By Jeff Erickson
Week 9: Bye Week - Chicago, Miami, New York Giants, St. Louis
Arizona, Atlanta, Baltimore, Dallas, Kansas City, Seattle 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 October 30. * = check status (not necessarily injury status)
Quarterback
- Tom Brady NE at IND
- Tony Romo DAL at PHI
- Peyton Manning IND vs. NE
- Derek Anderson CLE vs. SEA
- *Matt Hasselbeck SEA at CLE -- Note: Be careful about his oblique muscle - he should play, but sometimes those injuries can linger.
- Brett Favre GB at KC
- Carson Palmer CIN at BUF
- Philip Rivers SD at MIN
- Donovan McNabb PHI vs. DAL
- Ben Roethlisberger PIT vs. BAL -- Note: Last year's games against the Ravens marked the downfall of the Steelers. Is this truly a different Steelers team?
- Drew Brees NO vs. JAC
- Jon Kitna DET vs. DEN
- *Kurt Warner AZ at TB -- Note: Elbow looking better after the bye week.
- Jason Campbell WAS at NYJ
- Jeff Garcia TB vs. AZ
- Jay Cutler DEN at DET
- Damon Huard KC vs. GB
- Daunte Culpepper OAK vs. HOU
- *Joey Harrington ATL vs. SF -- Note: Byron Leftwich is expected to miss another week due to his ankle injury.
- *Steve McNair BAL at PIT -- Note: Already named the starter for this week after missing the Ravens' previous two games with a back injury.
- *Kellen Clemens NYJ vs. WAS -- Note: Taking over Chad Pennington for at least this week.
- *Vince Young TEN vs. CAR -- Note: Is he the biggest bust of the year, at least among players not lost with major injuries?
- *Trent Edwards BUF vs. CIN -- Note: Edwards suffered a wrist injury late in the win over the Jets. J.P. Losman might get the start.
- *Sage Rosenfels HOU at OAK -- Note: Matt Schaub suffered a concussion against the Chargers and is questionable this week. We're going to guess that Rosenfels will start.
- *Alex Smith SF at ATL -- Note: X-rays on his shoulder came up negative after the loss to the Saints.
- Quinn Gray JAC at NO
- *David Carr CAR at TEN -- Note: Carr's balky back is approximately at 80 percent strength. Vinny Testaverde is limping around in a protective boot to accelerate the healing process in his Achilles' tendon.
- *Tarvaris Jackson MIN vs. SD -- Note: Kelly Holcomb is probably out with a whiplash-type injury. The Vikes are hopeful that Jackson's finger has healed enough for him to start. If he can't go, Brooks Bollinger will get the nod.
Running Back
- *Marshawn Lynch BUF vs. CIN -- Note: Minor hip injury in the first half against the Jets, but should be good to go.
- Joseph Addai IND vs. NE
- Brian Westbrook PHI vs. DAL
- LaDainian Tomlinson SD at MIN
- Kevin Jones DET vs. DEN
- LenDale White TEN vs. CAR
- Willie Parker PIT vs. BAL
- Larry Johnson KC vs. GB
- Adrian Peterson MIN vs. SD
- Willis McGahee BAL at PIT
- *Reggie Bush NO vs. JAC -- Note: Slightly bruised ribs.
- Edgerrin James AZ at TB
- Marion Barber DAL at PHI
- *Shaun Alexander SEA at CLE -- Note: Hoping that his wrist is better, and that his OL improves.
- *Jamal Lewis CLE vs. SEA -- Note: Watch to see if there is any further news on his foot.
- *Kenny Watson CIN at BUF -- Note: Suffered a mild concussion late in the loss to the Steelers, but early indications are that the symptoms have subsided.
- *Laurence Maroney NE at IND -- Note: Still no touchdowns.
- *Maurice Jones-Drew JAC at NO -- Note: Was able to play through his knee injury last week.
- *Frank Gore SF at ATL -- Note: Aggravated his ankle injury in the second half last week. Probably going to have to deal with some pain each week.
- Thomas Jones NYJ vs. WAS
- *Ryan Grant GB at KC - Note: Already named the starter for Week 9 against the Chiefs.
- Clinton Portis WAS at NYJ - Note: Couldn't get going last week, but this week should provide a better matchup. Neither Portis nor Betts are running well right now.
- Earnest Graham TB vs. AZ
- DeShaun Foster CAR at TEN
- *Fred Taylor JAC at NO
- Julius Jones DAL at PHI
- DeAngelo Williams CAR at TEN
- *Selvin Young DEN at DET -- Note: Watch Henry's status again this week. We're pairing the two together to start the week - there will almost certainly be movement in the rankings here later in the week.
- *Travis Henry DEN at DET -- Note: Bruised ribs kept him out on Monday night - hard to say if he can go against Detroit with the short week.
