As we approach week 5 of the fantasy football season your team should be rounding into shape. If you started out bad, you should be adjusting your roster along the way and hopefully turning things around, this is not quite panic time yet. If you started out well you probably had a good draft and have been keeping an eye on the waiver wire, but don’t get complacent it’s not over yet.
Hopefully everyone followed the Bruno Boys advice and waited until the last round in the draft and found one of the many gems that were available. Many fantasy teams even picked up a stud kicker off waivers. These weekly rankings have changed drastically over the past five weeks. Matt Prater went un-drafted in many leagues and this week he tops these rankings. As a matter of fact, the top five has changed each and every week. We have said it over and over; it’s not the sexy position, but equally as important as the others. Just a few points often decide fantasy football games. You need to have a complete team to win a championship.
Now please enjoy the Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Week 5 Kicker Rankings.
-------------------
1. Matt Prater (Denver Broncos) vs. Tampa Bay
The Broncos offense struggled against Kansas City last week, but it resulted in more field goal attempts for Prater. He was 4 for 5 on field goal attempts, including two over 50 yards. Tampa Bay's defense should stall the Broncos just enough for Prater to get many opportunities this week in the thin mountain air.
Point Projection: 12 points
-------------------
2. Nate Kaeding (San Diego Chargers) @ Miami
Kaeding has gotten plenty of opportunities to score points this year and that should continue this week against the Dolphins. Look for Kaeding get back into double digit points.
Point Projection: 11 points
-------------------
3. Nick Folk (Dallas Cowboys) vs. Cincinnati
The Cowboys are steaming after their disappointing loss at home against the Redskins in week 4. They will now face a Bengals team that has struggled all season and have yet to win a game. Look for Dallas to score a ton of points and Folk owners will benefit.
Point Projection: 11 points
-------------------
4. Josh Scobee (Jacksonville Jaguars) vs. Pittsburgh
Scobee has rebounded nicely from an injury plagued 2007 season. He has hit 10 of 11 field goal attempts on the season, including two for more then 50 yards. He should once again see multiple field goal attempts against a Steelers team that has not yielded a lot of touchdowns.
Point Projection: 10 points
-------------------
5. Mason Crosby (Green Bay Packers) vs. Atlanta
If Aaron Rodgers struggles or does not play due to a shoulder sprain Crosby could actually gain in value. What have been touchdowns could now turn into field goals, but either way the Packers should score plenty of points against the Falcons.
Point Projection: 10 points
-------------------
6. Joe Nedney (San Francisco 49ers) vs. New England
San Francisco’s offense has been better under new OC Mike Martz, but they are still kicking more field goals then they are scoring touchdowns. This is a good thing for Nedney owners. Expect that trend to continue when the 49ers host the Patriots.
Point Projection: 9 points
-------------------
7. John Carney (New York Giants) vs. Seattle
Carney has looked like a top-flight kicker in the early part of the season, not a guy who wasn’t even on a team in training camp. As long as Carney is starting in place of the injured Lawrence Tynes is a starting fantasy kicker option.
Point Projection: 9 points
-------------------
8. Jason Hanson (Detroit Lions) vs. Chicago
The Lions may have fired GM Matt Millen, but it does not change the fact that this team is not very good. Jason Hanson will once again be this teams most consistent player.
Point Projection: 9 points
-------------------
9. Matt Bryant (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) @ Denver
Bryant was perfect on all six kicking attempts in week 4, which is amazing considering his infant son had died earlier in the week. If he can kick under that kind of duress, he can kick anywhere. Bryant has earned a place in the hearts of parents everywhere. Plus he has been perfect on the season and kicked the game winner in overtime week 3.
Point Projection: 9 points
-------------------
10. Ryan Longwell (Minnesota Vikings) @ New Orleans
Longwell has been steady early this season, even though the Vikings have struggled. The New Orleans defense has given up 100 points on the season so far. Longwell should reward owners with another nice game.
Point Projection: 8 points
-------------------
11. Rian Lindell (Buffalo Bills) @ Arizona
The Bills have started the season at 4-0, which is a surprise to most. The offense under Trent Edwards is rolling at a pace of 27.25 points per game. This has been great news for owners who took a chance on Lindell. He has emerged as a low-end starting fantasy kicker.
Point Projection: 8 points
-------------------
12. Jason Elam (Atlanta Falcons) @ Green Bay
Atlanta’s offense has improved from last season, which has helped Elam. The veteran kicker has yet to miss a kick this year. He is definitely worth a look as a starting fantasy kicker.
Point Projection: 8 points
-------------------
13. Robbie Gould (Chicago Bears) @ Detroit
The Bears travel to Detroit to play the Lions. Not only do the Lions play in a dome, they have been giving up a ton of points. This is a recipe for a good day for Gould.
Point Projection: 8 points
-------------------
14. Shayne Graham (Cincinnati Bengals) @ Dallas
The Bengals have been a major disappointment this season at 0-4. Things don’t look to be getting any better with injury concerns to Carson Palmer. Graham might be this team’s best weapon.
Point Projection: 8 points
-------------------
15. Neil Rackers (Arizona Cardinals) vs. Buffalo
Rackers only has 7 field goal attempts on the season. This has to do with the highs and lows of Kurt Warner. He either seems to throw a touchdown or turn the ball over (as he did 6 times in week 4). Either way you need more attempts out of a starting fantasy kicker.
