Kickers. Love 'em or hate 'em, they are a part of the game. Even in fantasy football.
While you may be tempted to do so, don't leave the position for last when building your FanDuel lineups. Just like you do with the rest of your roster, maximize your squad's potential by spending the extra minute and finding out the best options out there at kicker.
It's time to stop "punting" the spot and start giving the lonesome kicker the attention he deserves.
The following are the top-three kickers we are targeting in Week 9.
Ka'imi Fairbairn, Houston Texans
FanDuel Price: $5,000
The Houston Texans have a dream matchup for kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn this week. They'll welcome the paper-thin defense of the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, who have allowed an NFL-worst 30.8 points per game this year, to NRG Stadium. Naturally, opposing kickers have gone to town against the Colts, recording the most FanDuel points per game (11.4). Opponents have kicked 26 extra points (most in the NFL) while attempting 21 field goals (second-most) against Indy this season.
On the flipside, the Texans' offense leads the NFL with 30.7 points per game with Fairbairn attempting a league-high 22 extra points. The disparities in offense and defense are reflected in the Vegas lines as well -- Houston 13.0-point favorites over Indy with the Texans carrying a 31.0 implied point total. Both are league highs for Week 9.
While the rookie kicker hasn't seen many field goal opportunities recently, Fairbairn has scored at least 8 FanDuel points in 4 of 6 games started by quarterback Deshaun Watson. He also still hasn't missed a field goal attempt in his NFL career, going 11-for-11 so far.
Blair Walsh, Seattle Seahawks
FanDuel Price: $4,700
The Seattle Seahawks' offense has found their groove since getting a Week 6 bye, scoring a total of 65 points in their last two games. Meanwhile, their Week 9 opponent, the Washington Redskins, have bombed out, allowing 67 points in a pair of humiliating defeats. The two different trends have the Seahawks as 7.0-point favorites while owning the fourth-highest implied point total of the week (26.0).
Adding to the lush matchup for Blair Walsh is how Washington's struggling defense has left opposing kickers racking up 10.7 FanDuel points per game -- the third-most in the NFL. Walsh, for his part, has been lights out the last three weeks, connecting on all six field goal and nine extra point attempts for an average of 9.7 FanDuel points per game.
While Fairbairn has the perfect game script and will likely be a popular play on Sunday, Walsh -- with a decent matchup of his own -- costs $300 less, allowing for more flexibility in lineups.
Mike Nugent, Dallas Cowboys
FanDuel Price: $4,600
Another offense that has been rolling is the Dallas Cowboys. Since Week 4, the 'Boys have averaged 33.5 points per game, scoring at least 30 points in each contest. Only the Texans averaged more points per game in October.
While their high-powered offense is bound to lose some steam with Ezekiel Elliott expected to start his suspension, their opponent in Week 9, the Kansas City Chiefs, have been unable to slow anyone down. The Chiefs have given up the third-most yards per game (392.3) this season and are surrendering 25.8 points per game the last four weeks. The showdown between the two teams carries the biggest over/under of the week at 51.5 points. With Dallas a 1.0-point favorite, they own the third-highest implied point total (26.25) of the slate.
In Mike Nugent's first game as a Cowboy in place of an injured Dan Bailey, he was busy, attempting five field goals and three extra points. His 16 FanDuel points were the third-highest in the league in Week 8. Costing just $100 above the minimum, Nugent is the perfect choice for those looking for a bargain kicker.
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Dale Redman is not a FanDuel employee. The views expressed in his articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.