NFL Value Meter: Week 14 Rankings

Week 14 Rankings

Here are our rankings for the coming week at each position to help you decide your starting lineup. Our rankings are based on the following scoring system: three points for a passing touchdown; six points for a rushing/receiving touchdown; one point for every 20 passing yards; and one point for every 10 rushing/receiving yards.

Last updated December 12. * = check status (not necessarily injury status)

Thursday Game: Indianapolis at Tennessee
MINNESOTA VS. NEW YORK GIANTS MOVED TO MONDAY NIGHT. AT LEAST, AFTER THE ROOF COLLAPSED.

Quarterback

1. Aaron Rodgers GB at DET
2. *Michael Vick PHI at DAL
Note: Suffered a bruised quadriceps in the win over the Texans.
Update: Full practice Wednesday.
3. Drew Brees NO vs. STL
4. Peyton Manning IND at TEN
Note: Manning has thrown 11 interceptions in his last three games.
5. Philip Rivers SD vs. KC
7. Joe Flacco BAL at HOU
8. *Ben Roethlisberger PIT vs. CIN
Note: Broken nose, will probably wear a face shield this week.
9. Kyle Orton DEN at AZ
Note: Delivered a huge fantasy dud against the Chiefs. How much will the coaching change affect his role vis-a-vis Tebow?
10. *Carson Palmer CIN at PIT
11. Jon Kitna DAL vs. PHI
12. Ryan Fitzpatrick BUF vs. CLE
13. *Matt Schaub HOU vs. BAL
6. Tom Brady NE at CHI
Note: I was wholly, utterly wrong about Brady against the Jets.
Update: Negative weather forecast in Chicago - could be snowy, which isn't a problem, but it also could be windy, which might be a problem. *** SUNDAY UPDATE - COULD BE WINDS WITH GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH IN THE FORECAST. ***
15. Donovan McNabb WAS vs. TB
16. Mark Sanchez NYJ vs. MIA
17. *Matt Hasselbeck SEA at SF
Note: Hasselbeck might have been higher but for his injured receiving corps.
18. Josh Freeman TB at WAS
20. *David Garrard JAC vs. OAK
21. Matt Ryan ATL at CAR
22. Eli Manning NYG at MIN
14. Jay Cutler CHI vs. NE
*** Sunday Update: Snow, could be winds with gusts up to 50 mph. ***
23. Jason Campbell OAK at JAC
24. *Kerry Collins TEN vs. IND
Note: So much for Collins being the panacea to the Titans' woeful offense. Chris Simms has surpassed Rusty Smith on the depth chart.
25. *Drew Stanton DET vs. GB
Note: Stafford will probably start again with Shaun Hill nursing a broken index finger. Matthew Stafford might begin throwing Wednesday.
Update: Stafford will get a second consecutive start this week.
26. *Sam Bradford STL at NO
Note: Tweaked his ankle in the win over the Cardinals.
Update: Not listed on the injury report.
27. *Alex Smith SF vs. SEA
Note: For the third time in his career, Smith has lost his starting job only to reclaim it later in the season, this time taking it back from Troy Smith.
19. Matt Cassel KC at SD
Update: Cassel underwent an emergency appendectomy, but he still hasn't been ruled out for the game. Brodie Croyle is the backup. *** SUNDAY UPDATE - CASSEL DIDN'T MAKE THE TRIP. CROYLE WILL START. ***
28. *Chad Henne MIA at NYJ
Note: Henne reverted back to "bad Henne" form against the Browns.
29. *Brett Favre MIN vs. NYG
Note: Sprained shoulder, won't practice until Thursday. Tarvaris Jackson looked better than Favre has recently, but there's still pretty steep odds against Favre not making the start.
Update: Favre did not participate in the earlier portion of Thursday's practice. *** SUNDAY UPDATE - FAVRE SAID THAT HE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PLAY HAD THE GAME GONE OFF AS SCHEDULED SUNDAY. OK. ***
30. *Derek Anderson AZ vs. DEN
Note: Hasn't passed his concussion test yet, and Max Hall is on IR. John Skelton will probably start.
Update: Skelton split snaps with Richard Bartel on Wednesday. *** SUNDAY UPDATE - SKELTON OFFICIALLY NAMED THE STARTER. ***
31. *Colt McCoy CLE at BUF
Note: Sat out a second week in a row with a high ankle sprain. Jake Delhomme could be forced upon the world again.
Update: McCoy will miss practice again Thursday. Seems extremely unlikely to play again. *** SUNDAY UPDATE - McCOY MIGHT BE THE THIRD QUARTERBACK THIS WEEK, BUT IT'S DELHOMME AGAIN. ***
32. *Jimmy Clausen CAR vs. ATL

