Who Should I Start? Zane Gonzalez or Jake Bates

Sunday, November 30, 10:12 AM

Atlanta Falcons kicker Zane Gonzalez went 3-for-3 on field goals last week, including nailing one from 56 yards out, and is now 6-for-6 in three games as the team's place kicker. The 30-year-old is also perfect on extra points, going 6-for-6 over the three-game stretch. The team's third kicker this season has appeared to have brought some stability to the position, and will look to stay perfect on the road against the Jets in Week 13. He could have to deal with light rain in East Rutherford, but in a game with a low expected total (39.5) with the potential for stalled drives, Gonzalez could see a couple opportunities to convert field goals. Even so, the Arizona State product projects well outside the top 12, so there could be better options available in games with higher totals and/or being played indoors.

Wednesday, December 3, 10:24 PM

Across 12 games this season, Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates has connected on 16 of 20 field goal attempts and converted a league-leading 40 extra-point tries. The 26-year-old has also done some of his best work in recent weeks, knocking in all seven of his field goal attempts over his last four games. In Week 14, Bates and the Lions will host the Dallas Cowboys in a game that appears to have shootout potential. Through 13 weeks, both Detroit and Dallas rank in the top five in points per game among all NFL teams. If both offenses hold to form, there could be plenty of opportunities for Bates to put points on the board. The game will also be played indoors at Detroit's Ford Field, which removes any potential weather concerns. Bates profiles as a must-start fantasy kicker in Week 14.