NFL Week 10 will post a challenge for fantasy football managers, as four teams are on bye. The good news? Few of the teams are carrying notable fantasy kickers.
Brandon McManus, Dustin Hopkins, Daniel Carlson and Jason Myers are all rostered in less than 10% of ESPN fantasy leagues entering Week 10. As such, few fantasy owner will have to replace their kickers and can likely keep their rostered option in place for another week.
That said, there are a handful of kickers with tough matchups this week who might be worth sitting. Meanwhile, there are some streamers worth starting at the position, so if any fantasy owners are looking for a kicker change in Week 10, there should be plenty of high-quality options on the waiver wire.
Who are the best kickers to trust in Week 10? Here’s is USA TODAY Sports’ start ’em, sit ’em advice at kicker for this week’s slate.
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Consider this to be an endorsement of any 49ers kicker who suits up in Week 10. San Francisco is averaging 2.9 field goal attempts per game, good for the third-most in the NFL, and is facing a Buccaneers defense that is allowing 27 points per game, fifth-most in the league. Expect a high-scoring game during which Moody (or Anders Carlson) could emerge as a top-five fantasy kicker.
The Colts are allowing 2.3 field goal attempts per game during the 2024 NFL season. That’s tied for the seventh-most in the league. Bass is fresh off a three field-goal outing against the Miami Dolphins during which he nailed two kicks from the 40-yard range and one from 50-plus. He gets to kick in favorable conditions inside Indianapolis’ domed stadium and should be in for another great week against a Colts defense that is allowing the fourth-most yards per game this season (383.6).
The Cowboys are allowing 2.3 field goal attempts per game this season and are on a three-game losing streak during which they are allowing an average of 34.7 points per game. That will give Elliott, who has attempted at least two field goals in three of his last four games, a chance to emerge as a top-10 kicker – provided the Nick Sirianni doesn’t eschew extra point opportunities for 2-point conversion attempts as often as he did against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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The Texans have struggled offensively without Nico Collins – excluding an outlier game against the New England Patriots. Houston is averaging just 19.3 points over its last three games, though Fairbairn has made eight field goals over that span. The bigger issue is that he missed two field goals against the New York Jets, including a 27-yard chip shot. Trusting him against the Lions, who are allowing 16.5 points per game over their last four outings, seems less than ideal.
The Chiefs finally had a breakout game on offense, scoring 30 points against the Buccaneers on “Monday Night Football” in Week 9. Despite that, Butker attempted just one field goal in the contest. He is now averaging just one field goal attempt per game over his last three contests and it doesn’t figure to get much better against the Broncos. Denver surrendered 41 points to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 9 but still have a top-three scoring defense (17.9 points per game, third best in the NFL) and allow just 1.7 field goal attempts per game.
Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers fought valiantly against the Chiefs on “Monday Night Football” but lost the game in overtime. It will be hard for them to bounce back against a good, well-rested 49ers defense that is coming off a bye. Add in the receiver injuries with which the Buccaneers are dealing, and the fact that the 49ers allow just 1.6 field goal attempts per game, and this could be a low-volume outing for McLaughlin.
Looking for more fantasy football advice? USA TODAY Sports has you covered:
→ The wide receiver position has been decimated this season. Protect yourself in Week 10 with start ’em, sit ’em advice for wideouts.
→ A good running back makes all the difference. A bad running back can cost you a lot of points. Here’s who to start and who to sit in Week 10.
→ Need an edge under center? Here are the best quarterback options to start and to sit in Week 10.
→ Tight ends can be the perfect X-factor for any fantasy team. Here’s who you should start and sit in Week 10.
→ A good defense can shut down your fantasy opponent’s offense. Here are some D/ST options to start and sit for Week 10.
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