Congratulations to all of you in your fantasy championship games this week! Most leagues hold their Superbowls this week, some will have theirs next week. Either way, this week is an important week in all leagues. Studs like Chris Johnson, Lendale White, Tony Romo, Jason Witten, Terrell Owens, and even Deangelo Williams draw unfavorable matchups this week. If Drew Brees got you to the big game, you are probably salivating over his matchup with the Lions right now. Best of luck to all the teams still vying for a title! Below are this week’s rankings. As more rankings come in, the numbers, order, and rank will change… so keep checking back throughout the week.
Our rating system is based on two sets of rankings. The first set is a value between 1-20, given based on a player’s Fantasy Value If Playing (FVIP). The second set is that player’s Playing Probability (PP). These two sets are thrown into a giant machine, twisted around a little, mixed up, sorted, resorted, then eventually darts are thrown at the results. If you require any further help, our start/sit forum is top notch. You will find quick replies to your questions there and many eager helpers!
Quarterbacks
Team
Opp.
FVIH
PP
Value
Drew Brees
NO
at DET
19.67
100%
19.67
Peyton Manning
IND
at JAX
18.67
100%
18.67
Kurt Warner
ARI
at NE
17.33
100%
17.33
Jay Cutler
DEN
BUF
17.00
100%
17.00
Brett Favre
NYJ
at SEA
16.33
100%
16.33
Matt Cassel
NE
ARI
16.33
100%
16.33
Aaron Rodgers
GB
CHI
16.00
100%
16.00
Chad Pennington
MIA
KC
16.00
98%
15.68
Shaun Hill
SF
at STL
16.00
96%
15.36
Donovan McNabb
PHI
at WAS
15.33
100%
15.33
Tyler Thigpen
KC
MIA
15.33
100%
15.33
Ben Roethlisberger
PIT
at TEN
15.00
100%
15.00
Tony Romo
DAL
BAL
15.00
100%
15.00
Matt Ryan
ATL
at MIN
15.00
100%
15.00
Eli Manning
NYG
CAR
15.00
100%
15.00
Jason Campbell
WAS
PHI
13.33
100%
13.33
Jake Delhomme
CAR
at NYG
13.33
100%
13.33
Joe Flacco
BAL
at DAL
12.67
100%
12.67
Kyle Orton
CHI
GB
12.67
100%
12.67
Kerry Collins
TEN
PIT
12.33
100%
12.33
Dan Orlovsky
DET
NO
12.33
100%
12.33
David Garrard
JAX
IND
12.00
100%
12.00
Brian Griese
TB
SD
14.33
83%
11.94
Jeff Garcia
TB
SD
14.33
80%
11.47
Matt Schaub
HOU
at OAK
12.33
90%
11.10
Sage Rosenfels
HOU
at OAK
14.33
77%
10.99
Trent Edwards
BUF
at DEN
13.33
80%
10.67
JaMarcus Russell
OAK
HOU
10.33
100%
10.33
Marc Bulger
STL
SF
9.67
100%
9.67
Ryan Fitzpatrick
CIN
at CLE
11.67
82%
9.57
Philip Rivers
SD
at TB
11.67
80%
9.33
JP Losman
BUF
at DEN
10.00
90%
9.00
Tarvaris Jackson
MIN
ATL
8.67
93%
8.09
Matt Hasselbeck
SEA
NYJ
13.67
50%
6.83
Ken Dorsey
CLE
CIN
5.67
100%
5.67
Daunte Culpepper
DET
NO
8.00
53%
4.27
Start: Matt Cassel, New England Patriots (Rank: 16.33) - If Tarvaris Jackson can throw for 4 touchdowns against the Cardinals, imagine what Cassel, Welker, and Moss will do. Cassel has thrown 11 of his 18 touchdown passes in the last 5 weeks and the only game he failed to do so was against the league’s number one defense, the Steelers. He has been a solid performer as of late and should be in your lineup this week.
Sit: David Garrard, Jacksonville Jaguars (Rank: 12.00) - The Colts are number one in the league against fantasy quarterbacks. Garrard has thrown a touchdown pass in 4 straight games, however the Colts have only allowed 5 touchdown passes this season. Garrard has also thrown 5 interceptions in as many weeks. Don’t look to him for that fantasy championship victory.
