After removing this feature from our website last year, we're bringing it back for the 2006 season! Every week, we will name the top three players of the week for the following positions: quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, kicker, and team defense. The first player at each position will earn two points, the player that is ranked second will earn one point, and the player ranked third will earn 1/2 of a point. At the end of the season, the points will be tallied up, and the winners at each position will be crowned the PFCritics players of the year. One special note: the players are selected not only based on the stats they put up that week, but also the toughness of the opponent they were facing. For example; if Manning throws for 300 yards against the Texans while Leftwich does the same against the Steelers, Leftwich would probably get the higher ranking. So, without further adieu, let's get started:

Quarterbacks
1. Kurt Warner: 23-of-37 for 301 yards passing, 3 touchdowns, 1 fumble.
2. Donovan McNabb: 24-of-35 for 314 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception.
3. Charlie Batch: 15-of-25 for 209 yards, 3 touchdowns.
Analysis: This doesn't look like the prototypical top-three quarterbacks, does it? Without Peyton Manning or Carson Palmer in the list, they'll have to make up for it this week. Warner has outstanding weapons surrounding him, while McNabb found success in Donte' Stallworth. Batch deserves a ton of credit for stepping in for Ben Roethlisberger and looking good in doing so.


Running Backs
1. Warrick Dunn: 29 carries, 132 yards. 1 catch, 10 yards.
2. Tiki Barber: 18 carries, 110 yards. 5 catches, 61 yards.
3. LaDainian Tomlinson: 31 carries, 131 yards, 1 touchdown. 3 catches, 18 yards.
Analysis: Anytime you can torch the Panthers' run defense, you've earned the top running back ranking, touchdown or not. Likewise, although Barber did not score, he picked the Colts' defense apart and kept them in the game. Tomlinson's performance would have earned him the top ranking if he hadn't been facing a bad team.


Wide Receivers
1. Donte' Stallworth: 6 catches, 141 yards, 1 touchdown.
2. Larry Fitzgerald: 9 catches, 133 yards.
3. Marvin Harrison: 9 catches, 113 yards.
Analysis: One week Stallworth is being traded, and the next he's forming a solid connection with McNabb. Fitzgerald could become very similar to Harrison, as they both find themselves on the list this week.


Tight Ends
1. Tony Gonzalez: 10 catches, 81 yards, 1 touchdown.
2. Kellen Winslow: 8 catches, 63 yards, 1 touchdown.
3. Vernon Davis: 5 catches, 37 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 fumble.
Analysis: Ironically, the top three tight end performances all played for losing teams. Gonzalez was a lock to perform, but it was nice to see Winslow and Davis - two young tight ends - do well for their clubs.


Kicker
1. Jeff Wilkins: 6-of-7 from 26, 38, 29, 51, 48, and 24 yards.
2. Shayne Graham: 3-of-3 from 37, 42, and 36 yards. 2-of-2 PATs.
3. John Carney: 4-of-4 from 43, 25, 21, and 20 yards. 1-of-1 PAT.
Analysis: Anytime you have the chance to kick six field goals in a team, it usually means you're going to win a low-scoring game. Graham and Carney came through for their teams as well in close games.


Team Defense
1. San Diego: 0 points, 9 sacks, 1 fumble against Oakland.
2. Baltimore: 0 points, 3 sacks, 3 interceptions, 1 touchdown against Tampa Bay.
3. Chicago: 0 points, 3 sacks, 2 interceptions, 1 fumble against Green Bay.
Analysis: Take a good look at the three zeros by the defenses - because it won't happen again for years to come. San Diego, Baltimore, and Chicago were as good as you could get last week, but the Chargers were the best in recording an outrageous nine sacks.

Stay tuned to PFCritics for our weekly players of the week.