Week Twelve Match-ups
November 21, 2006
NOTE: Starting this week, the NFL will begin their Thursday schedule. The plan for this column is to publish a preliminary ranking on Thursdays with the final ranking and commentary on Fridays.
Also, the injury designations on the Thursday column is for only the players playing on Thursday. The Friday column will include the complete injury report.
Quarterbacks
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
QBs that are OUT: Byron Leftwich, JAX
1 Peyton Manning, IND
2 Drew Brees, NO
3 Michael Vick, ATL
4 Carson Palmer, CIN
5 Tony Romo, DAL
6 Matt Hasselbeck, SEA
7 Marc Bulger, STL
8 Jake Delhomme, CAR
9 Steve McNair, BAL
10 Tom Brady, NE
11 Charlie Frye, CLE
12 Jon Kitna, DET
13 Eli Manning, NYG
14 Ben Roethlisberger, PIT
15 Brett Favre, GB
16 Philip Rivers, SD
17 Joey Harrington, MIA
18 David Garrard, JAX
19 Matt Leinart, ARI
20 David Carr, HOU
21 Rex Grossman, CHI
22 Trent Green, KC
23 Jason Campbell, WAS
24 Chad Pennington, NYJ
25 Brad Johnson, MIN
26 Jake Plummer, DEN
27 Vince Young, TEN
28 Alex Smith, SF
29 J.P. Losman, BUF
30 Jeff Garcia, PHI
31 Aaron Brooks, OAK
32 Bruce Gradkowski, TB
Running Backs
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
RBs that are OUT: LaMont Jordan, OAK
1 LaDainian Tomlinson, SD
2 Larry Johnson, KC
3 Frank Gore, SF
4 Brian Westbrook, PHI
5 Steven Jackson, STL
6 Chester Taylor, MIN
7 Rudi Johnson, CIN
8 Tiki Barber, NYG
9 Willie Parker, PIT
10 Ronnie Brown, MIA P
11 Fred Taylor, JAX
12 Travis Henry, TEN
13 Joseph Addai, IND
14 Ahman Green, GB
15 Shaun Alexander, SEA
16 Warrick Dunn, ATL
17 Jamal Lewis, BAL
18 Thomas Jones, CHI
19 Julius Jones, DAL
20 Ladell Betts, WAS
21 Tatum Bell, DEN Q
22 Marion Barber III, DAL
23 Arlen Harris, Det
24 Edgerrin James, ARI
25 Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX
26 Deuce McAllister, NO
27 Cadillac Williams, TB
28 Laurence Maroney, NE
29 Corey Dillon, NE
30 Reuben Droughns, CLE
31 Reggie Bush, NO
32 Samkon Gado, HOU
33 DeAngelo Williams, CAR
34 Willis McGahee, BUF
35 Wali Lundy, HOU
36 Justin Fargas, OAK
37 DeShaun Foster, CAR
38 Dominic Rhodes, IND
39 Kevan Barlow, NYJ
40 Brandon Jacobs, NYG
41 Leon Washington, NYJ
42 Mike Bell, DEN Q
43 T.J. Duckett,WAS
44 Correll Buckhalter, PHI
45 Zack Crockett, OAK
46 Mewelde Moore, MIN
47 Cedric Houston, NYJ
48 Jason Wright, CLE
49 Anthony Thomas, BUF
50 Chris Perry, CIN
51 Michael Turner, SD
52 Noah Herron, GB
53 LenDale White, TEN
54 Maurice Morris, SEA
55 Mike Alstott, TB
56 Jerome Harrison, CLE
57 Najeh Davenport, PIT
58 Michael Pittman, TB
59 Maurice Hicks, SF
60 Sammy Morris, MIA
Wide Receivers
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
WRs that are DOUBTFUL: Jerry Porter, OAK
1 Steve Smith, CAR
2 Terrell Owens, DAL
3 Chad Johnson, CIN
4 Roy Williams, DET
5 Javon Walker, DEN
