Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

Week 6 of the fantasy football season ended up being a big week for kickers as eight of them scored in double figures. Many of them out scored some of your starting skill position players. Plus four kickers became deciding factors at the end of games. Start with the Vikings Ryan Longwell who hit the game winning field goal with 9 seconds left against the Lions. Next you have Jason Elam hitting his fifth field goal of the game as time expired to beat the Bears; this was after the Bears took the lead with 11 seconds left in the game. Next there was Josh Brown hitting his fourth field goal of the game with no time left as the Rams stunned the Redskins. Finally it was Nick Folk hitting a 52-yard field goal with no time left to force overtime against the Cardinals in a game the Cowboys eventually lost.

This just goes to prove what the Bruno Boys have been preaching all year. Do not overlook your kicker, as just a few points often decide a fantasy football game. With all this being said, please enjoy the Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Week 7 Kicker Rankings:

--------------------

1. Nick Folk (Dallas Cowboys) @ St. Louis

The Cowboys lost QB Tony Romo for up to four weeks and will turn to veteran Brad Johnson. The offense may struggle some, but this is still a good football team. Nick Folk should still have a big week against the Rams.
Point Projection: 11 points

--------------------

2. Nate Kaeding (San Diego) @ Buffalo

Nate Kaeding has been a solid starting fantasy option this season. He hit 3 of 4 field goal attempts in week 6 with 3 extra points. Expect another big outing against the Bills this week.
Point Projection: 10 points

--------------------

3. Rob Bironas (Tennessee) @ Kansas City

Rob Bironas hasn’t missed a kick this season and the Titans draw the struggling Kansas City Chiefs coming off a bye week. Bironas is in line for a big game and should be in your lineup if you own him.
Point Projection: 10 points

--------------------

4. Matt Prater (Denver) @ New England

As the Denver offense has cooled off, so has Matt Prater. They have tough match-up in New England this week, but Prater should still be considered a top starting kicking option, as we have a feeling that this game will be high scoring.
Point Projection: 9 points

--------------------

5. Mason Crosby (Green Bay) vs. Indianapolis

The Colts defense held Baltimore to 3 points in week 6, but the Packers offense is far more superior then the Ravens. This could be a high scoring game and look for Mason Crosby to have another solid outing.
Point Projection: 9 points

--------------------

6. Kris Brown (Houston) vs. Detroit

Kris Brown has been perfect as a kicker in 2008. The Texans host the hapless Lions this week, so expect a big week from Brown. Consider him a must start kicking option at home against Detroit.
Point Projection: 9 points

--------------------

7. Stephen Gostkowski (New England Patriots) vs. Denver

The Patriots did not have a good game against the Chargers week 6, but the Broncos defense has not been stopping anyone this season. Look for a big game at home from the Patriots and kicker Stephen Gostkowski.
Point Projection: 9 points

--------------------

8. Jeff Reed (Pittsburgh) @ Cincinnati 

Jeff Reed also hasn’t missed a kick this season and the Steelers are coming off a bye. The Steelers are playing the Bengals week 7 so look for a big game from Reed. Start him if you got him.
Point Projection: 9 points

--------------------

9. Adam Vinatieri (Indianapolis) @ Green Bay 

The Colts offense returned from a bye week and had their best game of the season. This could lead to a shootout in Green Bay this week and Adam Vinatieri will benefit from it. He should once again become a starting fantasy kicker.
Point Projection: 9 points

--------------------

10. Shaun Suisham (Washington) vs. Cleveland

Shawn Suisham has not missed a field goal since week 3 and looks to continue his solid kicking at home against the Browns. Consider him a low-end starting option this week.
Point Projection: 8 points

--------------------

11. Ryan Longwell (Minnesota) @ Chicago

The Vikings struggled against the last place Lions at home week 6. Ryan Longwell is a solid kicker and did hit the game winning field goal. Consider Longwell a low-end starting kicker in a tough match-up against the Bears in Chicago.
Point Projection: 8 points

--------------------

12. Robbie Gould (Chicago) vs. Minnesota

Robbie Gould has been a better kicker then most people realize this season. He has only missed one field goal attempt and the Bears offense has been better then advertised. Gould is a solid bye week replacement.
Point Projection: 8 points

--------------------

13. Rian Lindell (Buffalo) vs. San Diego

Rian Lindell has only missed two field goals on the season, but he has only 11 attempts. He may not be a top fantasy kicking option, but he could be used as a solid bye week replacement week 7 versus the Chargers.
Point Projection: 8 points

--------------------

14. Joe Nedney (San Francisco) @ New York Giants

Joe Nedney had a huge game week 6 in a loss to the Eagles, hitting four field goals including a 53-yarder. Nedney may not get four field goal attempts when the 49ers travel to New York, but he is a solid kicker and he makes a nice fill in starter.
Point Projection: 8 points

