Updated Nov. 15, 2009 @ 12:25 p.m. ET

The following player rankings are based on expectations for this week only, not for the entire season, taking into account this week's specific matchups and injuries. The initial rankings are compiled before the release of the NFL's early injury report and are updated Thursday to reflect the status of each player.

We base our rankings on the following scoring system: For skill-position players, one point for every 10 rushing/receiving yards, one point for every 30 passing yards, six points for a TD run or catch, four points for a TD pass, two points for a two-point conversion run or catch, two points for a two-point conversion pass. For kickers, three points for FGs of 18-39 yards, four points for FGs of 40-49 yards, and five points for FGs of 50-plus yards. Defensive rankings are based primarily on points allowed, yardage allowed and sack potential.

Glossary of notations

INJ — player has an injury that may affect productivity or availability.
ILL — player has an illness that may affect productivity or availability.
UP — player was moved up on draft board after original posting.
DOWN — player was moved down on draft board after original posting.
Not listed — player is temporarily sidelined due to injury or suspension but otherwise would be ranked.
INACTIVE — on game day, player has been designated inactive (posted shortly before kickoff, when available).

Players and/or notations added after the original posting are shown in boldface.

Note: Remember to check back for late-week and weekend updates, as well as game inactives (when available) in the 90 minutes preceding the 1 p.m. Sunday kickoffs. You'll also find regular updates in Michael Blunda's "Finding Paydirt" blog, including Sunday mornings.

Byes: Texans, Giants

QUARTERBACKS

1. Drew Brees, Saints at Rams
2. Tom Brady, Patriots at Colts
3. Peyton Manning, Colts vs. Patriots
4. Brett Favre, Vikings vs. Lions
5. Aaron Rodgers, Packers vs. Cowboys
6. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers vs. Bengals
7. Tony Romo, Cowboys at Packers
8. Kurt Warner, Cardinals vs. Seahawks
9. Philip Rivers, Chargers vs. Eagles
10. Donovan McNabb, Eagles at Chargers
11. Jay Cutler, Bears at 49ers
12. Carson Palmer, Bengals at Steelers
13. Matt Ryan, Broncos at Panthers
14. Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks at Cardinals
15. Joe Flacco, Ravens at Browns
16. Alex Smith, 49ers vs. Bears
17. Jake Delhomme, Panthers vs. Falcons
18. Kyle Orton, Broncos at Redskins
19. Vince Young, Titans vs. Bills
20. Matt Cassel, Chiefs at Raiders
21. David Garrard, Jaguars at Jets
22. Trent Edwards, Bills at Titans — UP
23. Mark Sanchez, Jets vs. Jaguars
24. Chad Henne, Dolphins vs. Buccaneers
25. Josh Freeman, Buccaneers at Dolphins
26. Matthew Stafford, Lions at Vikings
27. JaMarcus Russell, Raiders vs. Chiefs
28. Marc Bulger, Rams vs. Saints
29. Brady Quinn, Browns vs. Ravens
30. Jason Campbell, Redskins vs. Broncos

Not listed: none

RUNNING BACKS

1. Chris Johnson, Titans vs. Bills
2. Adrian Peterson, Vikings vs. Lions
3. Ray Rice, Ravens at Browns
4. Michael Turner, Falcons at Panthers
5. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars at Jets
6. DeAngelo Williams, Panthers vs. Falcons — INJ, UP (he'll start)
7. Frank Gore, 49ers vs. Bears
8. Thomas Jones, Jets vs. Jaguars
9. Cedric Benson, Bengals at Steelers
10. Ronnie Brown, Dolphins vs. Buccaneers
11. Steven Jackson, Rams vs. Saints
12. Pierre Thomas, Saints at Rams
13. Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers vs. Bengals
14. Joseph Addai, Colts vs. Patriots
15. Matt Forté, Bears at 49ers
16. Brian Westbrook, Eagles at Chargers — UP
17. Knowshon Moreno, Broncos at Redskins
18. Ricky Williams, Dolphins vs. Buccaneers
19. Ryan Grant, Packers vs. Cowboys
20. Marion Barber, Cowboys at Packers
21. Julius Jones, Seahawks at Cardinals
22. Laurence Maroney, Patriots at Colts
23. LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers vs. Eagles 
24. Tim Hightower, Cardinals vs. Seahawks
25. Reggie Bush, Saints at Rams
26. Jamaal Charles, Chiefs at Raiders
27. Jonathan Stewart, Panthers vs. Falcons — INJ, UP (he's active)
28. Beanie Wells, Cardinals vs. Seahawks
29. Mike Bell, Saints at Rams
30. LeSean McCoy, Eagles at Chargers — DOWN
31. Kevin Smith, Lions at Vikings
32. Felix Jones, Cowboys at Packers
33. Marshawn Lynch, Bills at Titans
34. Ladell Betts, Redskins vs. Broncos — INJ, UP (he'll start)
35. Chester Taylor, Vikings vs. Lions
36. Cadillac Williams, Buccaneers at Dolphins
37. Donald Brown, Colts vs. Patriots — UP
38. Darren Sproles, Chargers vs. Eagles
39. Justin Fargas, Raiders vs. Chiefs
40. Willis McGahee, Ravens at Browns
41. Kolby Smith, Chiefs at Raiders
42. Darren McFadden, Raiders vs. Chiefs
43. Derrick Ward, Buccaneers at Dolphins — UP
44. Jamal Lewis, Browns vs. Ravens
45. Tashard Choice, Cowboys at Packers
46. Justin Forsett, Seahawks at Cardinals
47. Shonn Greene, Jets vs. Jaguars
48. Fred Jackson, Bills at Titans
49. LenDale White, Titans vs. Bills 
50. Correll Buckhalter, Broncos at Redskins
51. Willie Parker, Steelers vs. Bengals
52. Kevin Faulk, Patriots at Colts
53. Michael Bush, Raiders vs. Chiefs
54. Jerome Harrison, Browns vs. Ravens
55. Rock Cartwright, Redskins vs. Broncos
56. Maurice Morris, Lions at Vikings