Running Back

1. Arian Foster HOU vs. BAL
2. Chris Johnson TEN vs. IND
Note: The Titans have to find a way to get him the ball more this week, right? Right?
3. Peyton Hillis CLE at BUF
4. Adrian Peterson MIN vs. NYG
Update: (Ankle) Limited practice Wednesday.
5. Maurice Jones-Drew JAC vs. OAK
6. Knowshon Moreno DEN at AZ
Note: 161 rushing yards last week, though only one reception (then again, Orton completed just nine passes overall, which had something to do with his low catch total).
7. Michael Turner ATL at CAR
8. LeSean McCoy PHI at DAL
9. Rashard Mendenhall PIT vs. CIN
10. Jamaal Charles KC at SD
11. Ray Rice BAL at HOU
12. Darren McFadden OAK at JAC
13. Matt Forte CHI vs. NE
14. Brandon Jacobs NYG at MIN
15. Fred Jackson BUF vs. CLE
16. Chris Ivory NO vs. STL
Note: Ivory will keep getting the heavy workload even if Pierre Thomas returns.
17. *Jonathan Stewart CAR vs. ATL
Note: Stewart won some leagues last year - looks like he's a sneaky bet to contribute again, with this game and a game against the Cardinals coming too.
18. Steven Jackson STL at NO
19. LeGarrette Blount TB at WAS
Note: Reduced role going forward? Why?
25. Ahmad Bradshaw NYG at MIN
Update: Missed practice Wednesday with a wrist injury but returned Thursday. Small bump up, but Jacobs is still the starter.
21. *Tashard Choice DAL vs. PHI
Note: Is there any reasonable justification for the Cowboys not to give him work the rest of the way?
20. BenJarvus Green-Ellis NE at CHI
*** SUNDAY UPDATE - SMALL DOWNGRADE DUE TO WEATHER CONCERNS.
22. Shonn Greene NYJ vs. MIA
23. *Brian Westbrook SF vs. SEA
24. *Felix Jones DAL vs. PHI
26. *Jahvid Best DET vs. GB
Update: Missed practice Wednesday, as per usual.
27. Marshawn Lynch SEA at SF
Note: Exploded in the second half against the Panthers, for the most part taking advantage of great field position and that the Panthers' defense was left on the field for most of the half.
28. *James Starks GB at DET
Note: Even though Starks got 18 carries and Brandon Jackson just four, coach Mike McCarthy said that he wanted to use a three-way rotation between those two and Dmitri Nance (who was inactive last week) going forward. Yay, uncertainty!
29. *Mike Tolbert SD vs. KC
Note: Conflicting factors at work - Tolbert was questionable heading into last week and Mathews supposedly healthy, then Tolbert was ineffective and the Chargers abandoned the run. However, the Chiefs just gave up 161 yards to Moreno on the ground.
30. LaDainian Tomlinson NYJ vs. MIA
31. Thomas Jones KC at SD
32. Ricky Williams MIA at NYJ
33. *Javarris James IND at TEN
Note: Getting the goal line carries again.
34. Ronnie Brown MIA at NYJ
35. *Tim Hightower AZ vs. DEN
36. Danny Woodhead NE at CHI
37. Cedric Benson CIN at PIT
38. *Donald Brown IND at TEN
Note: Sore ankle, but still might get the start thanks to all of the Colts' injuries.
Update: Listed as questionable, but full participation in Wednesday's practice.
