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Week 8 value meter

Published:
Updated:

By Jeff Erickson

Week 8: Bye Week - Arizona, Atlanta, Baltimore, Dallas, Kansas City, Seattle

Carolina, Cleveland, Green Bay, San Diego 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 23. * = check status (not necessarily injury status)

** = Game in London, England

Quarterback

  1. Tom Brady NE vs. WAS
  2. Peyton Manning IND at CAR
  3. Ben Roethlisberger PIT at CIN
  4. Eli Manning NYG at MIA**
  5. *Brett Favre GB at DEN -- Note: Was limping after the Packers' game before the bye - we're assuming that it's a non-issue now.
  6. Carson Palmer CIN vs. PIT
  7. Brian Griese CHI vs. DET
  8. Derek Anderson CLE at STL
  9. Marc Bulger STL vs. CLE -- Note: Yes, I know that the Rams' OL has been beyond repair this season, but this is strictly a matchup play.
  10. Donovan McNabb PHI at MIN -- Note: Absent the blowout win over the Lions, McNabb has just three touchdown passes in five games.
  11. Philip Rivers SD vs. HOU
  12. Jay Cutler DEN vs. GB
  13. Drew Brees NO at SF
  14. *Vince Young TEN vs. OAK -- Note: Young (quad) has officially been named the starter for this week. Kerry Collins played reasonably well in Young's stead against Houston.
  15. Jon Kitna DET at CHI -- Note: Fewer passes than expected last week - a new side to Mike Martz?
  16. Jason Campbell WAS at NE
  17. *Jeff Garcia TB vs. JAC -- Note: Had a wrap on his throwing hand after Sunday's loss, but not on initial injury list.
  18. *Matt Schaub HOU at SD -- Note: "Beat up" with hip, ankle and thigh injuries. Sage Rosenfels almost led the Texans to an improbable comeback in relief, although in fairness he contributed mightily to that hole in the first place by throwing three interceptions.
  19. *Chad Pennington NYJ vs. BUF -- Note: Is this the week that the Jets turn to Kellen Clemens? Pennington actually didn't play too poorly in the loss to the Bengals.
  20. Daunte Culpepper OAK at TEN
  21. *Quinn Gray JAC at TB -- Note: Taking over for the injured David Garrard for at least the next week. Too bad for the Jaguars that they have already had their bye week.
  22. *David Carr CAR vs. IND -- Note: This is a very speculative call on who starts on Sunday. Vinny Testaverde might very well get the nod, but we might not know until just before kickoff. Put me in the camp that believes that the talk of a revitalized Vinny was overstated.
  23. Cleo Lemon MIA vs. NYG* -- Note: I'm sure that the NFL thought about showcasing Lemon, Jesse Chatman and Marty Booker when they scheduled this game to be played in London.
  24. *Alex Smith SF vs. NO -- Note: Medically cleared to play, but seemingly unlikely to start. It's never a good thing when your head coach openly admits a lack of confidence in you, even if the reason is medically-related.
  25. *Tarvaris Jackson MIN vs. PHI -- Note: Avulsion fracture on his middle finger. Kelly Holcomb could get back in the starting lineup again. How exactly did the Vikings find themselves in this mess? They have a world class run defense, an excellent offensive line, and of course Adrian Peterson. How did they end up with such poor options at quarterback?
  26. Trent Edwards BUF at NYJ -- Note: Once again, decision between Edwards and J.P. Losman should be made by Wednesday.

