A celebration of National Tight Ends Day

The GIST: The Week 8 NFL slate saw plenty of players put their best foot forward, including the league’s top tight ends (TEs) — it was their day, after all. To celebrate the holiday, here’s a primer on the unique position, plus the performances that defined the album occasion.

✨ The ultimate positional glow-up: TEs play a hybrid position, combining the blocking ability of linemen and the pass-catching prowess of wide receivers. Traditionally, blocking was the priority — but as offensive schemes evolved, so did the position, from the first TE to hit 1K receiving yards in 1961 to the increased specialization of LA Charger Kellen Winslow in the ’80s.

• The position’s true revolution came in the 2000s though, when NFL legends like Tony Gonzalez proved a TE could be a team’s primary offensive target.

• Gonzalez paved the way for modern-day TEs who are versatile, athletic, and skilled. Yes, they still catch passes and block, but in today’s NFL, they’re doing it everywhere on the field, sometimes lining up where wide receivers normally would. Multi-faceted kings.

🏆 With that in mind, here are our top three TE performances of Week 8:

• 🥇 NY Jet Mason Taylor, who hauled in the game-winning touchdown (TD) for the previously winless Gang Green.

• 🥈 Philadelphia Eagle Dallas Goedert, who found the end zone twice in the Birds’ lopsided 38–20 redemption dub over their divisional rival, the NY Giants.

• 🥉 San Francisco 49er George Kittle, and not just because he’s the founder of the holiday: Kittle made this tough grab for his second TD of the season.

☝️ One more thing: Well, technically two more things. Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett had a record-setting five sacks in yesterday’s loss to the New England Patriots, while Buffalo Bills quarterback (QB) Josh Allen logged his NFL-record 46th game with a passing and rushing TD.