39. Michael Bush OAK at JAC
40. *Chris Wells AZ vs. DEN
41. Maurice Morris DET vs. GB
42. Willis McGahee BAL at HOU
43. *James Davis WAS vs. TB
44. *Brandon Jackson GB at DET
Note: Reduced workload with Starks active.
45. *Mike Goodson CAR vs. ATL
Note: Sprained his AC Joint in the loss to the Seahawks.
Update: Not listed on the initial injury report.
46. *Reggie Bush NO vs. STL
47. *Anthony Dixon SF vs. SEA
48. Justin Forsett SEA at SF
49. *Keiland Williams WAS vs. TB
Note: Only five carries - once again, James Davis got more action.
50. *Toby Gerhart MIN vs. NYG
Note: Suffered a mildly strained hamstring.
Update: Limited practice Wednesday.
51. Aaron Brown DET vs. GB
52. Chester Taylor CHI vs. NE
Update: (Knee) Did not practice Wednesday.
53. Cadillac Williams TB at WAS
54. Mewelde Moore PIT vs. CIN
55. Rashad Jennings JAC vs. OAK
Note: Jennings has vulture TDs from MJD two weeks in a row now.
56. Bernard Scott CIN at PIT
57. *C.J. Spiller BUF vs. CLE
58. *Ryan Mathews SD vs. KC
Note: Mathews didn't get a single touch despite a full week of practice last week. Falling behind 21-3 will do that.
78. *Ryan Torain WAS vs. TB
Note: (Hamstring) Torain should return to practice this week.
Update: Full practice Thursday. *** SUNDAY UPDATE - OFFICIALLY LISTED AS QUESTIONABLE. ***
59. Jerome Harrison PHI at DAL
60. Julius Jones NO vs. STL
61. Javon Ringer TEN vs. IND
62. Deji Karim JAC vs. OAK
63. Isaac Redman PIT vs. CIN
73. *Earnest Graham TB at WAS
Update: Getting worked into the short-yardage package.
64. Correll Buckhalter DEN at AZ
65. John Kuhn GB at DET
Note: Still getting the goal line carries, even with Starks active.
66. *Tyrell Sutton CAR vs. ATL
Update: (Ankle) Limited practice on Wednesday.
67. Derrick Ward HOU vs. BAL
68. Kenneth Darby STL at NO
69. Leon Washington SEA at SF
70. *Pierre Thomas NO vs. STL
Note: Coach Payton is "cautiously optimistic" that Thomas (ankle) will be able to play this week after a good week of practice last week. Not that you can take that to the bank in terms of playing time anyhow.
Update: Full practice Wednesday and Thursday. *** SUNDAY UPDATE - LISTED AS PROBABLE, BUT HOW BIG OF A ROLE WILL HE HAVE? ***
71. Lorenzo Booker MIN vs. NYG
Note: Added as a potential third down back.
72. *Ladell Betts NO vs. STL
Update: On IR for the season.
74. *Darren Sproles SD vs. KC
Note: Suffered a concussion in the loss to the Raiders.
*** SUNDAY UPDATE - LIMITED IN FRIDAY'S PRACTICE, LISTED AS QUESTIONABLE. ***
75. *Mike Hart IND at TEN
Note: Re-injured his ankle in the loss to the Cowboys.
Update: Out for Thursday's game.
76. *Jason Snelling ATL at CAR
Note: Inactive last week with a hamstring injury.
77. *Joseph Addai IND at TEN
Note: Limited in practice yet again Tuesday, with a Thursday game this week.
Update: Out again this week.
79. *Marion Barber DAL vs. PHI
Update: Missed practice - presumably out again this week.

