A final rankings update will be available on Sunday morning.
Quarterbacks
Rk
Player
Opp
1
Peyton Manning - DEN
at Oak
2
Aaron Rodgers - GB
vs. Chi
3
Drew Brees - NO
vs. SF
4
Ben Roethlisberger - PIT
at NYJ
5
Matt Ryan - ATL
at TB
6
Jay Cutler - CHI
at GB
7
Cam Newton - CAR
at Phi
8
Carson Palmer - ARI
vs. StL
9
Colin Kaepernick - SF
at NO
10
Russell Wilson - SEA
vs. NYG
11
Matthew Stafford - DET
vs. Mia
12
Mark Sanchez - PHI
vs. Car
13
Joe Flacco - BAL
vs. Ten
14
Michael Vick - NYJ
vs. Pit
15
Andy Dalton - CIN
vs. Cle
16
Ryan Tannehill - MIA
at Det
17
Kyle Orton - BUF
vs. KC
18
Alex Smith - KC
at Buf
19
Derek Carr - OAK
vs. Den
20
Josh McCown - TB
vs. Atl
21
Eli Manning - NYG
at Sea
22
Blake Bortles - JAC
vs. Dal
23
Brian Hoyer - CLE
at Cin
24
Austin Davis - STL
at Ari
25
Brandon Weeden - DAL
at Jac
26
Zach Mettenberger - TEN
at Bal
Aaron Rodgers hurt his hamstring in a Week 8 loss to the Saints, but the Packers are coming off a bye and Rodgers should be ready to dial it up versus a weak Bears defense.
I went on record last week talking about how fantasy owners often overvalue a player's performance from the week before and I used Ben Roethlisberger as a prime example. I said there was no way he would be able to repeat his six-touchdown performance, especially in what is normally a tough divisional matchup with the Ravens. Turns out Big Ben was the exception to the rule. Now he gets to face the Jets, who have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. He might throw for 10 touchdowns this week.
Matthew Stafford is a low-end QB1 this week in a tough matchup with a Dolphins defense that rendered Philip Rivers completely ineffective last week. However, with Calvin Johnson set to return, Stafford's value is on the rise as the fantasy playoffs near. People aren't talking about the Lions offense coming off a bye, but everything changes with Megatron back.
Depending on the size of your league, Mark Sanchez (yes, that Mark Sanchez) is a borderline QB1 this week. Perhaps we should have seen this coming: the man who brought us the butt-fumble becomes his team's starter the week of the butt-touchdown. Sanchez played well for the Eagles in the preseason and with Chip Kelly calling the shots, the former Jets quarterback could be a decent fantasy starter the rest of the way.
Tony Romo joined his team on the flight to London, where their Week 10 matchup against the Jaguars takes place, but there are still no guarantees he starts. Brandon Weeden was so bad last week that you can be sure the team is sparing no expense to get Romo healthy. Even if if Romo does play, there will be a risk of re-injury. I don't have Romo ranked because I don't think he will play, but I'd be staying away from the Cowboys quarterback regardless of who is under center this week.
With the weapons in the Buccaneers offense, career backup Josh McCown had a chance to be a fantasy relevant quarterback this season. Unfortunately, he was unable to move the offense with any consistency early in the year and an injury in Week 3 sidelined him, causing the team to start Mike Glennon. Sitting at 1-7, the desperate Buccaneers are turning back to McCown as they search for a spark to ignite their offense. McCown will once again be surrounded by talent, but I wouldn't start him this week, even in a decent matchup with the Falcons.
