Thursday, November 10, 2011

Week 10 Fantasy Football Position Rankings

If you haven't checked out my Playoff Primer: Strength of Schedule, make sure you give it a look. Definitely worth your time.

Can we just talk for a second about how much I hate Thursday night games. We have gotten into a rhythm for nine weeks. And now all of a sudden we have to scramble our lineups and our picks three days earlier than usual! And for what? For a game to be broadcast only on one channel that nobody subscribes to? Awful.
So, the week of planning for your fantasy team is rushed and sloppy. You don't have a weekend to marinate. If you play in pick'em leagues or are still alive in a survival league then you are screwed and rushing on Thursday morning because you forgot that an extra game was added. I disapprove as a fantasy fan and an NFL fan.
Anyways, I don't expect a lot out of tonights game. San Diego is going to have the stars here. Back to back great weeks for Philip Rivers, Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates. A bit worried about the Ryan Mathews injury, but he should be able to slice the Oakland defense. With Mathews back, Tolbert falls, but is always a chance for a goal line score.
On Oakland's side of the ball, I think the WRs are too risky to really count on unless you're desperate. Carson Palmer is the same way. Only good starter that I can see here is Michael Bush, and that is at WR2 or Flex.
For the record Jordan, MGLS and I all have San Diego to win. Shocker. Sorry, I'm bitter. NFL Network thinks they're better than me. On to the rankings! Feel free to ask your lineup questions here.
Week 10 Quarterback Rankings
1.       Aaron Rodgers
2.       Michael Vick
3.       Cam Newton
4.       Drew Brees
5.       Philip Rivers
6.       Matthew Stafford
7.       Eli Manning
8.       Tony Romo
9.       Ben Roethlisberger
10.   Tom Brady
11.   Tim Tebow
12.   Matt Ryan
13.   Mark Sanchez
14.   Matt Schaub
15.   Jay Cutler
16.   Matt Cassel
17.   Joe Flacco
18.   Josh Freeman
19.   Christian Ponder
20.   Sam Bradford
21.   Ryan Fitzpatrick
22.   Carson Palmer
23.   Matt Hasselbeck
24.   Colt McCoy
25.   Andy Dalton
Week 10 Running Back Rankings
1.       Arian Foster
2.       LeSean McCoy
3.       Matt Forte
4.       Adrian Peterson
5.       Fred Jackson
6.       Ray Rice
7.       Maurice Jones-Drew
8.       Steven Jackson
9.       DeMarco Murray
10.   Chris Johnson
11.   Frank Gore
12.   Michael Turner
13.   Michael Bush
14.   Willis McGahee
15.   Darren Sproles
16.   Beanie Wells
17.   BenJarvus Green-Ellis
18.   Shonn Greene
19.   Rashard Mendenhall
20.   Ryan Mathews
21.   LeGarrette Blount
22.   Cedric Benson
23.   Roy Helu
24.   Brandon Jacobs
25.   Jonathan Stewart
26.   Chris Ogbonnaya
27.   Jackie Battle
28.   Mike Tolbert
29.   Marshawn Lynch
30.   Reggie Bush
31.   Ben Tate
32.   James Starks
33.   Pierre Thomas
34.   Maurice Morris
35.   DeAngelo Williams
36.   Daniel Thomas
37.   Ryan Grant
38.   Joseph Addai
39.   Ryan Torain
40.   Javon Ringer
41.   Chris Ivory
42.   LaDainian Tomlinson
43.   Marion Barber
44.   Kendall Hunter
45.   Delone Carter
46.   Danny Woodhead
47.   Keiland Williams
48.   Knowshon Moreno
49.   Ronnie Brown
50.   Ricky Williams
Week 10 Wide Receiver Rankings
1.       Calvin Johnson
2.       Steve Smith
3.       Mike Wallace
4.       Greg Jennings
5.       Vincent Jackson
6.       Dez Bryant
7.       Wes Welker
8.       Hakeem Nicks
9.       Jeremy Maclin
10.   Roddy White
11.   Marques Colston
12.   Larry Fitzgerald
13.   Anquan Boldin
14.   Julio Jones
15.   Dwayne Bowe       **Steve Johnson**
16.   Brandon Marshall
17.   Brandon Lloyd
18.   DeSean Jackson
19.   Jordy Nelson
20.   A.J. Green
21.   Santonio Holmes
22.   Laurent Robinson
23.   Mario Manningham
24.   Antonio Brown
25.   Mike Williams
26.   Eric Decker
27.   Percy Harvin
28.   Pierre Garcon
29.   Victor Cruz
30.   Steve Breaston
31.   Plaxico Burress
32.   Lance Moore
33.   Michael Crabtree
34.   Jacoby Ford
35.   Sidney Rice
36.   Reggie Wayne
37.   Jabar Gaffney
38.   Deion Branch
39.   Nate Washington
40.   Kevin Walter
41.   Torrey Smith
42.   Earl Bennett
43.   Denarius Moore
44.   Michael Jenkins
45.   Greg Little
46.   Jerome Simpson
47.   Jason Hill
48.   Early Doucet
49.   David Nelson
50.   Josh Cribbs
Week 10 Tight End Rankings
1.       Jason Witten
2.       Antonio Gates
3.       Jimmy Graham
4.       Owen Daniels
5.       Aaron Hernandez
6.       Brandon Pettigrew
7.       Fred Davis
8.       Greg Olsen
9.       Jermichael Finley
10.   Rob Gronkowski
11.   Jake Ballard
12.   Brent Celek
13.   Vernon Davis
14.   Tony Gonzalez
15.   Heath Miller
16.   Kellen Winslow
17.   Visanthe Shiancoe
18.   Jermain Gresham
19.   Dustin Keller
20.   Scott Chandler
Week 10 Kicker Rankings
1.       John Kasay
2.       Mason Crosby
3.       Dan Bailey
4.       Stephen Gostkowski
5.       Sebastian Janikowski
6.       David Akers
7.       Billy Cundiff
8.       Jason Hanson
9.       Nick Folk
10.   Neil Rackers
11.   Mike Nugent
12.   Nick Novak
13.   Robbie Gould
14.   Dan Carpenter
15.   Matt Bryant
16.   Josh Scobee
17.   Rob Bironas
18.   Shaun Suisham
19.   Alex Henery
20.   Phil Dawson
Week 10 Defense Rankings (SDS)
1.       Baltimore Ravens
2.       Philadelphia Eagles
3.       San Francisco 49ers
4.       Pittsburgh Steelers
5.       Houston Texans
6.       Green Bay Packers
7.       New York Giants
8.       Detroit Lions
9.       St. Louis Rams
10.   Dallas Cowboys
11.   San Diego Chargers
12.   Chicago Bears
13.   Cincinnati Bengals
14.   Washington Redskins
15.   Miami Dolphins
16.   Jacksonville Jaguars
17.   Kansas City Chiefs
18.   New Orleans Saints
19.   Buffalo Bills
20.   Denver Broncos

