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Week 7 Quarterback Rankings
RANK	Name	Team	Opponent
1	Tom Brady	Patriots	@MIA
2	Tony Romo	Cowboys	MIN
3	Carson Palmer	Bengals	NYJ
4	Peyton Manning	Colts	@JAC
5	Matt Hasselbeck	Seahawks	STL
6	Eli Manning	Giants	SF
7	Ben Roethlisberger	Steelers	@DEN
8	Jon Kitna	Lions	TB
9	Jason Campbell	Redskins	ARI
10	Jeff Garcia	Buccaneers	@DET
11	Donovan McNabb	Eagles	CHI
12	Brian Griese	Bears	@PHI
13	David Garrard	Jaguars	IND
14	Marc Bulger	Rams	@SEA
15	Drew Brees	Saints	ATL
16	Vince Young	Titans	@HOU
17	Matt Schaub	Texans	TEN
18	Chad Pennington	Jets	@CIN
19	Daunte Culpepper	Raiders	KC
20	Tarvaris Jackson	Vikings	@DAL
21	Jay Cutler	Broncos	PIT
22	Cleo Lemon	Dolphins	NE
23	Joey Harrington	Falcons	@NO
24	Damon Huard	Chiefs	@OAK
25	Alex D. Smith	49ers	@NYG
26	Kyle Boller	Ravens	@BUF
27	Trent Edwards	Bills	BAL
28	Tim Rattay	Cardinals	@WAS

(Bye-Week Notables: Brett Favre, Philip Rivers, Derek Anderson, Vinny Testaverde)

Notes: Carson Palmer isn't playing well. But the good news is: Even when he doesn't play well, his fantasy teams benefit. Palmer forced several throws Sunday against the Chiefs because the Bengals needed to surmount a deficit; as a result, he tossed it 43 times. Things get a lot easier against the Jets' anemic pass rush in Week 7. ... I was tempted to go quite a bit higher on Garcia, but suffice it to say: You should start him.

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The Lions allow the third-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, and while they're also easy to run against, running isn't what the Bucs do best. Garcia still probably won't go downfield that much, but his downside is limited; he's gone 141 passes without a pick this season. ... McNabb definitely benefited from some obscenely bad Jets tackling early Sunday, but didn't do much after Kevin Curtis's long catch-and-run. He's still (barely) a fantasy starter, but his accuracy is off. ... Griese benefits from the continued absence of Brian Dawkins, but cornerback Lito Sheppard is expected to return for the Eagles in Week 7. ... I may bump Bulger up on Friday if he practices this week. As it is, he's expected to play over the dumbfoundingly bad Gus Frerotte, and Seattle's defense is reeling a bit. ... Brees looked like his old self on Sunday night, but I'm waiting one more game to use him if I've got other options. Atlanta played acceptably well on defense Monday night (their problems lie on offense), and I want to see Brees do it again. ... Vince Young reportedly won't practice this week because of an injured quad, but he hasn't been ruled out for the Houston game. We should know more later in the week; Kerry Collins (ick) would go if VY can't. ... I'm oh-so-tempted to put Pennington higher. He's a stubborn little bugger, and with so many people (including me) talking trash about him, I could see him torching the Bengals. But he's just looked so bad lately. ... Trent Green is practicing for Miami, and I guess there's a chance he comes back and starts over Cleo Lemon. You don't want either guy against the Patriots, anyway. ... Trent Edwards faces a terrible matchup against the Ravens, but it sounds as if he's Buffalo's permanent full-time quarterback, thus mercifully ending the J.P. Losman era. Edwards is calm, while Losman was hair-on-fire. 'Nuff said.