Running Back

  1. LaDainian Tomlinson SD vs. HOU
  2. Willie Parker PIT at CIN
  3. Adrian Peterson MIN vs. PHI
  4. Brian Westbrook PHI at MIN
  5. Joseph Addai IND at CAR -- Note: Evolving into a time-share, but I'm not that concerned. Addai got carries in the red zone, and also is going to be continually involved in the passing game. There should be plenty to go around here.
  6. Marshawn Lynch BUF at NYJ
  7. LenDale White TEN vs. OAK
  8. *Frank Gore SF vs. NO -- Note: Downplaying the significance of the ankle injury.
  9. Reggie Bush NO at SF
  10. Brandon Jacobs NYG at MIA* -- Note: Sore ankle, but didn't need an MRI exam. The injury somewhat lessens the tantalizing matchup.
  11. Kevin Jones DET at CHI
  12. *Cedric Benson CHI vs. DET -- Note: Sore knee, but "should be fine."
  13. Thomas Jones NYJ vs. BUF
  14. *Travis Henry DEN vs. GB -- Note: Bruised ribs.
  15. *Jamal Lewis CLE at STL -- Note: Returning from a strained foot.
  16. Earnest Graham TB vs. JAC -- Note: Given how well he played against Detroit, don't expect a significant decline in his workload.
  17. *Maurice Jones-Drew JAC at TB -- Note: Got more carries than Taylor on Monday night, but sprained his knee late.
  18. Clinton Portis WAS at NE
  19. Jesse Chatman MIA vs. NYG** -- Note: Takes over the starting job for the injured Ronnie Brown.
  20. DeShawn Wynn GB at DEN
  21. DeShaun Foster CAR vs. IND
  22. *Kenny Watson CIN vs. PIT
  23. *Fred Taylor JAC at TB
  24. Ahman Green HOU at SD
  25. *Laurence Maroney NE vs. WAS -- Note: On the field for just seven snaps against Miami. Workload should be increased this week.
  26. Kenton Keith IND at CAR -- Note: Got 15 carries in a backup role, including a touchdown on Monday night. He's now the new Dominic Rhodes.
  27. *LaMont Jordan OAK at TEN -- Note: Only 11 carries against the Chiefs.
  28. *Steven Jackson STL vs. CLE -- Note: "Really good chance" that Jackson will play this week.
  29. Chester Taylor MIN vs. PHI
  30. DeAngelo Williams CAR vs. IND
  31. *Brian Leonard STL vs. CLE -- Note: Diminished workload if Jackson comes back this week.
  32. *Rudi Johnson CIN vs. PIT -- Note: Inactive last week and Watson went off - even if he returns, he's going to have to share the workload.
  33. *Jason Wright CLE at STL
  34. Reuben Droughns NYG at MIA*
  35. Michael Turner SD vs. HOU
  36. Leon Washington NYJ vs. BUF
  37. Derrick Ward NYG at MIA*
  38. Dominic Rhodes OAK at TEN
  39. *Chris Brown TEN vs. OAK -- Note: Should be able to return from his sprained ankle this week.
  40. *Kevin Faulk NE vs. WAS
  41. Michael Bennett TB vs. JAC
  42. Adrian Peterson CHI vs. DET
  43. *Selvin Young DEN vs. GB
  44. Aaron Stecker NO at SF
  45. *Vernand Morency GB at DEN
  46. Ladell Betts WAS at NE
  47. Correll Buckhalter PHI at MIN
  48. *Brandon Jackson GB at DEN
  49. Najeh Davenport PIT at CIN
  50. Justin Fargas OAK at TEN
  51. *Tatum Bell DET at CHI
  52. *Ron Dayne HOU at SD
  53. Pierre Thomas NO at SF
  54. DeDe Dorsey CIN vs. PIT
  55. Anthony Thomas BUF at NYJ
  56. Greg Jones JAC at TB
  57. Samkon Gado HOU at SD
  58. Travis Minor STL vs. CLE
  59. Patrick Cobbs MIA vs. NYG**
  60. Chris Henry TEN vs. OAK
  61. Ronnie Brown MIA vs. NYG** -- Note: The hits keep on coming for the Dolphins - Brown is out for the season.

Wide Receiver

  1. Randy Moss NE vs. WAS
  2. Steve Smith CAR vs. IND
  3. Reggie Wayne IND at CAR
  4. Plaxico Burress NYG at MIA*
  5. T.J. Houshmandzadeh CIN vs. PIT
  6. Chad Johnson CIN vs. PIT
  7. Braylon Edwards CLE at STL
  8. Donald Driver GB at DEN
  9. *Hines Ward PIT at CIN -- Note: Usually chews up the Bengals. Knee didn't seem to be a problem last week.
  10. Kevin Curtis PHI at MIN -- Note: Look for the Eagles to throw often this week.
  11. Laveranues Coles NYJ vs. BUF -- Note: Calf injury not a problem.
  12. *Torry Holt STL vs. CLE -- Note: Still grinding out with the knee injury.
  13. Wes Welker NE vs. WAS
  14. *Santonio Holmes PIT at CIN
  15. Roy Williams DET at CHI -- Note: Really hurt by the Lions' passing struggles the last two games.
  16. Jerricho Cotchery NYJ vs. BUF
  17. Donte Stallworth NE vs. WAS
  18. Brandon Marshall DEN vs. GB -- Note: DUI after Sunday's win.
  19. Bernard Berrian CHI vs. DET
  20. *Marvin Harrison IND at CAR -- Note: Limited on Monday night.
  21. Joey Galloway TB vs. JAC
  22. Greg Jennings GB at DEN
  23. Andre Davis HOU at SD
  24. *Marques Colston NO at SF -- Note: Still limited by a sore back.
  25. Ike Hilliard TB vs. JAC
  26. Calvin Johnson DET at CHI
  27. Reggie Brown PHI at MIN -- Note: Three drops against the Bears.
  28. Muhsin Muhammad CHI vs. DET
  29. Marty Booker MIA vs. NYG**
  30. *Chris Chambers SD vs. HOU
  31. Lee Evans BUF at NYJ -- Note: Starting to be rehabilitated.
  32. Joe Jurevicius CLE at STL
  33. Amani Toomer NYG at MIA**
  34. Shaun McDonald DET at CHI
  35. Ronald Curry OAK at TEN
  36. Brandon Stokley DEN vs. GB
  37. *Jerry Porter OAK at TEN -- Note: Injured shoulder in loss to the Chiefs.
  38. Arnaz Battle SF vs. NO
  39. Kevin Walter HOU at SD
  40. Roydell Williams TEN vs. OAK
  41. *Devery Henderson NO at SF
  42. Vincent Jackson SD vs. HOU -- Note: Reduced role with Chambers aboard?
  43. Mike Furrey DET at CHI
  44. Dennis Northcutt JAC at TB
  45. Antwaan Randle El WAS at NE
  46. Darrell Jackson SF vs. NO
  47. Roscoe Parrish BUF at NYJ
  48. David Patten NO at SF
  49. Anthony Gonzalez IND at CAR
  50. *Santana Moss WAS at NE
  51. *Isaac Bruce STL vs. CLE
  52. Ernest Wilford JAC at TB
  53. Keary Colbert CAR vs. IND
  54. *Lance Moore NO at SF
  55. James Jones GB at DEN
  56. Keenan McCardell WAS at NE
  57. Drew Carter CAR vs. IND
  58. Bobby Wade MIN vs. PHI
  59. Ted Ginn Jr. MIA vs. NYG**
  60. *Jacoby Jones HOU at SD
  61. Reggie Williams JAC at TB
  62. Antonio Chatman CIN vs. PIT
  63. Sidney Rice MIN vs. PHI
  64. Derek Hagan MIA vs. NYG**
  65. Jason Avant PHI at MIN
  66. *Andre Johnson HOU at SD -- Note: Practicing this week, but odds of playing still aren't that good.
  67. *Drew Bennett STL vs. CLE -- Note: Scratched last week with the hamstring injury.

