By Jeff Erickson
Week 10: Bye Week - Houston, New England, New York Jets, Tampa Bay
Chicago, Miami, New York Giants, St. Louis return.
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 November 5. * = check status (not necessarily injury status)
Quarterback
- Tony Romo DAL at NYG
- Brett Favre GB vs. MIN
- Matt Hasselbeck SEA vs. SF -- Note: Oblique injury doesn't seem to be a concern. Hasselbeck has to throw often due to the Seahawks' utter lack of running game.
- Drew Brees NO vs. STL -- Note: This is the Saints' offense that we expected coming into the season. What happened those first four weeks of the season?
- *Ben Roethlisberger PIT vs. CLE -- Note: He suffered what appeared to be a minor hip injury on Monday night.
- Peyton Manning IND at SD
- Derek Anderson CLE at PIT
- Eli Manning NYG vs. DAL
- Carson Palmer CIN at BAL -- Note: Gains one weapon back in Chris Henry, but could lose Chad Johnson for this week.
- Marc Bulger STL at NO
- *Kurt Warner AZ vs. DET
- Philip Rivers SD vs. IND
- Jon Kitna DET at AZ -- Note: Eight touchdown passes in his first four games, just two (against Denver last week) in his last four games.
- Donovan McNabb PHI at WAS -- Note: Garbage time yards made his Sunday night stinker appear palatable. He still looks a little lost out there at times.
- Damon Huard KC vs. DEN
- *J.P. Losman BUF at MIA -- Note: It's pretty likely that he'll get another start over Trent Edwards (wrist), who didn't even dress as the emergency third QB against the Bengals.
- Jason Campbell WAS vs. PHI
- *Jay Cutler DEN at KC -- Note: Left Sunday's loss with a leg injury, but for now the Broncos have ruled out a stress fracture. Check back later in the week to see if it's Cutler or Patrick Ramsey that gets the start.
- *Steve McNair BAL vs. CIN -- Note: Another ugly game for McNair. Maybe Kyle Boller isn't the solution for Baltimore, but it's becoming more apparent that McNair isn't either.
- Brian Griese CHI at OAK
- Vince Young TEN vs. JAC
- Josh McCown OAK vs. CHI -- Note: McCown did nothing special against the Texans, at home - that's not an encouraging sign. Maybe Daunte Culpepper won't take over again, but JaMarcus Russell could get his shot soon.
- Joey Harrington ATL at CAR
- *Cleo Lemon MIA vs. BUF -- Note: No John Beck just yet.
- *Alex Smith SF at SEA
- Quinn Gray JAC at TEN -- Note: It's possible that David Garrard (ankle) could return this week against the Titans.
- *David Carr CAR vs. ATL -- Note: Carr got sacked seven times against the Titans and suffered a concussion in the loss. Both he and Vinny Testaverde remain banged up.
- *Brooks Bollinger MIN at GB -- Note: Tarvaris Jackson hurt again, this time trying to pass all the concussion tests. Chris Weinke is going to try out this week to be the Vikes' clipboard-holder.
Running Back
- Adrian Peterson MIN at GB -- Note: This isn't a great matchup, but then again, last week wasn't necessarily supposed to be one either. Capable of having a monster game in any given week. Who do you take first next year - Peterson or LT?
- Joseph Addai IND at SD
- LaDainian Tomlinson SD vs. IND
- Willie Parker PIT vs. CLE
- *Willis McGahee BAL vs. CIN -- Note: Took knee to the head on Monday night - possible concussion issues this week. If not, he has a fantastic matchup.
- Marshawn Lynch BUF at MIA
- Brian Westbrook PHI at WAS
- Reggie Bush NO vs. STL
- Brandon Jacobs NYG vs. DAL
- Kevin Jones DET at AZ
- LenDale White TEN vs. JAC
- Marion Barber DAL at NYG
- Jesse Chatman MIA vs. BUF
- Edgerrin James AZ vs. DET -- Note: Very little action this week - should get more carries going forward.
- Clinton Portis WAS vs. PHI
- Cedric Benson CHI at OAK -- Note: If he's going to put it all together at some point this season, this will be his most favorable spot.
- DeShaun Foster CAR vs. ATL
- *Justin Fargas OAK vs. CHI -- Note: Looks to be taking over the starting duties over Jordan.
- Maurice Jones-Drew JAC at TEN
- *Travis Henry DEN at KC -- Note: Departed early last week after hurting his left knee, but is expected to be back on the field this week.
- Warrick Dunn ATL at CAR
- Fred Taylor JAC at TEN
- Jamal Lewis CLE at PIT
- *Shaun Alexander SEA vs. SF -- Note: Looking worse than ever, despite coming off the bye week. Probably will miss practice this week with ankle and knee injuries.
- *Priest Holmes KC vs. DEN -- Note: Would split carries with Kolby Smith if LJ can't play.
