As Week 13 arrives, we are right in the heart of the fantasy season. Our decisions are never more critical than they are right now. One wrong decision in the middle of the season can be the difference between missing or making the playoffs. Crossing the Streams is here to help!
This article aims to help you with those tough decisions at kicker and D/ST. For this column, I will avoid any options ranked inside the top 12 by Fantasy Pros ECR. Those options are easy calls and are unlikely to be helpful. I’m going to look into the deeper options to help those hampered by matchup or bye-week issues.
Season-to-Date Scorecard
D/STs: 18 for 20 (90%)
Kickers: 15 for 20 (75%)
Defences/Special Teams (Start’em)
Miami Dolphins vs. WSH
The Dolphins currently rank as DST12 and have been moving up in the rankings as of late. The high-flying style they play hasn’t been conducive to fantasy points, but despite their points against they manage to get by on turnovers. This week they face a Commanders offence that allows 11.6 fantasy points per game to opposing DSTs. That’s the 3rd most in the NFL. Miami has 56 tackles, 38 sacks, 8 forced fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries, 9 interceptions and 2 touchdowns this season.
Indianapolis Colts vs. TEN
The Colts have steadily improved this season to the point they are currently DST13. This improvement could be due to the opponents they’ve faced or their improvements in offence. The Titans are allowing 7.2 fantasy points per game to opposing DSTs, the 13th most in the NFL. Indianapolis has 64 tackles, 36 sacks, 12 forced fumbles, 6 fumble recoveries, 12 interceptions and 3 touchdowns this season.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. CIN
The Jaguars have been a middling DST for the majority of the season and are completely matchup-dependent. Luckily for them, they have a great matchup this week with the Bengals. The Bengals are allowing 6.2 fantasy points per game to opposing DSTs, the 20th most in the NFL. Jacksonville has 40 tackles, 24 sacks, 9 forced fumbles, 7 fumble recoveries, 11 interceptions and 2 touchdowns this season.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. NE
The Chargers have been awful this season as a DST and have been unable to stop most teams from scoring at will. This week though, they face an offence that is so inept they may actually be able to produce for fantasy. This week they get a matchup with a Patriots offence that is likely to be starting Bailey Zappe. The Patriots are allowing 11.1 fantasy points per game to opposing DSTs, the 4th most in the NFL. Los Angeles has 58 tackles, 36 sacks, 9 forced fumbles, 8 fumble recoveries, 6 interceptions and 0 touchdowns this season.
Kickers (Start’em)
Matt Gay, IND vs. TEN
Gay has been steadily improving this season and is on the brink of climbing into the top 12. He currently ranks as PK13 on the season and is rounding into peak form. He faces the Titans this week who have been the 5th best matchup for opposing kicker. The Titans are allowing 10.2 fantasy points per game. Joseph is 19 for 23 on field goals, 28 for 28 on extra points and has added in 4 field goals from 40+ yards, and 7 from 50+ yards.
Younghoe Koo, ATL vs. NYJ
Koo was terrible and unplayable for the first half of the season but has come on as of late and is once again gaining the trust of fantasy managers. He currently ranks as PK14 and has huge potential. Koo faces the Jets this week who have been the 3rd best matchup for opposing kickers. The Jets are allowing 10.8 fantasy points per game. He is 22 for 23 on field goals, 17 for 18 on extra points and has added in 6 field goals from 40+ yards, and 3 from 50+ yards.
Jason Sanders, MIA vs. WSH
Slye has been totally unplayable this season and is simply a process play in a great matchup. He currently ranks as PK25 and his ranking reflects his borderline status. Sanders faces the Commanders this week who have been the best matchup for opposing kickers. The Commanders are allowing 10.9 fantasy points per game. He is 11 for 14 on field goals, 42 for 43 on extra points and has added in 5 field goals from 40+ yards, and 2 from 50+ yards.
Cameron Dicker, LAC vs. NE
Dicker has been disappointing for the Chargers after they moved on from Dustin Hopkins, who is now PK1 on the season. He currently ranks as PK16 and his ranking reflects his little upside. Dicker faces the Patriots this week who have been the 8th best matchup for opposing kickers. The Patriots are allowing 9.1 fantasy points per game. He is 17 for 18 on field goals, 30 for 30 on extra points and has added in 3 field goals from 40+ yards, and 3 from 50+ yards.
Week 12 Report Card
For the purposes of this article, I think it is fair to set the line at 8.0 fantasy points. Any total of 8.0 or higher will be deemed a hit, and a total of 7.9 and lower will be called a miss.
D/ST (3 hits, 1 miss)
Minnesota Vikings- 16.30 points HIT
New York Jets- 15.80 points HIT
New Orleans Saints- 5.60 points MISS
Miami Dolphins- 27.80 points HIT
Kickers (2 hits, 2 miss)
Greg Joseph, MIN- 4.40 points MISS
Cairo Santos, CHI- 14.90 points HIT
Matt Prater, ARI- 0.0 points MISS
Blake Grupe, NO- 20.20 points HIT
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