39 comments:

  1. I'm sorely lacking at WR.

    Here's what I've been able to get in my lineup:

    Jeremy Maclin @ ARI
    Steve Breaston @ DEN
    Michael Crabtree @ NYG
    David Nelson @ DAL
    Percy Harvin @

    I'm thinking of playing Maclin, Breaston, and Harvin this week. Thoughts?

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  2. Two comments: 1 - No Damian Williams? Do you think Cribbs will have a better game? 2 - Why is Jacksonville D ranked so low? Cinci is my alternate...

    Always a pleasure.

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  3. Hey GHL,
    Didn't see Stevie Johnson in the rankings where would he fit in, debating between him and Blount for the flex spot.
    Also in response to the playoff primer post I'm trying to shop Steven Jackson now here's my team and I was wondering which players do you think would be decent one on one trades or if I should try to package him with another player?
    Qb tebow, Freeman
    Rb cj2k, Steven Jackson, Blount, Kendall hunter
    Wr Fitzgerald green Stevie johnson bennett Robinson
    TE Hernandez
    D dolphins bengals
    K Crosby
    Thanks for the input
    Kyle

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  4. Maclin is a great play this week. He is getting hotter. Breaston has been performing very good as well. Part of me wants to risk it with Crabtree against the Giants, but I would stay the way you have it. Harvin's recurring injuries worry me a bit, but everyone has been throwing all over GB. No reason to think that Ponder to Harvin won't be a good play here.

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  5. Some help @ WR!

    League 1: Need 2: Bowe, Colston, & Maclin.

    League 2: Need 2: Colston, Antonio Brown, & Santonio Holmes.

    **I have Hakeem Nicks in both leagues, but he had only 25yds in wk3(vs Philly) coming off hamstring injury, not sure if I trust him in the same situation going against another pretty good Niners Defens**

    Thanks!

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  6. Damian Williams – 9 receptions, 99 yards, 1 TD in last three games. Playing against pretty tough Carolina pass defense. TEN offense is not doing much through the air.

    Josh Cribbs – 8 receptions, 115 yards, 2 TDs in last three games. Will likely be used in the running game as well with depleted CLE backfield. Playing against lowly Rams pass/run defense. Definitely a wild card in Week 10.

    Frankly, when it comes down to the bottom of the list, there is a pretty solid drop off. Williams could definitely make it somewhere between 40 and 50 on the list, but it’s really a free-for-all once you get that far down in the rankings. Could I replace one of those players with Williams, yes. Would I replace Cribbs with Williams, no.

    Jacksonville is facing Indianapolis, meaning that they can definitely have one of their best defensive weeks here. I predict that they will top their season high mark. The reason they are still so low is that I am taking more things into consideration than just the matchup. Jaguars are in the bottom ten in fantasy points for defenses. Only 10 turnovers all season. Tons of points given up. They aren’t low because of their matchup, they are low because they generally are not a very smart fantasy play.