- Julius Jones DAL at NYG
- Ryan Grant GB vs. MIN
- *Steven Jackson STL at NO -- Note: It looks like he'll be back from the back spasms that knocked him out two weeks ago.
- *Rudi Johnson CIN at BAL -- Note: Ran poorly against Buffalo, and it doesn't get any easier this week.
- *Frank Gore SF at SEA -- Note: Gore was scratched last week against the Falcons, replaced by Michael Robinson and Maurice Hicks. His status against the Seahawks this week is uncertain.
- Kenny Watson CIN at BAL
- DeAngelo Williams CAR vs. ATL
- Adrian Peterson CHI at OAK
- *Selvin Young DEN at KC
- Chester Taylor MIN at GB
- Reuben Droughns NYG vs. DAL
- *Michael Robinson SF at SEA
- Musa Smith BAL vs. CIN
- *Maurice Hicks SF at SEA
- Brian Leonard STL at NO
- *Jerious Norwood ATL at CAR -- Note: Dealing with a sore ankle.
- *Kolby Smith KC vs. DEN -- Note: If Johnson can't play, Priest Holmes probably wouldn't get more than 15 carries.
- *LaMont Jordan OAK vs. CHI
- Najeh Davenport PIT vs. CLE
- Vernand Morency GB vs. MIN
- Kenton Keith IND at SD
- *Maurice Morris SEA vs. SF -- Note: Running better than Alexander at this point.
- Correll Buckhalter PHI at WAS
- Jason Wright CLE at PIT
- Jerome Harrison CLE at PIT
- Michael Turner SD vs. IND
- Ladell Betts WAS vs. PHI
- T.J. Duckett DET at AZ
- Aaron Stecker NO vs. STL
- Leonard Weaver SEA vs. SF
- Dominic Rhodes OAK vs. CHI
- *Artose Pinner ATL at CAR -- Note: Could get more action if Jerious Norwood's ankle injury keeps him off the field.
- *Chris Brown TEN vs. JAC -- Note: Will he return from his ankle injury this week?
- *Derrick Ward NYG vs. DAL -- Note: Missed Week 9 with an ankle injury.
- Pierre Thomas NO vs. STL
- DeDe Dorsey CIN at BAL
- Anthony Thomas BUF at MIA
- Greg Jones JAC at TEN
- Andre Hall DEN at KC
- *Larry Johnson KC vs. DEN -- Note: Mid-foot sprain. Pretty good chance he misses this week's game.
- *Chris Henry TEN vs. JAC -- Note: Could possibly begin serving his four-game suspension this week.
Wide Receiver
- Terrell Owens DAL at NYG
- Reggie Wayne IND at SD
- *Plaxico Burress NYG vs. DAL -- Note: Probably will go through his usual non-practice routine to rest his ankle.
- T.J. Houshmandzadeh CIN at BAL
- Braylon Edwards CLE at PIT
- Hines Ward PIT vs. CLE
- Marques Colston NO vs. STL
- Greg Jennings GB vs. MIN
- Santonio Holmes PIT vs. CLE
- Torry Holt STL at NO
- Lee Evans BUF at MIA
- Donald Driver GB vs. MIN
- Bobby Engram SEA vs. SF
- Chris Chambers SD vs. IND
- Brandon Marshall DEN at KC
- Larry Fitzgerald AZ vs. DET
- Anquan Boldin AZ vs. DET
- Kevin Curtis PHI at WAS
- *D.J. Hackett SEA vs. SF
- Patrick Crayton DAL at NYG
- *Chad Johnson CIN at BAL -- Note: Strained neck, possibly could play this week.
- Roddy White ATL at CAR
- Roy Williams DET at AZ -- Note: Major disappointment this season.
- Muhsin Muhammad CHI at OAK
- Reggie Brown PHI at WAS
- *Steve Smith CAR vs. ATL -- Note: Dealing with a minor hip contusion, but it's the quarterback situation that's killing his production.
- Derrick Mason BAL vs. CIN
- Marty Booker MIA vs. BUF
- David Patten NO vs. STL
- Amani Toomer NYG vs. DAL
- *Dwayne Bowe KC vs. DEN -- Note: Limited by a hamstring last week.
- *Marvin Harrison IND at SD -- Note: Was a game-time scratch last week, but with Gonzalez now probably out, there's a better chance he plays on Sunday night.
- Shaun McDonald DET at AZ
- Chris Henry CIN at BAL -- Note: Henry returns from his eight-game suspension this week.
- Bernard Berrian CHI at OAK
- James Jones GB vs. MIN
- Mike Furrey DET at AZ
- Brandon Stokley DEN at KC
- Ted Ginn MIA vs. BUF
- *Deion Branch SEA vs. SF -- Note: Should finally return from his foot injury this week.
- Jerry Porter OAK vs. CHI
- Calvin Johnson DET at AZ
- Roydell Williams TEN vs. JAC
- Joe Jurevicius CLE at PIT
- *Ronald Curry OAK vs. CHI
- *Santana Moss WAS vs. PHI -- Note: Bruised heel.
