1. Jason Witten (Dallas Cowboys) vs. San Francisco
After suffering broken ribs a few weeks back Witten hasn't been his consistent self. However much of the blame has to go to the fact that Tony Romo has been out of the lineup. With Romo back in the lineup and a top notch match up against San Francisco we fully expect Witten to be back to his old routine in Week 12. How does 80-85 receiving yards and a touchdown sound?
Point Projection: 14 points
--------------------
2. Dallas Clark (Indianapolis Colts) @ San DiegoOver the past five weeks Clark has played a big role in the Colts offense and nothing should change against the 32nd ranked Chargers secondary. San Diego is worst in the league at defending the tight end and Clark torched them in last years playoff meeting. Start him with confidence.
Point Projection: 13 points
-------------------
3. Chris Cooley (Washington Redskins) @ SeattleCooley has 21 receptions over the past three games but no touchdowns to show for it. His 55 receptions are tied for tops at the tight end position but his one touchdown reception is far off his projected pace. The Seahawks have allowed 15 passing touchdowns in ten games so we fully expect to have some wiggle room and score for the second time this year.
Point Projection: 12 points
-------------------
4. Greg Olsen (Chicago Bears) @ St. LouisWhen the match up has been right Olsen has put together some solid performances this year and this week should be no different. The Rams have allowed 15 passing touchdowns this year, they surrendered one to tight end Vernon Davis last week and should have trouble defending the physical and agile Olsen.
Point Projection: 11 points
--------------------
5. Bo Scaife (Tennessee Titans) vs. New York Jets
Scaife has been quarterback Kerry Collins favorite target and nothing should change when the Titans take on the New York Jets, who rank 29th in pass defense. Plus, the Jets have allowed over 7 fantasy points to the tight end position in two of their last 3 games. Scaife is our sleeper play in Week 12.
Point Projection: 11 points
--------------------
6. Antonio Gates (San Diego Chargers) vs. Indianapolis
Last week, Gates had a tough match up and he could only muster 10 receiving yards on two receptions. Things won't get easier this week as the Chargers take on a Colts defense that has allowed just two passing touchdowns thus far. However, the Chargers are in panic mode and they realize that if they are going to win this football game they have to get Gates involved. His yardage totals might not be worth your time, but we fell he scores a short yardage TD to salvage the day.
Point Projection: 9 points
--------------------
7. Tony Gonzalez (Kansas City Chiefs) vs. Buffalo **Check Status**
Touchdown Tony is nursing a injured knee but the Chiefs expect him to suit up when they take on the Bills on Sunday. The veteran has at least give receptions in 5 straight games and he should have no trouble adding to that streak this week, even against a stout Bills pass defense.
Point Projection: 8 points
--------------------
8. Owen Daniels (Houston Texans) @ Cleveland
Daniels has just two receptions and 2 fantasy points over the last two games but he has been Sage Rosenfels scape goat in the past and we expect Rosenfels to get back to basics this week. The Browns played inspired defense against the pass last week but they are just 1-4 at home this year and have actually been torched against the pass when defending their home turf.
Point Projection: 7 points
--------------------
9. Zach Miller (Oakland Raiders) @ Denver
As anemic as the Raiders offense has been Miller has been a decent fantasy option. He averages 43 yards per game, has a 14.8 yard per reception total and has been quarterback JaMarcus Russell's reliable target. Plus, Denver has allowed some big games to the tight end position
(see Kellen Winslow) which makes Miller a solid low end TE1.
Point Projection: 6 points
--------------------
10. Visanthe Shiancoe (Minnesota Vikings) @ Jacksonville
You never know what you are going to get out of Shiancoe on a weekly basis but he usually produces against passing defenses that have trouble defending the middle of the field. That can be said about the Jaguars, who have allowed 18 passing touchdowns thus far. Even if Shiancoe has gets shutdown yardage wise, you have to like his touchdown chances in Week 12.
Point Projection: 6 points
--------------------
11. Kevin Boss (New York Giants) @ Arizona
Not only did Boss go without a touchdown for the first time in three week, he was also held with a catch during the Giants 30-10 Week 11 victory. However, things should change when the Giants held to Arizona to take on a Cardinals pass defense which has allowed a league worst 19 passing touchdowns. This game should be high scoring and Boss could play a big role in the Giants outcome.