Running Backs
Team
Opp.
FVIH
PP
Value
Adrian Peterson
MIN
ATL
20.00
100%
20.00
Thomas Jones
NYJ
at SEA
18.33
100%
18.33
Steve Slaton
HOU
at OAK
17.67
100%
17.67
Michael Turner
ATL
at MIN
17.33
100%
17.33
Ronnie Brown
MIA
KC
17.00
100%
17.00
Matt Forte
CHI
GB
17.00
100%
17.00
Steven Jackson
STL
SF
16.67
100%
16.67
Brian Westbrook
PHI
at WAS
16.33
100%
16.33
Pierre Thomas
NO
at DET
16.33
100%
16.33
Marshawn Lynch
BUF
at DEN
16.00
100%
16.00
LaDainian Tomlinson
SD
at TB
15.67
100%
15.67
DeAngelo Williams
CAR
at NYG
15.67
100%
15.67
Chris Johnson
TEN
PIT
15.33
100%
15.33
Dominic Rhodes
IND
at JAX
15.00
100%
15.00
Larry Johnson
KC
MIA
15.00
100%
15.00
Sammy Morris
NE
ARI
15.00
100%
15.00
Justin Fargas
OAK
HOU
14.67
100%
14.67
Maurice Jones-Drew
JAX
IND
14.67
100%
14.67
LeRon McClain
BAL
at DAL
14.33
100%
14.33
Jamal Lewis
CLE
CIN
14.33
100%
14.33
Warrick Dunn
TB
SD
14.33
100%
14.33
Ryan Grant
GB
CHI
14.33
100%
14.33
Leon Washington
NYJ
at SEA
14.00
100%
14.00
Derrick Ward
NYG
CAR
14.00
100%
14.00
Kevin Smith
DET
NO
14.00
100%
14.00
Chester Taylor
MIN
ATL
13.67
100%
13.67
LenDale White
TEN
PIT
13.67
100%
13.67
Ricky Williams
MIA
KC
13.67
100%
13.67
Kevin Faulk
NE
ARI
13.67
100%
13.67
Clinton Portis
WAS
PHI
14.33
93%
13.38
Tatum Bell
DEN
BUF
13.33
100%
13.33
Darren McFadden
OAK
HOU
13.00
100%
13.00
Joseph Addai
IND
at JAX
16.00
80%
12.80
Brandon Jacobs
NYG
CAR
16.00
80%
12.80
Marion Barber
DAL
BAL
14.67
87%
12.71
Tim Hightower
ARI
at NE
12.67
100%
12.67
Frank Gore
SF
at STL
17.67
70%
12.37
Cedric Benson
CIN
at CLE
12.33
100%
12.33
Reggie Bush
NO
at DET
14.67
83%
12.22
DeShaun Foster
SF
at STL
12.00
100%
12.00
Jerious Norwood
ATL
at MIN
12.00
100%
12.00
Jonathan Stewart
CAR
at NYG
11.67
100%
11.67
Mewelde Moore
PIT
at TEN
11.67
97%
11.28
Willie Parker
PIT
at TEN
12.33
90%
11.10
Willis McGahee
BAL
at DAL
11.67
93%
10.89
Selvin Young
DEN
BUF
10.67
100%
10.67
Brandon Jackson
GB
CHI
10.33
100%
10.33
Julius Jones
SEA
NYJ
9.33
97%
9.02
Tashard Choice
DAL
BAL
9.00
100%
9.00
Correll Buckhalter
PHI
at WAS
9.00
100%
9.00
Ray Rice
BAL
at DAL
9.67
87%
8.38
Fred Jackson
BUF
at DEN
8.33
100%
8.33
Benjarvis Green-Ellis
NE
ARI
8.33
97%
8.06
Antonio Pittman
STL
SF
8.00
100%
8.00
Ladell Betts
WAS
PHI
7.67
100%
7.67
Jamaal Charles
KC
MIA
7.67
100%
7.67
Ken Darby
STL
SF
7.33
100%
7.33
Darren Sproles
SD
at TB
7.00
100%
7.00
Michael Bush
OAK
HOU
7.00
100%
7.00
JJ Arrington
ARI
at NE
8.67
57%
4.91
Deuce McAllister
NO
at DET
6.00
73%
4.40
Start: Ronnie Brown, Miami Dolphins (Rank: 17.00) - This is an easy one. The Chiefs have allowed nearly 2700 combined yards and 23 combined touchdowns to running backs. Even though Ronnie splits carries, there should be plenty of touches to go around and Ronnie does get the majority. Look for a decent day from Brown this week.