Not listed: Clinton Portis, Redskins; Fred Taylor, Patriots; Sammy Morris, Patriots

WIDE RECEIVERS

1. Randy Moss, Patriots at Colts
2. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals vs. Seahawks
3. Reggie Wayne, Colts vs. Patriots
4. Marques Colston, Saints at Rams
5. Vincent Jackson, Chargers vs. Eagles
6. Miles Austin, Cowboys at Packers
7. Wes Welker, Patriots at Colts
8. Sidney Rice, Vikings vs. Lions
9. DeSean Jackson, Eagles at Chargers
10. Roddy White, Falcons at Panthers — INJ, UP (he'll start)
11. Hines Ward, Steelers vs. Bengals
12. Chad Ochocinco, Bengals at Steelers
13. Steve Smith, Panthers vs. Falcons
14. Derrick Mason, Ravens at Browns
15. Brandon Marshall, Broncos at Redskins — UP
16. Devin Hester, Bears at 49er
17. Percy Harvin, Vikings vs. Lions
18. Donald Driver, Packers vs. Cowboys
19. Greg Jennings, Packers vs. Cowboys
20. Anquan Boldin, Cardinals vs. Seahawks
21. Calvin Johnson, Lions at Vikings
22. Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs at Raiders
23. Terrell Owens, Bills at Titans — INJ, UP (he'll start)
24. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Seahawks at Cardinals
25. Nate Burleson, Seahawks at Cardinals
26. Bernard Berrian, Vikings vs. Lions — INJ, UP (he's active)
27. Lee Evans, Bills at Titans
28. Austin Collie, Colts vs. Patriots
29. Mike Sims-Walker, Jaguars at Jets
30. Mike Wallace, Steelers vs. Bengals
31. Santonio Holmes, Steelers vs. Bengals
32. Jeremy Maclin, Eagles at Chargers
33. Steve Breaston, Cardinals vs. Seahawks
34. Michael Crabtree, 49ers vs. Bears
35. Braylon Edwards, Jets vs. Jaguars
36. Patrick Crayton, Cowboys at Packers
37. Pierre Garcon, Colts vs. Patriots
38. Johnny Knox, Bears at 49ers
39. Roy Williams, Cowboys at Packers
40. Robert Meachem, Saints at Rams
41. Devery Henderson, Saints at Rams
42. Jerricho Cotchery, Jets vs. Jaguars
43. Laveranues Coles, Bengals at Steelers
44. Torry Holt, Jaguars at Jets
45. Nate Washington, Titans vs. Bills — UP
46. Santana Moss, Redskins vs. Broncos
47. Earl Bennett, Bears at 49ers
48. James Jones, Packers vs. Cowboys
49. Malcom Floyd, Chargers vs. Eagles
50. Donnie Avery, Rams vs. Saints
51. Mark Clayton, Ravens at Browns
52. Kelley Washington, Ravens at Browns
53. Bryant Johnson, Lions at Vikings
54. Eddie Royal, Broncos at Redskins
55. Andre Caldwell, Bengals at Steelers
56. Kenny Britt, Titans vs. Bills — UP
57. Michael Jenkins, Falcons at Panthers — ILL (he'll start)
    
58. Louis Murphy, Raiders vs. Chiefs
59. Chris Chambers, Chiefs at Raiders — UP
60. Josh Morgan, 49ers vs. Bears
61. Sammie Stroughter, Buccaneers at Dolphins
62. Jason Hill, 49ers vs. Bears
63. Jason Avant, Eagles at Chargers
64. Mohamed Massaquoi, Browns vs. Ravens
65. Keenan Burton, Rams vs. Saints
66. Davone Bess, Dolphins vs. Buccaneers
67. Chaz Schilens, Raiders vs. Chiefs
68. Jabar Gaffney, Broncos at Redskins
69. Greg Camarillo, Dolphins vs. Buccaneers
70. Antwaan Randle El, Redskins vs. Broncos
71. Lance Long, Chiefs at Raiders
72. Muhsin Muhammad, Panthers vs. Falcons — INJ, DOWN
73. Isaac Bruce, 49ers vs. Bears — INJ, DOWN

