Fantasy Football Week 14: Top 20 Touchdown Targets You Must Play
Fantasy football in Week 14 is the end of the road.
This is the last week of the regular season in most leagues, and for thousands of teams, it's win and you're in. Lose and you go home (or at least to the consolation bracket, which everyone knows isn't the same at all).
For those of you in the playoffs already, this is still an incredibly crucial week. You need every point you can get if you're going to make noise and make a playoff run this season.
Which is why these 20 guys are so darned important to your fantasy football hopes. They're the 20 most likely candidates to score a touchdown this week and, in some cases, they're likely to score more than one.
20. Michael Crabtree, WR, San Francisco 49ers
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: Crabtree has finally come into his own in recent weeks, thanks to a game plan that realized throwing the ball to San Fran's most reliable wide receiver was a good idea. He's scored five touchdowns in his last eight games, and seems to be alternating between having strong games (when he scores) and sub-par games (when he doesn't). He had a sub-par game last week against Green Bay.
Who’s the Matchup: Seattle ranks second-to-last in the NFL against opposing wide receivers and the Niners are a much better offensive team than they were in Week 1. Crabtree's got the skills to burn them deep.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 6.5/10. It's possible the second-year man can't keep his rhythm going, but with such a soft secondary coming down the pipe, it's hard to see him not scoring.
19. LeSean McCoy, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: McCoy's still not getting the kind of touches we'd like to see him have running the ball, but he's making the most of them. He posted a pair of touchdowns last week to bring his season total to nine (seven rushing, two receiving) and the former Pitt Panther remains a serious threat to score from anywhere on the field.
Who’s the Matchup: Dallas ranks 14th in the NFL against opposing running backs, but something tells me the Cowbosy are going to have their hands full trying to keep Michael Vick in check.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 6.5/10. He might not have a ton of success running the ball, but as long as he keeps catching passes and getting goal-line looks, you can rest assured that McCoy will find his way into the painted rectangle one way or another.
18. Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: Johnson's mired in a bit of a rut right now (along with the rest of Tennessee's offense), but don't let that fool you. When he's on, he's the best running back in the NFL, and he's scored nine touchdowns in 12 games this season.
Who’s the Matchup: Indianapolis ranks 23rd in the NFL against running backs, and the Colts are reeling after three straight losses. Now's the perfect time for Johnson to strike.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 6.5/10. Without a passing game to worry about, Indianapolis can stack the box against Johnson and hope for the best. But when their defense is that shaky to begin with, it's hard to see the running back not snapping out of his funk this week and finding the end zone.
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17. Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: Mendenhall's been a touchdown machine in 2010, racking up nine rushing scores in 12 games. He's not a lock to score each week, but he's as close to one as you'll find in the NFL.
Who’s the Matchup: Cincinnati ranks 23rd against opposing running backs in 2010, and Mendenhall gashed the Bengals for 99 yards and a score in Week 9.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 7/10. Maybe the Bengals' defense has figured itself out, but I doubt it. Look for Mendenhall to start scoring touchdowns again.
16. Darren McFadden, RB, Oakland Raiders
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: McFadden has found his groove this season, racking up seven touchdowns this season. He's been slashing and gashing defenses all year long, and when the holes aren't there while running the ball, he finds the end zone through the air.
Who’s the Matchup: Jacksonville ranks 17th in the NFL, but for most of the season the Jaguars have been much worse than that, and have allowed 11 rushing touchdowns. And that's not counting the touchdowns that running backs have scored in the passing game, where Darren excels.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 7/10. He might get closed down, but given the Jags' defensive woes in 2010, it's pretty unlikely McFadden can't find the end zone.
15. Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: Foster's been the single best back in fantasy football in 2010, racking up an incredible 15 total touchdowns in 12 games this year. His ability to find the end zone has been unparalleled and it's a big reason why he's been the best fantasy player out there.
Who’s the Matchup: Baltimore ranks sixth in the NFL against the run and the Ravens have played good rushing teams extremely tough all season.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 7/10. Don't expect an epic performance from Foster here. The Ravens are too good for that. Still, don't be surprised to see the former Tennessee Volunteer find his way into the end zone once to help salvage a mediocre day.
14. Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego Chargers
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: Gates has been an absolute freak of nature in 2010. He's been the best fantasy tight end in football all season despite playing the last three weeks with two injured feet. And unless there's something he's not telling us, he's only got two of those, so it's pretty impressive. He's got 10 touchdowns in 12 games.
Who’s the Matchup: Kansas City ranks third in the NFL against tight ends, but does it really matter? Gates can score on just about anyone.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 7/10. It is possible that he doesn't play this week or that, if he does, the Chiefs figure him out. But are you really going to bet against Gates given his level of play in 2010? Me neither.
13. Sidney Rice, WR, Minnesota Vikings
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: Well, that was fast. It took Sidney all of three weeks to find the form he flashed in 2009 and he scored a pair of touchdowns against the Bills last week. He's got the size and hands to be a favorite red-zone target for Brett Favre (or Tarvaris Jackson for that matter) from this point on.
Who’s the Matchup: Sure, the Giants rank 10th in the NFL against opposing wideouts. But with Percy Harvin and Rice to contain, they'll struggle to keep them out of the end zone.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 7.5/10. Rice has the skills to find the end zone, even if the Giants figure out how to keep him from having a big day catching the ball.
12. Anquan Boldin, WR, Baltimore Ravens
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: He's baaack. Boldin re-announced his presence in Baltimore to the world with a stellar showing last week, bringing his touchdown total to seven. He's still the best wideout the Ravens have and last week he showed what he can do when he gets the ball.
