FanHouse Lawrence Tynes

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

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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Remember what mom always used to say? "You can't keep an old kicker down." OK, no way she never said that, but we did. John Carney is a 45-year-old shining example of why you never draft kickers before the last couple of rounds. Carney wasn't even on most radars after the Garrett Hartley suspension, yet he already has 21 points through two games of the season. Backed by a high-powered New Orleans offense, Carney should be one of the rare consistent kickers you leave in your lineup. I also think the same goes for Nate Kaeding, who has never dipped below 112 points in a season. Your Week 3 kicker ranking buffet is after the jump.

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Fantasy FanHouse's "Bust a Move" segment provides quick-hitting insight on the most popular adds and drops across Fleaflicker fantasy leagues between Tuesday and Wednesday of each week. Knowing who is on the move during this 24-hour period often provides a valuable edge with regard to outperforming or underperforming players, injuries, and depth chart shifts. So do as the man says, "Don't just stand there..."

The Adds

Mario Manningham (WR, Giants, 8,522 adds) -- Even the biggest Michigan haters (read: OSU, MSU, and WVU fans) cannot turn their backs on the Giants' passing game. With 150 yards and a score on Sunday night, Manningham is currently the fourth best receiver in the league. If you new Super Mario owners would so desire, you can borrow my old fantasy team name, "Manningham Steamroller."

Training camps have wrapped up, the NFL season is right around the corner, and it's still hot as sin outside. But instead of cooling you off with a warm island song, FanHouse break out ye old heat check for our 2009 NFL Season Previews. " We'll rate each club in 5 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.

In 2007, the New York Giants found a way to peak at the right time. After barely making the playoffs, Eli Manning led his charges on an amazing ride, one that included three straight road wins and an upset of the previously unbeaten Patriots in the Super Bowl. 2008 wasn't so great for the Giants. A nightclub shooting took out their best receiver, crippled the passing game, and left the team vulnerable for the Philadelphia Eagles, who ended their season in the NFC Divisional Playoff.

With Fantasy Football season ready to kick in high gear, FanHouse is here to preview each and every team -- one per day until we've done them all.

Meet The ...
Team that wants you to believe they can win with anybody. That's right, it's the system and not the players. The Giants shed a bulk of their offense in the offseason, some by choice, others ... well not so much. Their franchise QB bid farewell to his top receiving options and a key running back bolted for free agency.

Yet, let's not worry too much. The Giants still have a monster with Brandon Jacobs, a ball-hawking defense that thrives on pressure, and some potential budding stars on offense. Will Eli shake off the tough offseason and put up those solid and consistent numbers we all crave? Well, maybe. Yeah, that's a good theme for owning most of this Giants offense. Do you trust (fill-in-the blank) ... "well, maybe."

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FanHouse fantasy positional rankings are compiled weekly by the staff in order to provide answers to possible lineup questions. These are assuming most leagues use Fleaflicker's standard scoring structure. If you need clarification, you need more players ranked, or have funky league rules, feel free to shoot us an email question.

It's no secret that opposing teams score points on the Lions. The Titans are coming into Ford Field with a massive chip on their shoulder, following a loss at home. They won't find many problems, and that includes their kicker, Rob Bironas. He'll feel quite comfortable inside.

Nick Folk is coming off a 19-fantasy-point day, and the Cowboys get another hapless defense. Hopefully the Cowboys' offense doesn't score only touchdowns.

I also love both night-game kickers, as the Cardinals and Eagles should be able to move the ball. There's a good chance of many kicking points in that game.

All told, four of this week's top six kickers are participating on Thanksgiving.

More notes after the rankings.

1. Rob Bironas, at DET
2. Nick Folk, vs. SEA
3. Rian Lindell, vs. SF
4. Jason Elam, at SD
5. Neil Rackers, at PHI

Everyone assumed that a broken pinky was going to keep Tony Romo from playing St. Louis this weekend. They assumed it right up until Romo himself said that he was well enough to play and would, in fact, be playing if the decision was his to make. The NFL has long been a copycat league so it isn't surprising that another player tried to pull the same routine.

Lawrence Tynes, kicker for the Giants, has been recovering from knee surgery since preseason. John Carney has taken his place and made all 12 of his field goal tries, making it hard to assume that Tynes will just get the job back the moment he's healthy. Tynes, in an attempt to make an end run around that little problem, told reporters this week that he was told he was going to be doing the kicking this weekend.

Someone may have told him, but it wasn't head coach Tom Coughlin.

"While I appreciate Lawrence's enthusiasm to get back on the field, I haven't decided yet who will kick this week. When I do, I will make that announcement."

Coughlin used to work for Bill Parcells which means he probably considers kickers somewhere around pedophiles on the evolutionary ladder. Going over his head is not likely to enamor him with Tynes until Carney screws up so royally that they have to make a change.