Not listed: Anthony Gonzalez, Colts; Chris Henry, Bengals; Justin Gage, Titans; Lance Moore, Saints; Antonio Bryant, Buccaneers

TIGHT ENDS

1. Dallas Clark, Colts vs. Patriots
2. Vernon Davis, 49ers vs. Bears
3. Antonio Gates, Chargers vs. Eagles — UP
4. Tony Gonzalez, Falcons at Panthers
5. Visanthe Shiancoe, Vikings vs. Lions
6. Jason Witten, Cowboys at Packers
7. Brent Celek, Eagles at Chargers
8. Heath Miller, Steelers vs. Bengals
9. Greg Olsen, Bears at 49ers
10. Jeremy Shockey, Saints at Rams
11. Zach Miller, Raiders vs. Chiefs
12. John Carlson, Seahawks at Cardinals
13. Kellen Winslow, Buccaneers at Dolphins
14. Ben Watson, Patriots at Colts
15. Todd Heap, Ravens at Browns
16. Dustin Keller, Jets vs. Jaguars
17. Brandon Pettigrew, Lions at Vikings
18. Marcedes Lewis, Jaguars at Jets
19. Tony Scheffler, Broncos at Redskins
20. Bo Scaife, Titans vs. Bills
21. Fred Davis, Redskins vs. Broncos
22. Donald Lee, Packers vs. Cowboys — UP
23. Randy McMichael, Rams vs. Saints
24. Anthony Fasano, Dolphins vs. Buccaneers — INJ, DOWN (INACTIVE)
    
25. Alge Crumpler, Titans vs. Bills

Not listed: Chris Cooley, Redskins; Jermichael Finley, Packers

KICKERS

1. Ryan Longwell, Vikings vs. Lions
2. John Carney, Saints at Rams
3. Dan Carpenter, Dolphins vs. Buccaneers
4. Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots at Colts
5. Nick Folk, Cowboys at Packers
6. Sebastian Janikowski, Raiders vs. Chiefs
7. Nate Kaeding, Chargers vs. Eagles
8. David Akers, Eagles at Chargers
9. Mason Crosby, Packers vs. Cowboys
10. Matt Stover, Colts vs. Patriots
11. Joe Nedney, 49ers vs. Bears
12. Matt Prater, Broncos at Redskins
13. Jay Feely, Jets vs. Jaguars
14. Rob Bironas, Titans vs. Bills
15. Neil Rackers, Cardinals vs. Seahawks
16. Olindo Mare, Seahawks at Cardinals
17. Ryan Succop, Chiefs at Raiders
18. Jason Elam, Falcons at Panthers
19. John Kasay, Panthers vs. Falcons
20. Rian Lindell, Bills at Titans
21. Robbie Gould, Bears at 49ers
22. Jeff Reed, Steelers vs. Bengals
23. Shaun Suisham, Redskins vs. Broncos
24. Shayne Graham, Bengals at Steelers
25. Jason Hanson, Lions at Vikings
26. Josh Scobee, Jaguars at Jets
27. Josh Brown, Rams vs. Saints
28. Connor Barth, Buccaneers at Dolphins

Not listed: Adam Vinatieri, Colts

DEFENSES

1. New Orleans Saints at Rams
2. Baltimore Ravens at Browns
3. Minnesota Vikings vs. Lions
4. Denver Broncos at Redskins
5. Miami Dolphins vs. Buccaneers
6. New York Jets vs. Jaguars
7. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Bengals
8. Oakland Raiders vs. Chiefs
9. San Francisco 49ers vs. Bears
10. Atlanta Falcons at Panthers
11. Dallas Cowboys at Packers
12. Philadelphia Eagles at Chargers
13. San Diego Chargers vs. Eagles
14. Carolina Panthers vs. Falcons
15. Cincinnati Bengals at Steelers
16. Kansas City Chiefs at Raiders
17. Arizona Cardinals vs. Seahawks
18. New England Patriots at Colts
19. Tennessee Titans vs. Bills
20. Washington Redskins vs. Broncos
21. Jacksonville Jaguars at Jets
22. Seattle Seahawks at Cardinals
23. Indianapolis Colts vs. Patriots
24. Green Bay Packers vs. Cowboys
25. Chicago Bears at 49ers
26. Buffalo Bills at Titans
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dolphins
28. Cleveland Browns vs. Ravens
29. Detroit Lions at Vikings
30. St. Louis Rams vs. Saints

In addition to the above player rankings, each week during the season Pat Fitzmaurice will post "Fitz's Five," "Ten most intriguing players" of the week, and "The 60-second rant" — all in the Fantasy section.