Week 7 Running Back Rankings
RANK	Name	Team	Opponent
1	Brian Westbrook	Eagles	CHI
2	Adrian Peterson	Vikings	@DAL
3	Joseph Addai	Colts	@JAC
4	Ronnie Brown	Dolphins	NE
5	Willie Parker	Steelers	@DEN
6	Larry Johnson	Chiefs	@OAK
7	Willis McGahee	Ravens	@BUF
8	Frank Gore	49ers	@NYG
9	Clinton Portis	Redskins	ARI
10	Reggie Bush	Saints	ATL
11	Maurice Jones-Drew	Jaguars	IND
12	Shaun Alexander	Seahawks	STL
13	Travis Henry	Broncos	PIT
14	LaMont Jordan	Raiders	KC
15	Thomas Jones	Jets	@CIN
16	Edgerrin James	Cardinals	@WAS
17	Brandon Jacobs	Giants	SF
18	Marshawn Lynch	Bills	BAL
19	Kevin Jones	Lions	TB
20	Earnest Graham	Buccaneers	@DET
21	LenDale White	Titans	@HOU
22	Marion Barber III	Cowboys	MIN
23	Laurence Maroney	Patriots	@MIA
24	Kenny Watson	Bengals	NYJ
25	Cedric Benson	Bears	@PHI
26	Brian Leonard	Rams	@SEA
27	Rudi Johnson	Bengals	NYJ
28	Ahman Green	Texans	TEN
29	Warrick Dunn	Falcons	@NO
30	Julius Jones	Cowboys	MIN
31	Derrick Ward	Giants	SF
32	Chester Taylor	Vikings	@DAL
33	Justin Fargas	Raiders	KC
34	Fred Taylor	Jaguars	IND
35	Jerious Norwood	Falcons	@NO
36	Chris Brown	Titans	@HOU
37	Leon Washington	Jets	@CIN
38	Kevin Faulk	Patriots	@MIA
39	Kenton Keith	Colts	@JAC
40	Correll Buckhalter	Eagles	CHI
41	Selvin Young	Broncos	PIT
42	Najeh Davenport	Steelers	@DEN
43	Reuben Droughns	Giants	SF
44	Ladell Betts	Redskins	ARI
45	Ron Dayne	Texans	TEN
46	Adrian Peterson.	Bears	@PHI
47	Greg Jones	Jaguars	IND
48	Michael Bennett	Buccaneers	@DET
49	Leonard Weaver	Seahawks	STL
50	Pierre Thomas	Saints	ATL

(Bye-Week Notables: LaDainian Tomlinson, Michael Turner, DeShaun Foster, DeAngelo Williams, DeShawn Wynn, Vernand Morency, Brandon Jackson, Jamal Lewis, Jason Wright)

Notes: I have Minnesota's Peterson second among rushers despite the fact that coach Brad Childress continues to promise he'll split touches between AP and Chester Taylor. Last week, Taylor actually got the ball one more time than Peterson did. Hey, but what matters is what you do when you get it, right? ... For at least one week, it appears I was right about Larry Johnson. He was excellent in the first half against Cincy and only ran into problems once the Chiefs were trying to protect a lead by rushing in obvious run situations. The Raiders are allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing rushers. Speaking of LJ, with Michael Bennett (not ranked as he learns the Tampa offense) headed to the Bucs, Kolby Smith becomes the must-handcuff for Johnson owners. ... Alexander didn't do anything to assuage his owners' fears last week. Against what had been a very easy Saints defense, Alexander looked indecisive. Part of it, no doubt, is a lack of reliable holes from his overrated O-line. Nevertheless, when Leonard Weaver looks better, there's cause for concern. Hopefully the Rams make Alexander right. ... Thanks a lot, LaMont Jordan. I daresay there were precious few fantasy players in this great land who started the "Big Dummy" for his 4 p.m. game Sunday, since he went from "doubtful" to "18 carries" in about five minutes. Those who tried Justin Fargas (or, worse, Dominic Rhodes) were sorely disappointed. Anyway, Jordan doesn't have a fantastic matchup against a surging Chiefs D, but he's been solid all year, so you probably have to start him. ... Edgerrin James is playing very well, but without either of the Cardinals' first two quarterbacks available, he'll be the focus of Washington's defense this week. ... Jacobs may have dinged up his ankle a bit Monday night, but Giants coach Tom Coughlin says he'll be fine. What's not fine is this huge, lumbering back losing goal-line touches to Reuben "The Sandwich" Droughns. ... I know Graham was terrible last week and didn't exactly get a vote of confidence when the Bucs traded for oft-injured and even-more-oft-terrible Michael Bennett. But Detroit's rush defense is just awful. Graham is a decent fill-in if your main guys are on bye. ... Rudi Johnson is reportedly expected to see an "increased workload," but considering he carried it four times Sunday, I'm still not sure what that means. For the moment, I have Kenny Watson higher, but that's subject to change on Friday. ... Sammy Morris is out for at least a month, and Laurence Maroney's groin still isn't a sure thing, so Kevin Faulk gets some love in this week's rankings. I still believe Maroney will play, but as usual, it's going to be very deep into the week before we know anything for sure. ... With Chris Brown hurting, it sounds like rookie Chris Henry (the rusher, not the troubled wideout) will be active for the first time this week. If Brown can't play because of his injured ankle, Henry could make a decent Hail Mary for the bye-decimated.

