Fantasy Football Week 9: Top 20 Touchdown Targets You Must Play
Fantasy football's Week 9 is another potentially hazardous one. With six teams taking byes this week, there are a lot fewer potential touchdown scorers this week than there have been in weeks past. This makes it even more important to find the guys who are locks to find the end zone this week, to help you snag another big win.
These 20 players are the best touchdown targets of the week. You'll see why they're touchdown targets, who they're up against, and how likely it is that they'll score.
20. Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans
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Why He’s a Touchdown Target: Foster has lit the NFL on fire in 2010, racking up seven touchdowns in seven games, with a three-touchdown game and a two-touchdown game helping to propel him into the ranks of the NFL's best running backs.
Who’s the Matchup: Sure, the Chargers rank 10th in the NFL against the run. But they've allowed five rushing touchdowns this season, including one in each of their last four games.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 6/10. Foster has struggled on occasion against more formidable defenses. But given San Diego's sudden spurt of rushing touchdowns allowed, I feel like he should find his way into the end zone this week.
19. Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans Saints
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Why He’s a Touchdown Target: Colston has come alive the last two weeks, putting up double-digit points each of the last two weeks. He's also gotten two touchdowns, and he gets better as the season goes on.
Who’s the Matchup: Somehow, Carolina ranks third in the NFL against opposing wideouts, probably because most opponents stop throwing the ball against them in the third quarter.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 6.5/10. Look for Colston to score again this week, as his late-season resurgence continues.
18. Steve Johnson, WR, Buffalo Bills
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Why He’s a Touchdown Target: When you've scored a touchdown in five straight games, you're one of the league's top end-zone threats.
Who’s the Matchup: Chicago ranks fifth against opposing wideouts, but they've allowed a touchdown to each of their last two opponents' receivers. And as the second wideout in Buffalo, Johnson won't have to deal with elite coverage.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 6.5/10. Johnson could get stopped by the Bears' secondary. But he's scored on much better defenses than Chicago's during this stretch of strong play.
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17. Mike Tolbert, RB, San Diego Chargers
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Why He’s a Touchdown Target: Tolbert has been a touchdown vulture in San Diego since Ryan Mathews came back. But he's capable of putting up solid yard totals as well. Still, put him inside the five-yard line and he's a lock to find the end zone.
Who’s the Matchup: Houston ranks 23rd against the run and they struggle against power running backs. Tolbert is one of the most bruising backs in football.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 6.5/10. This could be the week Tolbert's streak of games with a touchdown comes to an end. But it doesn't seem all that likely, given San Diego's love of using him in the red zone.
16. Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans
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Why He’s a Touchdown Target: It doesn't matter who the matchup is with Andre Johnson; if he's healthy, he seems to find the end zone.
Who’s the Matchup: San Diego ranks second against opposing wideouts this season, but they haven't faced a receiver with Johnson's talents.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 6.5/10. As long as Johnson's ankle is healthy, he ought to find the end zone. But if you saw him come up limping Monday against the Colts, you know he re-injured his ankle and he could be slowed again this week.
15. Hakeem Nicks, WR, New York Giants
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Why He’s a Touchdown Target: Nicks has three games with at least two touchdown catches and he's scored eight in seven games in 2010. When Eli is looking for him, he's a virtual lock to find the end zone.
Who’s the Matchup: Seattle ranks 21st against wideouts, but the Seahawks defense is much tougher at home than on the road—and this one's in Seattle.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 6.5/10. It's possible Eli looks elsewhere this week to try and get the touchdowns. But Nicks has been his favorite red-zone target in 2010. He should find the end zone.
14. Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
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Why He’s a Touchdown Target: Big Ben or no Big Ben, Mendenhall finds the end zone, scoring two touchdowns in three games since the quarterback's return, and six touchdowns in seven games overall.
Who’s the Matchup: Cincinnati's defense has collapsed against the run in recent weeks, falling to 20th against opposing backs and giving up a touchdown in five straight games.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 6.5/10. Maybe Cincy gets its defensive issues figured out. But given Rashard's success finding the painted rectangle in 2010, it might not matter.
13. Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts
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Why He’s a Touchdown Target: Wayne is the most reliable receiver in Indianapolis right now, and he's also one of the only healthy targets Peyton Manning has.
Who’s the Matchup: Philly ranks 13th against opposing wideouts. But the Eagles are coming off a game in which they allowed three touchdowns to Tennessee's wideouts. Think Wayne won't find more room to work than, say, Kenny Britt?
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 7/10. Wayne ought to find the end zone. But his chances go up if Austin Collie is still hurting this week, as it gives Peyton Manning no one else to throw to.
12. Anquan Boldin, WR, Baltimore Ravens
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Why He’s a Touchdown Target: Anquan's size and hands make him a favorite target of Ravens' quarterback Joe Flacco, especially around the end zone. He has caught five touchdown passes this season and he has a grab in each of his last two games.
Who’s the Matchup: Miami ranks 21st against opposing wideouts. It has given up a touchdown to each of it's last five opponents and two to each of its last two.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 7/10. It's possible the Dolphins make Flacco look elsewhere for scores this week, but they really don't have the skills necessary to stop Boldin in their secondary.
11. Greg Jennings, WR, Green Bay Packers
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Why He’s a Touchdown Target: Jennings has five touchdowns in eight games and has yet to go more than one game without finding the end zone this season. Opponents can key on him, but that hasn't stopped him from grabbing touchdown passes all season long.
