Fantasy Football Week 15 Rankings: K

While the presence of kickers in fantasy football is much derided by many (yes, including me), there's no doubt they are a factor in leagues that still use them. Look no further than what we saw last week from Rob Bironas (20 points), Jay Feely (17) and Ryan Longwell (14) compared to Olindo Mare (1), Robbie Gould (2) and Dan Carpenter (2). These guys can interchange on any given week, too. Let's play with the numbers as best we can in this maddeningly fickle position.

I can't say I'd do anything but ride the wave with Bironas, if I could choose from any kicker out there. No one has allowed more field goals in the NFL than the Dolphins (Tennessee's Week 15 opponent). Plus, other than a hiccup in Indy, Bironas has been consistently solid since the Titans' bye. In those seven games, he's hit on 16-of-18 field goals and made all 23 extra points. That's an average of more than 10 points per week, which doesn't even get into bonuses for long field goals (on which Bironas is money) and the ease of the matchup this week.

Week 15 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | DEF | K | Sleepers | Adds/Drops

1. Rob Bironas, TEN vs. MIA
2. David Akers, PHI vs. SF
3. Ryan Longwell, MIN at CAR
4. Stephen Gostkowski, NE at BUF
5. Nate Kaeding, SD vs. CIN
6. Mike Nugent, ARI at DET
7. Matt Prater, DEN vs. OAK
8. Jay Feely, NYJ vs. ATL
9. Lawrence Tynes, NYG at WAS
10. Garrett Hartley, NO vs. DAL
11. Billy Cundiff, BAL vs. CHI
12. Mason Crosby, GB at PIT
13. Matt Stover, IND at JAX
14. Kris Brown, HOU at StL
15. Dan Carpenter, MIA at TEN
16. Nick Folk, DAL at NO
17. Olindo Mare, SEA vs. TB
18. Josh Scobee, JAX vs. IND
19. Ryan Succop, KC vs. CLE
20. Phil Dawson, CLE at KC

• Neil Rackers has a beautiful matchup, getting the Lions (who allow more fantasy points to kickers than anyone) indoors. UPDATE: Rackers will miss the game with a groin injury. Check out replacement Mike Nugent if you need a desperation spot play.

• Someone who is likely available in nearly all leagues but is a good play is Cundiff. The Bears defense has been playing better of late -- meaning possible stops -- but the offense is brutal and turnover-prone. It's easy to foresee a three or four field goal game for the Ravens.

• Someone to avoid? Jeff Reed. The Steelers aren't exactly playing well right now and the Packers have allowed less kicking points than any other team. Reed's only had double-digits in fantasy points one time this season and he's usually always in the six-point range.

• Another to avoid? Robbie Gould. He's only scored 11 points in the last three weeks and it's hard to see the Bears doing anything against the Ravens in Baltimore.

• If you own Reed or Gould, some good options for replacement (assuming those ranked higher aren't available) based upon matchup are Mare, Scobee and Dawson.