Kickers may be the last players you think about when setting your fantasy lineup, but they can be the difference between a narrow win and a painful Monday-morning loss. Week 2 presents a slate packed with high-powered offenses, tricky road environments and overlooked legs poised to pile up points. Rather than blindly trusting the biggest name available, use matchup, projected scoring opportunities and recent form to uncover the kickers who can quietly win your week, and avoid the ones most likely to leave points on your bench.

Week 2 Start ‘Em

Los Angeles Chargers punter JK Scott (16) and place kicker Cameron Dicker (11) celebrate after a field goal against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter of the game at SoFi Stadium.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Cameron Dicker, Chargers vs. Raiders — Dicker is the best Week 2 play on the board. The Chargers are 7-point favorites at home against Las Vegas with a 43.5-point total, with a 25.2-point implied team total. A leading model projects 1.9 made field goals, 2.3 attempts and 2.6 extra points for 8.4 fantasy points, while another ranks him third among all kickers.

The matchup reinforces the case. Las Vegas ranked 17th in opponent red-zone defense last year, giving Los Angeles scoring-range opportunities that can turn into field goals. Dicker remains historically reliable, entering the week as the NFL's most accurate kicker ever at 93.5% and coming off a 38-for-41 field-goal season. Start him in every format.

Tyler Loop, Ravens vs. Saints — Loop is a high-upside Week 2 streamer in a near-perfect game environment. Baltimore is an 8.5-point home favorite over New Orleans with a 47.5-point total, and the Ravens' implied team total sits at 28 points. That is the ideal script: a superior offense repeatedly crossing midfield against an overmatched opponent.

The second-year kicker opened 2026 by converting both field-goal tries, including a career-long 57-yarder, and all five extra points in Baltimore's 41-23 win over Indianapolis. He delivered 13 fantasy points in the process. Consensus ranks Loop second this week at 8.2 projected points.

Ka'imi Fairbairn, Texans vs. Bengals — Fairbairn is an excellent bounce-back start despite Houston's Week 1 loss. He led the NFL with 44 made field goals on 48 attempts last season, hit a 91.7% conversion rate and was perfect on all 28 extra points. He also made nine field goals of at least 50 yards, giving him a high weekly ceiling.

Article Continues Below

Houston is a 3-point favorite over Cincinnati in a game with a 46.5-point total, and Fairbairn projects for 2.0 made field goals, 2.4 attempts and 2.5 extra points. He was perfect in Week 1, making his lone field goal and all four PATs against Buffalo. Trust his accuracy and projected volume.

Week 2 Sit ‘Em

Pittsburgh Steelers place kicker Chris Boswell (9) kicks a field goal against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field.
Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Chris Boswell, Steelers at Patriots — Boswell has a strong career reputation, but the Week 2 outlook is poor. Pittsburgh is a 5.5-point road underdog in New England with a game total of just 41.5, tied for the second-lowest on the slate. Pittsburgh's implied total is only 18 points, reducing scoring volume.

Daniel Carlson, Saints at Ravens — Carlson is the sort of experienced name that can sneak into lineups, but he is a terrible Week 2 bet. New Orleans is an 8.5-point underdog at Baltimore and has the slate's lowest implied team total at 19.5 points. Baltimore allowed only 23 points in Week 1, a script that can leave opponents chasing touchdowns over field goals.

Jake Elliott, Eagles at Titans — Elliott is a risky Week 2 play because Philadelphia's offense mainly because this Eagles offense should be able to find their way into the endzone than being stuffed in the redzone like Washington was able to do in Week 1. With being a touchdown favorite in this matchup and fewer projected attempts,, Elliott may be a one week blunder coming into Sunday.