- Jerious Norwood ATL vs. SF -- Note: What's it going to take to get Norwood more carries?
- *LaMont Jordan OAK vs. HOU -- Note: Hasn't been the same since his back injury.
- Warrick Dunn ATL vs. SF
- *Justin Fargas OAK vs. HOU -- Note: Has passed Dominic Rhodes on the depth chart and will take away more carries from LaMont Jordan.
- Kenton Keith IND vs. NE
- *Ron Dayne HOU at OAK
- *Ahman Green HOU at OAK -- Note: Green was a late scratch this week with the knee injury, leaving the coaching staff concerned about his long-term viability.
- Leon Washington NYJ vs. WAS
- Chester Taylor MIN vs. SD
- *Rudi Johnson CIN at BUF -- Note: Inactive once again last week.
- *Jason Wright CLE vs. SEA
- Chris Henry TEN vs. CAR -- Note: Becoming an effective change-of-pace back for the Titans.
- *Jerome Harrison CLE vs. SEA
- *Adimchinobe Echemandu HOU at OAK -- Note: Ran for 62 yards against the Chargers, but then hurt his hamstring.
- Michael Turner SD at MIN
- Michael Bennett TB vs. AZ
- *Kevin Faulk NE at IND
- Correll Buckhalter PHI vs. DAL
- Ladell Betts WAS at NYJ
- Aaron Stecker NO vs. JAC
- Najeh Davenport PIT vs. BAL
- Priest Holmes KC vs. GB
- Leonard Weaver SEA at CLE
- Dominic Rhodes OAK vs. HOU -- Note: Falling out of favor in Oakland?
- *DeShawn Wynn GB at KC -- Note: Couldn't feel his shoulder after taking a hit on the first play of the second quarter. Ryan Grant has already been named the starter for next week.
- *Vernand Morency GB at KC
- Pierre Thomas NO vs. JAC
- Musa Smith BAL at PIT
- DeDe Dorsey CIN at BUF
- Anthony Thomas BUF vs. CIN
- T.J. Duckett DET vs. DEN
- Greg Jones JAC at NO
- Andre Hall DEN at DET
- *Chris Brown TEN vs. CAR -- Note: Likely questionable again this week with his ankle injury.
- *Tatum Bell DET vs. DEN -- Note: Inactive last week, could be so again this week.
Wide Receiver
- Randy Moss NE at IND
- Terrell Owens DAL at PHI
- Reggie Wayne IND vs. NE
- Braylon Edwards CLE vs. SEA
- T.J. Houshmandzadeh CIN at BUF
- *Hines Ward PIT vs. BAL -- Note: Knee sprain didn't seem to be an issue last week.
- Steve Smith CAR at TEN
- Chad Johnson CIN at BUF -- Note: Still hasn't scored since Week 2.
- Donald Driver GB at KC
- Wes Welker NE at IND
- Larry Fitzgerald AZ at TB
- Kevin Curtis PHI vs. DAL
- Brandon Marshall DEN at DET
- Anquan Boldin AZ at TB
- Patrick Crayton DAL at PHI
- Roddy White ATL vs. SF
- Roy Williams DET vs. DEN
- Chris Chambers SD at MIN
- *Laveranues Coles NYJ vs. WAS -- Note: Add a concussion to his medley of injuries.
- Lee Evans BUF vs. CIN
- Dwayne Bowe KC vs. GB
- Jerricho Cotchery NYJ vs. WAS
- Greg Jennings GB at KC
- Joey Galloway TB vs. AZ
- *Santonio Holmes PIT vs. BAL -- Note: Dealing with a quad contusion.
- *Marques Colston NO vs. JAC
- Reggie Brown PHI vs. DAL
- Donte Stallworth NE at IND
- Ike Hilliard TB vs. AZ -- Note: Only three catches, but targeted nine times last week.
- *Marvin Harrison IND vs. NE -- Note: Could have played last week if it were a playoff game - instead, he was held out to be at fuller strength for the matchup against the Patriots.
- *Deion Branch SEA at CLE -- Note: Coming back from a sprained foot.
- *Jerry Porter OAK vs. HOU
- *Calvin Johnson DET vs. DEN -- Note: Aggravated his back injury in the win over the Bears.
- Derrick Mason BAL at PIT
- Bobby Engram SEA at CLE
- Kevin Walter HOU at OAK
- Shaun McDonald DET vs. DEN
- Nate Burleson SEA at CLE
- Andre Davis HOU at OAK
- *D.J. Hackett SEA at CLE -- Note: Expected to return this week from his ankle injury.
- Roydell Williams TEN vs. CAR
- Joe Jurevicius CLE vs. SEA
- Ronald Curry OAK vs. HOU
- James Jones GB at KC
- Brandon Stokley DEN at DET
- Anthony Gonzalez IND vs. NE -- Note: Could see more action this week with Harrison still banged up.
