Updated Nov. 22, 2009 @ 12:27 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: none

QUARTERBACKS

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

Not listed: none

RUNNING BACKS

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

Not listed: Brian Westbrook, Eagles; Ronnie Brown, Dolphins; Julius Jones, Seahawks; Clinton Portis, Redskins; Reggie Bush, Saints; Fred Taylor, Patriots

WIDE RECEIVERS

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

Not listed: Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs; Keenan Burton, Rams; Anthony Gonzalez, Colts; Lance Moore, Saints

TIGHT ENDS

1. Dallas Clark, Colts at Ravens
2. Kellen Winslow, Buccaneers vs. Saints
3. Antonio Gates, Chargers at Broncos
4. Heath Miller, Steelers at Chiefs
5. Brent Celek, Eagles at Bears
6. Tony Gonzalez, Falcons at Giants
7. Vernon Davis, 49ers at Packers
8. Jeremy Shockey, Saints at Buccaneers
9. Greg Olsen, Bears vs. Eagles
10. Jason Witten, Cowboys vs. Redskins
11. Visanthe Shiancoe, Vikings vs. Seahawks
12. John Carlson, Seahawks at Vikings
13. Zach Miller, Raiders vs. Bengals
14. Ben Watson, Patriots vs. Jets
15. Todd Heap, Ravens vs. Colts — INJ, UP (he'll start)
16. Jermichael Finley, Packers vs. 49ers — UP
17. Dustin Keller, Jets at Patriots
18. Kevin Boss, Giants vs. Falcons
19. Marcedes Lewis, Jaguars vs. Bills
20. Fred Davis, Redskins at Cowboys
21. Brandon Pettigrew, Lions vs. Browns
22. Spencer Havner, Packers vs. 49ers — DOWN
23. Will Heller, Lions vs. Browns
24. Joey Haynos, Dolphins at Panthers
25. Jeff King, Panthers vs. Dolphins
26. Dante Rosario, Panthers vs. Dolphins
27. Randy McMichael, Rams vs. Cardinals
28. Bo Scaife, Titans at Texans
29. Sean Ryan, Chiefs vs. Steelers

Not listed: Chris Cooley, Redskins; Anthony Fasano, Dolphins

KICKERS

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

Not listed: Adam Vinatieri, Colts

DEFENSES

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