Fantasy Football Playoff Rankings: Tight Ends (Wild Card Round)

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To enter the contest, just click here... FANTASY FOOTBALL PLAYOFF CONTEST (Password is BRUNO).

To help the Bruno Boys Nation win FREE PRIZES, we bring to you the Wild Card Round TIGHT END Rankings.

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1. Dallas Clark (Indianapolis Colts) @ San Diego

Clark finished the season with 77 receptions, which was 19 receptions more than his previous high, and the sixth year pro has been the Colts best receiver over the last month. After having just three touchdowns through 12 games, Clark had three touchdowns.

Thirty receptions and 335 receiving yards over the seasons final four games. With the Chargers' defense ranking dead last in the NFL at defending the tight-end position, you better believe quarterback Peyton Manning is going to feature Clark early and often.

Point Projection: 14 points

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2. Antonio Gates (San Diego Chargers) vs. Indianapolis

Outside of Week 16, when he had 43 receiving yards and two touchdowns, Gates has been a major dissapointment over the past seven weeks. In fact, if you take away his 16 points in week 16, Gates has just 16 combined points over six games and has shown little signs of getting back on track.

He is working as the third option behind Vincent Jackson and LaDainian Tomlinson and has failed to go for over 30 receiving yards in his last four meetings against Indianapolis. Still, he is too good of a talent to just write off.

Point Projection: Seven points

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3. Visanthe Shiancoe (Minnesota Vikings) vs. Philadelphia

At times in 2007, Shiancoe showed flashes of being a solid tight end, but no one could have forecasted his 596 receiving yard and seven touchdown season he put together in 2008.

At times he became non-existent in games, evident by his eight games with two or less points, but Shiancoe has turned into the Vikings primary red-zone target. Even against a tough Eagles pass defense, Shiancoe should be considered a fantasy option due to the lack of depth at the position. 

Point Projection: Six points

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4. Anthony Fasano (Miami Dolphins) vs. Baltimore

Fasano finished the season with a bang, as the third year tight end had three touchdown receptions over the last two weeks. His late surge led to seven touchdowns on the season, which was tied for thirrd at the tight end position.

On the season, the Ravens allowed just three touchdowns to the TE position, so you can't expect him to find paydirt, but with quarterback Chad Pennington probably having to check down, it could lead to Fasano hauling in three or four receptions.

Point Projection: Four points

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5. L.J. Smith (Philadelphia Eagles) @ Minnesota **CHECK STATUS**

Smith is suffering from a shoulder injury that forced him to miss Week 17 and has him jeopardy of missing the Eagles playoff game this Sunday. If he plays, you can expect him to sit around 35-45 receiver yards, as the Vikings are allowing over 50 yards per game to the tight end position.

Still, with him being a game-time decision you might be better off looking elsewhere.

Point Projection: Four points

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6. Todd Heap (Baltimore Ravens) @ Miami

Heap has been better of late, but that's still nothing to write home about. After failing to score a fantasy point on three different occasions this year, Heap has scored two or more points in seven of his last eight games.

He had three receptions for 29 yards in a previous meeting with Miami, and with the Dolphins having allowed just one touchdown to the tight end position this year you can't expect anything outside mediocrity from Heap.

Point Projection: Three points

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7. David Martin (Miami Dolphins) vs. Baltimore

The good news heading into the playoffs is that Martin has scored a touchdown in two of his last three games. The bad news is that he has just four receptions during that span and he faces a Ravens secondary that allows a just 37 yards per game to the tight end position.

Plus, if you are forced to use a Dolphins tight end, it should be Anthony Fasano.

Point Projection: Two points

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8. Justin Peelle (Atlanta Falcons) @ Arizona

With the Falcons primarily using their tight end to block, you can't expect all that much from Peelle; however, the matchup against a Cardinals pass defense that has allowed 36 passing touchdowns is noteworthy.

With that being said, Peelle scored a fantasy point in just six of the 15 games he played in so it's touchdown or bust for those brave enough to play him.

Point Projection: Two points

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9. Brent Celek (Philadelphia Eagles) @ Minnesota

With L.J. Smith always getting banged up Celek has served as an adequate fill-in throughout the season. In Week 17, he hauled 30 receiving yards and a touchdown during the Eagles 44-6 route of the Dallas Cowboys.

If Smith can't play in the Wild Card game this Sunday, you can bump Celek up to 30-35 receiving yards. We will keep fantasy owners posted.

Point Projection: One points

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10. Brandon Manumaleuna (San Diego Chargers) vs. Indianapolis

Manumaleuna has just 15 receptions for 127 receiving yards on the season but he has scored a touchdown in each of his last two games. This shows that quarterback Philip Rivers has been targeting him around the end zone on two-tight-end sets; however, if he doesn't score he is probably going to go without a fantasy point.
Point Projection: One points

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