The New England Patriots are gearing up for a kicker competition this offseason after drafting Andres Borregales from Miami in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Borregales, known for his impressive leg strength and accuracy, was the first kicker selected, highlighting the Patriots' need to address ongoing kicking struggles. With a college career field goal percentage of 86% and a perfect record on extra points last season, Borregales brings both power and consistency to the competition.

The Patriots hope Borregales will end their recent history of failed draft picks at the kicker position, following the short-lived tenures of Justin Rohrwasser and Chad Ryland. He will compete against John Parker Romo, who demonstrated reliability last season in Minnesota. The outcome of this competition will be crucial for the Patriots as they seek to stabilize their special teams unit heading into the new season.

The New England Patriots are actively looking to fill a much-needed position by holding private workouts with potential kickers ahead of the NFL draft. Most notable among these prospects is Tristian Vandenberg from Memphis, who had a standout season, making 9-of-13 field goals and all 25 extra points last year. With only John Parker Romo on the roster after Joey Slye's departure to the Tennessee Titans, the Patriots are keen to solidify their kicking game.

Vandenberg began his collegiate career at Ohio before transferring to Memphis, where he enjoyed a breakout year. The Patriots are also keeping an eye on Ryan Fitzgerald from Florida State, a highly regarded kicker. As the draft approaches, the team's special teams coach, Jeremy Springer, emphasizes the necessity of securing a reliable kicker, whether through the draft or undrafted free agency.

The Arizona Cardinals initially dominated the Minnesota Vikings, largely thanks to quarterback Kyler Murray's strong performance. However, a late-game collapse allowed the Vikings to secure a 23-22 victory, marking Arizona's second consecutive loss.

Murray's fourth-quarter struggles were pivotal, as he threw two interceptions and faced significant pressure from the Vikings' defense. Despite a promising start, including a touchdown pass to Marvin Harrison Jr., the Cardinals couldn't maintain their lead.

Week 13 presents fantasy football managers with a plethora of kicker options, making the selection process both exciting and challenging. The performance of kickers can significantly influence tight matchups as the playoffs approach.

This week, notable recommendations include Chase McLaughlin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who has shown consistent scoring ability, and Brandon McManus of the Green Bay Packers, benefiting from a high-scoring offense. Spencer Shrader of the Kansas City Chiefs is also highlighted for his impressive performances since taking over the kicking duties.

However, managers should avoid Evan McPherson of the Cincinnati Bengals and Matt Gay of the Indianapolis Colts due to tough matchups and recent inconsistencies. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for optimizing fantasy rosters.

The Chicago Bears faced another disappointing defeat, losing 30-27 in overtime to the Minnesota Vikings, marking their fifth consecutive loss. Despite a late onside kick recovery by the Bears, which led to a game-tying field goal, Minnesota secured the win with a field goal in overtime.

Special teams errors plagued Chicago once again, including a crucial muffed punt by DeAndre Carter that allowed the Vikings to extend their lead. The Bears have struggled since a promising start, raising questions about the team's direction and the future of head coach Matt Eberflus.