Posted Nov. 24, 2009 @ 10:56 a.m.
Updated Nov. 29, 2009 @ 3:30 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
- Aaron Rodgers, Packers at Lions
- Peyton Manning, Colts at Texans
- Drew Brees, Saints vs. Patriots
- Tom Brady, Patriots at Saints
- Brett Favre, Vikings vs. Bears
- Philip Rivers, Chargers vs. Chiefs
- Matt Schaub, Texans vs. Colts
- Carson Palmer, Bengals vs. Browns
- Eli Manning, Giants vs. Broncos
- Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks at Rams
- Matt Ryan, Falcons vs. Buccaneers
- Kurt Warner, Cardinals at Titans — INJ, DOWN (INACTIVE)
- Jay Cutler, Bears at Vikings
- Donovan McNabb, Eagles vs. Redskins
- Tony Romo, Cowboys vs. Raiders
- Alex Smith, 49ers vs. Jaguars
- David Garrard, Jaguars at 49ers
- Vince Young, Titans vs. Cardinals
- Joe Flacco, Ravens vs. Steelers
- Jason Campbell, Redskins at Eagles
- Kyle Orton, Broncos at Giants — INJ
- Matt Leinart, Cardinals at Titans — (he'll start in place of Warner)
- Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bills vs. Dolphins
- Matt Cassel, Chiefs at Chargers
- Jake Delhomme, Panthers at Jets
- Chad Henne, Dolphins at Bills
- Matthew Stafford, Lions vs. Packers — INJ, UP (he'll start)
- Brady Quinn, Browns at Bengals
- Bruce Gradkowski, Raiders at Cowboys
- Josh Freeman, Buccaneers at Falcons
- Mark Sanchez, Jets vs. Panthers
- Daunte Culpepper, Lions vs. Packers
- Kyle Boller, Rams vs. Seahawks
- Dennis Dixon, Steelers at Ravens — he'll start in place of Roethlisberger
Not listed: Marc Bulger, Rams; Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
RUNNING BACKS
- Chris Johnson, Titans vs. Cardinals
- Adrian Peterson, Vikings vs. Bears — INJ/ILL, DOWN (he will start)
- Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars at 49ers — INJ
- Ricky Williams, Dolphins at Bills
- Frank Gore, 49ers vs. Jaguars
- Cedric Benson, Bengals vs. Browns — INJ (INACTIVE)
- DeAngelo Williams, Panthers at Jets
- Ryan Grant, Packers at Lions
- Bernard Scott, Bengals vs. Browns — UP (he'll start in place of Benson)
- Joseph Addai, Colts at Texans
- Thomas Jones, Jets vs. Panthers
- Marion Barber, Cowboys vs. Raiders
- Steven Jackson, Rams vs. Seahawks — INJ (he'll start)
- Ray Rice, Ravens vs. Steelers
- Kevin Smith, Lions vs. Packers
- LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers vs. Chiefs
- Michael Turner, Falcons vs. Buccaneers — INJ, UP (he's active)
- Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers at Ravens
- Steve Slaton, Texans vs. Colts — INJ
- Laurence Maroney, Patriots at Saints
- LeSean McCoy, Eagles vs. Redskins
- Justin Forsett, Seahawks at Rams — UP (he'll start in place of Jones)
- Tim Hightower, Cardinals at Titans
- Knowshon Moreno, Broncos at Giants
- Matt Forté, Bears at Vikings
- Brandon Jacobs, Giants vs. Broncos
- Pierre Thomas, Saints vs. Patriots
- Fred Jackson, Bills vs. Dolphins
- Jonathan Stewart, Panthers at Jets — INJ (he's active)
- Felix Jones, Cowboys vs. Raiders
- Beanie Wells, Cardinals at Titans
- Jamaal Charles, Chiefs at Chargers
- Cadillac Williams, Buccaneers at Falcons
- Julius Jones, Seahawks at Rams — INJ (INACTIVE)
- Marshawn Lynch, Bills vs. Dolphins — UP
- Mike Bell, Saints vs. Patriots
- Donald Brown, Colts at Texans
- Darren Sproles, Chargers vs. Chiefs
- Chester Taylor, Vikings vs. Bears
- Darren McFadden, Raiders at Cowboys
- Reggie Bush, Saints vs. Patriots — INJ
- Michael Bush, Raiders at Cowboys
- Rock Cartwright, Redskins at Eagles — (he'll start in place of Portis)
- Justin Fargas, Raiders at Cowboys
- Kevin Faulk, Patriots at Saints
- Jamal Lewis, Browns at Bengals