Point Projection: 7 points
-------------------
16. Stephen Gostkowski (New England Patriots) @ San Francisco
The injury to Tom Brady has hurt this entire team. Matt Cassel has struggled to put this team into a position to score points and this has hurt the production of Gostkowski. Hopefully you have backed him up with many of the gems that were on the waiver wire.
Point Projection: 7 points
-------------------
17. Rob Bironas (Tennessee Titans) @ Baltimore
Bironas is a solid kicker and having a good season. Unfortunately for Bironas owners the Titans are scoring more touchdowns then they have in the past. Bironas has only 6 field goals to go with 12 extra points. The good news is he hasn’t missed a kick this year.
Point Projection: 7 points
-------------------
18. Kris Brown (Houston Texans) vs. Indianapolis
Matt Schaub and the Texans offense showed signs of life last week versus Jacksonville. Brown would need more kicking attempts before you can think about starting him on your team.
Point Projection: 7 points
-------------------
19. Martin Gramatica (New Orleans Saints) vs. Minnesota
Gramatica is another kicker who plays for a high scoring team and it actually hurts his value. Other then one game he has been pretty consistent, but he also needs more field goal opportunities before you can count on him as a starter.
Point Projection: 6 points
-------------------
20. Adam Vinatieri (Indianapolis Colts) @ Houston
The bye week came at a good time for Indianapolis. They are struggling at 1-2 and are hoping the break helped Peyton Manning get more comfortable after off-season surgery. Don’t start Vinatieri because we feel that the Colts will be lighting up the scoreboard with touchdowns, thus limiting Vinatieri's field goal chances.
Point Projection: 6 points
-------------------
21. David Akers (Philadelphia Eagles) vs. Washington
Akers had a rough week versus the Bears week 4. He missed two field goals and the Eagles have another tough match-up this week in the division rival Redskins. Keep Akers reserved if you can.
Point Projection: 6 points
-------------------
22. Jeff Reed (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Jacksonville
Reed has been solid this season, but injuries to Roethlisberger and the running game have hurt Reed’s value. They also have a tough match-up against the Jaguars in Jacksonville this week.
Point Projection: 5 points
-------------------
23. Jon Kasay (Carolina Panthers) vs. Kansas City
Kasay is another one of the kicker who has been perfect on the season, but does not get enough attempts to be able to be counted on every week. Start him at your own risk, but we feel the Panthers will be finding the end zone more often than not in Week 5.
Point Projection: 5 points
-------------------
24. Shaun Suisham (Washington Redskins) @ Philadelphia
The Redskins have looked good since week 1 and are now 3-1, but Suisham has missed three field goals on the season. He has not been consistent enough to be a starting fantasy option.
Point Projection: 5 points
-------------------
25. Nick Novak (Kansas City Chiefs) @ Carolina
Novak had his first big game week 4 connecting for 15 points. One game does not make a fantasy starter though. Wait to see some consistency from the Chiefs before picking up Novak.
Point Projection: 5 points
-------------------
26. Olindo Mare (Seattle Seahawks) @ New York Giants
Mare has been solid on the season, but does not get enough chances to be considered a starting option. The Seahawks also have a tough match-up at the New York Giants this week. Keep Mare reserved.
Point Projection: 4 points
-------------------
27. Matt Stover (Baltimore Ravens) vs. Tennessee
The Titans defense has been dominating this season and this should be a low scoring affair. Plus Stover has only hit 3 of 5 field goals early through three games. Point Projection: 4 points
-------------------
28. Dan Carpenter (Miami Dolphins) vs. San Diego
The Dolphins had their best game in two seasons week 3 against the Patriots and Carpenter only had 8 points. He is still isn’t worth wasting a roster spot.
Point Projection: 4 points
-------------------
WEEK 5 BYE WEEK KICKERS
Josh Brown (St. Louis Rams) – BYE
The bye week couldn’t come soon enough for the struggling Rams. Hopefully the change at head coach can help revive this offense. Brown is not a viable option until the Rams become a better team.
-------------------
Phil Dawson (Cleveland Browns) – BYE
The Browns finally won a game as they beat the Bengals week 4. Dawson has not seen many opportunities early this season. Keep him reserved after the bye week.
-------------------
Jay Feely / Mike Nugent (New York Jets) – BYE
Feely has struggled and is only keeping the seat warm for the injured Mike Nugent. Feely is not worthy of a roster spot. If Nugent returns after the break take a wait and see approach. Make sure he can remain healthy before starting him.
-------------------
Sebastian Janikowski (Oakland Raiders) – BYE
Janikowski has been one of the few surprises on the Raiders team. He has kicked well enough to earn a roster spot, but he plays for the inconsistent Raiders and there are many more consistent options out there.
--------------------
WEEK 5 RANKINGS (click to view)
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
Kickers
Team Defense
----------------------
Current Waiver Wire Articles (click to view)
Waiver Wire - Week 4 Edition
----------------------
::Questions? Comments? How about you SIGN UP for an account and leave a comment. Plus, by signing up you can MANAGE ALL of your FANTASY FOOTBALL teams from ONE ACCOUNT.
::Also, you can click the Fantasy Sports Dashboard (powered by our partner Screaming Sports) at the top of the screen and import plus manage all of your fantasy teams from one page::