Running Backs
Rk
Player
Opp
1
DeMarco Murray - DAL
at Jac
2
Matt Forte - CHI
at GB
3
LeSean McCoy - PHI
vs. Car
4
Jeremy Hill - CIN
vs. Cle
5
Marshawn Lynch - SEA
vs. NYG
6
Andre Ellington - ARI
vs. StL
7
Jamaal Charles - KC
at Buf
8
Le'Veon Bell - PIT
at NYJ
9
Justin Forsett - BAL
vs. Ten
10
Ronnie Hillman - DEN
at Oak
11
Eddie Lacy - GB
vs. Chi
12
Mark Ingram - NO
vs. SF
13
Bobby Rainey - TB
vs. Atl
14
Denard Robinson - JAC
vs. Dal
15
Lamar Miller - MIA
at Det
16
Joique Bell - DET
vs. Mia
17
Steven Jackson - ATL
at TB
18
Terrance West - CLE
at Cin
19
Anthony Dixon - BUF
vs. KC
20
Chris Ivory - NYJ
vs. Pit
21
Frank Gore - SF
at NO
22
Lorenzo Taliaferro - BAL
vs. Ten
23
Andre Williams - NYG
at Sea
24
Reggie Bush - DET
vs. Mia
25
Tre Mason - STL
at Ari
26
Darren McFadden - OAK
vs. Den
27
Bishop Sankey - TEN
at Bal
28
DeAngelo Williams - CAR
at Phi
29
Ben Tate - CLE
at Cin
30
Jonathan Stewart - CAR
at Phi
31
Darren Sproles - PHI
vs. Car
32
Peyton Hillis - NYG
at Sea
33
Bryce Brown - BUF
vs. KC
34
James Starks - GB
vs. Chi
35
Charles Sims - TB
vs. Atl
36
Chris Johnson - NYJ
vs. Pit
37
Antone Smith - ATL
at TB
38
Travaris Cadet - NO
vs. SF
39
Benny Cunningham - STL
at Ari
40
Knile Davis - KC
at Buf
41
Carlos Hyde - SF
at NO
42
Juwan Thompson - DEN
at Oak
43
LeGarrette Blount - PIT
at NYJ
44
Cedric Peerman - CIN
vs. Cle
45
Marion Grice - ARI
vs. StL
46
Devonta Freeman - ATL
at TB
47
Daniel Thomas - MIA
at Det
48
Toby Gerhart - JAC
vs. Dal
49
Robert Turbin - SEA
vs. NYG
50
Dexter McCluster - TEN
at Bal
51
Chris Polk - PHI
vs. Car
52
Theo Riddick - DET
vs. Mia
53
Joseph Randle - DAL
at Jac
54
De'Anthony Thomas - KC
at Buf
55
Shonn Greene - TEN
at Bal
56
Christine Michael - SEA
vs. NYG
57
C.J. Anderson - DEN
at Oak
58
Isaiah Crowell - CLE
at Cin
59
Lance Dunbar - DAL
at Jac
60
Marcel Reece - OAK
vs. Den
Quietly, LeSean McCoy has averaged 107.5 rushing yards per game over his last four outings. Shady has only found the end zone once this season, but with Jason Kelce and Evan Mathis back in the lineup, McCoy is set for a big second half. There is also a chance that Sanchez will be able to help the running game, since he is a little more mobile than Nick Foles.
The Browns defense has allowed seven running backs to post 85 total yards or more against them this season. That's seven running backs in eight games. Next up is Jeremy Hill, who will get the bulk of the carries for the Bengals, as Giovani Bernard sits out the Thursday nighter. Hill is an instant RB1 with Bernard sidelined and is a top-five play this week.
The Browns may be generous to running backs, but the Falcons are as charitable as they come. Atlanta is giving up the most fantasy points to running backs this season, including a league-worst 13 rushing touchdowns. Bobby Rainey should lead the team in touches once again, after his 121-yard performance a week ago. Rainey's value takes a bit of a hit with Charles Sims expected to see snaps, but it's unlikely the Buccaneers hand the keys to the rookie right away. Rainey is an RB2 this week, while Sims is more of a flex option.
Lamar Miller is practicing in full this week, so it appears the shoulder injury he suffered last Sunday won't cause him to miss any time. Even at full strength, Miller will have a difficult time carving out yards against the Lions defense. He's been an RB1 in recent weeks, but you'll need to lower your expectations for this one, on the road against a Detroit team coming off their bye.
Fred Jackson dressed up as a the Tin Man for Halloween, but showed he's as sturdy as they come when he returned to practice this week. It was initially believed Jackson may miss up to four weeks with a groin injury, but he was back on the field in just two weeks. His status for Sunday's game is still in doubt, but if he plays he will be an automatic RB2 with RB1 upside (understanding the added risk of re-aggravating the injury). If Jackson is unable to suit up, Boobie Dixon should lead the backfield, with Bryce Brown being sprinkled in.
The Browns miss Alex Mack even more than anyone may have realized, but last week their running game got a bit of a boost when the club gave Terrance West more carries. Ben Tate had been unproductive for a couple weeks, but his 10-carry, three-yard performance last Sunday will likely cost him even more snaps moving forward. Isaiah Crowell remains the most talented back on the roster, but the team has been reluctant to give him carries. The Bengals have struggled against the run, making West a low-end RB2 Thursday night.
Tre Mason looks like the back to own in St. Louis, but we also thought that a couple weeks ago after he posted 85 yards on 18 carries, only to come out the next week and see seven carries. If the Rams can stay in the game, Mason should see enough touches to be worth consideration in fantasy, but the Cardinals don't give up much to opposing rushers.
