It’s Week 13, folks! Time to set those fantasy lineups! Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups in a given week for fantasy football leagues. Each week, I’ll examine the tight ends who could exceed or fail to meet expectations based on their weekly opponent … like Jonnu Smith and Dalton Schultz in Week 12!
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All Positions: QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | K & DSTs
Byes: None
Start of the Week
Cade Otton at Panthers (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Otton is coming off one of his worst games of the season, scoring just four points on three targets in a win over the Giants. I wouldn’t sit him down because of that performance, however, as he next faces a Panthers defense that has allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to tight ends over the last four weeks. That includes allowing two touchdowns to Noah Gray last week vs. the Chiefs.
Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton is the start of the week. / Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Start ‘Em
1. Jonnu Smith at Packers (Thurs. 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): Smith, who has been a start ‘em the last two weeks, has scored three touchdowns and a combined 51.8 fantasy points. He’s become almost a must-start at a thin tight end position, and a matchup in Green Bay is favorable. While the weather conditions are projected to be downright frosty, their pass defense has allowed the 11th-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends.
2. Dallas Goedert at Ravens (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Goedert was a disappointment last week, as he scored just 5.9 points despite DeVonta Smith being sidelined. Still, I’d keep him in starting lineups when the Eagles face the Ravens in a huge matchup. Their defense has allowed 9.7 or more points to seven tight ends, including four who have scored more than 16 points. Overall, Baltimore has allowed the 10th-most points per game to tight ends.
3. Hunter Henry vs. Colts (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Henry was overshadowed by teammate Austin Hooper last week, but he still scored a respectable 9.4 fantasy points in a loss to Miami. He has now scored nine-plus points in all but one of his last seven games, during which time he has averaged 10.9 fantasy points. I’d start Henry against the Colts, who have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends this season.
TEs With Good Matchups
Sit of the Week
Kyle Pitts vs. Chargers (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Pitts has seen his numbers tumble in the last three weeks, scoring 2.1 or fewer points twice while averaging just 4.5 points. He’s also seen just 10 targets in that time. Next up is a tough matchup against the Chargers, who have allowed one touchdown and an average of just 11.3 points per game to tight ends. What’s more, just four tight ends have beaten Los Angeles for double digits in 2024.
Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts is the sit of the week. / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
TEs With Bad Matchups
1. Dawson Knox vs. 49ers (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): Knox will be the Bills’ main pass-catching tight end again with Dalton Kincaid ruled out, but I’d keep him on the sidelines in a matchup against the 49ers. Their defense has allowed double digits to just four tight ends, and none of them have scored more than 12.3 points. Considering that there’s no byes this week, Knox isn’t someone most fantasy managers can trust in their starting lineups.
2. Dalton Schultz at Jaguars (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Schultz has a plus matchup this week, as he faces a Jaguars defense that’s allowed the seventh-most points per game to tight ends. Unfortunately, he’s been unable to exploit good matchups all season. In fact, he’s put up an average of just six points per game overall and scored a modest 6.4 points against the Jaguars back in Week 4. Unless you’re desperate, Schultz should be on the sidelines.
3. Cole Kmet at Lions (Thurs. 12:30 p.m. ET, CBS): Kmet is coming off his best game since Week 6, catching seven passes for 64 yards and scoring 13.4 points. He had been held to single digits in all but one of his previous seven games, however, and a matchup against the Lions on Thanksgiving isn’t attractive. Their defense has allowed just one tight end to beat them for double digits, and that was AJ Barner who finished with just 10.7 points.
Complete Week 13 Tight End Rankings
1. Travis Kelce vs. Raiders (Fri.)
2. Brock Bowers at Chiefs (Fri.)
3. George Kittle at Bills
4. Trey McBride at Vikings
5. T.J. Hockenson vs. Cardinals
6. Cade Otton at Panthers
7. Taysom Hill vs. Rams
8. Jonnu Smith at Packers (Thurs.)
9. Evan Engram vs. Texans
10. David Njoku vs. Broncos (Mon.)
With the fantasy playoffs just around the corner, every decision counts! Keep your eyes on the matchups, and don’t hesitate to make those tough calls. Good luck this week, and may your fantasy team shine bright!