Who’s the Matchup: Dallas ranks 29th against opposing wideouts and the Cowboys' secondary looked flat-out awful last week against Jacksonville.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 7/10. Jennings should have no trouble ringing up touchdown No. 6 this week, against a Dallas secondary that's struggling to stay above water.
10. Michael Turner, RB, Atlanta Falcons
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Why He’s a Touchdown Target: Turner may only have three scores in 2010, but anyone who saw his virtuoso performance against the Bengals knows he's fully capable of finding the end zone when the mood strikes him.
Who’s the Matchup: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are extremely vulnerable against the run, having given up five touchdowns in seven games this season. Still, they have kept some of the NFL's better backs (Steven Jackson, Cedric Benson) out of the end zone.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 7/10. Turner should be able to punch his way into the painted rectangle this week, despite his lack of scoring in the first half of the season.
9. Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
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Why He’s a Touchdown Target: The Chiefs' most explosive, dynamic runner, Charles is capable of going off on just about anyone, and he can score from anywhere on the field. Still, with power back Thomas Jones in Kansas City as well, Charles has scored just two touchdowns on the year.
Who’s the Matchup: Oakland's defense has been laughably bad against the run in 2010, giving up touchdowns to opposing backs more often than not.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 7/10. Charles could lose his short-yardage touchdowns to Jones. But given the Raiders' defensive foibles, it may not matter. They could be powerless to stop him from anywhere on the field.
8. Peyton Hillis, RB, Cleveland Browns
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Why He’s a Touchdown Target: Hillis has blasted his way into the end zone in six of the Browns' seven games in 2010, using his power, speed and surprising hands to become one of the most reliable backs in fantasy football.
Who’s the Matchup: The Patriots rank 22nd against opposing running backs and have allowed touchdowns in each of their last two games.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 7.5/10. Hillis has been a touchdown machine in 2010. Nothing in New England's play in 2010 suggests they'll be the team to shut him down.
7. LeSean McCoy, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
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Why He’s a Touchdown Target: McCoy has scored touchdowns in four of the Eagles' seven games in 2010. His combination of rushing and receiving skill makes him twice as likely to zip into the end zone.
Who’s the Matchup: Indianapolis ranks 26th against opposing running backs and the Colts have been routinely gashed by just about everyone they've played in 2010.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 7.5/10. Unless Michael Vick has a monster game in his return as Eagles' starting quarterback, McCoy should get ample opportunity to score. He ought to take advantage.
6. LaDanian Tomlinson, RB, New York Jets
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Why He’s a Touchdown Target: Tomlinson has had a renaissance in 2010, running like the LT of old. He's got a pair of two touchdown games and five touchdowns overall in 2010.
Who’s the Matchup: Detroit possesses the league's worst run defense, giving up huge days to just about every running back they've faced
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 8/10. LT should have no trouble scoring in this one, even if Shonn Greene poaches some goal-line carries.
5. Roddy White, WR, Atlanta Falcons
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Why He’s a Touchdown Target: White has turned into one of the most reliable receivers in fantasy football, scoring five touchdowns in seven games and routinely beating double coverage to do so. He puts up yards in bunches, and as we saw against Cincinnati, he's fully capable of finding the end zone on a regular basis.
Who’s the Matchup: Tampa Bay ranks 25th against opposing wideouts, giving up a touchdown to a receiver in every single game they've played this season.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 8.5/10. It would be more shocking if Roddy White didn't score in this matchup.
4. Darren McFadden, RB, Oakland Raiders
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Why He’s a Touchdown Target: McFadden has been sublime in 2010, racking up four rushing touchdowns and two receiving touchdowns in just six games this season.
Who’s the Matchup: Kansas City has allowed nine touchdowns to opposing running backs in 2010, although many of those have come via the pass rather than the run.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 9/10. McFadden's been one of the most adept-scoring running backs in the NFL this season. Against a Chiefs team that seems to love letting running backs score touchdowns, he should find the end zone.
3. Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions
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Why He’s a Touchdown Target: Johnson has eight touchdowns in seven games, has found the end zone in four straight and has scored at least twice in two of his last four games. I think he's a pretty reliable touchdown target.
Who’s the Matchup: The Jets rank 26th in the NFL against opposing receivers, and have given up touchdowns in five of their seven games this year. They kept the Packers out of the end zone, but Johnson is a completely different animal than Greg Jennings.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 9/10. Johnson is a virtual lock to catch a touchdown pass, especially with Matt Stafford bombing the ball to him again.
2. Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego Chargers
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Why He’s a Touchdown Target: Gates has scored nin touchdowns in eight games in 2010. When he has played the entire game (he left Week 6's clash with St. Louis because of injury), he has yet to be kept out of the end zone. He's as close to a guaranteed touchdown as you'll get in fantasy football.
Who’s the Matchup: Houston ranks 31st against opposing tight ends in 2010 and they've allowed four receiving touchdowns in seven games to the position.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 9.5/10. Barring an injury flare-up, Gates is a lock to find the painted rectangle this week.
1. Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings
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Why He’s a Touchdown Target: Peterson has six rushing touchdowns in 2010, and he has scored in three straight games and five of his team's seven contests this season. With the quarterback situation muddled at best in Minnesota, Peterson will get even more chances to score this week.
Who’s the Matchup: The Arizona Cardinals rank 29th against opposing running backs in 2010, having given up multiple touchdowns three times in seven games. They've struggled to contain even the most underwhelming running backs.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 10/10. Quarterback controversy plus crappy run defense plus NFL's best back equals a guaranteed touchdown.
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