ESPN

Week 16 Quarterback Rankings
RANK	Name	Team	Opponent
1	Tom Brady	Patriots	MIA
2	Brett Favre	Packers	@CHI
3	Tony Romo	Cowboys	@CAR
4	Peyton Manning	Colts	HOU
5	Derek Anderson	Browns	@CIN
6	Ben Roethlisberger	Steelers	@STL
7	Matt Hasselbeck	Seahawks	BAL
8	Kurt Warner	Cardinals	ATL
9	Carson Palmer	Bengals	CLE
10	Drew Brees	Saints	PHI
11	David Garrard	Jaguars	OAK
12	Donovan McNabb	Eagles	@NO
13	Jeff Garcia	Buccaneers	@SF
14	Jon Kitna	Lions	KC
15	Vince Young	Titans	NYJ
16	Marc Bulger	Rams	PIT
17	Eli Manning	Giants	@BUF
18	Philip Rivers	Chargers	DEN
19	Brodie Croyle	Chiefs	@DET
20	Todd Collins	Redskins	@MIN
21	Trent Edwards	Bills	NYG
22	Sage Rosenfels	Texans	@IND
23	Tarvaris Jackson	Vikings	WAS
24	Shaun Hill	49ers	TB
25	Chris Redman	Falcons	@ARI
26	Jay Cutler	Broncos	@SD
27	Chad Pennington	Jets	@TEN
28	Kyle Boller	Ravens	@SEA
29	Matt Moore	Panthers	DAL
30	Josh McCown	Raiders	@JAC
31	Cleo Lemon	Dolphins	@NE
32	Kyle Orton	Bears	GB

Think you know who will win all 34 bowl games this season? Put your prognosticating skills to the test in College Bowl Mania, featuring both confidence-style and straight-up selections. Sign up and play for free

Notes: Romo's thumb is the big story Saturday night. As of this writing, he hadn't done much more in practice than lob lollipops, but right now I believe he'll play in Carolina, and play well. The Panthers did a fine job shutting down the Seahawks this past week, but Dallas' pass offense is light years away from West Coast, and Carolina has still allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks over the past five weeks. … Warner isn't playing all that well, but the Cardinals are very willing to throw in the red zone (witness two scores in Week 15 to obscure tight ends), and Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin are both going to play against the reeling Falcons. Warner does have 10 fumbles on the season, and is riskier than he should be considering how much he passes, but still, he's eminently startable. … Brees showed his midrange side against the Cardinals, and threw nine fewer passes than his average, but the Saints are primarily a passing team, so even a game against an Eagles secondary that's playing its best right now isn't enough to keep you from starting the Saints' signal-caller. … McNabb hung Pam Oliver out to dry on her report that he's contemplating life after Philly, but how could he not be? The Eagles have good coaches and Brian Westbrook, and that's it. The O-line is old, the front seven is below average and the receivers are complementary parts. Obviously, teams get good fast in the NFL, so it's possible Philly surprises me, but I think the Eagles are rebuilding next year. McNabb has a really good chance of being somewhere else, and the Eagles are dumb for not giving Kevin Kolb a look. But they won't, and McNabb has a super-tasty matchup against the terrible Saints pass defense. … Garcia didn't do anything against the Falcons, but don't hold it against him: The defense and special teams each scored early, the score was 14-3 six minutes in, and there wasn't much reason to throw. Clearly, Earnest Graham is the more valuable property, but the Niners have allowed eight touchdown passes and picked off just four balls in their past five games. … I have Croyle as high as I do strictly because the Lions have quit on defense. The Chiefs have to realize Croyle isn't the guy long term, but they let him throw it 43 times this past week, and he did zip in a few nice long ones. … Rosenfels could very well be a starting quarterback in my 16-team league's title game Sunday (if Romo can't go). The Colts are missing a ton of people up front, but the corners and Bob Sanders are OK, which means as well as he played last Thursday, I can't endorse ol' Sage.

