Fantasy Football Week 11 Kicker Streamers: Daniel Carlson, Ka'imi Fairbairn, and More

Fantasy owners will luck into top kickers some years, but given the randomness of the position from a fantasy perspective, even the guys we see as “top” players aren't always near the top of the scoring rankings. A lot goes into getting a guy in position to kick a lot of field goals, and luck is probably the biggest factor.

That means that streaming kickers are prevalent all through the season, even acting as a fungible position into the fantasy playoffs, when the best lineups are mostly locked in.

Let's look at three kickers with good matchups in Week 11 who are widely available in fantasy leagues and can be picked up and inserted into your lineup. Most stats are from NFL.com.

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Daniel Carlson, Las Vegas Raiders vs. Dallas Cowboys

This is a tough one if you've been watching the Raiders this season. Vegas is averaging the second-fewest points per game, just 15.4; that's ahead of only the Tennessee Titans. Since the beginning of October, they have had instances of scoring six points against the Colts, zero points against the Chiefs, and seven points against the Broncos.

When a team doesn't score, their kicker doesn't get on the field, and he can't put up fantasy points. Kickers are highly dependent on the offense they play with, and Carlson has mostly been let down. If anything, it was thought that the Raiders could have a decent offense given their offseason moves, but that hasn't been the case.

The matchup is heavily in his favor in this one, as the Cowboys have given up the second-most points per game, a whopping 30.8. Every team they have played has scored at least 22 points against Dallas, and five of nine have reached 30 points. This is as vulnerable a defense as any in the league.

Carlson is good when on the field, so it's just a matter of getting his chances. Despite the struggles of his offense, the matchup is heavily in Carlson's favor here, so if he's ever going to have a good fantasy day, this is it. There's risk, but Carlson is a good low-to-mid-level streamer this week.

Ka'imi Fairbairn, Houston Texans @ Tennessee Titans

Tennessee has the lowest-scoring offense, as mentioned above, but they were thought to have a better floor and ceiling on the defensive side. That hasn't been the case, as the Titans have given up 28.6 points per game, the third most.

It's fair to wonder if the offense is just setting the D back that much, but Tennessee is also struggling to stop by the pass and run, allowing the fourth-most yards per pass attempt and the ninth-most yards per rush attempt. Attacking the Titans with fantasy players at all positions is a winning strategy.

Fairbairn missed Week 10 with an injury, and Matthew Wright filled in for the starter. If Fairbairn misses this one, then Wright would still be a feasible streaming option. Wright has kicked one game apiece for the Titans, Commanders, and Texans, making both his field goal attempts and all three extra points.

Houston is right near the middle in points scored, and it's fair to think of them as a middling offense. They are sometimes more efficient with less volume, but I don't think anyone would argue that the Texans have a great offense; they're fine.

This is a case of a decent offense and a great matchup, giving the kicker (whoever that ends up being) a positive outlook. Pick up Fairbairn (or Wright) this week if you're in need.

Riley Patterson, Miami Dolphins vs. Washington Commanders

This one borders on the same issue as Carlson because the Dolphins don't have a very good offense. They have scored the seventh-fewest points per game, just 21.0, limiting the chances for their kicker to have an impact.

Once again, the matchup is what puts the Miami kicker here, as the Commanders have been one of the most giving defenses in football. Washington has given up the fourth-most points per game and the third-most total yards per game, particularly struggling against the pass.

Patterson has been starting all year in place of the injured Jason Sanders, who has been the regular in Miami for seven seasons. Sanders doesn't have a solid return date and might not play this season, so in the meantime, Patterson is the guy to look for in the right matchups.

Patterson has made 14 of 16 field goal attempts with one of those misses coming from over 50 yards. He has missed just one extra point in 23 tries, looking good when on the field. That mostly matches his career work, which has been a little scattered with 40 games over five seasons.

The matchup is right for a good day here for the Miami offense, especially as they have reached 30 points in two of the past three against tougher defenses in Atlanta and Buffalo. Patterson is a good fantasy option this week, but this game starts early in Sunday because they are playing in Spain, so make your lineup changes early.