Wide Receiver

1. Greg Jennings GB at DET
Note: I used this during the live blog and on Twitter, but it's too good not to link to it here, too - "Dog, he put the team on his back!" (Note, some profanity)
2. Roddy White ATL at CAR
3. *Andre Johnson HOU vs. BAL
Note: Johnson aggravated his ankle injury against the Eagles and probably won't practice until Thursday.
Update: Did not practice Thursday, but expects to practice Friday. *** SUNDAY UPDATE - UPGRADED TO PROBABLE. ***
4. *Reggie Wayne IND at TEN
Note: (Knee) Full participant in Tuesday's practice. As good as a game that Wayne had last week, his drop in overtime was costly.
5. Brandon Lloyd DEN at AZ
6. Calvin Johnson DET vs. GB
Update: (Groin) Limited in Thursday's practice. *** SUNDAY UPDATE - LISTED AS PROBABLE. ***
8. Terrell Owens CIN at PIT
Update: (Knee) Full practice Thursday.
9. DeSean Jackson PHI at DAL
10. Marques Colston NO vs. STL
11. Jeremy Maclin PHI at DAL
12. Mike Wallace PIT vs. CIN
13. Santonio Holmes NYJ vs. MIA
14. Anquan Boldin BAL at HOU
15. Sidney Rice MIN vs. NYG
Update: Limited participation in Thursday's practice.
16. Larry Fitzgerald AZ vs. DEN
17. *Miles Austin DAL vs. PHI
7. Dwayne Bowe KC at SD
Update: Downgraded due to Cassel's appendectomy.
20. Wes Welker NE at CHI
21. Steve Johnson BUF vs. CLE
22. Pierre Garcon IND at TEN
23. *Malcom Floyd SD vs. KC
24. Mike Williams TB at WAS
Update: (Knee) Did not practice Thursday.
25. Braylon Edwards NYJ vs. MIA
18. Earl Bennett CHI vs. NE
Update: Small downgrade due to weather forecast.
26. Chad Ochocinco CIN at PIT
27. Robert Meachem NO vs. STL
28. Johnny Knox CHI vs. NE
29. Davone Bess MIA at NYJ
30. *Donald Driver GB at DET
31. *Jacoby Ford OAK at JAC
32. Derrick Mason BAL at HOU
33. Mike Thomas JAC vs. OAK
34. *Blair White IND at TEN
35. Nate Washington TEN vs. IND
36. Lee Evans BUF vs. CLE
37. *Nate Burleson DET vs. GB
38. Lance Moore NO vs. STL
39. Hines Ward PIT vs. CIN
40. *Santana Moss WAS vs. TB
*** SUNDAY UPDATE - LISTED AS QUESTIONABLE, BUT HAD FULL PRACTICE FRIDAY. ***
41. Michael Crabtree SF vs. SEA
42. Roy Williams DAL vs. PHI
95. *Steven Smith NYG at MIN
Note: (Chest) Smith hopes to practice Wednesday and return to action on Sunday.
Update: Running routes in Thursday's practice.
53. Hakeem Nicks NYG at MIN
Update: "On track" to return this week after a limited practice Thursday. Final decision will be made Saturday.
43. Danny Amendola STL at NO
44. *Steve Breaston AZ vs. DEN
45. *Ben Obomanu SEA at SF
Note: Obomanu hopes to play after leaving last week with a hand laceration.
Update: No practice Thursday, but could play Sunday even still. *** SUNDAY UPDATE - GAME-TIME DECISION, BUT THE SEAHAWKS ARE OPTIMISTIC THAT HE'LL PLAY. ***
46. *Brandon Marshall MIA at NYJ
Note: Marshall was a last-second scratch by coach Tony Sparano after he practiced all week.
Update: Limited in Thursday's practice. *** SUNDAY UPDATE - WET WEATHER IN THE FORECAST; IT MIGHT NOT BE A GOOD TIME FOR THE DOLPHINS TO BRING HIM BACK. ***
48. *Kenny Britt TEN vs. IND
Note: Should return this week from his hamstring injury, but probably won't be on the field every down.
50. Jordan Shipley CIN at PIT