Tight End

  1. Antonio Gates SD vs. HOU
  2. Kellen Winslow CLE at STL
  3. Dallas Clark IND at CAR
  4. Jeremy Shockey NYG at MIA**
  5. Heath Miller PIT at CIN
  6. Chris Cooley WAS at NE
  7. Owen Daniels HOU at SD
  8. Desmond Clark CHI vs. DET
  9. *Kyle Brady NE vs. WAS
  10. Greg Olsen CHI vs. DET
  11. Jeff King CAR vs. IND
  12. *Donald Lee GB at DEN
  13. *Vernon Davis SF vs. NO
  14. Eric Johnson NO at SF
  15. Randy McMichael STL vs. CLE
  16. *Alex Smith TB vs. JAC -- Note: Questionable with an ankle injury.
  17. Zach Miller OAK at TEN -- Note: Frequent target against the Chiefs.
  18. Bo Scaife TEN vs. OAK
  19. Marcedes Lewis JAC at TB
  20. Matt Spaeth PIT at CIN
  21. John Madsen OAK at TEN
  22. David Martin MIA vs. NYG**
  23. Jeb Putzier HOU at SD
  24. Reginald Kelly CIN vs. PIT
  25. *Chris Baker NYJ vs. BUF -- Note: Back injury.
  26. *Tony Scheffler DEN vs. GB -- Note: Sprained ankle in win over Steelers.
  27. Visanthe Shiancoe MIN vs. PHI
  28. *Bubba Franks GB at DEN -- Note: Probably out with a knee injury.
  29. *Ben Watson NE vs. WAS -- Note: Could miss another game this week with his ankle injury.
  30. *L.J. Smith PHI at MIN -- Note: Scratched with a groin injury last week.

Kicker

  1. Adam Vinatieri IND at CAR
  2. Stephen Gostkowski NE vs. WAS
  3. Kris Brown HOU at SD
  4. Rob Bironas TEN vs. OAK
  5. Phil Dawson CLE at STL
  6. Mason Crosby GB at DEN -- Note: A homecoming game for the former Buffaloes kicker.
  7. Robbie Gould CHI vs. DET
  8. Lawrence Tynes NYG at MIA**
  9. Jeff Reed PIT at CIN
  10. David Akers PHI at MIN
  11. Jason Elam DEN vs. GB
  12. Nate Kaeding SD vs. HOU
  13. Jason Hanson DET at CHI
  14. John Kasay CAR vs. IND
  15. Shaun Suisham WAS at NE
  16. Shayne Graham CIN vs. PIT
  17. Jay Feely MIA vs. NYG**
  18. Jeff Wilkins STL vs. CLE
  19. Sebastian Janikowski OAK at TEN
  20. Joe Nedney SF vs. NO
  21. Matt Bryant TB vs. JAC

Defense

  1. New York Giants at Miami**
  2. Tennessee vs. Oakland
  3. Tampa Bay vs. Jacksonville
  4. San Diego vs. Houston
  5. Chicago vs. Detroit
  6. Minnesota vs. Philadelphia
  7. New England vs. Washington
  8. Philadelphia at Minnesota
  9. Jacksonville at Tampa Bay
  10. Indianapolis at Carolina
  11. New Orleans at San Francisco
  12. Green Bay at Denver
  13. San Francisco vs. New Orleans
  14. Pittsburgh at Cincinnati
  15. Denver vs. Green Bay
  16. Detroit at Chicago
  17. Oakland at Tennessee
  18. Cleveland at St. Louis
  19. Buffalo at New York Jets
  20. New York Jets vs. Buffalo
  21. Carolina vs. Indianapolis
  22. Washington at New England
  23. Miami vs. New York Giants***
  24. St. Louis vs. Cleveland
  25. Cincinnati vs. Pittsburgh
  26. Houston at San Diego