We've talked a lot about how soft the Cardinals are defending tight ends. They've allowed 13 touchdowns to the position, 4 more than any other team. At the other end of the spectrum is the Vikings, a reason to be cool on Hunter Henry this week.
The Chargers host Minnesota, and Henry -- who averages 60 receiving yards -- still looks like a fine option at tight end. But the Vikings tend to allow passing touchdowns to wide receivers (17 of 22) rather than tight ends (just 1). And that's not schedule: they've faced some of the league's very best players at the position along the way: Hooper, Engram, Kelce, Ertz.
| NO. 1 TIGHT ENDS VERSUS MINNESOTA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Player | No | Yds | TD |
| Hooper, Atl. | 9 | 77 | 0 |
| Graham, G.B. | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Waller, Oak. | 13 | 134 | 0 |
| Burton, Chi. | 2 | 16 | 0 |
| Engram, NYG | 6 | 42 | 0 |
| Ertz, Phil. | 4 | 54 | 0 |
| Hockenson, Det. | 3 | 32 | 0 |
| Sprinkle, Wash. | 2 | 12 | 0 |
| Kelce, K.C. | 7 | 62 | 0 |
| Witten, Dall. | 2 | 17 | 0 |
| Fant, Den. | 4 | 60 | 0 |
| Hollister, Sea. | 6 | 44 | 0 |
| Thomas, Det. | 2 | 21 | 0 |
The only tight end touchdown against the Vikings was by Broncos backup Troy Fumagilli.
Clearly, some tight ends have had good games against Minnesota. Darren Waller had a monster game, and Hooper and Kelce did fine. Henry might too. Just don't count on him getting in the end zone. Chances of Keenan Allen or Mike Williams scoring look much better.
--Andy Richardson