19. Mario Manningham NYG at MIN
Update: Back to third receiver status?
51. Jabar Gaffney DEN at AZ
94. *Mike Sims-Walker JAC vs. OAK
Update: Full participant in Thursday's practice.
52. *James Jones GB at DET
54. *Early Doucet AZ vs. DEN
55. Mohamed Massaquoi CLE at BUF
56. *Eddie Royal DEN at AZ
57. *Danario Alexander STL at NO
58. Anthony Armstrong WAS vs. TB
59. *Deion Branch NE at CHI
60. Randy Moss TEN vs. IND
Note: Just three targets again last week.
61. *Seyi Ajirotutu SD vs. KC
Note: Could play more if Naanee can't go.
62. Laurent Robinson STL at NO
63. Devery Henderson NO vs. STL
64. Jordy Nelson GB at DET
65. Steve Smith CAR vs. ATL
66. T.J. Houshmandzadeh BAL at HOU
67. *Dexter McCluster KC at SD
68. Jason Avant PHI at DAL
69. *Kevin Walter HOU vs. BAL
70. Deon Butler SEA at SF
71. David Gettis CAR vs. ATL
72. Brandon Tate NE at CHI
73. Josh Morgan SF vs. SEA
74. Michael Jenkins ATL at CAR
75. *Darrius Heyward-Bey OAK at JAC
76. *Louis Murphy OAK at JAC
77. Brian Finneran ATL at CAR
78. Greg Camarillo MIN vs. NYG
79. Bryant Johnson DET vs. GB
80. *Emmanuel Sanders PIT vs. CIN
81. Arrelious Benn TB at WAS
53. Derek Hagan NYG at MIN
82. Chansi Stuckey CLE at BUF
83. *Devin Hester CHI vs. NE
84. *Andre Caldwell CIN at PIT
85. Jacoby Jones HOU vs. BAL
99. *Vincent Jackson SD vs. KC
Note: Some small chance that Jackson (calf) returns this week.
Update: Some participation in Thursday's practice, which was a bit of a surprise. Might play this week - we'll see. *** SUNDAY UPDATE - FULLY PRACTICED FRIDAY, LISTED AS QUESTIONABLE. ***
86. Brandon Gibson STL at NO
87. Brandon James IND at TEN
88. *Donte Stallworth BAL at HOU
89. David Nelson BUF vs. CLE
90. *Percy Harvin MIN vs. NYG
Note: Harvin missed last week's game due to a recurrence of his migraines. He was at the practice facility Monday, but with the Vikes out of it, there's no reason for him to try to play through it.
Update: Did not practice Thursday.
91. *Kevin Ogletree DAL vs. PHI
Note: The Cowboys' new #3 receiver with Dez Bryant out.
92. *Bernard Berrian MIN vs. NYG
93. *Golden Tate SEA at SF
96. *Josh Cribbs CLE at BUF
97. *Jerricho Cotchery NYJ vs. MIA
Note: Returned but didn't do much.
98. *Mike Williams SEA at SF
Note: Williams suffered a first degree ankle sprain early last week against Carolina. He hasn't officially been ruled out yet.
Update: Shed his walking boot, but won't practice this week. Very sketchy start. *** SUNDAY UPDATE - OFFICIALLY A GAME-TIME DECISION AFTER NOT PRACTICING ALL WEEK. ***
47. *Legedu Naanee SD vs. KC
Note: Naanee reinjured his hamstring in the loss to the Raiders.
Update: Did not practice Thursday, likeout out this week. *** SUNDAY UPDATE - DIDN'T PRACTICE ALL WEEK, LISTED AS DOUBTFUL. ***
100. *Demaryius Thomas DEN at AZ
101. *Austin Collie IND at TEN
Note: Colts owner said on his Twitter account that Collie won't play. Maybe we've been looking for the wrong source all along?
49. *Brian Hartline MIA at NYJ
Note: Injured his finger while getting shut out by the Browns.
Update: Did not practice Thursday. *** SUNDAY UPDATE - PUT ON SEASON-ENDING INJURED RESERVE. ***
102. *Dez Bryant DAL vs. PHI
Note: Broken right fibula, out for the season.

