Super Bowl vs. Denver
Greg Olsen didn’t find the end zone in the NFC Championship Game in a blowout win over the Cardinals, but he did catch six passes for 113 yards and led the team with eight targets. Olsen remains an elite tight end in the NFL and should be relied upon heavily against Denver this week in the Super Bowl.
The Broncos gave up the least yards to opposing passers this season, but they were only average against the tight end position specifically. In the AFC Championship Game, Rob Gronkowski had a big game against them, and Panthers quarterback Cam Newton should be expected to lean on his tight end as usual. Olsen is far and away the best tight end option this week and if you can’t get him, then you’ll need to make up ground elsewhere in your lineup.
NFC Championship vs. Arizona
Greg Olsen had a nice game against Seattle last week, catching all six passes thrown his way for 77 yards and a touchdown. Olsen has been one of the most consistent fantasy options all year at the tight end position, and we would expect that to continue this week, even against a tough Arizona team.
Without a consistent tight end option in Denver or in Arizona, Olsen and Rob Gronkowski are really the only players worth targeting in most fantasy leagues this week. If you can’t get Gronk, you better get Olsen, because the likes of Darren Fells and Owen Daniels are unlikely to produce results.
Week 19 vs Seattle
Greg Olsen is coming off a career year. At age 30, he set a career high with 1,104 receiving yards, caught 77 passes, and scored seven touchdowns. He also was a major reason for the success of quarterback Cam Newton and the 15-1 Carolina Panthers as he made his second straight Pro Bowl.
This week, Olsen will face a Seattle defense that was stellar this season, but struggled defending the tight end position. They allowed eight touchdown passes to opposing tight ends this year, and Olsen should be heavily targeted all game. This is a good week for tight ends, and Olsen should be in for a great game and should be active in all fantasy league types if possible.
Week 17 vs. Tampa Bay
Greg Olsen only had four catches for 40 yards last week against the Falcons, as the entire Panther passing offense struggled in the first Carolina loss of the season. Olsen remains an elite fantasy player though and was still tied for the most targets in the Panther passing game on the day.
This week, Olsen faces a Tampa Bay defense that has been below average against the pass this year, and average against the tight end position. Olsen should be playing with home-field advantage on the line though, and despite a rough outing against the Bucs in Week four of the season, he should be active in all leagues as a top fantasy tight end.
Week 16 vs. Atlanta
Greg Olsen had six catches for 79 yards and a touchdown last week against the Giants, finishing with another solid stat line in his second consecutive Pro Bowl season. Olsen is now second among tight ends and 11th in the league with 1,048 yards receiving this year, and he remains Cam Newton’s favorite target in the Carolina passing game.
This week, Olsen should have another nice outing against the Falcons. While Olsen was held to three catches and 52 yards against Atlanta two weeks ago, the Falcons rank 20th in the league in passing yards allowed this year, and have given up seven touchdown passes to the tight end position. Olsen is a must start regardless of matchup and should be active in all leagues as a top five start at the tight end position.
Week 15 vs. New York Giants
The Panthers got a scare last week when Greg Olsen left the game early with an apparent knee injury, but he seems to be okay and is set to start this week against the Giants. Despite leaving early against the Falcons, he still managed 52 yards on three receptions for the day, and he remains an elite fantasy option.
This week, providing there are no setbacks for him, Olsen should have another great game against the Giants. New York is dead last in the league in passing yards allowed per game, and it’s not even close. Additionally, they’ve allowed the third most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this year, making Olsen a great option in all league formats. Monitor his health status, but barring any setbacks, he should be active
Week 14 vs. Atlanta
Greg Olsen was targeted a team high 12 times last week against the Saints, catching nine passes for 129 yards on the day. Olsen is only 83 yards away from his second consecutive 1,000 yard season receiving and is 13th in the NFL in receiving yards. He’s been the most consistent option in the Carolina passing game and is a big reason why the team is 12-0.
This week, Olsen faces a Falcons defense that has been solid against the pass this year, but only average against the tight end position. Regardless, Olsen remains the primary target in the Panthers passing game and is an elite tight end option in all fantasy formats. He should be active in all leagues, and he’s the top option on our board this week.
Week 13 vs. New Orleans
Greg Olsen had a modest outing against the Cowboys last week, putting up 70 yards on five receptions. Olsen remained the primary target for quarterback Cam Newton however, leading the team with nine targets on the day, and he remains an elite fantasy tight end option week-to-week.
This week, Olsen has an exceptionally good matchup. The Saints have allowed a league leading 30 touchdown passes to opposing offenses this season, and Olsen should be able to find a way to get his usual solid production. Fantasy owners should keep him active in all leagues, and with Gronk injured, he’s our top fantasy option at the tight end position this week.
Week 12 at Dallas
Greg Olsen only caught three of the six balls thrown his way last week against Washington, but he still wound up with 54 yards and a touchdown in a big Panthers victory. Olsen remains one of the best tight ends in the game and has been a very consistent fantasy option all year.
This week, Olsen faces a Dallas defense that has been pretty good in keeping opposing passers from racking up a ton of yards, but they’ve been very average in points allowed, with 22.8 given up per game. Olsen is a must-start regardless of the matchup and he should find room against Dallas this week. The Cowboys let Jordan Cameron score a touchdown on them last week, and Olsen should be active in your lineup for Thanksgiving.
Week 11 vs. Washington
Greg Olsen tied for the team lead with eight targets last week against the Titans, catching all eight of them for 80 yards on the day. Olsen remains the primary cog in the Panthers passing game and has been arguably the second best tight end in football this year behind Rob Gronkowski.
This week, Olsen faces a middling Washington defense that has given up the fifth-most fantasy points to the tight end position this year. Olsen is a must start every week and has been matchup proof due to his high usage rate in the Panthers offense, but he’s an extra good play in this game. We have him number two on our list behind only Gronk and he should be active in all leagues.
