Fantasy Football Week 15: Top 20 TD Targets To Win Your Playoff Matchup
Fantasy football Week 15 is almost upon us, which means it's time to take a long hard look at your roster. After all, you're now officially in the heat of the playoffs. The intensity, the drama, the nerves all get ratcheted up somewhere between 10 and 12 notches.
Every point, every yard, becomes infinitely more important. And if those are more important, you know that figuring out who is going to score touchdowns for your team is crucial to playoff success.
That's why we've got this list. You'll find the 20 most likely touchdown scorers this week. Some of them are locks every week, others are matchup plays. But you can count on all of them to get you a score this week.
20. Pierre Garcon, WR, Indianapolis Colts
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: Garcon has finally sorted himself out in the last two weeks, becoming a reliable target for Peyton Manning again. He's scored three touchdowns in his last two games and seems to be a favorite end zone target.
Who’s The Matchup: Jacksonville's secondary ranks 27th in the NFL against opposing wide receivers. The Jaguars have been one of the league's worst pass defenses all season long.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 6.5/10. Garcon has found himself and he's got a nice soft matchup. But Reggie Wayne's presence in the Colts' lineup helps make it less likely that Garcon will be the go-to receiver in the end zone.
19. DeSean Jackson, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: Jackson's got some serious speed and it's the big reason why he's the Eagles' best deep threat. He's totaled six touchdown catches on the year and is fresh off a game in which he caught a 91-yard bomb, which was good enough for 15 points in most leagues.
Who’s The Matchup: The Giants pose a formidable threat to the Eagles' passing game, ranking seventh in the NFL against opposing wideouts this year.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 6.5/10. Jackson's the best deep threat the Eagles have, but the combination of the Giants' stingy defense and teammate Jeremy Maclin helps hurt his end zone chances this week.
18. Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: Charles is a dynamic runner, but that's only translated to four total touchdowns in 2010. Still, he's got the receiving skills to make him an appealing play any time and he's a threat to score on anyone.
Who’s The Matchup: The Rams rank 12th in the NFL against opposing running backs, but remember, they allowed three straight runners to score on them from Weeks 10 through 12.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 6.5/10. Charles hasn't been finding the end zone much, but with an up-and-down defense on the slate this week, he could bounce back from a poor Week 14 performance.
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17. Deion Branch, WR, New England Patriots
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: Do you think Tom Brady likes having Branch back? In the team's last three games, the wideout has totaled four touchdowns and has scored on elite defenses in each of the last two weeks (Bears, Jets).
Who’s The Matchup: Green Bay ranks fourth in the NFL against opposing wideouts in 2010, but top-notch defenses haven't slowed Branch down one iota the last two weeks.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 7/10. Branch is hurt by the Pats' balanced passing attack, but he's still a likely candidate to score.
16. Hakeem Nicks, WR, New York Giants
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: He's baaaack! Nicks marked his return to the Giants lineup with a seven catch, 96-yard performance in Week 14, and he's got nine touchdowns in 10 games on the year. He showed little effect from the surgery he'd had on his legs two weeks ago and the former North Carolina Tar Heel is poised to go off this week.
Who’s The Matchup: Philadelphia's defense ranks 12th in the NFL against opposing wide receivers, but that didn't stop Nicks from posting a solid showing against them in Week 12.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 7/10. Nicks is back and his production should be there this week. After all, Kevin Boss can't steal all of his touchdowns, right?
15. Malcom Floyd, WR, San Diego Chargers
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: Vincent who? Floyd has flashed brilliance on occasion in 2010, racking up six total touchdowns, including two trips to the painted rectangle in Week 14 against the Chiefs.
Who’s The Matchup: San Francisco ranks 23rd against opposing wideouts this season and given the Bolts' success throwing the ball to just about anyone who's healthy, the 49ers should struggle to stop Floyd.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 7/10. If San Diego's got other healthy wideouts this week, Floyd could see his value take a hit and he can't be relied on for a ton of yards. But he should find the end zone again this week.
14. Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis Rams
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: Jackson cannot seem to find the end zone in 2010, having racked up just four touchdowns on the season. But he's an excellent runner and pass catcher and is capable of delivering a score at any time.
Who’s The Matchup: The Chiefs may rank 16th agains the run in 2010, but they just allowed 188 yards and two scores to the Chargers' finnicky run game.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 7/10. Jackson's got a decent matchup this week and his recent form suggests he's due for a score. But given his lack of touchdowns this season, he's far from a lock.
13. Vernon Davis, TE, San Francisco 49ers
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: Davis is rolling once again, now that Alex Smith is back at quarterback in San Fran. He's scored six touchdowns on the year and he's found the end zone in two straight contests.
Who’s The Matchup: San Diego ranks 22nd in the NFL against tight ends and has allowed six scores to tight ends, none of whom have Davis' skill set.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 7/10. It's possible Smith looks elsewhere for the touchdown this week, but why would he? Davis is a perfect target in the end zone. He is big and sure-handed.
12. Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: The fact is, Megatron didn't catch a touchdown pass last week, snapping his streak of four straight games with a score. But the Lions' wideout is still capable of beating double teams and pulling down scores better than almost anyone in the league.