6 Torry Holt, STL
7 Reggie Wayne, IND
8 Donald Driver, GB
9 Darrell Jackson, SEA
10 Marvin Harrison, IND
11 Anquan Boldin, ARI
12 Plaxico Burress, NYG
13 Andre Johnson, HOU
14 Joe Horn, NO
15 T.J. Houshmandzadeh, CIN
16 Lee Evans, BUF
17 Deion Branch, SEA
18 Larry Fitzgerald, ARI
19 Braylon Edwards, CLE
20 Joey Galloway, TB
21 Hines Ward, PIT
22 Devery Henderson, NO
23 Laveranues Coles, NYJ
24 Chris Chambers, MIA
25 Mark Clayton, BAL
26 Terry Glenn, DAL
27 Muhsin Muhammad, CHI
28 Donte Stallworth, PHI
29 Randy Moss, OAK
30 Derrick Mason, BAL
31 Reche Caldwell, NE
32 Isaac Bruce, STL
33 Drew Bennett, TEN
34 Keyshawn Johnson, CAR
35 Mike Furrey, DET
36 Jerricho Cotchery, NYJ
37 Michael Jenkins, ATL
38 Eddie Kennison, KC
39 Antonio Bryant, SF
40 Greg Jennings, GB
41 Travis Taylor, MIN
42 Bernard Berrian, CHI
43 Santonio Holmes, PIT
44 Rod Smith, DEN Q
45 Ernest Wilford, JAX
46 Peerless Price, BUF
47 Arnaz Battle, SF
48 Reggie Brown, PHI
49 Santana Moss, WAS
50 Matt Jones, JAX
51 Marcus Robinson, MIN
52 Marty Booker, MIA
53 Keenan McCardell, SD
54 Eric Parker, SD
55 Kevin Curtis, STL
56 Terrance Copper, NO
57 Samie Parker, KC
58 Doug Gabriel, NE
59 Cedrick Wilson, PIT
60 Joe Jurevicius, CLE
Tight Ends
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
TEs that are DOUBTFUL:
TEs that are OUT: Ben Troupe, TEN
1 Todd Heap, BAL
2 Alge Crumpler, ATL
3 Kellen Winslow Jr, CLE
4 Jeremy Shockey, NYG
5 Chris Cooley, WAS
6 Antonio Gates, SD
7 Ben Watson, NE
8 Jason Witten, DAL
9 L.J. Smith, PHI
10 Desmond Clark, CHI
11 Tony Gonzalez, KC Q
12 Jerramy Stevens, SEA
13 Owen Daniels, HOU
14 Randy McMichael, MIA P
15 Dallas Clark, IND
16 Bo Scaife, TEN
17 Heath Miller, PIT
18 Jermaine Wiggins, MIN
19 George Wrighster, JAX
20 Eric Johnson, SF
21 Ben Utecht, IND
22 Chris Baker, NYJ
23 David Martin, GB
24 Robert Royal, BUF
25 Courtney Anderson, OAK
Kickers
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
1 Adam Vinatieri, IND
2 Shayne Graham, CIN
3 Matt Stover, BAL
4 Nate Kaeding, SD
5 Josh Scobee, JAX
6 John Kasay, CAR
7 Ryan Longwell, MIN
8 Jeff Wilkins, STL
9 Joe Nedney, SF
10 Josh Brown, SEA
11 Mike Vanderjagt, DAL
12 Jason Elam, DEN
13 Olindo Mare, MIA
14 Robbie Gould, CHI
15 John Carney, NO
16 Jason Hanson, DET
17 Jeff Reed, PIT
18 Jay Feely, NYG
19 Morten Anderson, ATL
20 David Akers, PHI
21 Neil Rackers, ARI
22 Phil Dawson, CLE
23 Lawrence Tynes, KC
24 Dave Rayner, GB
25 Mike Nugent, NYJ
26 Stephen Gostkowski, NE
27 Rian Lindell, BUF
28 Kris Brown, HOU
29 Sebastian Janikowski, OAK
30 Nick Novak, WAS
31 Rob Bironas, TEN
32 Matt Bryant, TB
Team Defenses
1 Dallas Cowboys
2 Jacksonville Jaguars
3 Baltimore Ravens
4 San Diego Chargers
5 Minnesota Vikings
6 Chicago Bears
7 Miami Dolphins
8 Carolina Panthers
9 New England Patriots
10 New York Jets
11 Indianapolis Colts
12 New York Giants