Tight End

2. Vernon Davis SF vs. SEA
3. *Jacob Tamme IND at TEN
Note: Tamme didn't practice Tuesday due to a hamstring injury.
Update: Limited on Wednesday, but will be active Thursday night nonetheless.
4. *Tony Gonzalez ATL at CAR
Note: Gonzalez rolled his ankle against the Bucs.
Update: Returned to practice Thursday.
6. Marcedes Lewis JAC vs. OAK
Update: Dislocated his thumb in Thursday's practice.
7. *Jason Witten DAL vs. PHI
Note: Witten sprained his left ankle against the Colts but later returned.
Update: Full practice Wednesday.
8. Chris Cooley WAS vs. TB
8a. Ed Dixon BAL at HOU
Update: Adding to the list with Heap likely out.
1. *Antonio Gates SD vs. KC
Note: (Foot) It's going to be more of the same for Gates this week. This week is truly do-or-die for the Chargers. If they lose this week, Gates might not play the rest of the way.
Update: Did not practice Thursday. *** SUNDAY UPDATE - DIDN'T PRACTICE ALL WEEK, GOING TO BE A GAME-TIME DECISION. ***
9. Ben Watson CLE at BUF
Note: Coming off of a huge game against the Dolphins and now faces another team that typically struggles against tight ends.
10. Brandon Pettigrew DET vs. GB
11. Anthony Fasano MIA at NYJ
12. Kevin Boss NYG at MIN
13. Kellen Winslow Jr. TB at WAS
5. *Joel Dreessen HOU vs. BAL
Note: Suffered bruised ribs against the Eagles.
*** SUNDAY UPDATE - SHARING TIME WITH OWEN DANIELS, WHO RETURNS THIS WEEK. ***
14. Brent Celek PHI at DAL
15. Tony Moeaki KC at SD
16. Jimmy Graham NO vs. STL
17. Visanthe Shiancoe MIN vs. NYG
18. Jermaine Gresham CIN at PIT
*** SUNDAY UPDATE - MISSED PRACTICE ALL WEEK DUE TO DEATH OF GRANDMOTHER. ***
19. Dustin Keller NYJ vs. MIA
20. Greg Olsen CHI vs. NE
21. Aaron Hernandez NE at CHI
22. Bo Scaife TEN vs. IND
23. Rob Gronkowski NE at CHI
24. Billy Bajema STL at NO
25. *Zach Miller OAK at JAC
Update: Limited at Wednesday's practice.
27. *Randy McMichael SD vs. KC
32. *Owen Daniels HOU vs. BAL
Note: (Hamstring) Returned to practice Monday.
*** SUNDAY UPDATE - UPGRADED TO PROBABLE. ***
28. *Jeremy Shockey NO vs. STL
29. *Tony Scheffler DET vs. GB
31. *John Carlson SEA at SF
Note: Carlson was scratched last week with a hip injury.
33. *Heath Miller PIT vs. CIN
Note: Miller suffered a concussion against the Ravens and is doubtful for this week.
*** SUNDAY UPDATE - OFFICIALLY RULED OUT. ***
26. Evan Moore CLE at BUF
*** SUNDAY UPDATE - OUT WITH A HIP INJURY. ***
30. *Todd Heap BAL at HOU
Note: Heap's hamstring pull probably will keep him out - and given that it's a Monday night game, you'll have no recourse if you start him and he's a late scratch.
*** SUNDAY UPDATE - OFFICIALLY RULED OUT FOR THIS WEEK. ***

Kicker

1. Nate Kaeding SD vs. KC
2. Matt Bryant ATL at CAR
3. David Akers PHI at DAL
5. Mason Crosby GB at DET
6. Sebastian Janikowski OAK at JAC
7. Dan Carpenter MIA at NYJ
8. Rob Bironas TEN vs. IND
9. Lawrence Tynes NYG at MIN
10. Josh Scobee JAC vs. OAK
11. Olindo Mare SEA at SF
12. Billy Cundiff BAL at HOU
14. Ryan Longwell MIN vs. NYG
15. *Nick Folk NYJ vs. MIA
Note: Ugly miss (in terms of how badly he missed it) early in the loss to the Pats, but really, that ended up not mattering at all.
17. Adam Vinatieri IND at TEN
18. Garrett Hartley NO vs. STL
19. *Dave Rayner DET vs. GB
20. Neil Rackers HOU vs. BAL
21. Shaun Suisham PIT vs. CIN
22. Jay Feely AZ vs. DEN
23. *Jeff Reed SF vs. SEA
Note: Could kick for the Niners for the rest of the year after Nedney's setback.
24. Josh Brown STL at NO
13. Shayne Graham NE at CHI
*** SUNDAY UPDATE - HIGH WINDS ALERT. ***
16. Robbie Gould CHI vs. NE
*** SUNDAY UPDATE - HIGH WINDS ALERT. ***
25. Rian Lindell BUF vs. CLE
26. Graham Gano WAS vs. TB
27. David Buehler DAL vs. PHI
28. Phil Dawson CLE at BUF
29. Ryan Succop KC at SD
30. Connor Barth TB at WAS
4. Matt Prater DEN at AZ
*** SUNDAY UPDATE - GROIN INJURY, WON'T PLAY. STEVE HAUSCHKA WILL KICK INSTEAD. ***
31. John Kasay CAR vs. ATL
32. *Clint Stitser CIN at PIT

