Weekly Rankings: Conference Championship Value Meter

Weekly Rankings: Conference Championship Value Meter

This article is part of our Weekly Rankings series.

Saturday Update Complete

Welcome to the Weekly Value Meter Rankings. This is a guide to help you decide who to start and sit this week. If you're looking for Playoff Draft Rankings, please see Chris Liss's rankings.

Here are my operating assumptions for the rankings:

- The RB/WR/TE position rankings are for PPR leagues.
- The Flex rankings are for Standard leagues.
- 1 point per 10 rushing/receiving yards.
- 1 point per 20 passing yards.
- 4 points per passing touchdowns.

These are the rankings I use when I make my start/sit decisions. Please consult the rankings first before asking "Player X vs. Player Y?" without any other mitigating factors. Of course, I welcome debate - if you think I'm wrong, let me know. But please check out the rankings first before asking your start/sit question. This truly reflects my opinion in my leagues.

These are my particular rankings. If you want a second opinion elsewhere on the site, you can see our Weekly Projections.

I welcome debate on the rankings in the comments. Please keep it friendly.

Quarterbacks

1.Aaron Rodgers GB vs. TB
2.*Patrick Mahomes KC vs. BUF
Note: Mahomes cleared some 'big steps' Monday, but remains in the concussion protocol. It's not yet a sure thing that he'll play Sunday. Let's just assume with this ranking, however, that he will. He's also dealing with a toe injury. Mahomes was cleared from the concussion protocol on Friday and will start.
3.Josh Allen

Saturday Update Complete

Welcome to the Weekly Value Meter Rankings. This is a guide to help you decide who to start and sit this week. If you're looking for Playoff Draft Rankings, please see Chris Liss's rankings.

Here are my operating assumptions for the rankings:

- The RB/WR/TE position rankings are for PPR leagues.
- The Flex rankings are for Standard leagues.
- 1 point per 10 rushing/receiving yards.
- 1 point per 20 passing yards.
- 4 points per passing touchdowns.

These are the rankings I use when I make my start/sit decisions. Please consult the rankings first before asking "Player X vs. Player Y?" without any other mitigating factors. Of course, I welcome debate - if you think I'm wrong, let me know. But please check out the rankings first before asking your start/sit question. This truly reflects my opinion in my leagues.

These are my particular rankings. If you want a second opinion elsewhere on the site, you can see our Weekly Projections.

I welcome debate on the rankings in the comments. Please keep it friendly.

Quarterbacks

1.Aaron Rodgers GB vs. TB
2.*Patrick Mahomes KC vs. BUF
Note: Mahomes cleared some 'big steps' Monday, but remains in the concussion protocol. It's not yet a sure thing that he'll play Sunday. Let's just assume with this ranking, however, that he will. He's also dealing with a toe injury. Mahomes was cleared from the concussion protocol on Friday and will start.
3.Josh Allen BUF at KC
4.Tom Brady TB at GB
5.*Chad Henne KC vs. BUF
Note: Henne is standing by if Mahomes can't play. Everyone remembers the gutsy 3rd down run and 4th down completion, but don't forget his awful arm-punt on 1st-and-25 with 8:10 remaining. Luckily the defense bailed him out.

Running Backs

1.*Leonard Fournette TB at GB
Note: Fournette is back to sharing carries with Jones, but for now still appears to be the lead back, and the primary one in passing situations.
2.*Aaron Jones GB vs. TB
Note: Most talented RB remaining, but has a terrible matchup.
3.*Ronald Jones TB at GB
Note: Jones (quadriceps) ran well in the win over the Saints, carrying 13 times for 62 yards. He also had a big run called back by a holding penalty - though on that big run he sort of pulled up at the end. Still, even after that play he returned, so he should be able to play this week. Jones was limited early in the week, but had a full practice Friday and was cleared from the injury report.
4.Devin Singletary BUF at KC
5.*Darrel Williams KC vs. BUF
Note: Lev Bell might not play, but CEH is getting closer to playing.
6.*Jamaal Williams GB vs. TB
Note: Williams (ankle) was limited throughout the week, but cleared from the injury report nonetheless.
7.*Clyde Edwards-Helaire KC vs. BUF
Note: Is it the hip or the ankle? Either way, he didn't play last week. For now, I'm ranking him as if he won't play. Edwards-Helaire had limited practices all week and is listed as questionable.
8.T.J. Yeldon BUF at KC
9.*AJ Dillon GB vs. TB
Note: Dillon suffered a quad injury on his fumble that bounced back to Aaron Rodgers against the Rams. The Packers are 'hopeful' that he'll be ready to go by Sunday, but his status for Wednesday's practice is uncertain. Limited in practice during the week, but cleared from the injury report.
10.Darwin Thompson KC vs. BUF
11.LeSean McCoy TB at GB
12.*Le'Veon Bell KC vs. BUF
Note: Bell was barely used against the Browns, even with CEH out. Bell was added to the injury report with a knee issue and missed practices Thursday and Friday.

