1. Tony Gonzalez vs. New Orleans Saints
Tyler Thigpen appears to be developing quite nicely in Kansas City and Tony G. is a direct beneficiary of his progression. In last week’s loss to the Chargers, Gonzalez snagged 10 catches for 113 yards and two TDs.
This week, they face the Saints, who feature a very poor pass defense. Look for more top fantasy numbers from Gonzalez as he breaks the 90 yard mark and score a TD.
2. Tony Scheffler vs. Atlanta Falcons
Jay Cutler’s go to guy isn’t Brandon Marshall; it’s Tony Scheffler. When the TE was out earlier in the year, Cutler’s numbers declined significantly. In his return to action last week, the TE hauled in 90+ yards receiving and Cutler threw for over 400.
Look for another strong effort this weekend and for Scheffler to eclipse the 90-yard mark once again and get into the end zone.
3. Owen Daniels vs. Indianapolis Colts
With Sage Rosenfels at the helm, the Texans play a bit more conservative on offense because the back-up QB is prone to mistakes. This bodes well for Daniels.
First off, Indy’s defense has gaping holes in its secondary and can be penetrated down the seam, and secondly, Houston prefers to extend its drives with safer passes over the middle. All of this adds up to 75+ yards and one TD from Daniels.
4. Dallas Clark vs. Houston Texans
I can’t help but think that after Marvin Harrison dropped those two easy TD passes in last Sunday’s win over Pittsburgh, Peyton will be looking at other options when he drops back to pass.
With Wayne as the first option, we like Clark to take over as his second. And in this game, we think Clark will have loads of success as Baltimore’s Todd Heap did last week. Heap reeled in two TD passes in Baltimore’s blowout win over Houston. Look for 75-yards and one TD.
Sleepers
1. Dustin Keller vs. New England Patriots
In their 47-3 blowout win over the Rams last week, Dustin Keller finally became a weapon in the Jets’ attack. Favre located him on a deep pass and a goal line score and the rookie TE finished with his 1st 100-yard game.
This week, against a depleted Patriots secondary/linebacking core, we like Keller to put up strong numbers once again. 50-yards and one TD.
2. Kevin Boss vs. Baltimore Ravens
Jeremy Shockey who? Trust me, in the land of Big Blue, the Giants are not missing the talented but troubled TE one bit. Instead, Boss has developed nicely and is now becoming a legit play maker for this Giants’ offense.
We see the Giants looking to pass more in this game as Baltimore boasts the league’s best run defense, so look for Boss to be a major part of the game plan once again and catch a TD for his fourth consecutive game.
Others with favorable match-ups
1. John Carlson vs. Arizona Cardinals
The rookie TE out of Notre Dame began the season strongly when QB Matt Hasselback was behind center. Once the QB went down with injury, the young TEs numbers began to drop.
With Hasselback coming back this week, look for him and Carlson to exploit the middle of this Cards’ defense and for the young TE to get back to putting up solid numbers. 50-yards and one TD.
2. Kellen Winslow vs. Buffalo Bills
Winslow was the biggest benefactor from the switch to Quinn at QB. Young QBs always focus on the TE more because it’s a more high percentage pass. Against Buffalo, we see that trend continuing, and without S Donte Whitner for the Bills, we like Winslow to have another solid game.
3. Jason Whitten vs. Washington Redskins
Whitten might be the best TE in the NFL , but in this one, he faces one of the better defenses around. With the expected return of Tony Romo, look for Whitten to once again become the focus of the game plan and he’s a very solid play in Week 11.