Defense

1. Pittsburgh vs. Cincinnati
2. Green Bay at Detroit
3. San Diego vs. Kansas City
4. Atlanta at Carolina
5. New Orleans vs. St. Louis
6. New York Jets vs. Miami
7. New York Giants at Minnesota
16. Chicago vs. New England
*** SUNDAY UPDATE - UPGRADED DUE TO WEATHER. ***
18. New England at Chicago
*** SUNDAY UPDATE - UPGRADED DUE TO WEATHER. ***
8. Baltimore at Houston
9. Miami at New York Jets
10. Tampa Bay at Washington
11. Oakland at Jacksonville
19. Denver at Arizona
*** SUNDAY UPDATE - MODEST UPGRADE BECAUSE OF CARDS' QB SITUATION - BUT HARD TO ENVISION SKELTON BEING MUCH WORSE THAN ANDERSON/HALL.
12. Cleveland at Buffalo
13. Tennessee vs. Indianapolis
14. Minnesota vs. New York Giants
15. San Francisco vs. Seattle
17. Indianapolis at Tennessee
20. Buffalo vs. Cleveland
21. Philadelphia at Dallas
22. Washington vs. Tampa Bay
23. Jacksonville vs. Oakland
24. Kansas City at San Diego
25. Carolina vs. Atlanta
26. Seattle at San Francisco
27. St. Louis at New Orleans
28. Cincinnati at Pittsburgh
29. Dallas vs. Philadelphia
30. Houston vs. Baltimore
31. Arizona vs. Denver
32. Detroit vs. Green Bay

Flex Position (RB/WR/TE)