--------------------

15. John Carney (New York Giants) vs. San Francisco

John Carney has yet to miss a field goal this season, but two things should concern you. First he did not have a field goal attempt week 6 versus the Browns and the Giants will not commit to Carney as Lawrence Tynes recovers from an injury. Consider Carney a high risk / high reward option, but it is worth the risk. Also, if Carney is a late scratch, snag Tynes off the waiver wire and play him
Point Projection: 8 points

--------------------

16. Matt Bryant (Tampa Bay) vs. Seattle

Matt Bryant has been a solid kicker this season only missing one field goal attempt. He has made some big kicks for the Bucs this season. Bryant can be a useful starting option if needed.
Point Projection: 7 points

--------------------

17. Taylor Mehlhaff  (New Orleans) @ Carolina

Rookie Taylor Mehlhaff was re-signed week 6 to replace a struggling Martin Gramatica. He scored 10 points in his first NFL game and he has a chance to score a lot of points playing for the high-octane Saints. Now let’s see how he does on the road this week against Panthers.
Point Projection: 7 points

--------------------

18. John Kasay (Carolina) vs. New Orleans

Jon Kasay is an above average kicker, but the Panthers offense has been a bit inconsistent. It is hard to start Kasay (who has been perfect on the season) when you don’t know which Panthers team will show up.
Point Projection: 7 points

--------------------

19. Josh Brown (St. Louis) vs. Dallas

Josh Brown had his best game this season hitting four field goals in a shocking Rams win over the Redskins. Wait to start Brown until the Rams prove to be more then a one-week wonder.
Point Projection: 6 points

--------------------

20. Phil Dawson (Cleveland) @ Washington

The Browns have had two big games in a row after a rough start. If the Browns have another big game this week in Washington, Phil Dawson could once again become a starting fantasy option.
Point Projection: 6 points

--------------------

21. Sebastian Janikowski (Oakland) vs. New York Jets

Just when we think Sebastian Janikowski is heading towards being a solid fantasy kicker once again. He misses two field goals as the Raiders only manage 3 points against the Saints. Keep Janikowski on the bench versus the Jets.
Point Projection: 5 points

--------------------

22. Olindo Mare (Seattle) @ Tampa Bay

Even though Olindo Mare has not missed a kick this season, he is not worth starting, as the Seahawks will continue to struggle without Matt Hasselbeck at quarterback.
Point Projection: 5 points

--------------------

23. Jason Hanson (Detroit) @ Houston

The Lions continue to find new ways to lose. They should continue to struggle all season with Jon Kitna being placed on injured reserve and Roy Williams being traded to the Cowboys. Hanson is no longer worth a roster spot unless you carry two kickers.
Point Projection: 5 points

--------------------

24. Jay Feely (New York Jets) @ Oakland

Jay Feely had his best week as a Jet week 6 scoring 8 points, but he will be replaced as soon as Mike Nugent is healthy. There are better options available.
Point Projection: 5 points

--------------------

25. Matt Stover (Baltimore) @ Miami

The Baltimore Ravens were held to 3 points against the Colts week 6. Stover should remain on waivers, as the Ravens should continue to struggle offensively all year with a rookie quarterback.
Point Projection: 4 points

--------------------

26. Dan Carpenter (Miami) vs. Baltimore

Dan Carpenter does not get enough field goal attempts kicking for the Dolphins to have much fantasy value. He should remain on waivers.
Point Projection: 4 points

--------------------

27. Nick Novak (Kansas City) vs. Tennessee

The Chiefs offense has struggled this season and they have been shutout twice. Novak should not be taking up a roster spot on any fantasy team.
Point Projection: 4 points

--------------------

28. Dave Rayner (Cincinnati) vs. Pittsburgh

Dave Rayner was picked up off waivers and filled in for Shayne Graham who has an injured groin. It appears Rayner will start again week 7 against the Steelers. He is not worth picking up as the Bengals are not very good without Carson Palmer.
Point Projection: 3 points

--------------------

WEEK 7 BYE WEEK KICKERS
 
Jason Elam (Atlanta) – BYE

When the season started expectations were low for Jason Elam and the Falcons. Oh how 6 weeks have changed things. The Falcons are 4-2 and Elam has hit 15 of 16 field goal attempts. Elam is quickly moving into must start status.

--------------------

David Akers (Philadelphia) – BYE

David Akers has had a couple of shaky moments this season, but his 17 field goal attempts is tied for the league lead and he has only missed 4. Consider him a low-end fantasy starter after the bye week.

--------------------

Josh Scobee (Jacksonville) – BYE

Josh Scobee was on a tear weeks 2 thru 4 hitting 9 of 9 field goal attempts, but he has only had one attempt the past two weeks. He has been accurate on the season and should be a nice option against Cleveland after the bye.

--------------------

Neil Rackers (Arizona) vs. Dallas – BYE

The only thing slowing Neil Rackers down this season is the fact that the Cardinals seem to keep scoring touchdowns. He only has 10 field goal attempts on the season to go with 19 extra points. Rackers should still be considered a good kicking option all season.