Start: Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints (Rank: 16.33) - It’s a special week so you get two players to start here. Pierre Thomas is now without Reggie Bush taking carries and plays the woeful Lions. Be aware that the Saints are only 1-6 on the road. Thomas should see enough touches both running the ball and catching out of the backfield to be started in all leagues, especially PPR.
Sit: Marion Barber, Dallas Cowboys (Rank: 12.71) - This guy is probably a huge reason why you are where you are. This week he faces the number 1 defense against fantasy running backs and he’s not healthy. He’ll probably get touches, but with how well Choice has been playing, he might lose some and might not even get the majority. With him not at full health and not knowing the split against a top run defense, he’s too risky for such an important week if you have better options.
Wide Receivers
Team
Opp.
FVIH
PP
Value
Randy Moss
NE
ARI
19.00
100%
19.00
Roddy White
ATL
at MIN
18.67
100%
18.67
Andre Johnson
HOU
at OAK
18.33
100%
18.33
Anquan Boldin
ARI
at NE
18.33
100%
18.33
Brandon Marshall
DEN
BUF
18.00
100%
18.00
Greg Jennings
GB
CHI
18.00
100%
18.00
Reggie Wayne
IND
at JAX
18.00
100%
18.00
Marques Colston
NO
at DET
17.67
100%
17.67
Larry Fitzgerald
ARI
at NE
17.67
100%
17.67
Lee Evans
BUF
at DEN
16.67
100%
16.67
Steve Smith
CAR
at NYG
16.67
100%
16.67
Eddie Royal
DEN
BUF
16.67
100%
16.67
T.J. Houshmandzadeh
CIN
at CLE
16.33
100%
16.33
Calvin Johnson
DET
NO
16.33
100%
16.33
Terrell Owens
DAL
BAL
16.00
100%
16.00
Antonio Bryant
TB
SD
16.00
100%
16.00
Hines Ward
PIT
at TEN
15.67
100%
15.67
Bernard Berrian
MIN
ATL
15.67
100%
15.67
Braylon Edwards
CLE
CIN
15.67
100%
15.67
Derrick Mason
BAL
at DAL
15.67
100%
15.67
Wes Welker
NE
ARI
15.33
100%
15.33
Donnie Avery
STL
SF
15.33
100%
15.33
Dwayne Bowe
KC
MIA
15.00
100%
15.00
Amani Toomer
NYG
CAR
15.00
100%
15.00
Laveranues Coles
NYJ
at SEA
15.00
100%
15.00
Jerricho Cotchery
NYJ
at SEA
14.67
100%
14.67
Isaac Bruce
SF
at STL
14.67
100%
14.67
DeSean Jackson
PHI
at WAS
14.67
100%
14.67
Michael Clayton
BAL
at DAL
14.33
100%
14.33
Kevin Walter
HOU
at OAK
14.33
100%
14.33
Lance Moore
NO
at DET
14.00
100%
14.00
Harry Douglas
ATL
at MIN
13.67
100%
13.67
Steve Smith
NYG
CAR
13.67
100%
13.67
Santonio Holmes
PIT
at TEN
13.67
100%
13.67
Santana Moss
WAS
PHI
13.67
100%
13.67
Deion Branch
SEA
NYJ
13.33
100%
13.33
Bobby Engram
SEA
NYJ
13.33
100%
13.33
Steve Breaston
ARI
at NE
13.33
100%
13.33
Kevin Curtis
PHI
at WAS
13.33
100%
13.33
Donald Driver
GB
CHI
13.33
100%
13.33
Dominick Hixon
NYG
CAR
13.00
100%
13.00
Mark Bradley
KC
MIA
13.00
100%
13.00
Davone Bess
MIA
KC
12.67
100%
12.67
Michael Jenkins
ATL
at MIN
12.67
100%
12.67
Marvin Harrison
IND
at JAX
12.33
100%
12.33
Chad Ocho Cinco
CIN
at CLE
12.33
100%
12.33
Rashied Davis
CHI
GB
12.33
100%
12.33
Anthony Gonzalez
IND
at JAX
12.00
100%
12.00
Vincent Jackson
SD
at TB
12.00
100%
12.00
Ted Ginn Jr.