Point Projection: 6 points
-------------------
12. Jerramy Stevens (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) @ Detroit
With Alex Smith's status in doubt for Week 12 it shoots Stevens up the charts. With Smith missing last week match up against the Minnesota Vikings, Stevens went for 84 receiving yards on six receptions. This week, he has the match up to do the same. If you are looking for a one week fill-in at the tight end position Stevens could be your guy.
Point Projection: 6 points
--------------------
13. Benjamin Watson (New England Patriots) @ Miami
Alright, so part of this ranking is based on his big Week 11 (
14 fantasy points), but the other part is based on the fact that Matt Cassel played his first complete game as an NFL quarterback. If Cassel continues to spread the football around like he did last week the bulky tight end could have significant value moving forward. Don;t be surprised if he makes it two straight weeks with a touchdown.
Point Projection: 6 points
--------------------
14. Dustin Keller (New York Jets) @ Tennessee
At some point during the season we knew Keller would emerge as a solid contributer in the Brett Favre led offense, and the time is finally here. The rookie tight end has 14 receptions for 194 receiving yards and a touchdown over the past two games but it's his match up this week that keeps him from being a top 10 TE option.
Point Projection: 5 points
--------------------
15. Jeremy Shockey (New Orleans Saints) vs. Green Bay
Shockey factored into the offense for the first time since returning last week, he had six receptions for 39 receiving yards to go along with eight targets. We like Shockey's value moving forward but don't expect much this week against the Packers and their 3rd rated pass defense.
Point Projection: 5 points
--------------------
15. Tony Scheffler (Denver Broncos) vs. OaklandScheffler has been banged up of late and his statistics have taken a hit because of this. He was held without a catch last week and has been forced to play sparingly in attempt to recover from a nagging groin injury. If he is healthy enough to take the majority of snaps this week you can expect him to hover around 45-50 receiving yards.
Point Projection: 5 points
-------------------
17. Heath Miller (Pittsburgh Steelers) vs. Cincinnati **Check Status**
Miller practiced in full on Wednesday and is ready to return to action for the first time since Week 9. The Bengals surrendered a touchdown to tight end L.J. Smith last week and with Ben Roethlisberger targeting the middle of the field Miller could be in line for a solid return game. What holds us back from ranking him higher is the fact that it's expected to snow in Pittsburgh on Thursday night.
Point Projection: 5 points
--------------------
18. Marcedes Lewis (Jacksonville Jaguars) vs. Minnesota
Lewis, best known for being a red zone threat, hasn't scored in four games but he does have a great match up to get healthy in Week 12. The Vikings secondary just allowed Jerramy Shockey to torch them and if David Garrard finds time to throw the football Lewis could make for a sleeper play in a TD-only league.
Point Projection: 4 points
--------------------
19. Todd Heap (Baltimore Ravens) vs. Philadelphia
Despite having just three receptions for 16 receiving yards, Heap did see six targets last week. Still, he has burned fantasy owners way to many times to really consider him as an option. Think long and hard before you take the risk, and if you play him and it doesn't pan out... we told you so.
Point Projection: 4 points
--------------------
20. L.J. Smith (Philadelphia Eagles) @ Baltimore
Smith did score a touchdown last week and the Ravens have allowed 12 passing touchdowns in ten games, but you can't expect much from the Eagles heading into Baltimore this week. Brian Westbrook is banged up, Donovan Mcnabb is struggling and the Ravens defense is primed to bounce back after getting drilled by the Giants last week. Still, he red zone ability makes him a weekly consideration.
Point Projection: 4 points
--------------------
21. Steve Heiden (Cleveland Browns) vs. HoustonWith primary tight end Kellen Winslow's status in doubt due to a sprained shoulder it looks like Heiden will get the start in this game. Filling in for Winslow earlier this year, Heiden had 59 and 73 receiving yard performance. We expect the Browns to pound the football alot in this game, but if Winslow sits you can rely on Heiden to get between 35-45 receiving yards.
