This article is part of our Weekly Rankings series.
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. Flex Rankings are for PPR leagues. For any late changes, look in the comments section. This feature will *not* be updated this week, but there will be a new Value Meter each week of the playoffs. For a set of full playoff rankings, please consult Chris Liss's Playoff Cheat Sheet.
Quarterback
| 1. | Tom Brady NE vs. Bal |
| 2. | *Colin Kaepernick SF at Atl Note: It's easy to say last week completely validated Harbaugh's decision to switch to Kaepernick, so let's just say that. Still, it might be a whole lot more difficult on the road this week. |
| 3. | Joe Flacco BAL at NE |
| 4. | Matt Ryan ATL vs. SF |
Running Backs
| 1. | Frank Gore SF at Atl |
| 2. | Ray Rice BAL at NE |
| 3. | Michael Turner ATL vs. SF |
| 4. | Stevan Ridley NE vs. Bal |
| 5. | Shane Vereen NE vs. Bal |
| 6. | Jacquizz Rodgers ATL vs. SF |
| 7. | *Bernard Pierce BAL at NE Note: Aggravated his sore knee in the win over the Broncos. Pierce did not practice Wednesday, though he said he'd be available for the AFC Championship game Sunday night. |
| 8. | LaMichael James SF at Atl |
| 9. | * |
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. Flex Rankings are for PPR leagues. For any late changes, look in the comments section. This feature will *not* be updated this week, but there will be a new Value Meter each week of the playoffs. For a set of full playoff rankings, please consult Chris Liss's Playoff Cheat Sheet.
Quarterback
| 1. | Tom Brady NE vs. Bal |
| 2. | *Colin Kaepernick SF at Atl Note: It's easy to say last week completely validated Harbaugh's decision to switch to Kaepernick, so let's just say that. Still, it might be a whole lot more difficult on the road this week. |
| 3. | Joe Flacco BAL at NE |
| 4. | Matt Ryan ATL vs. SF |
Running Backs
| 1. | Frank Gore SF at Atl |
| 2. | Ray Rice BAL at NE |
| 3. | Michael Turner ATL vs. SF |
| 4. | Stevan Ridley NE vs. Bal |
| 5. | Shane Vereen NE vs. Bal |
| 6. | Jacquizz Rodgers ATL vs. SF |
| 7. | *Bernard Pierce BAL at NE Note: Aggravated his sore knee in the win over the Broncos. Pierce did not practice Wednesday, though he said he'd be available for the AFC Championship game Sunday night. |
| 8. | LaMichael James SF at Atl |
| 9. | *Danny Woodhead NE vs. Bal Note: (Thumb) Limited Wednesday, full practice Thursday. |
| 10. | Anthony Dixon SF at Atl |
Wide Receivers
| 1. | Wes Welker NE vs. Bal |
| 2. | Michael Crabtree SF at Atl |
| 3. | Roddy White ATL vs. SF |
| 4. | Torrey Smith BAL at NE Note: Tremendous against Champ Bailey last week. |
| 5. | Julio Jones ATL vs. SF |
| 6. | Anquan Boldin BAL at NE |
| 7. | Brandon Lloyd NE vs. Bal |
| 8. | Randy Moss SF at Atl |
| 9. | Harry Douglas ATL vs. SF |
| 10. | Jacoby Jones BAL at NE |
Tight Ends
| 1. | Aaron Hernandez NE vs. Bal |
| 2. | Vernon Davis SF at Atl |
| 3. | Tony Gonzalez ATL vs. SF |
| 4. | Dennis Pitta BAL at NE |
| 5. | Delanie Walker SF at Atl |
| 6. | Ed Dickson BAL at NE |
| 7. | *Rob Gronkowski NE vs. Bal Note: Fractured forearm again, out for the rest of the playoffs. |
Flex (RB/WR/TE)
| 1. | Frank Gore SF at Atl |
| 2. | Ray Rice BAL at NE |
| 3. | Wes Welker NE vs. Bal |
| 4. | Michael Crabtree SF at Atl |
| 5. | Roddy White ATL vs. SF |
| 6. | Torrey Smith BAL at NE Note: Tremendous against Champ Bailey last week. |
| 7. | Michael Turner ATL vs. SF |
| 8. | Stevan Ridley NE vs. Bal |
| 9. | Aaron Hernandez NE vs. Bal |
| 10. | Vernon Davis SF at Atl |
| 11. | Tony Gonzalez ATL vs. SF |
| 12. | Julio Jones ATL vs. SF |
| 13. | Anquan Boldin BAL at NE |
| 14. | Brandon Lloyd NE vs. Bal |
| 15. | Dennis Pitta BAL at NE |
| 16. | Shane Vereen NE vs. Bal |
| 17. | Jacquizz Rodgers ATL vs. SF |
| 18. | Randy Moss SF at Atl |
| 19. | Harry Douglas ATL vs. SF |
| 20. | Jacoby Jones BAL at NE |
| 21. | Delanie Walker SF at Atl |
| 22. | *Bernard Pierce BAL at NE Note: Aggravated his sore knee in the win over the Broncos. Pierce did not practice Wednesday, though he said he'd be available for the AFC Championship game Sunday night. |
| 23. | LaMichael James SF at Atl |
| 24. | Ed Dickson BAL at NE |
| 25. | *Danny Woodhead NE vs. Bal Note: (Thumb) Limited Wednesday, full practice Thursday. |
| 26. | Anthony Dixon SF at Atl |
Kickers
| 1. | Stephen Gostkowski NE vs. Bal |
| 2. | *David Akers SF at Atl Note: No job battle this week. |
| 3. | Matt Bryant ATL vs. SF |
| 4. | Justin Tucker BAL at NE |
Defenses
| 1. | *San Francisco 49ers at Atl Note: Aldon Smith (shoulder) was limited in practice. Justin Smith (triceps) made it through last week fine and will play through with a bulky arm brace. |
| 2. | *New England Patriots vs. Bal Note: Chandler Jones has been limited by a sore ankle. |
| 3. | Baltimore Ravens at NE |
| 4. | *Atlanta Falcons vs. SF Note: John Abraham tweaked an ankle in the win over the Seahawks. He was limited in practice Wednesday. |
