FanHouse Mason Crosby

It's no secret that kicker is the most fickle and unpredictable position in fantasy sports. Even the most seemingly sure-fire starters can throw up a terrible stat-line due to exterior variables (like Nick Folk last week, though he did miss a field goal).

Still, we have to plow forward and the best we can do is judge the stats in front of us or hope to find a high-scoring affair. In Week 12, we have a doozy of a Monday Night Football game with serious shootout potential. So we'll roll with those two kickers atop the rankings.

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When slotting fantasy football kickers, there are myriad factors which should be considered. After looking at all of them, I've determined my favorite option for Week 11 is Matt Prater. The Broncos are desperately in need of a win this weekend in a pivotal home tilt against the Chargers. With Kyle Orton banged up, expect the Broncos to try and shorten the game by running the ball and making short throws. These kinds of drives often end up stalling in the red zone. Only two teams have allowed more field goals this season than the Chargers, who have allowed 13 of their 16 field goals in 31 red zone trips. Predicting the top kicker for the week is the most difficult of any position because of all the variables that go into kicker points, but I'm rolling with Prater this week.

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Stephen Gostkowski has been one of the highest point-scoring kickers this season, so you'll always find him toward the top of the rankings. This week seems even more sure-fire, though, for two reasons. First of all, the Patriots' once-vaunted offense seemed to be back on track prior to a bye week, in which they were able to rest and further prepare. Secondly, only the Browns, Chiefs and Raiders have allowed more kicking points than the Pats' opponent this week, Miami. Gostkowski as the top kicking option is a no-brainer.

1. Stephen Gostkowski, NE vs. MIA
2. Lawrence Tynes, NYG vs. SD
3. Mason Crosby, GB at TB
4. John Carney, NO vs. CAR
5. David Akers, PHI vs. DAL

Each week in the NFL, there are players that impress and players that distress. One week a certain quarterback might toss four touchdowns and run around pointing skyward, while the next he's laying on his back, holding his facemask as the other team returns one of his three interceptions for the game-winning score. With that in mind, here's Studs and Duds.

Studs

Ted Ginn Jr., WR Miami (6 KRs, 299 yards, 2 TDs) -- Miami fans didn't want him, and how could you blame them for what Ginn Jr. had done so far this season? One touchdown and just 30 yards receiving per game for the former Ohio State star forced a benching by head coach Tony Sparano, only to have Ginn do something on Sunday that had never been done before.

Just as we gave you Jay Feely last week, we're going against the Raiders to find a quality kicker for the Week 8 fantasy football rankings. The silver and black have now allowed 14 field goals and 19 extra points in seven games, tying them with the Chiefs for the most points allowed to opposing kickers.

This week, Nate Kaeding of the Chargers gets to kick against the Raiders at home. He's coming off two straight double-digit weeks in scoring, where he's hit six field goals and six extra points. Thus, the veteran is an absolute no-brainer to sit atop the ranks for this week.

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In last week's fantasy football kicker rankings, I mentioned that the Raiders were fantasy gold at all positions. Well, the boys in the black and silver stepped up and proved it wasn't a hard-and-fast formula, holding the Eagles to nine points. We're talking Week 7 kicker rankings here, though, so do you notice anything about those nine points? Like, say, three field goals? David Akers even missed two, so the Raiders yielded five field goal attempts.

This week, the Jets visit Oakland. Expect them to modestly move the ball, mostly on the ground, and give Jay Feely his fair share of field goal attempts. Thus, we've ranked him fourth behind three sure things.

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In addition to being bad at everything else, the Raiders are pretty reliable in terms of allowing fantasy football points to kickers. They've yielded 10 field goals so far this season, which ties them for the most in the NFL. They've also given up 14 extra points, which means no one has given up more kicking points than the Raiders. Seriously, it's like a never-ending line of suck coming from Oaktown these days.

This week, the Eagles take their high-powered offense to Oakland. Expect the scoreboard operator to be a bit busy, at least in the visitor's column. David Akers will get his fair share, and he tops our Week 6 fantasy football kicker rankings.

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With all the offensive stars New England has, you would think someone like Tom Brady would be leading the team in total points. But it's kicker Stephen Gostkowski that's blazing the trail, with 30 points through three games. He nailed all four of his attempts last week against Atlanta en route to a 14-point showing, and with another tough defense on tap his leg should be golden again. If this keeps up, he'll have no problem matching his 148 points from last season.

1. Stephen Gostkowski, NE vs. BAL
2. John Carney, NO vs. NYJ
3. Nate Kaeding, SD @ PIT
4. Ryan Longwell, MIN vs. GB
5. Matt Prater, DEN vs. DAL

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Whether it's torn, sprained, broken or just needs to be taped, Injuries to Watch will keep you up to date on injuries around the NFL and how they'll affect your fantasy football team.

Quarterback

Mark Sanchez, Jets - There's been a report out of Jets practice that says Sanchez has been fussing about his right knee. Nothing more is known at this time and Sanchez isn't listed on the injury report either. Keep an eye on this.

Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks - The Seahawks quarterback injured his ribs in Week 2 and hasn't practiced yet this week. Coach Jim Mora said that Hasselbeck could still play in Week 3, even if he doesn't practice all week.

Even though they won last week, the Green Bay Packers knew they had some things to clean up, especially on the offensive line.

Despite a gut-wrenching defeat to Denver, the Cincinnati Bengals had to like the effort they got out of their defense. After all, the Broncos were held in check virtually the entire day. Because of that, there was plenty of reason for the Bengals to be confident as they visited Green Bay Sunday afternoon.

The Bengals sure played confidently. They virtually dominated the Packers the entire game, riding five sacks by defensive end Antwan Odom and a superb running effort by Cedric Benson to a 31-24 win.

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