra points. With impressive QB Bo Nix leading Denver's offense moving forward, Lutz should easily be a top-12 fantasy kicking option this fall.

Friday, January 17, 1:49 AM

Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates has never appeared in an NFL playoff game before, but he already ranks as the No. 1 overall kicker in RotoBaller's Divisional Round fantasy rankings. His highly anticipated performance against the Washington Commanders on Saturday is the result of an impressive regular season in which he scored the seventh-most fantasy points among kickers. He missed just three field-goal attempts, and the Lions' incredibly potent offense put him in position to make a whopping 64 extra points. Also working in his favor is a somewhat favorable matchup against the Commanders, who surrendered two field goals to Chase McLaughlin last week, including one from 50 yards out. All in all, Bates is this week's top fantasy kicker thanks to his accuracy, power, and role on a dominant Lions team.