Ka'imi Fairbairn or Tyler Loop: Who Should You Start?

2026 Week 2 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.

Fairbairn's cleaner kicking environment beats Loop's better scoring script

Fairbairn gets the nod because the roof-protected setting, superior accuracy and deeper range make his expected chances more bankable, while his stronger board standing reinforces a narrow edge. Loop has the better team environment, with more touchdown and extra-point upside, and his recent form supports confidence in his role. But open-air wind matters more for Loop because his profile is strongest inside 50 yards; Fairbairn's risk is Houston finishing drives with touchdowns instead of settling for kicks.

What flips it: A late increase in Baltimore's field-goal opportunities or weather that puts Houston's roof protection at risk.

AI editor

Ka'imi Fairbairn

Ka'imi Fairbairn

K4HOUvs CIN

Projected Points

Start· high
Tyler Loop

Tyler Loop

K11BALvs NO

Projected Points

Start· medium

Why Ka'imi Fairbairn

Start· high

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

K4 on the board with a 24.5 implied total, 1.8 red-zone stalls per game and 92% accuracy under a retractable roof — no weather risk.

  • Roof protection removes the main variable that could undermine Fairbairn's reliable long-range profile.
  • His veteran range gives Houston a stronger fallback when drives stall outside easy scoring distance.

The call

  • Consensus K4 at 9.8 projected points, with 2.1 made field goals of 2.4 attempts plus 2.3 extra points — volume on both scoring paths.
  • A 24.5 implied team total plus 1.8 red-zone stalls per game means the offense both moves the ball and hands him drives that die inside the 20.
  • 92% accuracy (44/48) with a 57-yard long and 50-plus makes in six games means the long tries convert too.
  • Retractable roof with a calm forecast either way removes weather from the equation, and he's the locked PK1 with no injury designation.

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.

K11 with a 27.0 implied total, 1.9 red-zone stalls per game and 88% accuracy — locked-in PK1 in a favorable scoring script.

  • Baltimore's superior scoring environment can erase the gap if its drives finish with extra points.
  • Loop's secure role and early-season momentum give him a clean path to outperform his lower ranking.

The call

  • Baltimore's 27.0 implied total and -7.5 spread point to a high-volume scoring day: 2.1 projected attempts plus 2.8 extra points is a healthy blended floor at 9.1 points.
  • His own offense stalls in the red zone 1.9 times per game, which is exactly the profile that converts drives into kicker points rather than touchdowns.
  • Role is unambiguous — PK1 with no designation, and the Ravens cut Moody after his opener, so there is no competition for the job.
  • Only real drag is the 10 mph wind under an open roof, mild enough not to move the needle on a kicker hitting 88% (30/34) with a 52-yard long.

Latest on Loop

The Ravens released Jake Moody from the practice squad after an impressive performance from kicker Tyler Loop in Sunday's season opener.

ESPN · Sep 15, 2026

Loop went 2-of-2 on field goals, including a career-long from 57 yards out.

baltimoreravens.com · Sep 13, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Head-to-head stats

MetricKa'imi FairbairnTyler Loop
Projected points
Consensus rankK4K11
Projected FG attempts2.42.1
Red-zone stalls / game1.8(2025)1.9(2025)
Kicking conditionsRetractable roof, calm forecast either way11 mph wind forecast at kickoff
Implied total · spread24.5-2.527.0-7.5
Field-goal %91.7%(2025)88.2%(2025)
Depth chartK1K1
Start/Sit record10

Recent form

Ka'imi Fairbairn — last 1 week

Week 1vs BUF

Tyler Loop — last 1 week

Week 1vs IND

Signal breakdown

  • 9.8 vs 9.1 projected PPR pointsKa'imi Fairbairn +
  • Rank 4 vs 11Ka'imi Fairbairn +
  • 2.4 vs 2.1 projected attemptsKa'imi Fairbairn +
  • 1.8 vs 1.9 red-zone stalls per gameTyler Loop +
  • 6 mph, 92°F, clear vs 11 mph, 82°F, overcastKa'imi Fairbairn +
  • Implied 24.5 vs 27.0 team pointsTyler Loop +
  • No injury designationseven

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