MIA
KC
11.67
100%
11.67
Sidney Rice
MIN
ATL
11.67
100%
11.67
Dennis Northcutt
JAX
IND
11.67
100%
11.67
Koren Robinson
SEA
NYJ
11.67
100%
11.67
Josh Morgan
SF
at STL
11.67
100%
11.67
Muhsin Muhammad
CAR
at NYG
11.33
100%
11.33
Torry Holt
STL
SF
11.33
100%
11.33
Justin Gage
TEN
PIT
11.00
100%
11.00
Brandon Jones
TEN
PIT
11.00
100%
11.00
Bobby Wade
MIN
ATL
11.00
100%
11.00
Marty Booker
CHI
GB
10.67
100%
10.67
Devery Henderson
NO
at DET
10.67
100%
10.67
Jerheme Urban
ARI
at NE
10.33
100%
10.33
Chris Chambers
SD
at TB
10.33
100%
10.33
Devin Hester
CHI
GB
10.33
100%
10.33
Joey Galloway
TB
SD
10.33
100%
10.33
James Jones
GB
CHI
10.00
100%
10.00
Roy Williams
DAL
BAL
10.00
100%
10.00
Patrick Crayton
DAL
BAL
9.33
100%
9.33
Reggie Williams
JAX
IND
9.00
100%
9.00
Reggie Brown
PHI
at WAS
9.00
100%
9.00
Bryant Johnson
SF
at STL
8.67
100%
8.67
Hank Baskett
PHI
at WAS
8.67
100%
8.67
Nate Washington
PIT
at TEN
8.33
100%
8.33
Brandon Stokley
DEN
BUF
8.00
100%
8.00
Arnaz Battle
SF
at STL
7.67
100%
7.67
Antwaan Randle El
WAS
PHI
7.00
100%
7.00
Jerry Porter
JAX
IND
7.00
100%
7.00
Start: Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints (Rank: 17.67) - A lot of fantasy owners have been frustrated on whether or not to start this guy many weeks. True he has had two terrible weeks since coming back, but he has had 4 double digit fantasy weeks as well. He has led the team in targets the last three weeks. In one of those bad weeks, he led in targets, and had a few big plays called back and called just out of bounds. Against the Lions he should show why he was drafted so early in many leagues.
Sit: Santana Moss, Washington Redskins (Rank: 13.67) - On the surface he appears to be having a decent year, or does he? His scores and big games have come against the Giants, Saints, Cardinals, Cowboys, Lions, Browns, and Bengals. Despite week 1 against the Giants, Moss has done fairly little against good defenses and made for good fantasy days against poor defenses. This week he faces Philadelphia. They have a decent defense, are tough against fantasy wide receivers, and… oh yeah… held Santana Moss without a catch the first time they played.
Tight Ends
Team
Opp.
