Start Tyler Loop over Andy Borregales — Week 1 Start/Sit Verdict

Loop gets the cleaner kicking environment and the safer scoring path

Start Tyler Loop: Baltimore offers the cleaner scoring environment, and the retractable roof reduces weather risk while his PK1 role remains supported by Minter [ESPN 2026-09-01]. Borregales has the better long-range escape hatch and a stable role, but New England's lower scoring expectation leaves less room for that leg to matter. Loop's edge is meaningful for a kicker because it comes from both more red-zone stall potential and extra-point opportunity, not merely a small projection gap. The risk is his limited 50-plus range and renewed competition after the preseason finale [ESPN 2026-08-29].

What flips it: A late change to Loop's PK1 role or significant weather with the roof open.

Sources: ESPN · Sep 1, 2026 · ESPN · Aug 29, 2026

AI editor

Andy Borregales

K21NEvs SEA

6.96.96.9 Projected Points

Sit

Tyler Loop

K12BALvs IND

8.58.58.5 Projected Points

Start· medium

Why Andy Borregales

Sit

Starting K with strong leg. Accurate placekicker handling all field-goal duties.

Sit — K21 by consensus, projects K32 this week: 1.6 red-zone stalls a game, and 6.9 pts projected vs SEA.

Borregales' 59-yard range gives him a stronger escape hatch if New England stalls outside scoring range.
His open-roof venue could become an advantage if conditions stay calm, though the forecast is still unknown.

Why Tyler Loop

Start· medium

Starting placekicker who handles kickoffs. Accurate inside 50 but limited range, hitting just 1-of-4 from 50-plus as a rookie with a long of 52.

K12 with a 26.5 implied total, 88% accuracy and a retractable-roof venue — locked-in PK1 with 4.6 projected scoring chances.

Baltimore's retractable roof lowers the chance that weather disrupts an otherwise favorable kicking setup.
Minter's backing supports Loop's role despite preseason struggles, making the competition risk less immediate [ESPN 2026-09-01].

The call

A 26.5 implied team total is top-tier kicker territory: the projection has him at 1.7 made field goals plus 2.6 extra points, giving multiple paths to a usable score.
Loop has been automatic at 88% (30/34) with a long of 52, so the attempts he gets should convert; the offense also stalls in the red zone 1.9 times per game, which is exactly the profile that feeds field-goal volume.
Retractable roof removes most weather risk, and as the unquestioned PK1 with no injury designation there's no snap-share or availability concern.
Downside is the modest 2.0 projected attempts — if the offense finishes drives with touchdowns instead of stalling, he lives on extra points, but that's the good version of the game script anyway.

Latest on Loop

Minter backs Loop as Ravens add kicker competition in Moody

Baltimore signed Jake Moody to the practice squad three days after Tyler Loop missed two kicks in the preseason finale.

ESPN · Aug 31, 2026

Jesse Minter still has confidence in K Tyler Loop

Jamison Hensley breaks down the kicking situation for the Ravens.

ESPN · Aug 31, 2026

K Tyler Loop struggles in preseason finale

Jamison Hensley discusses whether Tyler Loop's job is in jeopardy after a lackluster preseason.

ESPN · Aug 29, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Head-to-head stats

Metric	Andy Borregales	Tyler Loop
Projected points	6.96.96.9	8.58.58.5
Consensus rank	K21	K12
Projected FG attempts	1.8	2.0
Red-zone stalls / game	1.6(2025)	1.9(2025)
Implied total · spread	20.5+3.5	26.5-3.5
Field-goal %	84.4%(2025)	88.2%(2025)
Depth chart	K1	K1