Who’s The Matchup: Tampa Bay ranks 13th in the NFL against opposing wideouts, but without Aqib Talib, the Bucs don't have anyone who matches up remotely well with Megatron.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 7/10. The only thing standing between Johnson and his 12th touchdown of the season is Drew Stanton. If Stafford or Hill play for the Lions, he'll be a lock to score.
11. Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans Saints
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: Colston has been electric since Week 8. He's posted seven touchdowns since then, and has five in his last four games. He's once again the go-to wideout the Saints need and he's extremely tough to stop.
Who’s The Matchup: The Ravens just allowed three touchdowns to the Texans and are vulnerable over the top. I think the Saints can exploit that weakness.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 7/10. Colston's been unstoppable lately and Baltimore lacks the cover corners to close him down.
10. Knowshon Moreno, RB, Denver Broncos
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: Sure, the Broncos have been dreadful in 2010. But Moreno's been a sensation over the last five weeks, posting four touchdowns to bring his season total to 10. He's running the way many hoped he would this season.
Who’s The Matchup: Another softy, as Oakland ranks 27th in the NFL against opposing running backs.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 7.5/10. Given the way Moreno's running and Oakland's inability to stop the run, Knowshon should find the end zone again.
9. Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: It's been a down year (relatively speaking) for the Texans' talented wideout. He's posted just seven touchdowns this year, but is fresh off a 140-yard, two-score dismantling of the Ravens.
Who’s The Matchup: The Titans rank ninth in the NFL against opposing wideouts, but they've allowed eight touchdown passes to the position on the season, and gave up a pair last week to the Colts. Guess where those are going this week?
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 7.5/10. Johnson should continue his late season push to help your team win it's league.
8. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: MJD has been doing his human pinball routine to full effect since Week 8, racking up six 100-yard rushing games and four touchdowns over that span. Can anyone tackle him?
Who’s The Matchup: Indianapolis, who Jones-Drew gashed for 105 yards and a score in Week 5.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 8/10. MJD will, in all likelihood, find the end zone this week. Unless the Colts have found a run defense in the last week.
7. Michael Turner, RB, Atlanta Falcons
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: Turner's been unstoppable over the last few weeks, posting 10 touchdowns in the last seven games he's played.
Who’s The Matchup: Seattle ranks 29th in the NFL against opposing running backs. I feel like Turner can exploit that.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 8.5/10. Turner will find the end zone, unless he gets hurt, or Seattle's defense wakes out of it's coma.
6. Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: So much for that second-half fade. Wayne's posted big games on a regular basis over the last month and he has two touchdowns in his last four games.
Who’s The Matchup: Jacksonville's defense let Wayne torch them for 196 yards in Week 5.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 8.5/10. Wayne's sure to be angling for a score to ice his dominance of the Jags this season. Look for him to get it.
5. Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: When you've scored 15 touchdowns in 13 games, people tend to see you as a touchdown candidate every week.
Who’s The Matchup: Tennessee ranks 18th in the NFL against the run and Foster blew them up for 143 yards rushing in Week 12.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 8.5/10. With the Titans reeling, Foster should have another huge day, and find the end zone.
4. Peyton Hillis, RB, Cleveland Browns
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: Thirteen touchdowns in 13 games. Is that a good enough candidate for you?
Who’s The Matchup: The Bengals rank 17th in the NFL against the run and Hillis eviscerated them in their first meeting.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 8.5/10. It's been two weeks since Hillis scored last, but don't let that fool you. He did everything but score against the Bills last week. Expect him to rectify the situation this week.
3. Roddy White, WR, Atlanta Falcons
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: White's been stellar for much of 2010 and he's tallied seven scores on the season. He hasn't scored in four weeks, but with a matchup this good, you can count on him to deliver.
Who’s The Matchup: Seattle ranks 30th in the NFL against opposing wideouts this season, and they've gotten progressively worse as the year has progressed.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 9/10. With such a soft defense, expect Roddy to end his touchdown drought this week.
2. Darren McFadden, RB, Oakland Raiders
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: McFadden's lived up to the hype in 2010, racking up 10 scores in 13 games. He's a versatile back, capable of catching passes and running the ball, and he's found the painted rectangle three times in the last two weeks.
Who’s The Matchup: That would be the Broncos, who rank second-to-last in the NFL against opposing running backs and just allowed 43 points to the Cardinals. I think that speaks for itself.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 9.5/10. One way or another, expect McFadden to take full advantage of another fantastic matchup.
1. Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans
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Why He’s a Touchdown Candidate: It sure is nice to see the Chris Johnson we all remember gashing holes in opposing defenses again. He's tallied 10 rushing touchdowns in 13 games and just found his stride against the Colts in Week 14.
Who’s The Matchup: Houston's defense ranks 19th in the NFL against the run and Johnson's eager to prove he can run against them after his major howler in Week 12.
Likelihood of a Touchdown: 10/10. Look for Johnson to take advantage of a softer matchup and slice and dice the Texans the way he was supposed to the first time.
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