Posted Dec. 01, 2009 @ 8:39 p.m.
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
- Peyton Manning, Colts vs. Titans
- Matt Schaub, Texans at Jaguars
- Drew Brees, Saints at Redskins
- Brett Favre, Vikings at Cardinals
- Carson Palmer, Bengals vs. Lions
- Aaron Rodgers, Packers vs. Ravens
- Tom Brady, Patriots at Dolphins
- Philip Rivers, Chargers at Browns
- Donovan McNabb, Eagles at Falcons
- Tony Romo, Cowboys at Giants
- Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers vs. Raiders — he'll start
- Jay Cutler, Bears vs. Rams
- Eli Manning, Giants vs. Cowboys
- Vince Young, Titans at Colts
- Kurt Warner, Cardinals vs. Vikings — INJ, UP
- Alex Smith, 49ers at Seahawks
- Kyle Orton, Broncos at Chiefs
- Joe Flacco, Ravens at Packers
- Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks vs. 49ers
- Matt Cassel, Chiefs vs. Broncos
- David Garrard, Jaguars vs. Texans
- Matt Leinart, Cardinals vs. Vikings
- Jason Campbell, Redskins vs. Saints
- Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bills vs. Jets
- Matthew Stafford, Lions at Bengals
- Josh Freeman, Buccaneers at Panthers
- Chris Redman, Falcons vs. Eagles
- Matt Moore, Panthers vs. Buccaneers
- Kyle Boller, Rams at Bears
- Mark Sanchez, Jets at Bills
- Chad Henne, Dolphins vs. Patriots
- Brady Quinn, Browns vs. Chargers
- Bruce Gradkowski, Raiders at Steelers
Not listed: Marc Bulger, Rams; Matt Ryan, Falcons; Jake Delhomme, Panthers
RUNNING BACKS
- Chris Johnson, Titans at Colts
- Adrian Peterson, Vikings at Cardinals
- Thomas Jones, Jets at Bills
- Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars vs. Texans — DOWN
- Frank Gore, 49ers at Seahawks
- LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers at Browns
- Ricky Williams, Dolphins vs. Patriots
- Ray Rice, Ravens at Packers
- Jonathan Stewart, Panthers vs. Buccaneers — UP
- Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers vs. Raiders
- DeAngelo Williams, Panthers vs. Buccaneers — INJ, DOWN (INACTIVE)
- Cedric Benson, Bengals vs. Lions — (he'll start)
- Joseph Addai, Colts vs. Titans
- LeSean McCoy, Eagles at Falcons
- Knowshon Moreno, Broncos at Chiefs
- Steven Jackson, Rams at Bears — INJ, UP (he'll start)
- Marion Barber, Cowboys at Giants
- Pierre Thomas, Saints at Redskins — DOWN
- Laurence Maroney, Patriots at Dolphins
- Matt Forté, Bears vs. Rams
- Jamaal Charles, Chiefs vs. Broncos
- Ryan Grant, Packers vs. Ravens
- Brandon Jacobs, Giants vs. Cowboys — UP
- Chris Brown, Texans at Jaguars — UP (he'll start)
- Cadillac Williams, Buccaneers at Panthers
- Fred Jackson, Bills vs. Jets
- Kevin Smith, Lions at Bengals
- Darren Sproles, Chargers at Browns
- Shonn Greene, Jets at Bills
- Felix Jones, Cowboys at Giants
- Mike Bell, Saints at Redskins
- Reggie Bush, Saints at Redskins — INJ, UP (he's active)
- Jason Snelling, Falcons vs. Eagles — UP (he'll start in place of Turner)
- Jerious Norwood, Falcons vs. Eagles
- Julius Jones, Seahawks vs. 49ers
- Larry Johnson, Bengals vs. Lions — UP
- Tim Hightower, Cardinals vs. Vikings — INJ, DOWN
- Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants vs. Cowboys — INJ, UP
- Chester Taylor, Vikings at Cardinals — INJ, DOWN
- Justin Forsett, Seahawks vs. 49ers — INJ, DOWN
- Derrick Ward, Buccaneers at Panthers
- Rock Cartwright, Redskins vs. Saints
- Kevin Faulk, Patriots at Dolphins
- Willis McGahee, Ravens at Packers
