Fantasy Football Week 7: Top 20 Touchdown Targets You Must Play
Fantasy football's Week 7 is going to be a tough one. Two of the most explosive offenses in the NFL (Indianapolis and Houston) are closing up shop for the week, taking byes and causing millions of fantasy football players to pull their hair out in anguish.
But just because those two teams are out doesn't mean you can't have a successful week. There are still plenty of touchdown machines you can play; guys who seem to have a nose for the goal line, whose hands seem to turn to super glue once they enter the red zone.
Here are 20 of the best touchdown targets in Week 7.
20. Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans Saints
1 of 20
Why He's a Touchdown Machine: Frankly, Colston hasn't been one in 2010, failing to find the painted rectangle in six games this year. But don't let that dissuade you from playing the former Hofstra standout; he has 10 touchdown catches in October for his career. Plus he's got a favorable matchup this week, making him a logical play.
Who's the Matchup: The Cleveland Browns have been a tonic for many an ailing offense in 2010. If the Browns could help T.O. get on track, imagine what a player with Colston's skills can do against them.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 7.5 out of 10. The Browns lack the skills to close down New Orleans' vertical passing attack, so Colston should have every opportunity to shine this week. He could lose his touchdown looks as the Saints love to spread the love around in their receiver corps.
19. Mike Wallace, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
2 of 20
Why He's a Touchdown Machine: Wallace is one of the NFL's premier deep threats, and he's got his cannon-armed quarterback on the field once again. Think he's pumped about that? His thre catches for 90 yards and a touchdown last week say yes, he is.
Who's the Matchup: The Dolphins lack the kind of cover corners necessary to lock Wallace down in this one. He'll break free on a couple of plays, and when he does, expect Ben Roethlisberger to find him.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 7.5 out of 10. Wallace should get a few deep balls thrown his way, and he has got the hands to haul them in. However, he does have to compete with Hines Ward once Pittsburgh gets close to the end zone.
18. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB, New England Patriots
3 of 20
Why He's a Touchdown Machine: Since taking over go-to back duties in New England in Week 3, the Law Firm has scored a touchdown every single game. He showed last week that he's capable of finding the end zone even when the yards aren't coming for him.
Who's The Matchup: San Diego has struggled to consistently stop the run in 2010, and the Chargers' defense has been vulnerable to big plays.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 7.5 out of 10. Green-Ellis seems to have a nose for the end zone, even when he can't seem to get it going anywhere else on the field.
.jpg?w=256 "Giants Harbaugh's Program Begins Football")
.jpg?w=256 "NFL Meetings Football")
17. Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego Chargers
4 of 20
Why He's a Touchdown Machine: Gates has been a monster in 2010, racking up 27 more points than any other tight end in football. He has dominated every opponent he has come across, and unless the toe injury he suffered last week is serious, he's a lock to score again this week.
Who's the Matchup: The Patriots' defense has struggled against tight ends and wide-outs in 2010, and Gates should give them fits.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 7.5 out of 10. He would be a lock for a top five spot on the list if he were healthy. But the possibility that San Diego sits him drops Gates all the way down here.
16. Peyton Hillis, RB, Cleveland Browns
5 of 20
Why He's a Touchdown Machine: Hillis is a big, bruising tailback who does some of his best work around the goal line. He's scored against good defenses, bad defenses, everyone. He's been a steal for the Browns, and fantasy owners, in 2010.
Who's the Matchup: New Orleans struggles against power run games. Think Eric Mangini won't exploit that?
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 8 out of 10. Hillis has been locked down before, but it's unlikely to happen this week.
15. Hakeem Nicks, WR, New York Giants
6 of 20
Why He's a Touchdown Machine: Nicks has developed into the go-to receiver in New York this season. He's got a good combination of size, speed and hands, which makes him one of quarterback Eli Manning's favorite red zone targets.
Who's the Matchup: Dallas lacks the cover corners to mark all of the Giants' wide receivers all the time. Expect Nicks to get free in the red zone at least once or twice.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 8 out of 10. Nicks is a strong touchdown candidate, but can be shut down, as we saw last week.
14. Percy Harvin, WR, Minnesota Vikings
7 of 20
Why He's a Touchdown Machine: Harvin'\ is not only a threat to catch a deep touchdown pass; he's also a serious threat to run a kickoff back for one. It's this versatility that makes Harvin a touchdown machine.
Who's the Matchup: Green Bay's secondary is going to have its hands full with Randy Moss. Expect the Vikings to exploit that by looking for Harvin early and often.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 8 out of 10. Harvin's receiving and return skills make him a strong end zone candidate, but like most wideouts, he's subject to his quarterback's whims.
13. Tony Moeaki, TE, Kansas City Chiefs
8 of 20
Why He's a Touchdown Machine: Moeaki is as sure handed as any tight end in the NFL, and he loves to pull down passes in the end zone. He is big and hard to tackle, and with few reliable receiving options in Kansas City, he is a favorite of quarterback Matt Cassel.
Who's the Matchup: Jacksonville can't stop anything through the air, even the occasionally awful Chiefs' pass attack.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 8 out of 10. If Moeaki gets looks in the red zone, he'll score. It's just a matter of getting the targets.
12. Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens
9 of 20
Why He's a Touchdown Machine: Rice has the end zone monkey off his back, and appears to be getting all of the goal line touches in Baltimore, as well. The scores should be coming soon.
Who's the Matchup: Buffalo ranks 29th against the run in 2010. Enough said.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 8 out of 10. Rice should find the end zone, but he hasn't proven he can do it regularly enough to justify a higher place on the list.
11. LeSean McCoy, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
10 of 20
Why He's a Touchdown Machine: The end zone has been magnetic to the Eagles' every-down back in 2010, as he has scored five touchdowns in six weeks. When he gets going, he is incredibly tough to stop, and he is as explosive as anyone in the NFL.
