Weekly Rankings: Division Week Value Meter

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Updated on January 13, 2016 9:25AM EST

Update Complete

Here are this week's Playoff Value Meter rankings. The rankings are strictly for this week. Go to Chris Liss's Playoff Draft Rankings if you want a resource for a full playoff draft.

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: four 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. Flex Rankings are for PPR leagues.

I will update these once during the week during the playoffs, to account for injury or other news during practice. The timing of this update will vary based on the news at hand and my schedule for the given week. But it won't happen until Thursday at the earliest, most likely Friday. At any rate, I will post a "last updated" note at the top of the article, or an "update in progress" note if it's while I'm doing it.

By all means, if you want to discuss a rank, or want me to add a player, chime in on the comments. I try to be receptive to your feedback and try to respond to most comments, though on occasion the volume can be quite thick. Please refer to the rankings first when asking "should I start Player A vs. Player B?".

Quarterback

1.	*Carson Palmer ARZ vs. GB Note: Doesn't expect dislocated right index

Update Complete

Here are this week's Playoff Value Meter rankings. The rankings are strictly for this week. Go to Chris Liss's Playoff Draft Rankings if you want a resource for a full playoff draft.

Quarterback

1.	Carson Palmer ARZ vs. GB Note: Doesn't expect dislocated right index finger to be an issue this week. Listed as probable.*
2.	Cam Newton CAR vs. Sea
3.	Russell Wilson SEA at Car
4.	Tom Brady NE vs. KC Note: Coming off of a mild ankle sprain, but didn't show any signs of trouble in Tuesday's practice. Listed as probable.*
5.	*Peyton Manning DEN vs. Pit Note: Named the starter last week.
6.	Aaron Rodgers GB at Ari
7.	Ben Roethlisberger PIT at Den Note: Suffered an AC Joint sprain and torn ligaments in his throwing shoulder, but the Steelers are optimistic he'll still play Sunday against the Broncos. Limited in practice most of the week, listed as questionable, but after Friday's practice Mike Tomlin said that he looked good and probably would play. However, he will not have Antonio Brown.*
8.	Alex Smith KC at NE
9.	*Landry Jones PIT at Den Note: Had to sub in for Ben Roethlisberger against the Bengals, but was yanked for the final series after throwing an interception on the previous series.
10.	Brock Osweiler DEN vs. Pit Note: (Knee) Returned to practice Monday after sitting out last week. Will be the backup after being able to practice all week.*

Running Backs

1.	David Johnson ARZ vs. GB
2.	C.J. Anderson DEN vs. Pit
3.	Marshawn Lynch SEA at Car Note: (Abdomen) Really could come down to a game-time call, according to coach Pete Carroll. Full participant in practice, on the flight, listed as probable.*
4.	James White NE vs. KC
5.	Jonathan Stewart CAR vs. Sea Note: (Foot) Plans to play on Sunday. Full participant in Thursday's practice.*
6.	Eddie Lacy GB at Ari Note: (Ribs) Listed as probable.*
7.	Charcandrick West KC at NE
8.	Fitzgerald Toussaint PIT at Den Note: Carried the ball 17 times compared to 11 for Todman against the Bengals.
9.	Ronnie Hillman DEN vs. Pit
10.	Steven Jackson NE vs. KC
11.	Christine Michael SEA at Car
12.	Spencer Ware KC at NE Note: (Ankle) Sat out practice Tuesday after no reports of the injury immediately after the game. Once again he had more carries than West last week. Limited practice Thursday, listed as questionable.*
13.	James Starks GB at Ari
14.	Cameron Artis-Payne CAR vs. Sea
15.	Jordan Todman PIT at Den
16.	Mike Tolbert CAR vs. Sea
17.	Andre Ellington ARZ vs. GB
18.	Brandon Bolden NE vs. KC
19.	Bryce Brown SEA at Car
20.	Fred Jackson SEA at Car
21.	Kerwynn Williams ARZ vs. GB
22.	DeAngelo Williams PIT at Den Note: (Foot) Remains 'on the outside' at practice and not optimistic to play Sunday. Ruled out again this week.*
23.	Fozzy Whittaker CAR vs. Sea Note: (High-Ankle Sprain) Not expected to practice Wednesday. Out again this week.*

