2012 Fantasy Football Week 9: Kicker Rankings / Projections

Last year it seemed like the Giants were always coming from behind to make a mad dash to win games. They’ve had some eventful matchups this year as well, but Lawrence Tynes is benefiting from New York playing close football games.

Through eight weeks Tynes already has 26 field-goal attempts and what’s more impressive is he has converted 24 of those chances into points. Not one of the stronger legs in the game, Tynes' long for the season is 49 yards, but he’s proving to be worthy of top five consideration at his position for fantasy leagues to this point.

Tynes already has four games this season with at least four field-goal conversions, only twice has he had less than two conversions in a game and in no contests has he been held without a field goal.

Don’t expect many opportunities from around 50 yards but Tynes is proving to be an accountable weekly starter at his position in what is shaping up to be a career year.

What Did We Learn From Week 8?

- Like Tynes, Matt Bryant is enjoying one of the better seasons of his career converting on 16 of his 17 field-goal opportunities through six games. Unlike Tynes, Bryant has good leg strength and has converted two 50-yard field goals from lengths of 53 and 55 this year.

- Former Pro Bowler Dan Carpenter had a rough start to the season but coming off a bye week it appears he has corrected some things because he nailed all three of his attempts on the road. Look to the veteran as a solid waive wire start this week against the Colts.

Sean’s Week 9 Watch List

- Jason Hanson had a nice ride through the early portion of the Lions schedule but if Matthew Stafford has found his groove again, expect more of what we saw last week, touchdowns. It was only a matter of time before Detroit’s young offense figured out how to play up to the standards we would expect, by figuring out how to beat the way defenses were attacking them this year.

The Jaguars slowed down the Packers' attack so perhaps this could be a rebound week for Hanson if they can duplicate that performance against Detroit.

- Oakland is fresh off a victory in Kansas City and should have a good game against the Buccaneers' weak secondary. Playing at home, I expect Sebastian Janikowski to come away with a strong performance.

1	Justin Tucker	@ Browns
2	Sebastian Janikowski	Buccaneers
3	Blair Walsh	@ Seahawks
4	Lawrence Tynes	Steelers
5	Matt Bryant	Cowboys
6	Matt Prater	@ Bengals
7	Robbie Gould	@ Titans
8	Shayne Graham	Bills
9	Nick Novak	Chiefs
10	Jason Hanson	@ Jaguars
11	Mason Crosby	Cardinals
12	Dan Bailey	@ Falcons
13	Garrett Hartley	Eagles
14	Dan Carpenter	@ Colts
15	Mike Nugent	Broncos

Week 9 Standard Rankings – QB | RB | WR | TE | Flex |