Who's the Matchup: Tennessee is tough, but not invulnerable against the run. Look for LeSean to at least get one in a short yardage situation.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 8 out of 10. Other than newly-acquired Jerome Harrison stealing McCoy's touchdowns, there's no reason he won't score this week.
10. Michael Crabtree, WR, San Francisco 49ers
11 of 20
Why He's a Touchdown Machine: Why it took San Fran six weeks to get Crabtree into the offense is beyond me, but now that he is, he's a threat to score every single week. Big, fast, and sure-handed, he could be one of the NFL's best wideouts when all is said and done.
Who's the Matchup: Carolina's defense is vulnerable just about everywhere, but they're particularly weak over the top, where Crabtree excels.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 8 out of 10. Unless the Niners forget about him again, Crabtree should score this week.
9. Greg Jennings, WR, Green Bay Packers
12 of 20
Why He's a Touchdown Machine: Even when Greg Jennings was struggling early in the season, he managed to find the end zone twice. Now that he's rolling along after last week's explosion, he'll show us what he can do every week.
Who's the Matchup: Minnesota's secondary is depleted without Cedric Griffin at corner. They lack the coverage skills to keep up with Jennings on deep routes.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 8.5 out of 10. He'll score this week, and keep his momentum alive.
8. Miles Austin, WR, Dallas Cowboys
13 of 20
Why He's a Touchdown Machine: Austin has been one of the best wideouts in the NFL in 2010, and he's going to be extra motivated after being frustrated with his play last week against Minnesota.
Who's the Matchup: The Giants are vulnerable to good passing attacks, and Austin has had success against them in the past.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 8.5 out of 10. Miles is going to be super motivated this week, and he's going to make the Giants pay for his foibles in Week 6.
7. Vernon Davis, TE, San Francisco 49ers
14 of 20
Why He's a Touchdown Machine: He's big, fast, has reliable hands, and was a favorite of Alex Smith even when the offense was sputtering. Now that it seems to be rolling along, he should be racking up touchdowns by the bunch.
Who's the Matchup: Carolina's defense has been solid against opposing tight ends, but Davis is easily the best tight end the Panthers have faced in 2010.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 8.5 out of 10. If he plays, rest assured that Vernon Davis will find the end zone.
6. Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
15 of 20
Why He's a Touchdown Machine: Mendy's had a nose for the end zone in 2010, racking up five touchdowns in five games and scoring in four of those five. He's strong and has good quickness and explosiveness, making him a big-play threat every time he touches the ball.
Who's the Matchup: When faced with a non-terrible running game, Miami's defense has yet to allow fewer than 13 points, and has given up a touchdown to each of those opponents.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 9 out of 10. Mendy's a virtual lock for the end zone this week.
5. Anquan Boldin, WR, Baltimore Ravens
16 of 20
Why He's a Touchdown Machine: Boldin has scored a touchdown in just two of the Ravens' games this year, but with his combination of size and hands, he's a fantastic red zone target. He's got the speed to burn defenses deep, and is fully capable of having an epic game, like he did in Week 3 against the Browns.
Who's the Matchup: Buffalo's defense ranks 23rd against opposing wideouts. They lack the corners to shut down a receiver of Boldin's considerable talents, and we've seen what he does to terrible defenses this season.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 9 out of 10. Barring triple coverage, Boldin will find the end zone this week.
4. Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis Rams
17 of 20
Why He's a Touchdown Machine: Jackson is a big, powerful runner who lost a bit of bulk and gained speed and agility in the offseason. He's starting to get rolling now, having gone off against San Diego last week.
Who's the Matchup: Tampa Bay ranks 23rd against the rush, and has yet to give up fewer than 15 points to a running back this season. Jackson has to be drooling at the possibility of this matchup.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 9 out of 10. It's possible Jackson just racks up yards, rather than touchdowns, but given that Tampa has allowed three different teams to rush for touchdowns, that scenario is unlikely.
3. Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings
18 of 20
Why He's a Touchdown Machine: Peterson has been a workhorse in 2010, scoring four touchdowns in five games, and routinely blowing up opposing defenses, regardless of their ability to stop the run.
Who's the Matchup: Green Bay might be ravaged by injury, but the Packers still rank third in the NFL against opposing running backs. But Peterson has averaged over four yards per carry and scored four times in six career contests agains the Packers, meaning the stats should get thrown out the window.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 9.5 out of 10. Peterson should get his score, even if Green Bay limits the yards he accrues.
2. Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco 49ers
19 of 20
Why He's a Touchdown Machine: Gore has been the rock of an inconsistent 49ers offense, racking up yards with aplomb from week to week. But Gore can find the painted rectangle, as well, with three total touchdowns this season.
Who's the Matchup: As bad as Carolina's secondary can be, their run defense is even worse, ranking 23rd against opposing running backs and giving up four touchdowns in five games in 2010.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 9.5 out of 10. The combination of bad defense and fantastic running back means lots of points for Frank Gore.
1. Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans
20 of 20
Why He's a Touchdown Machine: Johnson has scored seven touchdowns in six games, and has scored two touchdowns in three of those games. He can find the end zone against anyone, but he loves to run against bad defenses, and he gets one this week.
Who's the Matchup: Philadelphia ranks 30th against opposing running backs, and they've been gashed for plenty of scores in the past (I'm looking at you, Jahvid Best). Against a back like Johnson, they don't stand a chance.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 10 out of 10. One touchdown is all but assured, and three is well within the realm of possibilities.
.jpg?w=480 "Giants Harbaugh's Program Begins Football")
.jpg?w=480 "NFL Meetings Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Chargers Giants Football")
.jpg?w=600 "Maye, Belichick Link Up 🤝")