- Chris Jennings, Browns vs. Chargers
- Darren McFadden, Raiders at Steelers
- Tashard Choice, Cowboys at Giants
- Marshawn Lynch, Bills vs. Jets
- Beanie Wells, Cardinals vs. Vikings
- Justin Fargas, Raiders at Steelers — UP
- Willie Parker, Steelers vs. Raiders
- Jerome Harrison, Browns vs. Chargers — DOWN
- Samkon Gado, Rams at Bears
- Sammy Morris, Patriots at Dolphins — INJ, UP
- Leonard Weaver, Eagles at Falcons
- Michael Bush, Raiders at Steelers
- Michael Turner, Falcons vs. Eagles — INJ (INACTIVE)
- Steve Slaton, Texans at Jaguars — INJ, DOWN (INACTIVE)
- 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
- Andre Johnson, Texans at Jaguars
- Reggie Wayne, Colts vs. Titans
- Chad Ochocinco, Bengals vs. Lions
- Randy Moss, Patriots at Dolphins
- Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals vs. Vikings
- Vincent Jackson, Chargers at Browns
- Mike Sims-Walker, Jaguars vs. Texans
- Wes Welker, Patriots at Dolphins
- Brandon Marshall, Broncos at Chiefs
- Marques Colston, Saints at Redskins
- Sidney, Rice, Vikings at Cardinals
- Hines Ward, Steelers vs. Raiders
- Roddy White, Falcons vs. Eagles — INJ, UP (he'll start)
- Calvin Johnson, Lions at Bengals
- Donald Driver, Packers vs. Ravens
- Steve Smith, Panthers vs. Buccaneers
- Miles Austin, Cowboys at Giants
- Greg Jennings, Packers vs. Ravens
- Derrick Mason, Ravens at Packers
- Devin Hester, Bears vs. Rams
- Pierre Garcon, Colts vs. Titans
- Terrell Owens, Bills vs. Jets
- Percy Harvin, Vikings at Cardinals
- Jeremy Maclin, Eagles at Falcons
- Jason Avant, Eagles at Falcons
- Santonio Holmes, Steelers vs. Raiders
- Robert Meachem, Saints at Redskins
- Mario Manningham, Giants vs. Cowboys
- Steve Smith, Giants vs. Cowboys
- Hakeem Nicks, Giants vs. Cowboys
- Anquan Boldin, Cardinals vs. Vikings
- Austin Collie, Colts vs. Titans
- Donnie Avery, Rams at Bears
- Kevin Walter, Jaguars at Texans
- Chris Chambers, Chiefs vs. Broncos
- Bernard Berrian, Vikings at Cardinals
- Laveranues Coles, Bengals vs. Lions — UP
- Devery Henderson, Saints at Redskins
- Kenny Britt, Titans at Colts
- Antonio Bryant, Buccaneers at Panthers
- Lee Evans, Bills vs. Jets
- Andre Caldwell, Bengals vs. Lions
- Michael Crabtree, 49ers at Seahawks
- Steve Breaston, Cardinals vs. Vikings
- Mike Wallace, Steelers vs. Raiders
- Jerricho Cotchery, Jets at Bills
- Braylon Edwards, Jets at Bills
- Johnny Knox, Bears vs. Rams
- Santana Moss, Redskins vs. Saints
- Patrick Crayton, Cowboys at Giants
- Roy Williams, Cowboys at Giants
- Malcom Floyd, Chargers at Browns
- Nate Washington, Titans at Colts
- Mark Clayton, Ravens at Packers
- Josh Morgan, 49ers at Seahawks
- Torry Holt, Jaguars vs. Texans
- Eddie Royal, Broncos at Chiefs — UP
- Earl Bennett, Bears vs. Rams
- Brandon Gibson, Rams at Bears
- Kelley Washington, Ravens at Packers
- Jabar Gaffney, Broncos at Chiefs
- Jacoby Jones, Texans at Jaguars
- Sammie Stroughter, Buccaneers at Panthers
- Mohamed Massaquoi, Browns vs. Chargers
- Bobby Wade, Chiefs vs. Broncos
- Davone Bess, Dolphins vs. Patriots
- Bryant Johnson, Lions at Bengals
- Muhsin Muhammad, Panthers vs. Buccaneers
- Chaz Schilens, Raiders at Steelers
- Antwaan Randle El, Redskins vs. Saints
- Justin Gage, Titans at Colts — INJ (INACTIVE)
- Michael Jenkins, Falcons vs. Eagles — INJ, DOWN (INACTIVE)
Not listed: Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs; Anthony Gonzalez, Colts; DeSean Jackson, Eagles; Lance Moore, Saints