Week 7 Wide Receiver Rankings
RANK	Name	Team	Opponent
1	T.J. Houshmandzadeh	Bengals	NYJ
2	Randy Moss	Patriots	@MIA
3	Plaxico Burress	Giants	SF
4	Chad Johnson	Bengals	NYJ
5	Terrell Owens	Cowboys	MIN
6	Marvin Harrison	Colts	@JAC
7	Reggie Wayne	Colts	@JAC
8	Roy Williams	Lions	TB
9	Joey Galloway	Buccaneers	@DET
10	Jerricho Cotchery	Jets	@CIN
11	Laveranues Coles	Jets	@CIN
12	Larry Fitzgerald	Cardinals	@WAS
13	Kevin Curtis	Eagles	CHI
14	Torry Holt	Rams	@SEA
15	Patrick Crayton	Cowboys	MIN
16	Wes Welker	Patriots	@MIA
17	Anquan Boldin	Cardinals	@WAS
18	Marques Colston	Saints	ATL
19	Santonio Holmes	Steelers	@DEN
20	Donte' Stallworth	Patriots	@MIA
21	Ronald Curry	Raiders	KC
22	Hines Ward	Steelers	@DEN
23	Derrick Mason	Ravens	@BUF
24	Dwayne Bowe	Chiefs	@OAK
25	Javon Walker	Broncos	PIT
26	Roddy White	Falcons	@NO
27	Bobby Engram	Seahawks	STL
28	Shaun McDonald	Lions	TB
29	Brandon Marshall	Broncos	PIT
30	Antwaan Randle El	Redskins	ARI
31	Mike Furrey	Lions	TB
32	Bernard Berrian	Bears	@PHI
33	Marty Booker	Dolphins	NE
34	Calvin Johnson	Lions	TB
35	Darrell Jackson	49ers	@NYG
36	Andre Davis	Texans	TEN
37	Muhsin Muhammad	Bears	@PHI
38	Amani Toomer	Giants	SF
39	Lee Evans	Bills	BAL
40	Dennis Northcutt	Jaguars	IND
41	Reggie Brown	Eagles	CHI
42	Ike Hilliard	Buccaneers	@DET
43	Nate Burleson	Seahawks	STL
44	Roscoe Parrish	Bills	BAL
45	Jerry Porter	Raiders	KC
46	Roydell Williams	Titans	@HOU
47	Arnaz Battle	49ers	@NYG
48	Mark Clayton	Ravens	@BUF
49	David Patten	Saints	ATL
50	Ted Ginn Jr.	Dolphins	NE

(Bye-Week Notables: Steve Smith, Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, Braylon Edwards, Joe Jurevicius, Vincent Jackson, Chris Chambers)