FVIH
PP
Value
Jason Witten
DAL
BAL
18.33
100%
18.33
Dallas Clark
IND
at JAX
18.00
100%
18.00
Tony Gonzalez
KC
MIA
17.67
100%
17.67
Dustin Keller
NYJ
at SEA
16.67
100%
16.67
Zach Miller
OAK
HOU
16.00
100%
16.00
John Carlson
SEA
NYJ
15.67
100%
15.67
Antonio Gates
SD
at TB
15.33
100%
15.33
Owen Daniels
HOU
at OAK
15.00
100%
15.00
Tony Scheffler
DEN
BUF
14.67
100%
14.67
Greg Olsen
CHI
GB
14.67
100%
14.67
Kevin Boss
NYG
CAR
14.67
100%
14.67
Heath Miller
PIT
at TEN
14.67
100%
14.67
Visanthe Shiancoe
MIN
ATL
13.33
100%
13.33
Chris Cooley
WAS
PHI
13.33
100%
13.33
Anthony Fasano
MIA
KC
13.00
100%
13.00
David Martin
MIA
KC
12.67
100%
12.67
Donald Lee
GB
CHI
12.00
100%
12.00
Jeremy Shockey
NO
at DET
11.67
100%
11.67
Billy Miller
NO
at DET
11.33
100%
11.33
L.J. Smith
PHI
at WAS
11.33
100%
11.33
Bo Scaife
TEN
PIT
11.00
100%
11.00
Ben Watson
NE
ARI
10.33
100%
10.33
Todd Heap
BAL
at DAL
9.67
100%
9.67
Vernon Davis
SF
at STL
9.67
100%
9.67
Marcedes Lewis
JAX
IND
8.33
100%
8.33
Desmond Clark
CHI
GB
8.33
100%
8.33
Robert Royal
BUF
at DEN
8.00
100%
8.00
Brent Celek
PHI
at WAS
7.00
100%
7.00
Alge Crumpler
TEN
PIT
6.33
100%
6.33
Alex Smith
TB
SD
5.67
100%
5.67
Dante Rosario
CAR
at NYG
5.00
100%
5.00
Kellen Winslow
CLE
CIN
4.67
37%
1.71
Start: Dustin Keller, New York Jets (Rank: 16.67) - Favre loves his pass catching tight ends. Mix that with a matchup against one of the leagues worst pass defenses and it makes for a pretty safe start. What a great end of the year pickup Dustin Keller has been for fantasy teams going into and during the fantasy playoffs.
Sit: Any tight end in the Pittsburgh/Titans game (Rank: various) - Neither the Titans or Steelers give up many points to tight ends and neither team utilizes the tight end all that much in their offense. This game also figures to fairly low scoring leaving few chances for scores.
Kickers
Team
Opp.
FVIH
PP
Value
Nick Folk
DAL
BAL
18.00
100%
18.00
Rob Bironas
TEN
PIT
17.00
100%
17.00
Adam Vinatieri
IND
at JAX
17.00
100%
17.00
Matt Bryant
TB
SD
17.00
100%
17.00
Garrett Hartley
NO
at DET
16.67
100%
16.67
Stephen Gostkowski
NE
ARI
16.67
100%
16.67
Robbie Gould
CHI
GB
16.33
100%
16.33
Ryan Longwell
MIN
ATL
16.33
100%
16.33
Jeff Reed
PIT
at TEN
16.33
100%
16.33
David Akers
PHI
at WAS
16.00
100%
16.00
Jason Elam
ATL
at MIN
16.00
100%
16.00
Rian Lindell
BUF
at DEN
15.67
100%
15.67
John Kasay
CAR
at NYG
15.67
100%
15.67
Mason Crosby
GB
CHI
15.67
100%
15.67
Kris Brown
HOU
at OAK
15.67
100%
15.67
John Carney
NYG
CAR
15.33
100%
15.33
Matt Stover
BAL
at DAL
15.00
100%
15.00
Matt Prater
DEN
BUF
15.00
100%
15.00
Neil Rackers
ARI
at NE
15.00
100%
15.00
Dan Carpenter
MIA
KC
15.00
100%
15.00
Nate Kaeding
SD
at TB
15.00
100%
15.00
Phil Dawson
CLE
CIN
14.67
100%
14.67
Joe Nedney
SF
at STL
14.67
100%
14.67
Olindo Mare
SEA
NYJ
14.00
100%
14.00
Josh Scobee
JAX
IND
14.00
100%
14.00
Shaun Suisham
WAS
PHI
13.33
100%
13.33
Josh Brown
STL
SF
13.00
100%
13.00
Jason Hanson
DET
NO
12.67
100%
12.67
Shayne Graham
CIN
at CLE
12.33
100%
12.33
Sebastian Janikowski
OAK
HOU
12.00
100%
12.00
Connor Barth
KC
MIA
11.00
100%
11.00
Start: Rob Bironas, Tennessee Titans (Rank: 17.00) - Although the Steelers don’t give up much to kickers, Bironas can hit from ridiculous lengths and has been solid the last two years. I expect Tennessee to get down the field just enough for a few field goals and a decent fantasy game out of Bironas.