Wide Receivers

1.Davante Adams GB vs. TB
2.Tyreek Hill KC vs. BUF
3.*Stefon Diggs BUF at KC
Note: Diggs (oblique) has been cleared from the injury list.
4.*Chris Godwin TB at GB
Note: Godwin has struggled with drops in the playoffs, though the one in the end zone against the Saints is probably better classified as a tough catch attempt. Godwin (quad) has been cleared from the injury list.
5.*Mike Evans TB at GB
Note: Evans (knee) doesn't have an injury designation this week.
6.*Allen Lazard GB vs. TB
Note: Lazard (wrist/back) doesn't have an injury designation this week.
7.*John Brown BUF at KC
Note: Brown took over the secondary role for the Bills against the Ravens, netting eight catches on 11 targets.
8.*Cole Beasley BUF at KC
Note: Beasley (knee) has been cleared from the injury list this week.
9.Marquez Valdes-Scantling GB vs. TB
10.*Tyler Johnson TB at GB
Note: Johnson and Miller could get more targets with Antonio Brown ruled out this week.
11.Mecole Hardman KC vs. BUF
12.*Scotty Miller TB at GB
Note: Johnson and Miller could get more targets with Antonio Brown ruled out this week.
13.*Gabriel Davis BUF at KC
Note: Davis hurt his ankle in Saturday's win over the Ravens, but quickly returned. Still, he was shut out, though that could also be partly a function of the windy conditions hurting the downfield passing game. Davis (ankle) is listed as questionable after returning for a limited practice Friday.
14.*Sammy Watkins KC vs. BUF
Note: Watkins (calf) wasn't able to practice at all last week before sitting out Sunday's win. Watkins had limited practices all week, and is listed as questionable this week - that's an upgrade over last week when he was ruled out early.
15.*Equanimeous St. Brown GB vs. TB
Note: St. Brown (ankle/knee) has been cleared from the injury list.
16.Demarcus Robinson KC vs. BUF
17.Byron Pringle KC vs. BUF
18.Isaiah McKenzie BUF at KC
19.Kenny Stills BUF at KC
20.*Antonio Brown TB at GB
Note: Brown suffered a knee injury in the win over the Saints and is considered day-to-day, though the injury was significant enough for him to have an MRI. Brown was ruled out on Friday morning and didn't travel for the game.

Tight Ends

1.Travis Kelce KC vs. BUF
2.Robert Tonyan GB vs. TB
3.Rob Gronkowski TB at GB
4.*Cameron Brate TB at GB
Note: Brate was very active in the passing game for the second straight preseason game, going 4-5-50 in the win over the Saints.
5.Dawson Knox BUF at KC
6.Lee Smith BUF at KC
7.*Marcedes Lewis GB vs. TB
Note: Lewis (knee) has been cleared from the injury report.