13 Seattle Seahawks
14 Buffalo Bills
15 St. Louis Rams
16 Detroit Lions
17 Denver Broncos
18 San Francisco 49ers
19 Pittsburgh Steelers
20 Green Bay Packers
21 Cincinnati Bengals
22 Kansas City Chiefs
23 Atlanta Falcons
24 Oakland Raiders
25 Tennessee Titans
26 Arizona Cardinals
27 Cleveland Browns
28 New Orleans Saints
29 Houston Texans
30 Washington Redskins
31 Philadelphia Eagles
32 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Defensive Backs
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
DBs that are OUT: Rodney Harrison, NE; Dononvin Darius, JAX
1 Kerry Rhodes, NYJ
2 Adrian Wilson, ARI
3 Ken Hamlin, SEA
4 Madieu Williams, CIN
5 Antoine Bethea, IND
6 Gibril Wilson, NYG
7 Chris Hope, TEN
8 Sean Taylor, WAS
9 Yeremiah Bell, MIA
10 Troy Polamalu, PIT
11 Jermaine Phillips, TB
12 Stuart Schweigert, OAK
13 Antoine Winfield, MIN
14 Ronde Barber, TB
15 Kevin Kaesviharn, CIN
16 Nick Harper, IND
17 Dawan Landry, BAL
18 Sean Jones, CLE
19 Ed Reed, BAL
20 Roy Williams, DAL
21 Lawyer Milloy, ATL
22 Chris McAlister, BAL
23 Erik Coleman, NYJ
24 Charles Tillman, CHI
25 Terrence Holt, DET
26 Marquand Manuel, GB
27 Michael Huff, OAK
28 Will Demps, NYG
29 Nick Collins, GB
30 Chad Scott, NE
31 Anthony Henry, DAL
32 Jordan Babineaux, SEA
33 Josh Bullocks, NO
34 Shaun Williams, CAR
35 DeAngelo Hall, ATL
36 Walt Harris, SF
37 Terence Newman, DAL
38 Rashean Mathis, JAX
39 Ike Taylor, PIT
40 Glenn Earl, HOU
41 Marcus Trufant, SEA
42 Chris Gamble, CAR
43 Danieal Manning, CHI
44 Nate Clements, BUF
45 Sammy Knight, KC
46 Donte Whitner, BUF
47 Ty Law, KC
48 John Lynch, DEN
49 PacMan Jones, TEN
50 Tye Hill, STL
Linebackers
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
LBs that are DOUBTFUL: Shawn Barber, PHI, Nick Barnett, GB
1 Will Witherspoon, STL
2 A.J. Hawk, GB
3 Brian Urlacher, CHI
4 Keith Bulluck, TEN
5 DeMeco Ryans, HOU
6 Keith Brooking, ATL
7 Brandon Moore, SF
8 Zach Thomas, MIA
9 London Fletcher, BUF
10 Jeremiah Trotter, PHI
11 Andra Davis, CLE
12 Gerald Hayes, ARI
13 Ray Lewis, BAL
14 Donnie Edwards, SD
15 Lofa Tatupu, SEA
16 Daryl Smith, JAX
17 Kawika Mitchell, KC
18 Cato June, IND
19 James Farrior, PIT
20 Derrick Brooks, TB
21 Jonathan Vilma, NYJ
22 Kirk Morrison, OAK
23 Thomas Davis, CAR
24 Antonio Pierce, NYG
25 Demorrio Williams, ATL
26 Caleb Miller, CIN
27 Demarcus Ware, DAL
28 Landon Johnson, CIN
29 Leroy Hill, SEA
30 Lance Briggs, CHI
31 Ian Gold, DEN
32 Al Wilson, DEN P
33 Karlos Dansby, ARI
34 Scott Shanle, NO
35 Julian Peterson, SEA
36 Adalius Thomas, BAL
37 Bryan Thomas, NYJ
38 Angelo Crowell, BUF
39 Tedy Bruschi, NE
40 Akinola Ayodele, DAL
41 E.J. Henderson, MIN
42 Marcus Washington, WAS
43 David Thornton, TEN
44 Gary Brackett, IND
45 Larry Foote, PIT
46 Matthew McCoy, PHI
47 Chris Draft, CAR
48 Bradie James, DAL
49 Clint Ingram, JAX
50 Eric Barton, NYJ
Defensive Linemen