- Larry Johnson, Bengals vs. Browns
- Derrick Ward, Buccaneers at Falcons
- Jason Snelling, Falcons vs. Buccaneers — DOWN
- Correll Buckhalter, Broncos at Giants
- Shonn Greene, Jets vs. Panthers
- Chris Brown, Texans vs. Colts
- LenDale White, Titans vs. Cardinals — INACTIVE
- Willie Parker, Steelers at Ravens
- Tashard Choice, Cowboys vs. Raiders
- Leonard Weaver, Eagles vs. Redskins
- Jerious Norwood, Falcons vs. Buccaneers — UP (he's active)
- Lex Hilliard, Dolphins at Bills
- Willis McGahee, Ravens vs. Steelers
- Marcus Mason, Redskins at Eagles
- Ryan Moats, Texans vs. Colts
- Chris Jennings, Browns at Bengals
- Kahlil Bell, Bears at Vikings
- Sammy Morris, Patriots at Saints — INJ
Not listed: Ladell Betts, Redskins; Brian Westbrook, Eagles; Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants; Clinton Portis, Redskins; Fred Taylor, Patriots
WIDE RECEIVERS
- Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals at Titans
- Reggie Wayne, Colts at Texans — INJ
- Andre Johnson, Texans vs. Colts
- Randy Moss, Patriots at Saints
- Vincent Jackson, Chargers vs. Chiefs — INJ
- Greg Jennings, Packers at Lions
- Roddy White, Falcons vs. Buccaneers
- Chad Ochocinco, Bengals vs. Browns
- Donald Driver, Packers at Lions
- Marques Colston, Saints vs. Patriots
- Mike Sims-Walker, Jaguars at 49ers — INJ
- Wes Welker, Patriots at Saints
- Sidney Rice, Vikings vs. Bears
- Anquan Boldin, Cardinals at Titans
- Miles Austin, Cowboys vs. Raiders
- Terrell Owens, Bills vs. Dolphins
- DeSean Jackson, Eagles vs. Redskins
- Hines Ward, Steelers at Ravens
- Brandon Marshall, Broncos at Giants
- Derrick Mason, Ravens vs. Steelers
- Mario Manningham, Giants vs. Broncos
- Calvin Johnson, Lions vs. Packers — INJ, UP (he'll play)
- Steve Smith, Panthers at Jets — INJ (he'll start)
- Michael Crabtree, 49ers vs. Jaguars
- Steve Smith, Giants vs. Broncos
- Devin Hester, Bears at Vikings
- Robert Meachem, Saints vs. Patriots
- Hakeem Nicks, Giants vs. Broncos
- T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Seahawks at Rams
- Steve Breaston, Cardinals at Titans
- Pierre Garcon, Colts at Texans
- Percy Harvin, Vikings vs. Bears
- Nate Burleson, Seahawks at Rams
- Lee Evans, Bills vs. Dolphins
- Mike Wallace, Steelers at Ravens
- Santonio Holmes, Steelers at Ravens
- Chris Chambers, Chiefs at Chargers
- Laveranues Coles, Bengals vs. Browns — INJ (he'll start)
- Patrick Crayton, Cowboys vs. Raiders
- Jeremy Maclin, Eagles vs. Redskins
- Bernard Berrian, Vikings vs. Bears
- Roy Williams, Cowboys vs. Raiders
- Austin Collie, Colts at Texans
- Devery Henderson, Saints vs. Patriots
- Kevin Walter, Texans vs. Colts
- Santana Moss, Redskins at Eagles
- Jerricho Cotchery, Jets vs. Panthers
- Jordy Nelson, Packers at Lions
- James Jones, Packers at Lions
- Kenny Britt, Titans vs. Cardinals
- Antonio Bryant, Buccaneers at Falcons
- Braylon Edwards, Jets vs. Panthers
- Andre Caldwell, Bengals vs. Browns
- Donnie Avery, Rams vs. Seahawks
- Torry Holt, Jaguars at 49ers
- Nate Washington, Titans vs. Cardinals
- Jason Avant, Eagles vs. Redskins
- Davone Bess, Dolphins at Bills
- Josh Morgan, 49ers vs. Jaguars
- Mohamed Massaquoi, Browns at Bengals
- Malcom Floyd, Chargers vs. Chiefs
- Earl Bennett, Bears at Vikings
- Michael Jenkins, Falcons vs. Buccaneers
- Eddie Royal, Broncos at Giants
- Mark Clayton, Ravens vs. Steelers
- Johnny Knox, Bears at Vikings
- Bryant Johnson, Lions vs. Packers
- Chaz Schilens, Raiders at Cowboys
- Louis Murphy, Raiders at Cowboys
- Sammie Stroughter, Buccaneers at Falcons
- Kelley Washington, Ravens vs. Steelers
- Muhsin Muhammad, Panthers at Jets