Flex (RB/WR/TE)

1.Davante Adams GB vs. TB
2.Travis Kelce KC vs. BUF
3.Tyreek Hill KC vs. BUF
4.*Stefon Diggs BUF at KC
Note: Diggs (oblique) has been cleared from the injury list.
5.*Chris Godwin TB at GB
Note: Godwin has struggled with drops in the playoffs, though the one in the end zone against the Saints is probably better classified as a tough catch attempt. Godwin (quad) has been cleared from the injury list.
6.*Mike Evans TB at GB
Note: Evans (knee) doesn't have an injury designation this week.
7.*Leonard Fournette TB at GB
Note: Fournette is back to sharing carries with Jones, but for now still appears to be the lead back, and the primary one in passing situations.
8.*Aaron Jones GB vs. TB
Note: Most talented RB remaining, but has a terrible matchup.
9.*Ronald Jones TB at GB
Note: Jones (quadriceps) ran well in the win over the Saints, carrying 13 times for 62 yards. He also had a big run called back by a holding penalty - though on that big run he sort of pulled up at the end. Still, even after that play he returned, so he should be able to play this week. Jones was limited early in the week, but had a full practice Friday and was cleared from the injury report.
10.Devin Singletary BUF at KC
11.*Darrel Williams KC vs. BUF
Note: Lev Bell might not play, but CEH is getting closer to playing.
12.*Allen Lazard GB vs. TB
Note: Lazard (wrist/back) doesn't have an injury designation this week.
13.*John Brown BUF at KC
Note: Brown took over the secondary role for the Bills against the Ravens, netting eight catches on 11 targets.
14.Robert Tonyan GB vs. TB
15.Rob Gronkowski TB at GB
16.*Cole Beasley BUF at KC
Note: Beasley (knee) has been cleared from the injury list this week.
17.Marquez Valdes-Scantling GB vs. TB
18.*Tyler Johnson TB at GB
Note: Johnson and Miller could get more targets with Antonio Brown ruled out this week.
19.*Jamaal Williams GB vs. TB
Note: Williams (ankle) was limited throughout the week, but cleared from the injury report nonetheless.
20.*Clyde Edwards-Helaire KC vs. BUF
Note: Is it the hip or the ankle? Either way, he didn't play last week. For now, I'm ranking him as if he won't play. Edwards-Helaire had limited practices all week and is listed as questionable.
21.Mecole Hardman KC vs. BUF
22.*Scotty Miller TB at GB
Note: Johnson and Miller could get more targets with Antonio Brown ruled out this week.
23.*Gabriel Davis BUF at KC
Note: Davis hurt his ankle in Saturday's win over the Ravens, but quickly returned. Still, he was shut out, though that could also be partly a function of the windy conditions hurting the downfield passing game. Davis (ankle) is listed as questionable after returning for a limited practice Friday.
24.*Sammy Watkins KC vs. BUF
Note: Watkins (calf) wasn't able to practice at all last week before sitting out Sunday's win. Watkins had limited practices all week, and is listed as questionable this week - that's an upgrade over last week when he was ruled out early.
25.*Cameron Brate TB at GB
Note: Brate was very active in the passing game for the second straight preseason game, going 4-5-50 in the win over the Saints.
26.Dawson Knox BUF at KC
27.*Equanimeous St. Brown GB vs. TB
Note: St. Brown (ankle/knee) has been cleared from the injury list.
28.Demarcus Robinson KC vs. BUF

Kickers

1.*Harrison Butker KC vs. BUF
Note: Butker has been shaky at times this year, missing 10 kicks overall, including two last week (one extra point, one field goal attempt).
2.Tyler Bass BUF at KC
3.*Mason Crosby GB vs. TB
Note: Crosby (shoulder) was limited in practice earlier in the week, but has been cleared from the injury report.
4.Ryan Succop TB at GB

Defenses

1.*Green Bay Packers vs. TB
Note: Krys Barnes is playing through a broken thumb. He still managed 10 tackles last week.
2.Tampa Bay Buccaneers at GB
3.Kansas City Chiefs vs. BUF
4.*Buffalo Bills at KC
Note: Taron Johnson's pick-six was such a massive play - the amazing part was that he was able to return it all the way, despite picking it off in the middle of the field. If Patrick Mahomes can't play, then Buffalo leaps all the way to first in the rankings.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jeff Erickson
Jeff Erickson is a co-founder of RotoWire and the only two-time winner of Baseball Writer of the Year from the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. He's also in the FSWA Hall of Fame. He roots for the Reds, Bengals, Red Wings, Pacers and Northwestern University (the real NU).
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