Fantasy Football Week 9 Projections: 6 TD Machines You Must Start

The 2011 fantasy football season is rolling right along, and the deeper we get, the more important each matchup becomes. As fantasy owners jockey for playoff position or try to keep their postseason dreams from becoming an also-ran nightmare, making the right pickups is crucial.

To aid those owners, here's a look at half a dozen less than obvious options that have a better than average shot at finding the end zone this week, and since I checked last, touchdowns were a good thing.

The following players merit serious consideration for inclusion in fantasy lineups.

1. Sam Bradford: QB, St. Louis Rams (at ARI)

Quarterback Sam Bradford and the St. Louis Rams have backslid this year, lurching to a 1-6 record through their first seven games, a mark that certainly wasn't helped along when the second-year pro suffered a high ankle sprain that has caused him to miss the past two games.

Bradford is listed as questionable after practicing on a limited basis Friday. His 4:15 p.m. ET start time makes him a pretty risky proposition for teams that don't have a back-up plan (or hedge their bets by grabbing Rams backup A.J. Feeley), whoever starts under center for St. Louis should have success. The Arizona Cardinals have given up the fifth-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks.

2. Brandon Jacobs: RB, New York Giants (at NE)

The foot injuries that have dogged New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw for much of his professional career have once again reared their ugly head. A cracked bone in Bradshaw's foot is expected to sideline him for at least this week's tilt at New England and quite possibly longer.

Bradshaw's injury opens the door for an expanded role for embattled bruiser Brandon Jacobs, and the seventh-year veteran's fantasy owners couldn't have asked for a much better matchup to get a start in. While the Patriots are a respectable ninth in the NFL in run defense, they've also allowed the 11th most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs this season.

3. Chris Ogbannaya: RB, Cleveland Browns (at HOU)

The "Madden Curse" certainly appears to have claimed yet another victim. The snakebitten season of Madden '12 cover boy and Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis hit a new low when the fourth-year pro suffered an aggravation to his hamstring injury in practice that will reportedly sideline Hillis for another few weeks.

That injury, and the calf injury already suffered by backup Montario Hardesty, means that the recently acquired Chris Ogbannaya will start at tailback against his former team Sunday.

Ogbannaya has a solid shot at posting a decent fantasy day against a Houston Texans defense that's suffered a fair number of injuries of their own recently.

4. Jonathan Baldwin: WR, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. MIA)

After recovering from a hand injury sustained in a locker room scuffle with running back Thomas Jones, rookie wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin of the Kansas City Chiefs saw his most extensive playing time of the season in last week's victory over the San Diego Chargers. He made the most of the opportunity, reeling in five catches for 82 yards and a score.

The talented youngster may well make it two good games in a row when the Chiefs host the winless Miami Dolphins Sunday. The Dolphins are the eighth friendliest fantasy matchup for opposing wide receivers this season.

5. Mario Manningham: WR, New York Giants (at NE)

The New York Giants roll into their rematch of Super Bowl XLII with the New England Patriots at far less than full strength on offense. In addition to the aforementioned injury to running back Ahmad Bradshaw, wide receiver Hakeem Nicks has been declared doubtful and is unlikely to play with a hamstring injury.

Nicks' injury means an increased role for Mario Manningham. This increased role comes at the perfect time for fantasy owners of the fourth-year wideout, as the Patriots are far and away the most favorable fantasy matchup in the National Football League for opposing wide receivers.

6. Dustin Keller: TE, New York Jets (at BUF)

New York Jets tight end Dustin Keller has been trending downward recently. While the fourth-year veteran caught at least five passes in the first three games and had a touchdown in two of them, Keller has done neither since.

There's a good chance that Keller reverses that trend this week, however, in a favorable matchup with the division rival Buffalo Bills. The Bills have struggled somewhat in defending tight ends this season, allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game to the position.