Unlike other positions, a favorable tight end defensive matchup doesn’t guarantee most tight ends big games but an unfavorable matchup could be killer. Typically startable guys like Coby Fleener, Tony Gonzalez, and Martellus Bennett will all be touchdown dependent in their matchups this week. Even typically reliable Greg Olsen, despite catching eight passes, was held to just 40 yards in his last game against the Saints so he could be limited as well, as could Charles Clay and Tim Wright. I would definitely stay away from Brandon Myers, John Carlson, the Chiefs’ tight ends, and Rob Housler but Antonio Gates is still startable.
On the favorable side, Zach Miller has a great matchup against a Cardinals defense that has given up double-digit points to opposing tight ends in four of their last five games. Delanie Walker is coming off a good game against Arizona himself and finds another favorable matchup against a Jags defense that gave up 62 yards and a touchdown the last time he faced them.
I don’t trust either Cincy tight end, Garrett Graham, or Scott Chandler in their favorable matchups but Jason Witten looks like a good bet against the Redskins. Logan Paulsen could be a sleeper against the Cowboys but he’s hit-and-miss. Jordan Cameron could be a great matchup against the Jets but could very well miss that game with a concussion which is unfortunate. Otherwise, Julius Thomas, Vernon Davis, Dennis Pitta, Heath Miller, and, of course, Jimmy Graham are all good to go this week.
Let’s take a look at all of this week’s fantasy football tight end matchups.
Browse Matchups by Position: QB – RB – WR – TE
Highly Unfavorable, Unfavorable, Neutral, Slightly Favorable, Favorable
|
Rank |
AVG |
Defense |
Week 16 Opponents |
|
1 |
5.36 | Chiefs | Coby Fleener |
|
2 |
5.78 | Eagles | Martellus Bennett |
|
3 |
5.94 | Lions | Brandon Myers |
|
4 |
6.06 | 49ers | Tony Gonzalez |
|
5 |
6.3 | Rams | Tim Wright |
|
6 |
6.57 | Saints | Greg Olsen |
|
7 |
6.82 | Bengals | John Carlson |
|
8 |
6.88 | Bills | Charles Clay |
|
9 |
6.97 | Colts | Sean McGrath, Anthony Fasano |
|
10 |
7.13 | Seahawks | Rob Housler |
|
11 |
7.47 | Raiders | Antonio Gates |
|
12 |
7.65 | Ravens | Michael Hoomanawanui |
|
13 |
7.72 | Steelers | Andrew Quarless |
|
14 |
7.75 | Panthers | Jimmy Graham |
|
15 |
7.99 | Buccaneers | Jared Cook |
|
16 |
8.05 | Chargers | Mychal Rivera |
|
17 |
8.55 | Browns | Kellen Winslow, Jeff Cumberland |
|
18 |
8.58 | Packers | Heath Miller |
|
19 |
8.94 | Titans | Marcedes Lewis |
|
20 |
8.94 | Patriots | Dennis Pitta |
|
21 |
8.99 | Giants | Brandon Pettigrew, Joseph Fauria |
|
22 |
8.99 | Bears | Zach Ertz, Brent Celek |
|
23 |
9.01 | Texans | Julius Thomas |
|
24 |
9.21 | Falcons | Vernon Davis |
|
25 |
9.22 | Jets | Jordan Cameron (Q) |
|
26 |
9.32 | Cowboys | Logan Paulsen, Fred Davis |
|
27 |
9.45 | Redskins | Jason Witten |
|
28 |
9.64 | Broncos | Garrett Graham |
|
29 |
9.67 | Dolphins | Scott Chandler |
|
30 |
10.18 | Vikings | Jermaine Gresham, Tyler Eifert |
|
31 |
10.87 | Jaguars | Delanie Walker |
|
32 |
14.88 | Cardinals | Zach Miller |
*Values based on Yahoo standard scoring.
Browse Matchups by Position: QB – RB – WR – TE