- Lance Long, Chiefs at Chargers
- Chansi Stuckey, Browns at Bengals
- Antwaan Randle El, Redskins at Eagles
- Justin Gage, Titans vs. Cardinals — INJ (INACTIVE)
Not listed: Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs; Anthony Gonzalez, Colts
TIGHT ENDS
- Dallas Clark, Colts at Texans
- Antonio Gates, Chargers vs. Chiefs
- Vernon Davis, 49ers vs. Jaguars
- Tony Gonzalez, Falcons vs. Buccaneers
- Greg Olsen, Bears at Vikings
- Kellen Winslow, Buccaneers at Falcons
- Visanthe Shiancoe, Vikings vs. Bears
- Heath Miller, Steelers at Ravens
- Brent Celek, Eagles vs. Redskins
- Jason Witten, Cowboys vs. Raiders — INJ (he will start)
- Zach Miller, Raiders at Cowboys
- John Carlson, Seahawks at Rams
- Jeremy Shockey, Saints vs. Patriots
- Kevin Boss, Giants vs. Broncos
- Jermichael Finley, Packers at Lions
- Marcedes Lewis, Jaguars at 49ers
- Dustin Keller, Jets vs. Panthers
- Brandon Pettigrew, Lions vs. Packers
- Ben Watson, Patriots at Saints
- Todd Heap, Ravens vs. Steelers
- Tony Scheffler, Broncos at Giants
- David Thomas, Saints vs. Patriots
- Tom Santi, Colts at Texans
- Fred Davis, Redskins at Eagles
- Joey Haynos, Dolphins at Bills
- Bo Scaife, Titans vs. Cardinals
- Dante Rosario, Panthers at Jets
- Randy McMichael, Rams vs. Seahawks
- Anthony Fasano, Dolphins at Bills — INJ
Not listed: Chris Cooley, Redskins
KICKERS
- Nate Kaeding, Chargers vs. Chiefs
- Ryan Longwell, Vikings vs. Bears
- Mason Crosby, Packers at Lions
- Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots at Saints
- David Akers, Eagles vs. Redskins
- John Carney, Saints vs. Patriots
- Lawrence Tynes, Giants vs. Broncos
- Olindo Mare, Seahawks at Rams
- Matt Stover, Colts at Texans
- Shayne Graham, Bengals vs. Browns
- Rob Bironas, Titans vs. Cardinals
- Dan Carpenter, Dolphins at Bills
- Jason Elam, Falcons vs. Buccaneers
- Rian Lindell, Bills vs. Dolphins
- Nick Folk, Cowboys vs. Raiders
- Joe Nedney, 49ers vs. Jaguars
- Jay Feely, Jets vs. Panthers
- Josh Scobee, Jaguars at 49ers
- Neil Rackers, Cardinals at Titans
- Kris Brown, Texans vs. Colts
- Robbie Gould, Bears at Vikings
- Matt Prater, Broncos at Giants
- Jason Hanson, Lions vs. Packers
- Ryan Succop, Chiefs at Chargers
- Jeff Reed, Steelers at Ravens
- Sebastian Janikowski, Raiders at Cowboys
- Billy Cundiff, Ravens vs. Steelers
- Shaun Suisham, Redskins at Eagles
- John Kasay, Panthers at Jets
- Phil Dawson, Browns at Bengals
- Josh Brown, Rams vs. Seahawks
- Connor Barth, Buccaneers at Falcons
Not listed: Adam Vinatieri, Colts
DEFENSES
- Dallas Cowboys vs. Raiders
- Cincinnati Bengals vs. Browns
- Green Bay Packers at Lions
- Philadelphia Eagles vs. Redskins
- San Diego Chargers vs. Chiefs
- Atlanta Falcons vs. Buccaneers
- Baltimore Ravens vs. Steelers
- Pittsburgh Steelers at Ravens
- Seattle Seahawks at Rams
- Minnesota Vikings vs. Bears
- New York Jets vs. Panthers
- New York Giants vs. Broncos
- Miami Dolphins at Bills
- Carolina Panthers at Jets
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Jaguars
- Jacksonville Jaguars at 49ers
- Washington Redskins at Eagles
- Indianapolis Colts at Texans
- Arizona Cardinals at Titans
- Tennessee Titans vs. Cardinals
- Denver Broncos at Giants
- Buffalo Bills vs. Dolphins
- New England Patriots at Saints
- New Orleans Saints vs. Patriots
- Oakland Raiders at Cowboys
- Houston Texans vs. Colts
- St. Louis Rams vs. Seahawks
- Kansas City Chiefs at Chargers
- Chicago Bears at Vikings
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Falcons
- Cleveland Browns at Bengals
- Detroit Lions vs. Packers
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.