Week 16 Running Back Rankings
RANK	Name	Team	Opponent
1	LaDainian Tomlinson	Chargers	DEN
2	Steven Jackson	Rams	PIT
3	Ryan Grant	Packers	@CHI
4	Joseph Addai	Colts	HOU
5	Earnest Graham	Buccaneers	@SF
6	Brian Westbrook	Eagles	@NO
7	LenDale White	Titans	NYJ
8	Adrian Peterson	Vikings	WAS
9	Fred Taylor	Jaguars	OAK
10	Willis McGahee	Ravens	@SEA
11	Brandon Jacobs	Giants	@BUF
12	Jamal Lewis	Browns	@CIN
13	Kolby Smith	Chiefs	@DET
14	Willie Parker	Steelers	@STL
15	Marion Barber	Cowboys	@CAR
16	Maurice Jones-Drew	Jaguars	OAK
17	Marshawn Lynch	Bills	NYG
18	Laurence Maroney	Patriots	MIA
19	Edgerrin James	Cardinals	ATL
20	Rudi Johnson	Bengals	CLE
21	Frank Gore	49ers	TB
22	Clinton Portis	Redskins	@MIN
23	Kevin Jones	Lions	KC
24	Ron Dayne	Texans	@IND
25	Dominic Rhodes	Raiders	@JAC
26	Aaron Stecker	Saints	PHI
27	Jerious Norwood	Falcons	@ARI
28	Selvin Young	Broncos	@SD
29	Chester Taylor	Vikings	WAS
30	Adrian Peterson	Bears	GB
31	Thomas Jones	Jets	@TEN
32	DeAngelo Williams	Panthers	DAL
33	Samkon Gado	Dolphins	@NE
34	Travis Henry	Broncos	@SD
35	Reggie Bush	Saints	PHI
36	Shaun Alexander	Seahawks	BAL
37	Fred Jackson	Bills	NYG
38	Julius Jones	Cowboys	@CAR
39	Maurice Morris	Seahawks	BAL
40	DeShaun Foster	Panthers	DAL
41	Warrick Dunn	Falcons	@ARI
42	Leon Washington	Jets	@TEN
43	LaMont Jordan	Raiders	@JAC
44	Ladell Betts	Redskins	@MIN
45	Kenny Watson	Bengals	CLE
46	Reuben Droughns	Giants	@BUF
47	Darius Walker	Texans	@IND
48	Kenton Keith	Colts	HOU
49	Kevin Faulk	Patriots	MIA
50	Chris Brown	Titans	NYJ

Notes: Steven Jackson looked just terrific against Green Bay, racking up 143 rush yards, and justifying his No. 2 overall selection in drafts this August (albeit too late). Is there a chance the Steelers shore up what ailed them against Jacksonville? There is. But in my mind, the probabilities are higher that Jackson continues his late-season roll. … I don't want to love Ryan Grant, because honestly, he's not this good. But defenses have to think pass-first against the Packers, and the Bears are down to rookies and street free agents on their D-line. … I have LenDale White rated highly, but beware the returning Chris Henry. There's dual potential for carry thefts in Tennessee again, though I'm hopeful White will get it rolling against the bad Jets rush D and do his damage early. … Jacobs returned from his near-disastrous late fumble against Chicago to be the best Giant on the field versus Washington Sunday night. He was imposing and pretty quick, and he gets a beaten-down Bills rush defense. The only concern is a possible tweaking of his ever-injured hammy. Keep an eye on him. … Oh, for heaven's sake: The Chiefs are talking about using Larry Johnson again? Eesh. I can't believe LJ will be back, but Kolby Smith's owners have to tune their antennae to the KC Web sites. Smith ran tough and effectively, if not explosively, against the Titans' ground D, and gets a far softer opponent in Detroit Sunday. … I know it's scary to have Jones-Drew this high, but Fred Taylor is higher, and frankly I think MJD is due for a score or two against the poor-tackling Oakland D. … Edgerrin James has eclipsed 100 yards once since Week 2, and has 17 or fewer carries in three of his past four, but the Falcons should give Arizona the opportunity to remember its early-season promises to become "Pittsburgh East" in smashmouth style. … I've guessed Rhodes will get the start over Jordan, though that won't be decided until the end of the week. Jordan has burned an awful lot of bridges by running his mouth. He won't be back by the Bay in 2008. … Stecker has been a fantasy star each of the past two weeks, but I've got him rated in flex territory because I've assumed Bush will return. If Bush misses this game, Stecker deserves to be well inside the top 20. … How many times in 2007 have I ranked Norwood above Dunn? And how many times have I written that finally this would be the week Atlanta's coaches would realize Norwood's the better player? Now Bobby Petrino is gone, and Emmitt Thomas saw proof that Norwood should be his back. I still think they'll split, but Norwood borders on flex-worthiness. … DeAngelo Williams scored a long touchdown against Seattle, but he didn't run particularly well before that. However, he did get 15 carries to Foster's 18. That kind of split makes Williams more valuable.