Notes: I've followed my cohort Nate Ravitz's assertion that Houshmandzadeh deserves the top spot among receivers, at least with Steve Smith on bye (and with Vinny T the Carolina QB). Housh, as Nate notes, is on pace for 150 catches and 20 touchdowns. That would be some kind of record or something. ... This just in: Plaxico Burress scores a touchdown every game. ... It sounds like Harrison will be OK to go against the Jags. Jacksonville often puts Rashean Mathis on Harrison no matter where he lines up, which sounds good until you watch career tape of those two against one another and see Harrison repeatedly making Mathis look foolish. Suffice it to say the matchup doesn't scare me much, and Marvin's due to go on his annual touchdown safari. ... Galloway is perhaps the least-consistent good fantasy receiver around, and as I mentioned earlier, I wouldn't suddenly expect Jeff Garcia to go commando and fling it 50 yards a pop. But Galloway is a fantastic run-and-catch guy, and I think he'll score on Sunday. ... For the moment I've got Fitzgerald higher than Boldin, but Boldin high enough that I think he'll play. The damper on this is that Tim Rattay would appear to be the Cardinals' quarterback, unless Kurt Warner makes a (dare I say it?) miraculous recovery from a torn ligament in his non-throwing elbow. Washington's defense is quite a bit better this year, though if Rattay remains upright, he'll get some yardage. ... I haven't heard much on Javon Walker, other than that he thinks he'll be able to play against Pittsburgh on Sunday but won't know anything for sure until he's undergone a week of practice. Jay Cutler certainly needs Walker badly. I'm a big booster normally, but I don't trust this knee of his. It sounds like it might be a problem all year. ... Was Santana Moss distracted Sunday because of his injuries? He played one of the worst games a wide receiver has had in 2007, tipping an easy reception for an interception and dropping a reverse that the Packers returned for a touchdown. He told reporters he pulled himself from the game because of a cramp and not because of anything serious, but still, it was a pretty gutless performance. For the moment, I've got Randle El ranked and Moss not, but that'll change if it's clear Moss will play. ... I guess Booker benefits a bit from Chris Chambers getting dealt from Miami to San Diego, but you have to believe the Fins also want to take a long look at Ted Ginn Jr. and Derek Hagan. Booker is ownable in deeper leagues, but I doubt he'll be a consistent contributor. ... Darrell Jackson got himself dropped in my 16-team league, which is quite an insult (Priest Holmes is owned in that league). Alex Smith will probably play against the Giants, which restores some of Jackson's fantasy value, but hey, if an offense steadfastly refuses to throw the ball downfield, I can't blame folks for abandoning even as talented a guy as Jackson. ... There's still a chance Andre Johnson could play this week; in fact, coach Gary Kubiak told reporters Tuesday he was relatively optimistic it could happen. I haven't ranked AJ just yet (and have Andre Davis as my top Texans receiver), but I may change my mind Friday.

Week 7 Tight End Rankings
RANK	Name	Team	Opponent
1	Dallas Clark	Colts	@JAC
2	Jason Witten	Cowboys	MIN
3	Tony Gonzalez	Chiefs	@OAK
4	Chris Cooley	Redskins	ARI
5	Owen Daniels	Texans	TEN
6	Jeremy Shockey	Giants	SF
7	Heath Miller	Steelers	@DEN
8	Eric Johnson	Saints	ATL
9	Desmond Clark	Bears	@PHI
10	Chris Baker	Jets	@CIN
11	Greg Olsen	Bears	@PHI
12	Bo Scaife	Titans	@HOU
13	Marcus Pollard	Seahawks	STL
14	Randy McMichael	Rams	@SEA
15	Vernon Davis	49ers	@NYG
16	Marcedes Lewis	Jaguars	IND
17	Alge Crumpler	Falcons	@NO
18	Todd Heap	Ravens	@BUF
19	L.J. Smith	Eagles	CHI
20	Alex Smith	Buccaneers	@DET
21	Leonard Pope	Cardinals	@WAS
22	Zach Miller	Raiders	KC
23	David Martin	Dolphins	NE
24	Kyle Brady	Patriots	@MIA
25	Sean McHugh	Lions	TB
26	Quinn Sypniewski	Ravens	@BUF
27	John Madsen	Raiders	KC
28	Daniel Graham	Broncos	PIT

(Bye-Week Notables: Antonio Gates, Kellen Winslow, Donald Lee, Bubba Franks, Jeff King)

Notes: Without Gates or Winslow around, the question became: Dallas Clark or Jason Witten? While I have Clark higher because he has five touchdowns to Witten's four, you can't really go wrong with either. Tony Gonzalez is making a move on the outside, as well. He's gotten 14 and 10 targets in Kansas City's past two games. ... Cooley, too, makes a quality starter. He's scored a touchdown in each of Washington's past four contests. ... Olsen has outpaced Desmond Clark in targets each of the past two games, but not by much, and Clark still looks like a slightly better red zone target. They're both usable, but it's hard not to dream of Olsen as a starter by himself. Bears fans may get that wish as soon as 2008. ... It sounds like Vernon Davis will finally return this week, just in time for Alex Smith not to throw the ball to him. Nevertheless, if Davis comes through practice well this week, I'll probably bump him up to starter-worthy.

