Week 16 marks the second week of the fantasy football playoffs, with matchups in many leagues determining who advances to the championship. As always during this time of year, just a few points can be the difference-maker and that makes top fantasy kickers particularly valuable.
Let’s dive into our Week 16 fantasy kicker rankings, using NFL stats and matchup analysis to determine the 10 best fantasy kickers this week. Note: In our Week 15 fantasy kicker rankings,90 percent of our picks scored double-digit points.
1. Brandon Aubrey, Cowboys vs Los Angeles Chargers
In Week 15, Brandon Aubrey missed multiple field goals in a game for only the second time in two years. The Dallas Cowboys place kicker still made 4 field-goal attempts and 2 extra points, and he’s now made 14 field goals and 12 extra points over the last five games, including four kicks from 50-plus and five from 40-49 yards out. The Los Angeles Chargers don’t have the corners to match with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, but they do rank seventh in red-zone touchdown rate (51.2 percent) this season. Aubrey will make it four consecutive games with double-digit points.
Read More: NFL Week 16 Predictions for Every Game
2. Jason Myers, Seahawks vs Los Angele Rams
In Week 15, Brandon Aubrey missed multiple field goals in a game for only the second time in two years. The Dallas Cowboys place kicker still made 4 field-goal attempts and 2 extra points, and he’s now made 14 field goals and 12 extra points over the last five games, including four kicks from 50-plus and five from 40-49 yards out. The Los Angeles Chargers don’t have the corners to match with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, but they do rank seventh in red-zone touchdown rate (51.2 percent) this season. The consistency with Myers and his ability to hit from distance—5-for-5 from 40-49 yards and 5-for-6 from 50-plus—makes him one of the best fantasy kickers.
Related: Week 16 Fantasy Rankings
3. Eddy Pineiro, 49ers vs Indianapolis Colts
In his first game back from injury, Eddy Pineiro delivered 14 fantasy points with 3 field goals made and 4 extra points. He could’ve had even more field-goal attempts, but the San Francisco 49ers offense was remarkably efficient on third down and inside the red zone. That effectiveness will be a little harder to replicate on Monday Night Football versus Indianapolis. However, the Colts have allowed opponents to make 15 field goal attempts over the last four games (3.8 per game), so Pineiro is a fantastic fantasy option.
4. Cameron Dicker, Chargers vs Dallas Cowboys
Cameron Dicker has been one of the best fantasy kickers this season. The Los Angeles Chargers offensive line is in a disastrous state, making it extremely challenging for Justin Herbert and Co to sustain drives long enough to find the end zone. That’s allowed Cameron Dicker to go 14-for-15 on field-goal attempts, including 7-for-7 from 40-49 yards away, in the last five games. Herbert will be able to exploit the Cowboys’ secondary, but finding the end zone with any regularity will prove difficult against Dallas’ front five. That sets up Dicker for double-digit fantasy points.
5. Ka’imi Fairbairn, Texans vs Las Vegas Raiders
This time of year, we’re always going to give a bit of a bump to kickers playing indoors or in warm weather on Sunday. That’s the case for Ka’imi Fairbairn, who has averaged 12.86 fantasy points over his last eight contests. Facing the Raiders in Week 16, it should be one of the best performances of the season from the Texans offense. Fairbairn might make more extra points than usual, but there should still be a few field-goal attempts.
6. Chase McLaughlin, Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers
Chase McLaughlin has been extremely productive this season, making multiple field goals and extra points in eight games this season. He now faces a defense that ranks 12th in red-zone touchdown rate (56.5 percent) but with the 13th-most red-zone trips (46) this season. We expect McLaughlin to deliver his ninth game with at least two field goals and two extra points made, with a strong chance at double-digit fantasy points.
7. Cam Little, Jaguars vs Denver Broncos
Cam Little has been one of the best fantasy kickers in the second half of the season, putting up 76 fantasy points (10.8 per game) in his last seven contests. In Week 16, the Jacksonville Jaguars are facing the best red-zone defense in the NFL, with opponents finding the end zone on just 38.5 percent of their red-zone trips. That has set up kickers for 34 field-goal attempts (fourth-most in the NFL). We’re projecting a third consecutive game with double-digit points from Little, and he offers top-five upside.
8. Tyler Loop, Ravens vs New England Patriots
It hasn’t exactly been the most productive three-week stretch for Tyler Loop, who has totaled just 18 fantasy points in the last three games. However, he was great before that with 53 fantasy points (10.6 per game) over his previous five contests. With the New England Patriots really struggling to defend the run as of late, allowing 130.4 rushing yards per game and 4.8 yards per carry in the last five contests, Baltimore should be able to move the ball well enough to give Loop a chance at five-plus kicks.
9. Chris Boswell, Steelers vs Detroit Lions
Not only does Chris Boswell get to kick indoors in Week 16, but he’s facing a defense that has imploded over the last month. From Weeks 12-15, the Detroit Lions have allowed 32.3 points per game with 10 field goals and 13 extra points made. Given the Pittsburgh Steelers’ willingness to settle for field goals, Boswell is a strong bet to deliver 10-plus points for fantasy managers.
10. Riley Patterson, Dolphins vs Cincinnati Bengals
We’re all about targeting players facing the Cincinnati Bengals defense in the fantasy football playoffs. Moreover, Riley Patterson is coming off three consecutive games with 11-plus fantasy points. Entering Week 16, Cincinnati has allowed 48 extra points made (most in the NFL) and 21 field goals made. Miami’s offense will stall a few times in scoring range, setting up Patterson for a pair of field goals.
