NFL Predictions Week 5: Owen Daniels and 3 TEs Guaranteed to Shine

Tight ends are the oft-unsung heroes of a team's offense. Blocking on running plays and running routes as an option on passing plays, tight ends are versatile playmakers. When one is good, he makes all the difference for his team. Here are three set to have major games this week. 

Owen Daniels, Houston Texans (vs. Oakland Raiders)

While the Raiders are the sixth-best defense this season against the tight end, they've likely not seen one who has had as many targets as Owen Daniels will this week.

With wide receiver Andre Johnson set to miss around three weeks, after undergoing a procedure to prevent the build up of scar tissue around his slightly torn hamstring, the rest of the Texans offense will need to step up.

This certainly means increased focus on the run game, led by Arian Foster. However, it also means that Daniels will play a bigger role in the passing game, starting this Sunday against the Raiders.

He led the team in receiving targets last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers and has 14 catches on the year for 182 yards and three touchdowns.

During Johnson's absence, Daniels will be the No. 1 target for quarterback Matt Schaub; thus, as far as tight ends go, Daniels' numbers should be some of the best of the week.

Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots (vs. New York Jets)

Not only is Rob Gronkowski the top tight end in the league right now, but he's matched up against a New York Jets defense that ranks 22nd against the position this season.

This means yet another big day for Gronkowski, in a game where Tom Brady will likely look to exploit an uneasy Jets defense. So far this season, the Patriots tight end has 18 receptions for 296 yards and five touchdowns.

While his production will likely go down once fellow tight end Aaron Hernandez returns to full strength (he is possible to take the field this week, after appearing healthy in practice today), that decline is relative.

On any other team, it would be a big deal; on the Patriots, it still means he will be a major part of the offense. Regardless of Hernandez's status this week, Gronkowski's week will be big.

Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Falcons (vs. Green Bay Packers)

While the Packers are praised for their defense, one thing that stands out is their rank of 30th against the tight end.

This bodes well for the Falcons' Tony Gonzalez, who has proven that he's not just still relevant, but still one of the league's most elite tight ends. So far this season, the former Chiefs star has had 21 catches for 229 yards and four touchdowns. He's easily the greatest to ever play the position, and he hasn't lost a fumble since his rookie year in 1999 (one of my most favorite stats).

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan relied heavily on Gonzalez when the team hosted the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2, and there should be more of the same this week when the best-in-the-NFL Packers come to town.