Updated Dec. 27, 2009 @ 3:53 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. Drew Brees, Saints vs. Buccaneers
2. Tom Brady, Patriots vs. Jaguars
3. Philip Rivers, Chargers at Titans
4. Aaron Rodgers, Packers vs. Seahawks
5. Matt Schaub, Texans at Dolphins
6. Eli Manning, Giants vs. Panthers
7. Kurt Warner, Cardinals vs. Rams
8. Brett Favre, Vikings at Bears
9. Carson Palmer, Bengals vs. Chiefs
10. Donovan McNabb, Eagles vs. Broncos
11. Tony Romo, Cowboys at Redskins
12. Vince Young, Titans vs. Chargers
13. Alex Smith, 49ers vs. Lions
14. Peyton Manning, Colts vs. Jets
15. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers vs. Ravens
16. David Garrard, Jaguars at Patriots
17. Matt Ryan, Falcons vs. Bills — INJ (he'll start)
    
18. Kyle Orton, Broncos at Eagles
19. Chad Henne, Dolphins vs. Texans
20. Matt Cassel, Chiefs at Bengals
21. Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks at Packers
22. Jason Campbell, Redskins vs. Cowboys
23. Joe Flacco, Ravens at Steelers
24. Jay Cutler, Bears vs. Vikings
25. Matt Moore, Panthers at Giants — INJ
26. Josh Freeman, Buccaneers at Saints
27. Mark Sanchez, Jets at Colts
28. Derek Anderson, Browns vs. Raiders
29. Kyle Boller, Rams at Cardinals
30. Keith Null, Rams at Cardinals
31. Charlie Frye, Raiders at Browns
32. Drew Stanton, Lions at 49ers
33. Brian Brohm, Bills at Falcons — he'll start
34. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bills at Falcons — INJ (INACTIVE)
35. Bruce Gradkowski, Raiders at Browns — INJ

Not listed: Marc Bulger, Rams; Matthew Stafford, Lions; Brady Quinn, Browns; Trent Edwards, Bills

RUNNING BACKS

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

Not listed: Kevin Smith, Lions

WIDE RECEIVERS

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

Not listed: Anthony Gonzalez, Colts; Eddie Royal, Broncos; Pierre Garcon, Colts; Lance Moore, Saints

TIGHT ENDS

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

Not listed: none

KICKERS

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

Not listed: Joe Nedney, 49ers; Neil Rackers, Cardinals

DEFENSES

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