Updated Dec. 6, 2009 @ 12:34 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 vs. Titans
2. Matt Schaub, Texans at Jaguars
3. Drew Brees, Saints at Redskins
4. Brett Favre, Vikings at Cardinals
5. Carson Palmer, Bengals vs. Lions
6. Aaron Rodgers, Packers vs. Ravens
7. Tom Brady, Patriots at Dolphins
8. Philip Rivers, Chargers at Browns
9. Donovan McNabb, Eagles at Falcons
10. Tony Romo, Cowboys at Giants
11. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers vs. Raiders — he'll start
12. Jay Cutler, Bears vs. Rams
13. Eli Manning, Giants vs. Cowboys
14. Vince Young, Titans at Colts
15. Kurt Warner, Cardinals vs. Vikings — INJ, UP
16. Alex Smith, 49ers at Seahawks
17. Kyle Orton, Broncos at Chiefs
18. Joe Flacco, Ravens at Packers
19. Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks vs. 49ers
20. Matt Cassel, Chiefs vs. Broncos
21. David Garrard, Jaguars vs. Texans
22. Matt Leinart, Cardinals vs. Vikings
23. Jason Campbell, Redskins vs. Saints
24. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bills vs. Jets
25. Matthew Stafford, Lions at Bengals
26. Josh Freeman, Buccaneers at Panthers
27. Chris Redman, Falcons vs. Eagles
28. Matt Moore, Panthers vs. Buccaneers
29. Kyle Boller, Rams at Bears
30. Mark Sanchez, Jets at Bills
31. Chad Henne, Dolphins vs. Patriots
32. Brady Quinn, Browns vs. Chargers
33. Bruce Gradkowski, Raiders at Steelers

Not listed: Marc Bulger, Rams; Matt Ryan, Falcons; Jake Delhomme, Panthers

RUNNING BACKS

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

Not listed: Ladell Betts, Redskins; Brian Westbrook, Eagles; Clinton Portis, Redskins; Jamal Lewis, Browns; Donald Brown, Colts; Fred Taylor, Patriots

WIDE RECEIVERS

1. Andre Johnson, Texans at Jaguars
2. Reggie Wayne, Colts vs. Titans
3. Chad Ochocinco, Bengals vs. Lions
4. Randy Moss, Patriots at Dolphins
5. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals vs. Vikings
6. Vincent Jackson, Chargers at Browns
7. Mike Sims-Walker, Jaguars vs. Texans
8. Wes Welker, Patriots at Dolphins
9. Brandon Marshall, Broncos at Chiefs
10. Marques Colston, Saints at Redskins
11. Sidney, Rice, Vikings at Cardinals
12. Hines Ward, Steelers vs. Raiders
13. Roddy White, Falcons vs. Eagles — INJ, UP (he'll start)
14. Calvin Johnson, Lions at Bengals
15. Donald Driver, Packers vs. Ravens
16. Steve Smith, Panthers vs. Buccaneers
17. Miles Austin, Cowboys at Giants
18. Greg Jennings, Packers vs. Ravens
19. Derrick Mason, Ravens at Packers
20. Devin Hester, Bears vs. Rams
21. Pierre Garcon, Colts vs. Titans
22. Terrell Owens, Bills vs. Jets
23. Percy Harvin, Vikings at Cardinals
24. Jeremy Maclin, Eagles at Falcons
25. Jason Avant, Eagles at Falcons
26. Santonio Holmes, Steelers vs. Raiders
27. Robert Meachem, Saints at Redskins
28. Mario Manningham, Giants vs. Cowboys
29. Steve Smith, Giants vs. Cowboys
30. Hakeem Nicks, Giants vs. Cowboys
31. Anquan Boldin, Cardinals vs. Vikings
32. Austin Collie, Colts vs. Titans
33. Donnie Avery, Rams at Bears
34. Kevin Walter, Jaguars at Texans
35. Chris Chambers, Chiefs vs. Broncos
36. Bernard Berrian, Vikings at Cardinals
37. Laveranues Coles, Bengals vs. Lions — UP
38. Devery Henderson, Saints at Redskins
39. Kenny Britt, Titans at Colts
40. Antonio Bryant, Buccaneers at Panthers
41. Lee Evans, Bills vs. Jets
42. Andre Caldwell, Bengals vs. Lions
43. Michael Crabtree, 49ers at Seahawks
44. Steve Breaston, Cardinals vs. Vikings
45. Mike Wallace, Steelers vs. Raiders
46. Jerricho Cotchery, Jets at Bills
47. Braylon Edwards, Jets at Bills
48. Johnny Knox, Bears vs. Rams
49. Santana Moss, Redskins vs. Saints
50. Patrick Crayton, Cowboys at Giants
51. Roy Williams, Cowboys at Giants
52. Malcom Floyd, Chargers at Browns
53. Nate Washington, Titans at Colts
54. Mark Clayton, Ravens at Packers
55. Josh Morgan, 49ers at Seahawks
56. Torry Holt, Jaguars vs. Texans
57. Eddie Royal, Broncos at Chiefs — UP
58. Earl Bennett, Bears vs. Rams
59. Brandon Gibson, Rams at Bears
60. Kelley Washington, Ravens at Packers
61. Jabar Gaffney, Broncos at Chiefs
62. Jacoby Jones, Texans at Jaguars
63. Sammie Stroughter, Buccaneers at Panthers
64. Mohamed Massaquoi, Browns vs. Chargers
65. Bobby Wade, Chiefs vs. Broncos
66. Davone Bess, Dolphins vs. Patriots
67. Bryant Johnson, Lions at Bengals
68. Muhsin Muhammad, Panthers vs. Buccaneers
69. Chaz Schilens, Raiders at Steelers
70. Antwaan Randle El, Redskins vs. Saints
71. Justin Gage, Titans at Colts — INJ (INACTIVE)
72. Michael Jenkins, Falcons vs. Eagles — INJ, DOWN (INACTIVE)

Not listed: Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs; Anthony Gonzalez, Colts; DeSean Jackson, Eagles; Lance Moore, Saints

TIGHT ENDS

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

Not listed: Chris Cooley, Redskins; Brandon Pettigrew, Lions

KICKERS

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

Not listed: Adam Vinatieri, Colts; John Carney, Saints

DEFENSES

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

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.

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