Who’s the Matchup: Houston's defense has been flat-out terrible all year long and currently ranks 29th in the NFL against opposing wideouts. Even the Panthers could score a passing touchdown against them.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 7.5/10. Boldin could get missed again, as Joe Flacco's been working Derrick Mason a lot lately. But I feel like there will be plenty to go around against the Texans' swiss cheese secondary this week.
11. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: MJD has been running like people are chasing him over the last six weeks. He's tallied four touchdowns and five 100-yard games in that span.
Who’s the Matchup: Oakland ranks 25th in the NFL against opposing running backs. Think MJD doesn't know that?
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 7.5/10. He's found success in five straight weeks running the ball, but has scored touchdowns in just two of those games. But with such a soft defense on tap, he can't help but score this week.
10. Vernon Davis, TE, San Francisco 49ers
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: Davis should be more of a touchdown target than he is. Given his size, speed and hands, five trips to the painted rectangle doesn't seem like enough. But if last week was any indicator, perhaps the Niners are starting to remember their talented tight end again.
Who’s the Matchup: Seattle ranks sixth against opposing tight ends this season, but Davis tallied 73 yards against them in Week 1 and Seattle's gotten worse since then.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 7.5/10. He'll score, unless Troy Smith forgets he plays for them again.
9. Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: Twelve touchdowns in 12 games and he scored in four straight games, and eight of his last nine. Catches touchdown passes even when Drew Stanton is throwing him the ball. Can anyone, or anything, stop Megatron?
Who’s the Matchup: Green Bay ranks fourth in the NFL against wideouts this season, but that didn't stop Johnson from snagging a pair of touchdown catches against them in Week 6.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 8/10. Unless Charles Woodson has some new tricks up his sleeve, or Drew Stanton can't get the football to him (a very real possibility), Megatron will score this week.
8. Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans Saints
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: Colston seems to have found his form in the latter half of 2010. Since Week 7, he's racked up three 100-yard receiving games and five touchdowns. With the Saints rolling still, do you really doubt him at this point?
Who’s the Matchup: St. Louis ranks 18th in the NFL against opposing wideouts and has given up six touchdowns to the position in their last five games.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 8/10. Colston will continue his hot streak against an overmatched Rams' secondary, who won't know who to defend in the Saints' offensive onslaught.
7. Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis Rams
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: Jackson's been solid in 2010 even when he hasn't found the end zone. He's got just four rushing touchdowns on the year, but with his power and speed, he's sure to find the end zone against softer opponents.
Who’s the Matchup: New Orleans ranks 15th against opposing running backs this season, but the Saints have allowed four rushing touchdowns the last two weeks.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 8/10. Jackson might not be a consistent 100 yards and a touchdown player this season, but against the Saints he should find the painted rectangle at least once.
6. Michael Turner, RB, Atlanta Falcons
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: Turner has been a workhorse in 2010, racking up six 100-yard games and eight touchdowns on the year. He's scored in three straight games and five of his last six.
Who’s the Matchup: Carolina has been one of the NFL's worst defenses against the run this season and currently ranks 29th against opposing running backs. The Panthers have allowed 10 touchdowns over the last five weeks including six in their last two games.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 8.5/10. Turner has been running better and better as the year has progressed. Look for him to score at least once this week, if not two or three times.
5. Knowshon Moreno, RB, Denver Broncos
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: Surprised to see Moreno this high on the list? Don't be. The Broncos' back has been one of the best runners in football since Week 10, posting two 100-yard rushing performances and three touchdowns over that span. He's running better than ever before and with a soft matchup this week, he's poised to go off.
Who’s the Matchup: Arizona has the worst run defense in the NFL and has allowed 15 rushing touchdowns this season including 10 in their last six contests.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 8.5/10. Moreno will find success against such a porous defense this week; look for his strong play to continue.
4. Greg Jennings, WR, Green Bay Packers
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: He has eleven touchdowns in 12 games and five scores in his last three contests, including two scores against San Francisco in Week 13. Why do you think Greg Jennings is a touchdown candidate?
Who’s the Matchup: Detroit's secondary ranks 21st in the NFL against opposing wideouts, but the fact is, they were a lot worse than that for most of the season. They've allowed seven touchdowns to the position in their last three games.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 9/10. Jennings is a virtual lock to score. The only way he doesn't find the end zone is via catastrophic injury or temporary amnesia from Aaron Rodgers.
3. Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: Wayne flashed that incredible skill in his 200-yard, two-touchdown masterpiece against Dallas in Week 13. With no one else to throw to, Peyton Manning will be hitting Wayne early and often again this week.
Who’s the Matchup: Tennessee ranks fifth in the NFL against opposing wideouts, but Manning and the Colts have given them fits over the years and have the ability to pick apart the Titans' secondary.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 9/10. Wayne could get shut down, but he's his team's only reliable pass catcher right now. And with no run game, that means lots of end zone looks for Reggie.
2. Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: Peterson's three touchdown game on Sunday should be all the proof you need that he's always a threat to score. If you need more, though, consider that AP has racked up 12 touchdowns in 12 games this season.
Who’s the Matchup: The Giants rank ninth in the NFL against opposing running backs. Not that it matters much when you're one of the league's elite running backs.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 9.5/10. AP will score this week, regardless of the Giants' run stopping skills.
1. Peyton Hillis, RB, Cleveland Browns
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: This thundering back was held without a score for just the second time this season in Week 13, but he's still got 13 total touchdowns in 12 games. He's a lock to find the end zone one way or another against just about everyone.
Who’s the Matchup: The Bills' defense ranks 30th in the NFL against opposing running backs and has allowed six touchdowns in their last four games, including three to the Vikings last week.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 10/10. Look for Hillis to get the job done this week against a Buffalo defense that can't stop anything or anyone rushing the ball.
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