Wide Receivers

1.	Michael Floyd ARZ vs. GB
2.	Demaryius Thomas DEN vs. Pit
3.	John Brown ARZ vs. GB
4.	Tyler Lockett SEA at Car
5.	Emmanuel Sanders DEN vs. Pit
6.	Doug Baldwin SEA at Car Note: My guess is that Baldwin draws Josh Norman more often.
7.	Julian Edelman NE vs. KC Note: (Foot) The Patriots remain optimistic that Edelman will come back and be effective Saturday against the Chiefs. Limited early in the week and listed as questionable.*
8.	Martavis Bryant PIT at Den
9.	James Jones GB at Ari
10.	Randall Cobb GB at Ari
11.	Devin Funchess CAR vs. Sea
12.	Larry Fitzgerald ARZ vs. GB
13.	Jermaine Kearse SEA at Car
14.	Philly Brown CAR vs. Sea
15.	Markus Wheaton PIT at Den
16.	Chris Conley KC at NE
17.	Danny Amendola NE vs. KC Note: (Knee) Listed as questionable.*
18.	Ted Ginn CAR vs. Sea Note: (Knee) Missed Week 17, but expects to practice Wednesday and play on Sunday. Held out of practice Friday with knee soreness, but still expected to play.*
19.	Albert Wilson KC at NE Note: (Hamstring) Listed as questionable.*
20.	Brandon LaFell NE vs. KC
21.	Jeremy Maclin KC at NE Note: Suffered a 'mild high-ankle sprain' against the Texans - it was initially feared to be another torn ACL. Did not practice Tuesday. Didn't practice with the team all week, listed as questionable.*
22.	J.J. Nelson ARZ vs. GB
23.	Keshawn Martin NE vs. KC
24.	*Antonio Brown PIT at Den Note: (Concussion) 'Isn't looking good' to play Sunday, this after the initial assessment was that he should be able to play.
25.	Davante Adams GB at Ari Note: Suffered a sprained MCL and is unlikely to play Saturday against Arizona. Officially ruled out.*

Tight Ends

1.	Greg Olsen CAR vs. Sea
2.	Travis Kelce KC at NE Note: Kelce had a monster game against the Texans, taking over the primary receiving duties once Maclin went down.
3.	Rob Gronkowski NE vs. KC Note: Sat out practice Tuesday, no injury reported. Has a sore knee and back and is listed as questionable, though he's expected to play.*
4.	Heath Miller PIT at Den
5.	Owen Daniels DEN vs. Pit
6.	Darren Fells ARZ vs. GB
7.	Luke Willson SEA at Car Note: (Concussion) Expected to return this week. Listed as probable.*
8.	Richard Rodgers GB at Ari Note: (Hip) Listed as probable.*
9.	Jermaine Gresham ARZ vs. GB
10.	Vernon Davis DEN vs. Pit
11.	Scott Chandler NE vs. KC
12.	Cooper Helfet SEA at Car
13.	Chase Coffman SEA at Car
14.	Demetrius Harris KC at NE
15.	Jesse James PIT at Den
16.	Andrew Quarless GB at Ari Note: Out with a knee injury.*

Flex (RB/WR/TE)

