Last week wasn’t bad, with Josh Cribbs and his 91 return yards, and Dion Lewis with 68 on four kick returns. My top two kicker choices both hit two field goals. While it was nothing spectacular, they were still solid numbers. Here are the players who can help you win your championship if you need a pick up.
Kick Returners
Brandon Banks – The leader in kick return yards this year is Banks with 1040, and he also has ten more returns than any other kick returner. He is also the punt returner which is an added bonus. The Redskins typically give up a lot of points. Even though it is the Vikings who don’t have the best offense in the world, their kicker Ryan Longwell has not had a touchback in his ten kicks in the last two games. Banks should get plenty of chances to return in this one.
Brandon Tate – Not far behind Banks on the kick return leaderboard is Tate with 886 return yards on the season. Not only is he in fifth place for kick return yards, but he is also in third for punt return yards at 491. The Bengals defense will have problems stopping Larry Fitzgerald, and Jay Feely has only four touchbacks in his last six games. This should also give Tate enough opportunities.
Darren Sproles – It is rare that the best return men play the kickers with the least touchbacks, but we have three of those matchups this week. Sproles ranks fourth in kick return yards at 888, and like Banks and Tate he is also a punt returner. The game against the Falcons should be a high scoring matchup, and Atlanta’s kickoff man Matt Bosher has just two touchbacks in his sixteen kicks in the last three games. While chances are he is owned in your league, if you need a player take one of the Brandon’s. If you have Sproles in a league with points for return yards, he becomes a necessary start.
Kickers
Nick Novak – In recent weeks the Chargers offense has picked things up, and that should continue against the Lions. Although some of the banged up members of the secondary should play, the fact they that are still hurting can’t help. He hasn’t been the most accurate kicker this year, making just 80% of kicks between 30-39 yards and 40-49 yards, and just 50% beyond 50 yards. However he should get the opportunities so if he misses one it won’t be that bad.
Matt Bryant – This year Bryant has been one of the most accurate kickers at 92%. The problem is he doesn’t typically get too many opportunities, as he’s has just one or two field goal attempts. However the last time Bryant faced the Saints, he had four attempts, and with both offenses playing well, he could very well see that many chances again.
Mike Nugent – He is also one of the more accurate kickers in the league at 93.1%. In his last two games, he’s made all six kicks he’s attempted. While the Cardinals have been winning, they still have a slightly below average defense, so Nugent should also be getting his chances in yet another game.
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