Fantasy Football Week 7 Projections: 6 TD Machines You Must Start

Week 7 of the 2011 fantasy football season kicks off today, and the bye week break being taken by six teams has cut a wide swath across the fantasy landscape, with such stars as New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, running back Frank Gore of the San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks all out of action this week.

To assist fantasy owners in plugging all those holes in their starting lineups, here's a look at half a dozen players who have a better than average chance of finding the end zone in Week 7, and as such are certainly worth a look as a fantasy spot starter for teams singing the bye week blues.

1. Tim Tebow: QB, Denver Broncos (at MIA)

Across America fantasy football enthusiasts everywhere find themselves afflicted by a strange malady that has left their palms sweaty, their vision blurred and has urged them at every turn to consider starting a fantasy quarterback who is not that good, well, at quarterback.

America has Tebow fever.

This actually isn't a bad week at all to roll out the second-year signal-caller, as quarterback Tim Tebow of the Denver Broncos will be making his first start of the 2011 season against the winless Miami Dolphins, who have allowed the second most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks so far this year.

2. Mark Ingram: RB, New Orleans Saints (vs. IND)

It's been an up-and-down rookie campaign so far for New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram. He has averaged a paltry 3.4 yards per carry this season but has manged to find the end zone three times and maintain fantasy RB3 value despite being mired in a carry-share.

The table's set for the former Heisman Trophy winner to have one of his better games of the year when the Saints and Colts meet in the Big Easy Sunday night. The Colts have surrendered the ninth most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs, and the odds are fairly good of Ingram notching a late score as New Orleans attempts to grind away at the clock.

3. DeMarco Murray: RB, Dallas Cowboys (vs. STL)

With starting running back Felix Jones sidelined by a high ankle sprain, the job of lead dog in the Dallas backfield will likely fall to rookie DeMarco Murray when the Cowboys host the St. Louis Rams Sunday. The former Oklahoma standout has 71 yards on 24 carries in limited duty this year.

The Rams are allowing a robust 4.8 yards a carry and have given up the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs so far this season. While Murray will almost certainly lose some carries to Tashard Choice, there's still a decent likelihood that Murray will post the sort of numbers that fantasy teams in a bye-week bind at running back desperately need.

4. James Jones: WR, Green Bay Packers (at MIN)

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has never been shy about spreading the ball around in Titletown, and lately a lot of the passing-game love has been going the way of fifth-year wide receiver James Jones. He has amassed nine receptions for 223 yards over the past three games and scored in each of those contests.

Jones has a good shot at making it four games in a row with a touchdown this week when the Packers travel to the Twin Cities to face the Vikings. Minnesota is tied for the 10th-friendliest fantasy matchup for opposing wide receivers and could be without two of their top three cornerbacks this week.

5. Greg Little: WR, Cleveland Browns (vs. SEA)

If the Cleveland Browns are going to get their offense back on track this season, they're going to need all their skill position players to step it up, including rookie wideout Greg Little, who joined the starting lineup beginning with last week's loss to the Oakland Raiders.

This week's tilt with the Seattle Seahawks is an excellent opportunity for Little to showcase his talents. While Seattle has been stout against the run, they rank a mediocre 23rd in the NFL against the pass and have allowed the seventh most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers this year.

6. Kellen Winslow: TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. CHI)

The Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel across the Atlantic to do battle in the NFL's now annual regular season game in London this week. Among the players taking the field in England will be Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Kellen Winslow, who has yet to score a touchdown on 27 receptions this season.

The eighth-year veteran should have every opportunity to break out of that funk in Week 7 against the Bears, who have allowed the most fantasy points per game this season to opposing tight ends and have struggled to defend the position.