Think you know who will win all 34 bowl games this season? Put your prognosticating skills to the test in College Bowl Mania, featuring both confidence-style and straight-up selections. Sign up and play for free

Week 16 Wide Receiver Rankings
RANK	Name	Team	Opponent
1	Randy Moss	Patriots	MIA
2	Marques Colston	Saints	PHI
3	Braylon Edwards	Browns	@CIN
4	Terrell Owens	Cowboys	@CAR
5	Reggie Wayne	Colts	HOU
6	Torry Holt	Rams	PIT
7	Greg Jennings	Packers	@CHI
8	Hines Ward	Steelers	@STL
9	Larry Fitzgerald	Cardinals	ATL
10	T.J. Houshmandzadeh	Bengals	CLE
11	Chad Johnson	Bengals	CLE
12	Brandon Marshall	Broncos	@SD
13	Andre Johnson	Texans	@IND
14	Wes Welker	Patriots	MIA
15	Plaxico Burress	Giants	@BUF
16	Bobby Engram	Seahawks	BAL
17	Joey Galloway	Buccaneers	@SF
18	Roddy White	Falcons	@ARI
19	Deion Branch	Seahawks	BAL
20	Shaun McDonald	Lions	KC
21	Donald Driver	Packers	@CHI
22	Anquan Boldin	Cardinals	ATL
23	Santonio Holmes	Steelers	@STL
24	Reggie Williams	Jaguars	OAK
25	Steve Smith	Panthers	DAL
26	Kevin Curtis	Eagles	@NO
27	Calvin Johnson	Lions	KC
28	Anthony Gonzalez	Colts	HOU
29	Patrick Crayton	Cowboys	@CAR
30	Lee Evans	Bills	NYG
31	Jerricho Cotchery	Jets	@TEN
32	Chris Henry	Bengals	CLE
33	Roydell Williams	Titans	NYJ
34	Reggie Brown	Eagles	@NO
35	Derrick Mason	Ravens	@SEA
36	Bernard Berrian	Bears	GB
37	Isaac Bruce	Rams	PIT
38	Arnaz Battle	49ers	TB
39	Santana Moss	Redskins	@MIN
40	Dwayne Bowe	Chiefs	@DET
41	Justin Gage	Titans	NYJ
42	David Patten	Saints	PHI
43	Jabar Gaffney	Patriots	MIA
44	Chris Chambers	Chargers	DEN
45	Kevin Walter	Texans	@IND
46	Ronald Curry	Raiders	@JAC
47	Mike Furrey	Lions	KC
48	Ernest Wilford	Jaguars	OAK
49	Nate Burleson	Seahawks	BAL
50	Jerry Porter	Raiders	@JAC