Point Projection: 4 points
--------------------
22. Donald Lee (Green Bay Packers) @ New OrleansLee scored a touchdown in the Packers blowout victory over the Chicago Bears and he has the match up to do it again this week. However, it's his inconsistency that makes him a tough play, as Lee has gone six games this year with 2 or fewer fantasy points.
Point Projection: 3 points
--------------------
23. John Carlson (Seattle Seahawks) vs. Washington
If all you want out of your tight end is a consistent 3-4 fantasy points per week than Carlson could be your guy. He has at least three fantasy points in eight games this year and his 30 receptions make him a decent option in PPR leagues. The Redskins shutdown Jason Witten last week and should have no problem containing Carlson and a bad Seahawks passing attack.
Point Projection: 3 points
-------------------
24. Vernon Davis (San Francisco 49ers) @ DallasSince being sent to the locker room for an early shower in Week 8 Davis has scored a touchdown in each of the last two games. However, he has just 54 receiving yards over the past month and he is way too boom-or-bust to rely on this late in the season. Remember guys, every point counts when your season is on the line and if Davis didn't score those TDs he would have just 1 fantasy point since Week 8.
Point Projection: 3 points
--------------------
25. Anthony Fasano (Miami Dolphins) vs. New Englandheld without a catch in Week 11 but had three receptions for 66 receiving yards and a touchdown in an earlier meeting versus the Patriots.
Point Projection: 3 points
--------------------
26. Desmond Clark (Chicago Bears) @ St. Louis
Clark has taken a back seat to superior tight end Greg Olsen this year but the veteran does have 25 receptions on the season. Plus, with the Rams defense being comparable to a bad college team you can expect Clark will get some balls thrown his way.
Point Projection: 3 points
--------------------
27. Billy Miller (New Orleans Saints) vs. Green Bay
Miller was held without a catch against the Chiefs in Week 11 and his match up against Green Bay this week is far from intriguing. We wouldn't go as far to say that the Miller era is over in New Orleans but it's obvious that the Saints are trying to give Shockey a bigger role in the offense.
Point Projection: 2 points
--------------------
28. Martellus Bennett (Dallas Cowboys) vs. San FranciscoBennett showed his athleticism on Sunday Night when he made a leaping game-winning catch to bail out the Cowboys last week. This week, he takes on the 25th ranked 49ers pass defense and we expect their to be plenty of footballs thrown around. Perhaps, Bennett can be on the receiving end of a few?
Point Projection: 2 points
--------------------
29. Jeff King (Carolina Panthers) @ Atlanta
The Falcons rank in the bottom third against the pass and King is fresh off a touchdown in Week 11. Still, his primary role is as a blocker and he shouldn't be considered a fantasy option even in the deepest of leagues.
Point Projection: 2 points
--------------------
30. Alge Crumpler (Tennessee Titans) vs. New York Jets
Crumpler was held to just one reception last week but he takes the final spot in our rankings due to the fact that the Jets fail to defend the tight end position. We don't suggest rolling with Crump-Daddy this week but don't be shocked if he makes a play or two.
Point Projection: 2 points
--------------------
WEEK 12 TIGHT END INJURIES
Kellen Winslow (Cleveland Browns) vs. Houston **QUESTIONABLE** - Winslow has a sprained shoulder and has missed practice all week. The Browns haven't ruled him out for Sundays game against Houston but odds aren't in his favor. We will keep you posted on this situation.
--------------------
Alex Smith (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) @ Detroit - An ankle injury kept Smith out of action against the Vikings in Week 11 and has hindered his ability to practice this week. We won't know until game-time if he plays or not, but either way he shouldn't be in your fantasy lineup.
-----------------
WEEK 12 RANKINGS (click to view)
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
Kickers
Team Defense
---------------------
Also read: Fantasy Football Start Em & Sit Em - Week 12
Also read: Fantasy Football Week 11 Waiver Wire Advice
---------------------
::Questions? Comments? How about you SIGN UP for an account and leave a comment. Plus, by signing up you can MANAGE ALL of your FANTASY FOOTBALL teams from ONE ACCOUNT.
::Also, you can click the Fantasy Sports Dashboard (powered by our partner Screaming Sports) at the top of the screen and import plus manage all of your fantasy teams from one page::