Both fantasy owners and Giants fans are begging Rashad Jennings to get healthy and return to action. Andre Williams has been a disappointment, but he did score a touchdown last week to save some value. Williams isn't used in the passing game and is facing the Seahawks defense in Seattle. Hopefully you have other options.
Wide Receivers
Rk
Player
Opp
1
Antonio Brown - PIT
at NYJ
2
Jordy Nelson - GB
vs. Chi
3
Demaryius Thomas - DEN
at Oak
4
Calvin Johnson - DET
vs. Mia
5
Julio Jones - ATL
at TB
6
Jeremy Maclin - PHI
vs. Car
7
Brandon Marshall - CHI
at GB
8
Emmanuel Sanders - DEN
at Oak
9
Randall Cobb - GB
vs. Chi
10
A.J. Green - CIN
vs. Cle
11
Dez Bryant - DAL
at Jac
12
Kelvin Benjamin - CAR
at Phi
13
Roddy White - ATL
at TB
14
Sammy Watkins - BUF
vs. KC
15
Alshon Jeffery - CHI
at GB
16
Percy Harvin - NYJ
vs. Pit
17
Steve Smith - BAL
vs. Ten
18
Mohamed Sanu - CIN
vs. Cle
19
Eric Decker - NYJ
vs. Pit
20
Mike Wallace - MIA
at Det
21
Larry Fitzgerald - ARI
vs. StL
22
Vincent Jackson - TB
vs. Atl
23
Michael Floyd - ARI
vs. StL
24
Mike Evans - TB
vs. Atl
25
Golden Tate - DET
vs. Mia
26
Brandin Cooks - NO
vs. SF
27
Odell Beckham - NYG
at Sea
28
Martavis Bryant - PIT
at NYJ
29
Torrey Smith - BAL
vs. Ten
30
Anquan Boldin - SF
at NO
31
Doug Baldwin - SEA
vs. NYG
32
Allen Robinson - JAC
vs. Dal
33
Michael Crabtree - SF
at NO
34
Kenny Britt - STL
at Ari
35
Andrew Hawkins - CLE
at Cin
36
James Jones - OAK
vs. Den
37
Terrance Williams - DAL
at Jac
38
Davante Adams - GB
vs. Chi
39
Rueben Randle - NYG
at Sea
40
Justin Hunter - TEN
at Bal
41
Marques Colston - NO
vs. SF
42
Kendall Wright - TEN
at Bal
43
Andre Holmes - OAK
vs. Den
44
John Brown - ARI
vs. StL
45
Allen Hurns - JAC
vs. Dal
46
Dwayne Bowe - KC
at Buf
47
Taylor Gabriel - CLE
at Cin
48
Kenny Stills - NO
vs. SF
49
Robert Woods - BUF
vs. KC
50
Jordan Matthews - PHI
vs. Car
51
Cecil Shorts - JAC
vs. Dal
52
Harry Douglas - ATL
at TB
53
Jerricho Cotchery - CAR
at Phi
54
Jermaine Kearse - SEA
vs. NYG
55
Markus Wheaton - PIT
at NYJ
56
Jarvis Landry - MIA
at Det
57
Travis Benjamin - CLE
at Cin
58
Steve Johnson - SF
at NO
59
Riley Cooper - PHI
vs. Car
60
Wes Welker - DEN
at Oak
61
Miles Austin - CLE
at Cin
62
Brian Hartline - MIA
at Det
63
Paul Richardson - SEA
vs. NYG
64
Tavon Austin - STL
at Ari
65
Louis Murphy - TB
vs. Atl
66
Brandon Lloyd - SF
at NO
67
Nate Washington - TEN
at Bal
68
Chris Hogan - BUF
vs. KC
69
Kenbrell Thompkins - OAK
vs. Den
70
Jason Avant - CAR
at Phi
Calvin Johnson is going to play Sunday. If you were able to remain in the playoff hunt during his absence, your team is about to get a huge shot in the arm down the stretch. Antonio Brown is having an amazing year, Demaryius Thomas has been on a tear, but make no mistake: Megatron remains the best receiver in the NFL and in fantasy.
That sound you hear is the buy-low window on Brandon Marshall closing. Make an offer for him before it's too late.
A.J. Green looked good in his return from injury last week. He scored a touchdown and had another called back on a penalty. This week he has to tangle with Joe Haden in a battle that has seen mixed results in the past. Green gets a slight bump down, but you can't bench elite talent regardless of the matchup. Even with Green back in the lineup, Mohamed Sanu continued to produce. He is a low-end WR2 against the Browns.