TIGHT ENDS
- Dallas Clark, Colts vs. Titans
- Antonio Gates, Chargers at Browns
- Vernon Davis, 49ers at Seahawks
- Greg Olsen, Bears vs. Rams
- Tony Gonzalez, Falcons vs. Eagles
- Kellen Winslow, Buccaneers at Panthers
- Heath Miller, Steelers vs. Raiders
- Jason Witten, Cowboys at Giants
- Brent Celek, Eagles at Falcons
- Jeremy Shockey, Saints at Redskins
- Kevin Boss, Giants vs. Cowboys
- Visanthe Shiancoe, Vikings at Cardinals — INJ, DOWN
- Dustin Keller, Jets at Bills
- Marcedes Lewis, Jaguars vs. Texans
- Zach Miller, Raiders at Steelers
- Tony Scheffler, Broncos at Chiefs
- Jermichael Finley, Packers vs. Ravens
- Dante Rosario, Panthers vs. Buccaneers
- Ben Watson, Patriots at Dolphins
- Todd Heap, Ravens at Packers
- Tom Santi, Colts vs. Titans
- Anthony Fasano, Dolphins vs. Patriots
- Bo Scaife, Titans at Colts
- Fred Davis, Redskins vs. Saints
- Randy McMichael, Rams at Bears
- Donald Lee, Packers vs. Ravens
Not listed: Chris Cooley, Redskins; Brandon Pettigrew, Lions
KICKERS
- Nate Kaeding, Chargers at Browns
- David Akers, Eagles at Falcons
- Shayne Graham, Bengals vs. Lions
- Robbie Gould, Bears vs. Rams
- Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots at Dolphins
- Ryan Longwell, Vikings at Cardinals
- Jeff Reed, Steelers vs. Raiders
- Kris Brown, Texans at Jaguars
- Matt Stover, Colts vs. Titans
- Olindo Mare, Seahawks vs. 49ers
- Matt Prater, Broncos at Chiefs
- Mason Crosby, Packers vs. Ravens
- Lawrence Tynes, Giants vs. Cowboys
- Garrett Hartley, Saints at Redskins
- Joe Nedney, 49ers at Seahawks
- Nick Folk, Cowboys at Giants
- Rob Bironas, Titans at Colts
- Jay Feely, Jets at Bills
- Rian Lindell, Bills vs. Jets
- John Kasay, Panthers vs. Buccaneers
- Ryan Succop, Chiefs vs. Broncos
- Dan Carpenter, Dolphins vs. Patriots
- Shaun Suisham, Redskins vs. Saints
- Jason Hanson, Lions at Bengals
- Billy Cundiff, Ravens at Packers
- Josh Scobee, Jaguars vs. Texans
- Neil Rackers, Cardinals vs. Vikings — INJ, DOWN
- Matt Bryant, Falcons vs. Eagles
- Connor Barth, Buccaneers at Panthers
- Josh Brown, Rams at Bears
- Sebastian Janikowski, Raiders at Steelers
- Phil Dawson, Browns vs. Chargers
Not listed: Adam Vinatieri, Colts; John Carney, Saints
DEFENSES
- San Diego Chargers at Browns
- Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Raiders
- Cincinnati Bengals vs. Lions
- New York Jets at Bills
- New Orleans Saints at Redskins
- Minnesota Vikings at Cardinals
- New England Patriots at Dolphins
- Dallas Cowboys at Giants
- Indianapolis Colts vs. Titans
- Chicago Bears vs. Rams
- Denver Broncos at Chiefs
- Green Bay Packers vs. Ravens
- Baltimore Ravens at Packers
- Carolina Panthers vs. Buccaneers
- Philadelphia Eagles at Falcons
- Buffalo Bills vs. Jets
- New York Giants vs. Cowboys
- San Francisco 49ers at Seahawks
- Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Texans
- Houston Texans at Jaguars
- Seattle Seahawks vs. 49ers
- Kansas City Chiefs vs. Broncos
- Washington Redskins vs. Saints
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Panthers
- Atlanta Falcons vs. Eagles
- Arizona Cardinals vs. Vikings
- Miami Dolphins vs. Patriots
- Oakland Raiders at Steelers
- St. Louis Rams at Bears
- Tennessee Titans at Colts
- Detroit Lions at Bengals
- 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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