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
DLs that are DOUBTFUL: Antwan Peek, HOU; Michael Strahan, NYG
DLs that are OUT: Bertrand Berry, ARI
1 Jason Taylor, MIA
2 Aaron Kampman, GB
3 Justin Smith, CIN
4 Leonard Little, STL
5 Terrell Suggs, BAL
6 Julius Peppers, CAR
7 Jared Allen, KC
8 Aaron Schobel, BUF
9 Charles Grant, NO
10 Derrick Burgess, OAK
11 Will Smith, NO
12 Vonnie Holliday, MIA
13 Ebenezer Ekuban, DEN
14 Trent Cole, PHI
15 Kelly Gregg, BAL
16 Trevor Pryce, BAL
17 Dewayne White, TB
18 Mathias Kiwanuka, NYG
19 Orpheus Roye, CLE
20 Cornelius Griffin, WAS
21 Kyle Vanden Bosch, TEN
22 Kevin Williams, MIN
23 Robert Geathers, CIN
24 Robert Mathis, IND
25 Tamba Hali, KC P
26 Mario Williams, HOU
27 Mike Rucker, CAR
28 Raheem Brock, IND
29 Chike Okeafor, ARI
30 Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, GB
31 Alex Brown, CHI
32 Victor Adeyanju, NYJ
33 Bryan Thomas, NYJ
34 John Henderson, JAX
35 Darrion Scott, MIN
36 Grant Wistrom, SEA
37 Warren Sapp, OAK
38 Kevin Carter, MIA
39 Luis Castillo, SD
40 Dwight Freeney, IND
41 Lance Johnstone, OAK
42 Shaun Ellis, NYJ
43 Mark Anderson, CHI
44 Tommy Kelly, OAK
45 Pat Williams, MIN
46 Hollis Thomas, NO
47 Damione Lewis, CAR
48 Greg Spires, TB
49 Brian Young, NO
50 Bryant Young, SF
Fantasy Football 
QB=32nd
RB=54th
WR=20th
K=32nd
DEF=32nd
and no TE at all
bit harsh dont ya think?
Otherwise -- No, it means that owners shouldn't play their other TB players/DEF unless they absolutely have to.
And Anthony Becht was 27th, just out of the top 25. Alex Smith is doubtful with a high ankle sprain.
QB=32nd
RB=54th
WR=20th
K=32nd
DEF=32nd
and no TE at all
bit harsh dont ya think?
I think a little credit is certainly due here, the tampa defense was absolutley horrendous today and they did nothing to come even close to stopping tony romo
Otherwise -- No, it means that owners shouldn't play their other TB players/DEF unless they absolutely have to.
And Anthony Becht was 27th, just out of the top 25. Alex Smith is doubtful with a high ankle sprain.
jeff--- nice work as always!!!
great calls with tony romo #5 and the tampa def as #32
I just hope you are right about ranking charlie frye #11 and rudi johnson as #7, I need monster games from the two of them to combat my opponent's combination of TONY ROMO/LJ
tough one I know, but what can you do
*** hope all is going well with your dad and I am very impressed that you found the time to do your rankings amongnst everything else that was going on--- your article is defintely appreciated here and I for one will never question your rankings--- thanks again and good luck with you father
I would not support Jeff's rankings if I did not agree with his logic. He is pretty damn good at this, and I can't usually find anything wrong with his suggestions. When I am stuck, I go Jeff.