- Arnaz Battle SF at SEA
- Mark Clayton BAL vs. CIN
- *Roscoe Parrish BUF at MIA -- Note: Thigh contusion.
- Dennis Northcutt JAC at TEN
- Isaac Bruce STL at NO
- Michael Jenkins ATL at CAR
- *Darrell Jackson SF at SEA
- Ernest Wilford JAC at TEN
- Vincent Jackson SD vs. IND
- Sidney Rice MIN at GB -- Note: Highlight reel catch against the Chargers -- just think what he could do with a real quarterback.
- Bryant Johnson AZ vs. DET
- Lance Moore NO vs. STL
- Devery Henderson NO vs. STL
- Drew Bennett STL at NO
- Nate Burleson SEA vs. SF
- Demetrius Williams BAL vs. CIN
- Josh Reed BUF at MIA -- Note: More action after Parrish's injury.
- Antwaan Randle El WAS vs. PHI
- Keary Colbert CAR vs. ATL
- *Brandon Jones TEN vs. JAC
- Keenan McCardell WAS vs. PHI
- *Bobby Wade MIN at GB
- Reggie Williams JAC at TEN
- *Eddie Kennison KC vs. DEN -- Note: Possibly returning from his hamstring injury this week.
- *Anthony Gonzalez IND at SD -- Note: Out indefinitely with a thumb injury.
Tight End
- Antonio Gates SD vs. IND
- Kellen Winslow CLE at PIT
- Jason Witten DAL at NYG
- Tony Gonzalez KC vs. DEN
- Dallas Clark IND at SD
- Jeremy Shockey NYG vs. DAL
- Chris Cooley WAS vs. PHI
- Heath Miller PIT vs. CLE
- *Vernon Davis SF at SEA
- Tony Scheffler DEN at KC
- Desmond Clark CHI at OAK
- Jeff King CAR vs. ATL
- *Donald Lee GB vs. MIN
- Quinn Sypniewski BAL vs. CIN
- *L.J. Smith PHI at WAS -- Note: Frequently targeted on Sunday night.
- Randy McMichael STL at NO
- Eric Johnson NO vs. STL
- Zach Miller OAK vs. CHI
- Robert Royal BUF at MIA
- Marcedes Lewis JAC at TEN
- Bo Scaife TEN vs. JAC
- Matt Spaeth PIT vs. CLE
- John Madsen OAK vs. CHI
- Reginald Kelly CIN at BAL
- *Will Heller SEA vs. SF
- Leonard Pope AZ vs. DET
- Visanthe Shiancoe MIN at GB
- *Todd Heap BAL vs. CIN -- Note: Got worse last week as it progressed. Too bad -- this is a good matchup this week.
- *Alge Crumpler ATL at CAR -- Note: Probably out again this week.
Kicker
- Jeff Reed PIT vs. CLE
- Matt Stover BAL vs. CIN
- Rob Bironas TEN vs. JAC
- Josh Brown SEA vs. SF
- Adam Vinatieri IND at SD
- Nick Folk DAL at NYG
- Mason Crosby GB vs. MIN
- Neil Rackers AZ vs. DET
- Jay Feely MIA vs. BUF
- Robbie Gould CHI at OAK
- Lawrence Tynes NYG vs. DAL
- Nate Kaeding SD vs. IND
- John Kasay CAR vs. ATL
- Phil Dawson CLE at PIT
- Jason Hanson DET at AZ
- Shaun Suisham WAS vs. PHI
- Sebastian Janikowski OAK vs. CHI
- David Akers PHI at WAS
- Rian Lindell BUF at MIA
- Morten Anderson ATL at CAR
- Jeff Wilkins STL at NO
- Jason Elam DEN at KC
- Shayne Graham CIN at BAL
- Joe Nedney SF at SEA
- Ryan Longwell MIN at GB
Defense
- Pittsburgh vs. Cleveland
- Tennessee vs. Jacksonville
- New Orleans vs. St. Louis
- Seattle vs. San Francisco
- Kansas City vs. Denver
- Jacksonville at Tennessee
- Carolina vs. Atlanta
- Green Bay vs. Minnesota
- Baltimore vs. Cincinnati
- Chicago at Oakland
- Oakland vs. Chicago
- Arizona vs. Detroit
- New York Giants vs. Dallas
- Washington vs. Philadelphia
- Dallas at New York Giants
- Philadelphia at Washington
- Detroit at Arizona
- Atlanta at Carolina
- Miami vs. Buffalo
- Buffalo at Miami
- Indianapolis at San Diego
- Minnesota at Green Bay
- Denver at Kansas City
- San Diego vs. Indianapolis
- Cincinnati at Baltimore
- St. Louis at New Orleans
- San Francisco at Seattle
- Cleveland at Pittsburgh