Sit: Phil Dawson, Cleveland Browns (Rank: 14.67) - Oh how times have changed, a year ago Phil Dawson was a top kicker and the Browns had no trouble getting in his range. This year the Browns don’t even have half the offense they did last year and aren’t getting many scoring opportunities for Dawson.
Defense
Team
Opp.
FVIH
PP
Value
Tennessee Titans
TEN
PIT
16.67
100%
16.67
Indianapolis Colts
IND
at JAX
16.00
100%
16.00
Baltimore Ravens
BAL
at DAL
16.00
100%
16.00
Dallas Cowboys
DAL
BAL
16.00
100%
16.00
Pittsburgh Steelers
PIT
at TEN
16.00
100%
16.00
New York Giants
NYG
CAR
15.67
100%
15.67
Miami Dolphins
MIA
KC
15.67
100%
15.67
Minnesota Vikings
MIN
ATL
15.67
100%
15.67
New York Jets
NYJ
at SEA
15.67
100%
15.67
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TB
SD
15.33
100%
15.33
Chicago Bears
CHI
GB
15.00
100%
15.00
Green Bay Packers
GB
CHI
14.67
100%
14.67
New England Patriots
NE
ARI
14.67
100%
14.67
Arizona Cardinals
ARI
at NE
14.33
100%
14.33
Philadelphia Eagles
PHI
at WAS
14.00
100%
14.00
San Diego Chargers
SD
at TB
13.00
100%
13.00
Buffalo Bills
BUF
at DEN
13.00
100%
13.00
Houston Texans
HOU
at OAK
13.00
100%
13.00
Carolina Panthers
CAR
at NYG
12.67
100%
12.67
New Orleans Saints
NO
at DET
12.33
100%
12.33
Denver Broncos
DEN
BUF
12.33
100%
12.33
Atlanta Falcons
ATL
at MIN
12.00
100%
12.00
Washington Redskins
WAS
PHI
12.00
100%
12.00
Seattle Seahawks
SEA
NYJ
11.33
100%
11.33
Jacksonville Jaguars
JAX
IND
10.67
100%
10.67
San Francisco 49ers
SF
at STL
10.67
100%
10.67
Cleveland Browns
CLE
CIN
9.67
100%
9.67
St. Louis Rams
STL
SF
9.67
100%
9.67
Kansas City Chiefs
KC
MIA
9.33
100%
9.33
Oakland Raiders
OAK
HOU
9.33
100%
9.33
Cincinnati Bengals
CIN
at CLE
8.67
100%
8.67
Detroit Lions
DET
NO
5.00
100%
5.00
Start: Tennesee Titans (Rank: 16.67) - Unlike their counterpart this week, the Steelers allow quite a few fantasy points to opposing defenses. They have given up 44 sacks, 20 turnovers, a touchdown, and 2 safeties. The Titans are a high scoring fantasy defense as it is and they get a pretty favorable matchup as far as fantasy defenses go.
Sit: Pittsburgh Steelers (Rank: 16.00) - They get a high ranking here, but I don’t agree with it. The Steelers have been studs this year, however playing the Titans is a death trap for fantasy defenses. The Titans have allowed 25 fantasy points to defenses this year. That’s 25 total points in 14 weeks! No team has scored more than 3 fantasy points against them. They have allowed a league low 8 sacks, which is where the Steelers defense racks up their fantasy points. Don’t expect typical fantasy numbers from the Steelers this week.
Many thanks to the people who helped put this together: Dolfin99, utility-hook, and MadasLives911 who helped with the rankings! If you would like to help with the rankings you can do so here each week.
Scott is one of the growing number of fantasy experts who writes for the Cafe. He has been playing fantasy football since 1992 and and is now a hardcore fantasy football addict who lives at the Cafe. Seriously, he has a cot in back. You can find Scott posting in the Cafe forums as treat24.
(24 votes, average: 3.54 out of 5)
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