Ka'imi Fairbairn or Spencer Shrader: Who Should You Start?

Preliminary board

2026 Week 3 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.

Verdicts sharpen as practice reports land.

Start Fairbairn: the steadier volume profile wins this kicker call

Fairbairn's consensus standing is the clearest separator: the modest projection gap understates how much more trusted his weekly role is. Houston's slightly better scoring outlook, more frequent red-zone stalls and marginally higher field-goal volume create the stronger floor, while the retractable roof removes weather as a counterargument. Shrader has a real path through his accuracy and extra-point potential, but his limited track record makes that case less bankable; the risk for Fairbairn is simply Houston finishing drives instead of settling.

What flips it: Houston stops stalling in the red zone, cutting Fairbairn’s field-goal volume.

AI editor

Ka'imi Fairbairn

Ka'imi Fairbairn

K4HOUvs IND

Projected Points

Start
Spencer Shrader

Spencer Shrader

K21INDvs HOU

Projected Points

Start
HOU@
INDSun, Sep 27, 1:00 PM ETView the game →
HOU@
INDSun, Sep 27, 1:00 PM ETView the game →

Why Ka'imi Fairbairn

Start

Veteran starting K. Reliable long-range leg and established accuracy.

Start — K4 consensus and projection: 2.3 FG tries projected, above the 2.0 median, and 1.8 red-zone stalls a game.

  • His established accuracy and long-range reliability make the favorable attempt environment easier to trust.
  • Houston’s game setup supports a steadier floor than a kicker-dependent on touchdown conversion.

Latest on Fairbairn

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Why Spencer Shrader

Start

Starting placekicker with a strong leg. Limited career sample and kickoff-touchback value.

Start — K21 by consensus, projects K14 this week: 1.4 red-zone stalls a game, and 8.5 pts projected vs HOU.

  • Shrader’s strong leg gives him upside if Indianapolis turns its scoring chances into touchdowns.
  • His accuracy is encouraging, though the limited career sample leaves less margin for confidence.

Head-to-head stats

MetricKa'imi FairbairnSpencer Shrader
Projected points
Consensus rankK4K21
Projected FG attempts2.32.1
Red-zone stalls / game1.8(2025)1.4(2025)
Kicking conditionsRetractable roof, calm forecast either wayRetractable roof, calm forecast either way
Implied total · spread23.5-1.522.0+1.5
Field-goal %91.7%(2025)92.9%(2025)
Depth chartK1K1
Start/Sit record0–10–0+1 toss-up

Recent form

Ka'imi Fairbairn — last 2 weeks

Week 2vs CIN
Week 1vs BUF

Spencer Shrader — last 2 weeks

Week 2vs KC
Week 1vs BAL

Signal breakdown

  • 9.3 vs 8.5 projected PPR pointsKa'imi Fairbairn +
  • Rank 4 vs 21Ka'imi Fairbairn +
  • 2.3 vs 2.1 projected attemptsKa'imi Fairbairn +
  • 1.8 vs 1.4 red-zone stalls per gameKa'imi Fairbairn +
  • 4 mph, 70°F, overcast vs 4 mph, 70°F, overcasteven
  • Implied 23.5 vs 22.0 team pointsKa'imi Fairbairn +
  • No injury designationseven

Compare different players

Week 3220 players
Player A
vs
Player B

Every fantasy-relevant player this week — search or filter by position.

More Fairbairn comparisons

More Shrader comparisons

This week’s toughest calls

Start/Sit Board•Weekly Rankings•Streamers•Sleepers & Busts•Waiver Wire•My Team•MLB NRFI Board•Free Tools•NFL Props•NFL Games

Get a Start/Sit call on your whole roster →

Save your team once and see a Start, Sit, or Toss-Up verdict on every player, every week — with the matchup, usage and game-script evidence behind each call.

Add to My Team — free

Or browse this week’s NFL games or NFL player props.