Fantasy Football: 6 TD Machines You Must Start

As we enter Week 5 of the 2011 season the bye weeks have arrived, with the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, St. Louis Rams and Washington Redskins all taking the week off.

This, combined with injuries taking a toll on fantasy football lineups, has left many fantasy owners scratching their heads or pounding their keyboards in frustration as they struggle to plug holes in their Week 5 lineups.

As a service to those owners (and their poor computers) here's a look at half a dozen less-than-obvious fantasy options for this week that, for whatever reason, should have a better-than-average chance of finding the end zone.

1. Mark Sanchez: QB, New York Jets (at NE)

You may find it hard to believe that any rational human being would advocate starting New York Jets signal caller Mark Sanchez after last week's performance against the Baltimore Ravens, in which the third-year pro completed only 11 of 35 passes and had an interception returned for a touchdown.

However, the New England Patriots defense that Sanchez and the Jets face this week is a far different unit than Baltimore's, having allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this year. In a game that should feature plenty of offense, Sanchez is set to bounce back from last week's stinker in a big way.

2. Isaac Redman: RB, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. TEN)

With Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall set to be a game-time decision with a hamstring injury and reserve Mewelde Moore already ruled out, there's a very good possibility that Isaac Redman will be the feature back for the Steelers when they host the Tennessee Titans Sunday.

The Titans run defense is solid, allowing only 3.2 yards per carry on the season, but in a game Pittsburgh desperately needs to win and with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger hobbled by a bad foot, the Steelers will likely look to ride Redman early and often, and fantasy owners in need of a starter at running back shouldn't be afraid to hop on board.

3. Pierre Garcon: WR, Indianapolis Colts (vs. KC)

Wide receiver Pierre Garcon caught only two passes in the Indianapolis Colts' loss last Monday night to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he certainly made the most of that pair of receptions, scoring two touchdowns and gaining 146 yards.

There's always going to be substantial risk involved in starting a fantasy receiver catching balls from quarterback Curtis Painter, but Painter seems to have something of a rapport with Garcon, who sports a ridiculous 21.1 yards-per-catch average, so fantasy owners grasping for a spot start at wide receiver may want to roll the dice on Garcon.

4. LaDainian Tomlinson: RB, New York Jets (at NE)

New York Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson was once the most feared player in all of fantasy football while with the San Diego Chargers, but those days have long since passed for the 32-year-old, although he has managed to amass 259 total yards with one touchdown through four games this season.

However, given how ineffective Jets running back Shonn Greene has been to this point, if the Jets are to get back to their ground-and-pound roots against the New England Patriots as promised by head coach Rex Ryan, that will almost certainly mean Tomlinson's most extensive action of the season, making him a serviceable spot start against a Patriots defense that has allowed the sixth most fantasy points to opposing running backs.

5. Mario Manningham: WR, New York Giants (vs. SEA)

One week after being benched, New York Giants wide receiver Mario Manningham will reportedly return to the starting lineup when the Giants play host to the Seattle Seahawks Sunday. The fourth-year veteran from Michigan has hauled in eight catches for 115 yards in three games this season.

The Seahawks are a so-so 16th in the National Football League against the pass, and while their cornerbacks possess excellent size they lack in speed, making them vulnerable to the types of vertical routes that are Manningham's specialty and making it very possible that Manningham will be in for his best day of the season to date this week.

6. Jermaine Gresham: TE, Cincinnati Bengals (at JAX)

Second-year tight end Jermaine Gresham is quickly emerging as a preferred option of quarterback Andy Dalton in the Cincinnati Bengals passing game, reeling in 16 catches for 187 yards and a pair of touchdowns through four games this season.

The Bengals opponents this week, the Jacksonville Jaguars, are among the friendliest fantasy matchups in the National Football League for opposing tight ends, so there's little reason to believe Gresham won't continue his strong statistical start this weekend.