- David Patten NO vs. JAC
- Arnaz Battle SF at ATL
- Roscoe Parrish BUF vs. CIN
- Dennis Northcutt JAC at NO
- Michael Jenkins ATL vs. SF
- *Santana Moss WAS at NYJ
- Ernest Wilford JAC at NO
- Bryant Johnson AZ at TB
- *Devery Henderson NO vs. JAC
- Mark Clayton BAL at PIT
- Demetrius Williams BAL at PIT
- Vincent Jackson SD at MIN
- Mike Furrey DET vs. DEN
- Antwaan Randle El WAS at NYJ
- Keary Colbert CAR at TEN
- *Lance Moore NO vs. JAC
- *Brandon Jones TEN vs. CAR -- Note: Should return from a knee injury this week.
- Keenan McCardell WAS at NYJ
- *Bobby Wade MIN vs. SD -- Note: Hyper-extended knee.
- *Jacoby Jones HOU at OAK
- Reggie Williams JAC at NO
- Sidney Rice MIN vs. SD
- *Darrell Jackson SF at ATL -- Note: Inactive last week due to his thigh injury.
- *Andre Johnson HOU at OAK -- Note: There's a possibility that he plays this week, and certainly will practice more, but it's more likely that he'll return after the bye.
Tight End
- Antonio Gates SD at MIN
- Kellen Winslow CLE vs. SEA
- Jason Witten DAL at PHI
- Tony Gonzalez KC vs. GB
- Dallas Clark IND vs. NE
- Chris Cooley WAS at NYJ
- Heath Miller PIT vs. BAL
- *Vernon Davis SF at ATL
- *Todd Heap BAL at PIT -- Note: Coming back from a thigh injury.
- *Owen Daniels HOU at OAK -- Note: High ankle sprain.
- Jeff King CAR at TEN
- *Donald Lee GB at KC
- Eric Johnson NO vs. JAC
- Zach Miller OAK vs. HOU
- Robert Royal BUF vs. CIN
- *Alge Crumpler ATL vs. SF -- Note: Trying to recover from a knee injury.
- Marcedes Lewis JAC at NO
- Bo Scaife TEN vs. CAR
- Matt Spaeth PIT vs. BAL
- John Madsen OAK vs. HOU
- *Kyle Brady NE at IND -- Note: Unspecified injury in the win over the Redskins.
- Jeb Putzier HOU at OAK
- Jerramy Stevens TB vs. AZ
- Reginald Kelly CIN at BUF
- *Chris Baker NYJ vs. WAS
- *Will Heller SEA at CLE
- Leonard Pope AZ at TB
- *Tony Scheffler DEN at DET
- Visanthe Shiancoe MIN vs. SD
- *L.J. Smith PHI vs. DAL -- Note: Playing again, but shut out last week.
- *Ben Watson NE at IND
- *Alex Smith TB vs. AZ -- Note: Probably out again this week with the ankle injury.
Kicker
- Adam Vinatieri IND vs. NE
- Stephen Gostkowski NE at IND
- Nick Folk DAL at PHI
- Phil Dawson CLE vs. SEA
- Jeff Reed PIT vs. BAL
- Jason Hanson DET vs. DEN
- Rob Bironas TEN vs. CAR
- Sebastian Janikowski OAK vs. HOU
- David Akers PHI vs. DAL
- Rian Lindell BUF vs. CIN
- Nate Kaeding SD at MIN
- Jason Elam DEN at DET
- Shayne Graham CIN at BUF
- Josh Brown SEA at CLE
- Matt Stover BAL at PIT
- Mason Crosby GB at KC
- Neil Rackers AZ at TB
- Kris Brown HOU at OAK
- John Kasay CAR at TEN
- Shaun Suisham WAS at NYJ
- Joe Nedney SF at ATL
- Matt Bryant TB vs. AZ
- Ryan Longwell MIN vs. SD
Defense
- Tennessee vs. Carolina
- Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore
- Tampa Bay vs. Arizona
- New Orleans vs. Jacksonville
- Oakland vs. Houston
- Kansas City vs. Green Bay
- San Diego at Minnesota
- Jacksonville at New Orleans
- Minnesota vs. San Diego
- Carolina at Tennessee
- Detroit vs. Denver
- Green Bay at Kansas City
- Baltimore at Pittsburgh
- Washington at New York Jets
- Arizona at Tampa Bay
- Cleveland vs. Seattle
- Denver at Detroit
- Atlanta vs. San Francisco
- Buffalo vs. Cincinnati
- Seattle at Cleveland
- Dallas at Philadelphia
- New York Jets vs. Washington
- New England at Indianapolis
- Philadelphia vs. Dallas
- Indianapolis vs. New England
- San Francisco at Atlanta
- Cincinnati at Buffalo
- Houston at Oakland
For more information, please visit Rotowire.com.