I can't speak for jeff, but considering that LT is a touchdown hog that is probably why he would have rivers ranked lower this week
you are right in thinking a shootout will happen with the falcons, and that is probably what jeff had in mind as well
remember these are general rankings based on FANTASY performances--- vick is more in line for a big game--- oak has a pretty solid pass defense and can't stop the run--- all signs are pointing to another monster game for tomllinson
if jeff is wrong about this he certainly won't be in the minority---- LT should put of ridiculous numbers and get all the tds once again, if he doesn't you can chalk it up to the wackiness of the nfl along with fantasy football
Thanks. We had a nice Thanksgiving -- the first I've spent with my parents in several years. My dad's like me (real quiet) and he made an effort to chat us up a bit, which was nice.
And thanks to those that have had good things to say about the rankings. I realize that they're far from perfect. I always shoot for 100%, but that ain't ever going to happen. Someone commented that I'm barely right more than I'm wrong. Just like in gambling -- as long as you're at least doing that, you're coming out ahead. I just do my best to be as far above that mark as possible.
I covered Vick and Rivers in the update coincidently. I admit -- since I'm not much of a fan of Vick, I hate putting him up there, so it's a big reach for me. I just feel strongly about his match-up with the Saints, so it's just a hunch that he will do better than he recently has (I realize I'm setting myself up for failure
Colston didn't practice today, but he still might play this weekend. Game-time decision. It will help my team immensely if he does (but kills my pick of Henderson
if he could somehow negate TONY ROMO at least a little bit,
250--- 3tds would be sweet, but something more along the yardage and possibly even another td or 2 would obviously be extra special
I know these are not reasonable expectations, but getting 5 tds from romo was a little ridiculous as well and with fantasy football and the nfl you never really know
I won't hold my breath though, but I will be rooting for jeff to be dead on with his charlie frye prediction this week
I really need another wild and crazy shootout game with the bengals like they have had the last 2 weeks...
GO CHARLIE FRYE!!!!!!!!!!
I know, I'm stoked I have him in my keeper. I never thought when I drafted him this season he would come on so strong so soon.
And thanks to those that have had good things to say about the rankings. I realize that they're far from perfect. I always shoot for 100%, but that ain't ever going to happen. Someone commented that I'm barely right more than I'm wrong. Just like in gambling -- as long as you're at least doing that, you're coming out ahead. I just do my best to be as far above that mark as possible.
that comment last week was not a personal attack on you, could have been worded better, what I meant was that everybody is wrong more than %50 of the time, guys on every website and every newspaper and magazine.
I agree.
And thanks to those that have had good things to say about the rankings. I realize that they're far from perfect. I always shoot for 100%, but that ain't ever going to happen. Someone commented that I'm barely right more than I'm wrong. Just like in gambling -- as long as you're at least doing that, you're coming out ahead. I just do my best to be as far above that mark as possible.
that comment last week was not a personal attack on you, could have been worded better, what I meant was that everybody is wrong more than %50 of the time, guys on every website and every newspaper and magazine.
I see. Thank you for the explanation.
I am in dire straits from my qb position--- luckily I have clinced a 1st round bye in the playoffs and have 2 weeks to figure out which bumb from the waiver wire to ride with in the playoffs
DAMN THAT TONY ROMO AND HIS 5 TDS--- if only my opponent would have stuck with his usual qb, marc bulger, than I may have had a chance with LT still to come
oh well...........
I am in dire straits from my qb position--- luckily I have clinced a 1st round bye in the playoffs and have 2 weeks to figure out which bumb from the waiver wire to ride with in the playoffs
DAMN THAT TONY ROMO AND HIS 5 TDS--- if only my opponent would have stuck with his usual qb, marc bulger, than I may have had a chance with LT still to come
oh well...........
hah, im surprised he went with romo when bulger's playing SF (even though bulger's sucking right now). bulger's a tejada version of a QB, he goes absolutely nuts for a few weeks then dies for the next few, and then the cycle starts again....maybe one of these years he'll just stay hot like tejada's 150 rbi season
Example A as to why it is easier to criticise rather than create.
Example A as to why it is easier to criticise rather than create.
Funny how a Yankee fan would critisize. That's like an oxymoron...