Week 7 Kicker Rankings
RANK	Name	Team	Opponent
1	Nick Folk	Cowboys	MIN
2	Stephen Gostkowski	Patriots	@MIA
3	Adam Vinatieri	Colts	@JAC
4	Matt Stover	Ravens	@BUF
5	Kris Brown	Texans	TEN
6	Jeff Reed	Steelers	@DEN
7	David Akers	Eagles	CHI
8	Jason Elam	Broncos	PIT
9	Jay Feely	Dolphins	NE
10	Shayne Graham	Bengals	NYJ
11	Jason Hanson	Lions	TB
12	Neil Rackers	Cardinals	@WAS
13	Ryan Longwell	Vikings	@DAL
14	John Carney	Jaguars	IND
15	Morten Andersen	Falcons	@NO
16	Rob Bironas	Titans	@HOU
17	Robbie Gould	Bears	@PHI
18	Lawrence Tynes	Giants	SF
19	Shaun Suisham	Redskins	ARI
20	Josh Brown	Seahawks	STL
21	Jeff Wilkins	Rams	@SEA
22	Sebastian Janikowski	Raiders	KC
23	Matt Bryant	Buccaneers	@DET
24	Olindo Mare	Saints	ATL
25	Joe Nedney	49ers	@NYG
26	Mike Nugent	Jets	@CIN
27	Dave Rayner	Chiefs	@OAK
28	Rian Lindell	Bills	BAL

(Bye-Week Notables: Mason Crosby, Nate Kaeding, John Kasay, Phil Dawson)

Notes: Akers missed what were perhaps the two ugliest kicks of his career Sunday, but with the Eagles regularly stalling deep in the opponent's territory, he'll keep getting chances. ... Who are the first candidates to kick in a blinding snowstorm? How about Jeff Reed and Jason Elam this week in Denver? Which begs the question: How many times have World Series games been canceled on account of blizzard? Who's got custody of Bowie Kuhn's short-sleeved shirt, anyway? ... John Carney gets a big nod from me if only because of his sneaky onside kick Sunday, which he himself recovered.

Week 7 Defense Rankings
RANK	Name	Team	Opponent
1	Baltimore	Ravens	@BUF
2	New England	Patriots	@MIA
3	Pittsburgh	Steelers	@DEN
4	New York	Giants	SF
5	Washington	Redskins	ARI
6	Tampa Bay	Buccaneers	@DET
7	Chicago	Bears	@PHI
8	Philadelphia	Eagles	CHI
9	Seattle	Seahawks	STL
10	Tennessee	Titans	@HOU
11	Kansas City	Chiefs	@OAK
12	Houston	Texans	TEN
13	Dallas	Cowboys	MIN
14	Minnesota	Vikings	@DAL
15	Buffalo	Bills	BAL
16	Oakland	Raiders	KC
17	New Orleans	Saints	ATL
18	Jacksonville	Jaguars	IND
19	Indianapolis	Colts	@JAC
20	Denver	Broncos	PIT
21	Atlanta	Falcons	@NO
22	Detroit	Lions	TB
23	Arizona	Cardinals	@WAS
24	Cincinnati	Bengals	NYJ
25	St. Louis	Rams	@SEA
26	New York.	Jets	@CIN
27	San Francisco	49ers	@NYG
28	Miami	Dolphins	NE

(Bye-Week Notables: Green Bay, San Diego, Carolina, Cleveland)

Notes: It gives me the shudders to rank the Giants this high; I still don't like their back seven very much, but it's hard to argue with the results. True, they've benefited from some sweet matchups over the past few weeks, but it's not hard to imagine them walking all over the Niners offense on Sunday. ... Ditto Washington, which hasn't been anywhere near my top five all season. Upon review of Sunday's game in Green Bay, however, I was impressed at the pressure that once-beleaguered front line got on Favre & Co., and getting rid of Adam Archuleta was one of the smartest things Redskins owner Dan Snyder ever allowed his coaches to do. (Signing Archuleta? Another story entirely, right Bears fans?) ... Neither do I enjoy endorsing Seattle's mediocre defense as a starting unit for Week 7, but the matchup says "go." Sure, Marc Bulger is back, but Seattle's real troubles rest with stopping the run, and Steven Jackson isn't close to ready. ... Normally I have the Vikings quite a lot higher, but the secondary in Minnesota has fallen apart lately. Antoine Winfield & Co. seem to be far more concerned about helping in run support than, like, covering people.

Don't forget to read The Breakdown on Fridays for more detailed thoughts on every team and every game.

Christopher Harris is a fantasy baseball, football and racing analyst for ESPN.com.

You can e-mail him here.