Notes: I love TO on national TV against the Panthers, and if Romo were right, I'd have Owens No. 1. … Holt is very high here, in part because Pittsburgh corner Ike Taylor has a dinged-up knee, and in part because the Steelers have struggled to put pressure on the quarterback. … Marshall needs to stay out of the news; he had legal troubles related to DUI case, and now he apparently got into a yelling match with a Broncos coach. Still, he's too scary a red zone threat not to start. … Chris McAlister is gone and Samari Rolle is doubtful, so both Engram and Branch are tremendous plays. The Ravens are out of serviceable defensive backs. … Donald Driver over Marques Colston for the Pro Bowl is the most egregious error made at any position. From a fantasy perspective, from a real-life perspective, it doesn't matter. … Anthony Gonzalez is still owned in only one-third of ESPN.com leagues. If you need a receiver for your championship game, I bet he's the best guy on your waiver wire. … Laveranues Coles got knocked out for the year by a training table falling on his foot, so Cotchery has to get a bump up. … Who'd have thought that in Week 16's fantasy football rankings, Shaun McDonald would be higher than Calvin Johnson, and with good reason?

Week 16 Tight End Rankings
RANK	Name	Team	Opponent
1	Jason Witten	Cowboys	@CAR
2	Antonio Gates	Chargers	DEN
3	Kellen Winslow	Browns	@CIN
4	Donald Lee	Packers	@CHI
5	Tony Gonzalez	Chiefs	@DET
6	Tony Scheffler	Broncos	@SD
7	Dallas Clark	Colts	HOU
8	Chris Cooley	Redskins	@MIN
9	Owen Daniels	Texans	@IND
10	Heath Miller	Steelers	@STL
11	Vernon Davis	49ers	TB
12	Greg Olsen	Bears	GB
13	Eric Johnson	Saints	PHI
14	Desmond Clark	Bears	GB
15	Marcedes Lewis	Jaguars	OAK
16	Alge Crumpler	Falcons	@ARI
17	Chris Baker	Jets	@TEN
18	Zach Miller	Raiders	@JAC
19	Kevin Boss	Giants	@BUF
20	Bo Scaife	Titans	NYJ
21	Robert Royal	Bills	NYG
22	Randy McMichael	Rams	PIT
23	Brent Celek	Eagles	@NO
24	Visanthe Shiancoe	Vikings	WAS
25	Daniel Wilcox	Ravens	@SEA
26	Alex Smith	Buccaneers	@SF
27	Ben Utecht	Colts	HOU
28	Billy Miller	Saints	PHI
29	Kyle Brady	Patriots	MIA
30	Jeff King	Panthers	DAL
31	Will Heller	Seahawks	BAL
32	Justin Peelle	Dolphins	@NE

Notes: Witten gets the top spot over Gates. He has a ridiculous 28 targets the past two weeks, and the Panthers have allowed four touchdowns to tight ends in their past five games. … I have to admit, I was rooting for Winslow to get the AFC's second Pro Bowl nod over Gonzalez, but in all fairness, Gonzo has been better the second half of 2007, and their overall numbers are almost identical. Stupid snow bowl. … Scheffler takes a great big jump after his nine-target, seven-catch game in Houston. Could this be a little high for him? Maybe. But watching that Texans game, I thought Jay Cutler smartly checked down more than he'd ever done, and that'll be a winning strategy against Antonio Cromartie and the rest of the Chargers' secondary. … Chris Baker sure did just get a lot of money from the Jets (three years, $5.4 million), but he backed it up with a terrific eight-catch performance in New England, including a couple that showed great hands I didn't know he had. He certainly benefits from Chad Pennington getting the starting nod.

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

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

Notes: It was kind of fun ranking defenses for Week 16, because I basically could pick which substitute quarterbacks I thought were worst. Seattle is way up there because Kyle Boller is dreadful and partway concussed. Tampa is third because as nice a story as Shaun Hill is, I worry that secondary will eat him alive. The Packers stay high because Kyle Orton is awful. The Vikings having to face resurgent Todd Collins somehow fails to instill fear. The Titans can all but forget defending anything beyond 15 yards thanks to Chad Pennington. The Cowboys get their training camp mate, rookie Matt Moore. The Colts ride the purple Sage. And the Cardinals buy some insurance against Chris Redman. … Meanwhile the oft-startable Eagles D should ride pine against the Saints, Mario Williams and the red-hot Texans D shouldn't tempt you against Peyton and the boys, and I'm going to go out on a limb here and say Miami isn't a good start in New England.

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.