Week 15 – K Rankings
Photo By: Kelley L. Cox / USA TODAY Sports
With a rookie quarterback and an average at best receiving core, you know it was going to be a tough season for former Pro Bowl kicker Dan Carpenter. However if you’re looking for a waiver wire option with top kickers like David Akers, Blair Walsh, Greg Zuerlein and Justin Tucker’s production falling off in the second half of the season, give Carpenter a look this week.
The Dolphins travel back home after a competitive game in San Francisco where Carpenter nailed a 53-yard field goal. As a life long 49ers fan, I can tell you it’s no easy feat for a kicker to convert from over 50-yards in that stadium, especially one that has probably never kicked their before.
Carpenter has a good leg, and while his PAT conversions are down this season, we should expect the Dolphins to control the Jaguars at home. Expect start-worthy numbers from Carpenter this week, but he’s probably worth dumping for week 16 as the Dolphins head back on the road to New England.
What Did We Learn From Week 14?
- For the first time this year the Falcons fell way behind to their competition as the Panthers played their best game of the season. This obviously hurt Matt Bryant who for only the second time this season (first time was week three in San Diego) failed to receive a field-goal attempt.
Heading back home to play a game with playoff implications, expect Bryant to get back on track against the Giants.
- For the third week in a row Nick Novak converted two field goals. Coming off a big win against the Steelers, we should expect the Chargers spirits to be rejuvenated as they come home to face a hot Carolina team. Weather will be a factor for kickers around the NFL, but Novak will have an advantage over other options as he plays in sunny San Diego.
Sean’s Week 15 Watch List
- It’s been another long season in Oakland but this week the Chiefs come to town and we should expect good things for Sebastian Janikowski. For once the Raiders will play a team that won’t run away from them so Janikowski should be good for up to three field goals in a matchup where the Raiders should control the time of possession.
- Jason Hanson missed one of his field goal attempts last week but give him a break as he was playing in a night game with snow coming down at Lambeau field. This week the Lions should run away with an easy victory over a Cardinals team that had their life force taken from them in Seattle last week.
- David Akers and the 49ers head out to New England to play perhaps the best team in the NFL. Weather should be expected and if Colin Kaepernick makes a few early mistakes, Akers may go the entire game without a field-goal opportunity.
Even if Akers does receive a few opportunities we should expect anything over 40-yards in what is likely to be bad weather conditions.
Week 15 Standard Rankings – QB | RB | WR | TE | Flex | K | D | Waivers | Start – Sit |
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| 1 | Lawrence Tynes | @ Falcons |
| 2 | Stephen Gostkowski | 49ers |
| 3 | Matt Bryant | Giants |
| 4 | Shayne Graham | Colts |
| 5 | Jason Hanson | @ Cardinals |
| 6 | Dan Carpenter | Jaguars |
| 7 | Matt Prater | @ Ravens |
| 8 | Sebastian Janikowski | Chiefs |
| 9 | Connor Barth | @ Saints |
| 10 | Dan Bailey | Steelers |
| 11 | Justin Tucker | Broncos |
| 12 | Nick Novak | Panthers |
| 13 | Rob Bironas | Jets |
| 14 | Blair Walsh | @ Rams |
| 15 | Greg Zuerlein | Vikings |
| 16 | David Akers | @ Patriots |