No one is happier about Kyle Orton's presence in the Bills offense than Sammy Watkins, who has flourished since the veteran took over under center. The only thing that can hold Watkins back now is his health and it just might this week. The rookie injured his groin in practice and despite reports that he will be able to play, he did miss Thursday's session. His status will need to be monitored, but if he's on the field, he's a high-end WR2.
Just when Mike Evans appeared to be breaking out, the Buccaneers decide to make a change at quarterback. McCown was unable to power the offense in his first couple starts, but Evans has improved over the course of his rookie season and should be able to succeed regardless of who is throwing the ball. Evans and Vincent Jackson should deliver low-end WR2/high-end WR3 numbers this week.
Martavis Bryant hasn't seen more than seven targets in any of the three games he's played this season, but he's done the most with the looks he has received. Bryant is threat to score every week, evidenced by his five touchdowns in three games. With the Steelers offense humming, he's locked in as a WR3.
Sometimes wide receiver teammates can be tough to rank, especially as offenses evolve over the year. It's worth noting this week I have Odell Beckham Jr. higher than Rueben Randle, Anquan Boldin over Michael Crabtree, James Jones ahead of Andre Holmes, and Justin Hunter before Kendall Wright.
If Andrew Hawkins (questionable) is unable to play Thursday night, Taylor Gabriel will get a significant bump up the rankings. Taylor had five receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown last week, and would become Brian Hoyer's most dangerous weapon if Hawkins were sidelined.
Cecil Shorts is dealing with a hamstring injury, and while he is confident he will play Sunday, he missed practice on Thursday. Fantasy owners need to keep an eye on Allen Hurns.
Tight Ends
Rk
Player
Opp
1
Jimmy Graham - NO
vs. SF
2
Julius Thomas - DEN
at Oak
3
Greg Olsen - CAR
at Phi
4
Martellus Bennett - CHI
at GB
5
Larry Donnell - NYG
at Sea
6
Travis Kelce - KC
at Buf
7
Owen Daniels - BAL
vs. Ten
8
Jason Witten - DAL
at Jac
9
Zach Ertz - PHI
vs. Car
10
Delanie Walker - TEN
at Bal
11
Heath Miller - PIT
at NYJ
12
Jared Cook - STL
at Ari
13
Vernon Davis - SF
at NO
14
Charles Clay - MIA
at Det
15
Mychal Rivera - OAK
vs. Den
16
Clay Harbor - JAC
vs. Dal
17
Scott Chandler - BUF
vs. KC
18
John Carlson - ARI
vs. StL
19
Austin Seferian-Jenkins - TB
vs. Atl
20
Jermaine Gresham - CIN
vs. Cle
21
Jace Amaro - NYJ
vs. Pit
22
Luke Willson - SEA
vs. NYG
23
Andrew Quarless - GB
vs. Chi
24
Gavin Escobar - DAL
at Jac
25
Lance Kendricks - STL
at Ari
26
Gary Barnidge - CLE
at Cin
27
Anthony Fasano - KC
at Buf
28
Levine Toilolo - ATL
at TB
29
Jeff Cumberland - NYJ
vs. Pit
30
Brent Celek - PHI
vs. Car
31
Jim Dray - CLE
at Cin
32
Richard Rodgers - GB
vs. Chi
33
Jacob Tamme - DEN
at Oak
34
Josh Hill - NO
vs. SF
35
Daniel Fells - NYG
at Sea
One week removed from a knee scope, Owen Daniels played the majority of snaps for the Ravens and was his regular productive self, catching six passes for 53 yards. His Week 10 opponent is the Titans, who are middle-of-the-pack against tight ends, but will struggle to slow the Ravens offense down. Expects some red-zone targets for Daniels in this one.
Zach Ertz saw just two targets, while playing on a season-low 24 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. It was by far his worst fantasy outing of the season and the optimist in me thinks there is nowhere to go but up. If Sanchez can move the Eagles offense, Ertz should get opportunities, and his schedule is excellent down the stretch.
Travis Kelce is in a similar situation to Ertz, but has been more productive with his playing time and now has four touchdowns on the season, after catching another one last week. While the Eagles have a plethora of receiving options, the Chiefs have no choice but to give Kelce targets. he should remain a low-end TE1 the rest of the way.
A week removed from a seven-catch, 112-yard, one-touchdown performance, Heath Miller came up with just one catch in Week 10. The Steelers' offensive success doesn't require Miller to be involved, so he will remain a TE2 even in a good matchup with the Jets.