1. Arian Foster HOU vs. BAL
2. Chris Johnson TEN vs. IND
Note: The Titans have to find a way to get him the ball more this week, right? Right?
3. Peyton Hillis CLE at BUF
4. Adrian Peterson MIN vs. NYG
5. Maurice Jones-Drew JAC vs. OAK
6. Knowshon Moreno DEN at AZ
Note: 161 rushing yards last week, though only one reception (then again, Orton completed just nine passes overall, which had something to do with his low catch total).
7. Michael Turner ATL at CAR
8. LeSean McCoy PHI at DAL
9. Rashard Mendenhall PIT vs. CIN
10. Jamaal Charles KC at SD
11. Greg Jennings GB at DET
Note: I used this during the live blog and on Twitter, but it's too good not to link to it here, too - "Dog, he put the team on his back!" (Note, some profanity)
12. Roddy White ATL at CAR
13. *Andre Johnson HOU vs. BAL
Note: Johnson aggravated his ankle injury against the Eagles and probably won't practice until Thursday.
14. Ray Rice BAL at HOU
15. Darren McFadden OAK at JAC
16. Matt Forte CHI vs. NE
17. *Reggie Wayne IND at TEN
Note: (Knee) Full participant in Tuesday's practice. As good as a game that Wayne had last week, his drop in overtime was costly.
18. Brandon Lloyd DEN at AZ
19. Calvin Johnson DET vs. GB
20. Dwayne Bowe KC at SD
21. Terrell Owens CIN at PIT
22. DeSean Jackson PHI at DAL
23. Marques Colston NO vs. STL
24. Brandon Jacobs NYG at MIN
25. Fred Jackson BUF vs. CLE
26. Chris Ivory NO vs. STL
Note: Ivory will keep getting the heavy workload even if Pierre Thomas returns.
27. *Jonathan Stewart CAR vs. ATL
Note: Stewart won some leagues last year - looks like he's a sneaky bet to contribute again, with this game and a game against the Cardinals coming too.
28. Steven Jackson STL at NO
29. Jeremy Maclin PHI at DAL
30. Mike Wallace PIT vs. CIN
31. Santonio Holmes NYJ vs. MIA
32. Anquan Boldin BAL at HOU
33. Sidney Rice MIN vs. NYG
34. Larry Fitzgerald AZ vs. DEN
35. *Miles Austin DAL vs. PHI
36. Earl Bennett CHI vs. NE
37. Mario Manningham NYG at MIN
38. LeGarrette Blount TB at WAS
Note: Reduced role going forward? Why?
39. BenJarvus Green-Ellis NE at CHI
40. *Tashard Choice DAL vs. PHI
Note: Is there any reasonable justification for the Cowboys not to give him work the rest of the way?
41. Shonn Greene NYJ vs. MIA
42. *Brian Westbrook SF vs. SEA
43. *Felix Jones DAL vs. PHI
44. Ahmad Bradshaw NYG at MIN
45. *Jahvid Best DET vs. GB
46. Marshawn Lynch SEA at SF
Note: Exploded in the second half against the Panthers, for the most part taking advantage of great field position and that the Panthers' defense was left on the field for most of the half.
47. Wes Welker NE at CHI
48. Steve Johnson BUF vs. CLE
49. Pierre Garcon IND at TEN
50. *Malcom Floyd SD vs. KC
51. Mike Williams TB at WAS
52. Braylon Edwards NYJ vs. MIA
53. Chad Ochocinco CIN at PIT
54. Robert Meachem NO vs. STL
55. Johnny Knox CHI vs. NE
56. Davone Bess MIA at NYJ
57. *Donald Driver GB at DET
58. *Jacoby Ford OAK at JAC
59. Derrick Mason BAL at HOU
60. *James Starks GB at DET
Note: Even though Starks got 18 carries and Brandon Jackson just four, coach Mike McCarthy said that he wanted to use a three-way rotation between those two and Dmitri Nance (who was inactive last week) going forward. Yay, uncertainty!
61. *Mike Tolbert SD vs. KC
Note: Conflicting factors at work - Tolbert was questionable heading into last week and Mathews supposedly healthy, then Tolbert was ineffective and the Chargers abandoned the run. However, the Chiefs just gave up 161 yards to Moreno on the ground.
62. LaDainian Tomlinson NYJ vs. MIA
63. Thomas Jones KC at SD
64. Ricky Williams MIA at NYJ
65. *Javarris James IND at TEN
Note: Getting the goal line carries again.
66. Ronnie Brown MIA at NYJ
67. *Tim Hightower AZ vs. DEN
68. Danny Woodhead NE at CHI
69. Cedric Benson CIN at PIT
70. *Donald Brown IND at TEN
Note: Sore ankle, but still might get the start thanks to all of the Colts' injuries.
71. Michael Bush OAK at JAC
72. *Chris Wells AZ vs. DEN
73. Maurice Morris DET vs. GB
74. Willis McGahee BAL at HOU
75. *Antonio Gates SD vs. KC
Note: (Foot) It's going to be more of the same for Gates this week. This week is truly do-or-die for the Chargers. If they lose this week, Gates might not play the rest of the way.
76. Vernon Davis SF vs. SEA
77. *Jacob Tamme IND at TEN
Note: Tamme didn't practice Tuesday due to a hamstring injury.
78. Mike Thomas JAC vs. OAK
79. *Blair White IND at TEN
80. Nate Washington TEN vs. IND
81. Lee Evans BUF vs. CLE
82. *Nate Burleson DET vs. GB
83. Lance Moore NO vs. STL
84. Hines Ward PIT vs. CIN
85. *Santana Moss WAS vs. TB
86. Michael Crabtree SF vs. SEA
87. Roy Williams DAL vs. PHI
88. Danny Amendola STL at NO
89. *James Davis WAS vs. TB
90. *Steve Breaston AZ vs. DEN
91. *Ben Obomanu SEA at SF
Note: Obomanu hopes to play after leaving last week with a hand laceration.
92. *Brandon Marshall MIA at NYJ
Note: Marshall was a last-second scratch by coach Tony Sparano after he practiced all week.
93. *Brandon Jackson GB at DET
Note: Reduced workload with Starks active.
94. *Mike Goodson CAR vs. ATL
Note: Sprained his AC Joint in the loss to the Seahawks.
95. *Reggie Bush NO vs. STL
96. *Tony Gonzalez ATL at CAR
Note: Gonzalez rolled his ankle against the Bucs.
97. *Joel Dreessen HOU vs. BAL
Note: Suffered bruised ribs against the Eagles.
98. Marcedes Lewis JAC vs. OAK
99. *Jason Witten DAL vs. PHI
Note: Witten sprained his left ankle against the Colts but later returned.
100. Chris Cooley WAS vs. TB
101. Ben Watson CLE at BUF
Note: Coming off of a huge game against the Dolphins and now faces another team that typically struggles against tight ends.