Matchup Ratings

George Kittle returned to the 49ers' lineup last week after a six-week absence and posted 92 yards, and he'll have a Week 17 matchup against a Seattle defense that's allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends over the last five weeks.

Logan Thomas has a staggering 28 targets over the last two contests for Washington, and has a delectable matchup in Week 17 versus a reeling Eagles pass defense that's given up an average of 391.5 passing yards over the last two tilts.

Jack Doyle has topped 40 yards twice in his last three games, and he has a tenuous hold on the Colts' top tight end spot heading into the team's must-win Week 17 matchup with a Jaguars team that has allowed 13 touchdowns to tight ends -- tied for most in the league.

Darren Waller has erupted for a 34-537-3 line on 45 targets over the last four games, giving him massive momentum heading into the Raiders' Week 17 clash with a Broncos defense that ranks 22nd in receiving yards allowed to tight ends.

Dawson Knox had another strong game for the Bills and faces a Dolphins defense in Week 17 that's allowed more than 100 yards to opposing tight ends in two of the last three weeks--in no small part to facing Travis Kelce and Darren Waller.

Irv Smith has scored three times in as many weeks, and assuming Kyle Rudolph (foot) misses his fourth straight game Sunday in Week 17, Smith will face a reeling Lions defense that's allowed four touchdown receptions to opposing tight ends in as many weeks, and one which Smith scored twice against previously this season.

Dan Arnold has been targeted five times in each of Arizona's last two games, and he'll have a Week 17 matchup against a Rams defense that he posted 61 yards and two touchdowns against when facing them in Week 13.

Trey Burton has been outplayed by fellow Colts tight end Jack Doyle recently, so he'll be a touchdown-dependent Week 17 option against a Jaguars defense that has allowed 13 touchdowns to the position, which is tied with the Jets for most in the league.

Jordan Akins' nine catches in the last two games are tied for the most Houston's starting tight end has posted in a two-game stretch this season, and he'll look to stay involved in Week 17 against a Titans defense that has hovered around league average at defending tight ends.

Jonnu Smith secured his eighth receiving touchdown of the season last week, and Tennessee's top tight end will look to add to that career-high total in Week 17 against a Texans defense that has allowed six touchdowns to tight ends this season.

Kyle Rudolph hasn't played in the Vikings last three games due to a foot injury, and with the team eliminated from playoff contention, there's little reason for him to suit up in a Week 17 finale against a Lions defense that's allowed four tight end scoring receptions in as many weeks.

Travis Kelce set a new NFL record for receiving yards in a season by a tight end last week and is only 43 yards behind Stefon Diggs for the overall receiving yards title, but with Kansas City having already clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC and likely to rest key players, he may not see much work in Week 17 against a Chargers defense that's given up 10 TDs to TEs this season, tied for 27th in the league.

Cole Kmet has at least six targets in three of the Bears last four games, but has managed just four catches and 30 total yards in his last two games, suggesting a low floor in Week 17 against a Packers defense that's allowed opposing tight ends to score in consecutive weeks, but only five to top 50 yards against them all season.

Durham Smythe caught a pair of short passes for the Dolphins as the return of Mike Gesicki tore into his playing time heading into a prime matchup against the Bills in Week 17, who are in the bottom 10 against opposing tight ends.

Evan Engram injured his ankle late last game for the Giants, leaving his status in question heading into a crucial Week 17 clash with a Dallas defense allowing 228.7 passing yards per tilt, which is 11th in the league.

Drew Sample has seen just one target in each of his last two outings for the Bengals, and in Week 17, he gets a Ravens defense that has allowed just five touchdowns to tight ends all season.

Greg Olsen was targeted twice in his return to the Seahawks' lineup last week, but he'll face a 49ers defense in Week 17 that shut him out on four targets back in Week 8.

Jacob Hollister has found the end zone for the Seahawks in consecutive weeks, but he hasn't surpassed 20 yards in any of his last seven games, making him a risky fantasy option in Week 17 against a 49ers defense that's allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends.

Tyler Eifert has caught more than three passes in a game only twice this season, and Jacksonville's starting tight end will have his work cut out for him in Week 17 against a Colts defense that has allowed only three touchdowns to the position.