1.	David Johnson ARZ vs. GB
2.	Julian Edelman NE vs. KC Note: (Foot) The Patriots remain optimistic that Edelman will come back and be effective Saturday against the Chiefs. Limited early in the week and listed as questionable.*
3.	Michael Floyd ARZ vs. GB
4.	Demaryius Thomas DEN vs. Pit
5.	Rob Gronkowski NE vs. KC Note: Sat out practice Tuesday, no injury reported. Has a sore knee and back and is listed as questionable, though he's expected to play.*
6.	C.J. Anderson DEN vs. Pit
7.	James White NE vs. KC
8.	John Brown ARZ vs. GB
9.	Tyler Lockett SEA at Car
10.	Emmanuel Sanders DEN vs. Pit
11.	Martavis Bryant PIT at Den
12.	Christine Michael SEA at Car
13.	Greg Olsen CAR vs. Sea
14.	Travis Kelce KC at NE Note: Kelce had a monster game against the Texans, taking over the primary receiving duties once Maclin went down.
15.	Doug Baldwin SEA at Car Note: My guess is that Baldwin draws Josh Norman more often.
16.	James Jones GB at Ari
17.	Randall Cobb GB at Ari
18.	Eddie Lacy GB at Ari Note: (Ribs) Listed as probable.*
19.	Spencer Ware KC at NE Note: (Ankle) Sat out practice Tuesday after no reports of the injury immediately after the game. Once again he had more carries than West last week. Limited practice Thursday, listed as questionable.*
20.	Ted Ginn CAR vs. Sea Note: (Knee) Missed Week 17, but expects to practice Wednesday and play on Sunday. Held out of practice Friday with knee soreness, but still expected to play.*
21.	Larry Fitzgerald ARZ vs. GB
22.	Jermaine Kearse SEA at Car
23.	Devin Funchess CAR vs. Sea
24.	Jonathan Stewart CAR vs. Sea Note: (Foot) Plans to play on Sunday. Full participant in Thursday's practice.*
25.	Ronnie Hillman DEN vs. Pit
26.	Charcandrick West KC at NE
27.	Markus Wheaton PIT at Den
28.	Jordan Todman PIT at Den
29.	Heath Miller PIT at Den
30.	Owen Daniels DEN vs. Pit
31.	Fitzgerald Toussaint PIT at Den Note: Carried the ball 17 times compared to 11 for Todman against the Bengals.
32.	James Starks GB at Ari
33.	Steven Jackson NE vs. KC
34.	Cameron Artis-Payne CAR vs. Sea
35.	Albert Wilson KC at NE Note: (Hamstring) Listed as questionable.*
36.	Philly Brown CAR vs. Sea
37.	Danny Amendola NE vs. KC Note: (Knee) Listed as questionable.*
38.	Chris Conley KC at NE
39.	Brandon LaFell NE vs. KC
40.	Darren Fells ARZ vs. GB
41.	Richard Rodgers GB at Ari Note: (Hip) Listed as probable.*

Kickers

1.	Chandler Catanzaro ARZ vs. GB
2.	Stephen Gostkowski NE vs. KC
3.	Graham Gano CAR vs. Sea
4.	Brandon McManus DEN vs. Pit
5.	Chris Boswell PIT at Den Note: Four-for-four against the Bengals, nailed the game-winner after the controversial calls.
6.	Steven Hauschka SEA at Car
7.	Cairo Santos KC at NE
8.	Mason Crosby GB at Ari

Defenses

1.	*Denver Broncos vs. Pit Note: DeMarcus Ware (knee) sat out practice last week but returned on Monday. S Darian Stewart (hamstring) is less likely to play.
2.	Arizona Cardinals vs. GB
3.	*Carolina Panthers vs. Sea Note: Charles Tillman tore his ACL and will have surgery Wednesday.
4.	Kansas City Chiefs at NE
5.	Seattle Seahawks at Car
6.	*New England Patriots vs. KC Note: Chandler Jones (abdomen/toe) sat out Week 17 and needed medical attention on Sunday, but was able to practice Monday.
7.	Pittsburgh Steelers at Den
8.	*Green Bay Packers at Ari Note: Sam Shields (concussion) still sat out last week.