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  7. Yeah. Looks like I accidentally left him out of this one. Thanks for the heads up. I’d throw Stevie in at number… 16. Dallas is beatable on big plays and Johnson is good at those. Dallas has been surprisingly solid against the pass this year though.

    I’d be more comfortable playing Johnson in a flex spot. Blount has a tough matchup this week and Johnson has been pretty consistent all year.

    For your trade, it really helps to have a goal first. Don’t trade just for the sake of trading. Pick a part of your team that you feel needs improvement and then take the steps necessary.

    If you just want to improve at RB, you can straight up trade Steven Jackson for someone with a similar stat total but with a schedule that you like more.

    Another option would be holding off for a week or two until Robinson has gotten some great games under his belt and his value is high. Then trade SJax and Robinson for a strong RB and Flex type receiver. Since Miles Austin will be back after Thanksgiving, you won’t be missing much.

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  8. First of all. 49ers are a great run defense. Below average when it comes to pass defense. Nicks should play so keep an eye on him. I like the matchup this week and like his chances. I would start him wherever you can.

    Of the lists you gave me though. Here is how I rank them:

    1) Maclin, Colston, Bowe
    2) Colston, Holmes, Brown

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  9. Can start 2WR, 2RB and 1 WR/TE/RB
    Obviously I will be starting Foster and Rice as my RBS
    At WR I am going with Vjax but not sure what to do with the other 2 spots.
    I have WR: Fitzgerald, Colston, Nicks (if healthy I probably play him), Jerome Simpson
    RB: Bradshaw and Blount

    What do you think?

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  10. Ok Thanks!

    ...and if youwere to add nicks to both lists, you would rank him #1?

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  11. andre johnson if he plays or julio jones? i have calvin starting in my wr1

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  12. Nicks and Colston for me. Fitz has a tough matchup. If Nicks can't play though, make it Fitz and Colston. Simpson is too far down the list to count on. Bradshaw is likely out again and Blount also has a pretty tough matchup.

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  13. I would. My gut is telling me that Holmes is going to turn it on a bit though. So go with your gut.

    Statistically, and compairing matchups though, Nicks would be at the top of both lists.

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  14. I highly highly doubt that Johnson will play.

    If he does though, I really think you are almost forced to go with him. I don't think you have to worry about that though.

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  15. steelers d or texans? and rivers/ romo? PLEASE ANSWER i need your advice for the stupid thurs night game. Great site tho :)

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  16. Pick 1 mathews, tolbert, or willis mcgahee

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  17. Would you start Breaston or Chris Ogbonnaya at a RB/WR spot in a standard league? Thanks!

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  18. RB/WR slot: would you run with Ogbonnaya, Julio Jones, or Manningham? I am leaning towards Jones as he's on fire, but Manningham is playing well. Ogbonnaya isn't the caliber of those players, but someone has to get touches and rushing yds in that game, so he'll see the rock more.

    Thanks for the help!!

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  19. Rough week for me to start. Rivers put up OK numbers, but its going to be rough. Trying to keep my 8 wins in a row going, even though ive clinched playoffs (HUGE thanks to you guys). But here is the tough question of the week. I have one WR position and one Flex spot up for contention. For those spots i have Nicks, Finley, Julio jones and Marques Colston. Nicks injury kind of worries me, and apparently jones came out with an injury recently. Colston didnt do too well last week, so Im weighing in on that. So I'm thinking as of now going Nicks Jones, but i figured Id get your thoughts. Thanks again!

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  20. Got a trade proposal today:
    I give up Stafford for Fitzpatrick, Santonio Holmes, and Willis McGahee.
    It would be for next week since I was just offered the trade today.

    Heres my team:
    QB: Stafford
    RBs: MJD, Tolbert
    Flex: Mendenhall
    WRs: Marshall, Manningham,
    TE: Fred Davis
    Bench: Bradford, Austin, Addai, Massaqui, Titus Young, Jacoby Ford, Ogbonnaya

    What do you think? It's a 12 team standard league and I'm 5-3-1.

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  21. Didnt have access to a computer after 5 yesterday. Sorry about that. Rivers had a miserable first half. I started him in one league. It wasnt terrible, but I think Romo can beat it.
    I’ve got Pittsburgh a notch about the Texans. But both are in the top 5. Can’t really go wrong here. Pitt would play for me though.

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  22. Sorry I couldnt get to you before the game. Didnt have a computer after 5pm yesterday, neither Charger looked great. Hope you went McGahee here. I probably would have told you Mathews though, to be fair.

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  23. After what Ogbonnaya did last week, I can't really say to start him. Breaston has quietly been having a great season. Almost 500 yards if i'm not mistaken. I'd go with him, and hope that they focus on Bowe a lot.

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  24. Must have accidently left them out. I'll tell you that I wouldnt have them too high though. They havent really impressed this year, and you know that the Pats will be gunning for them. I'd throw them between 12 and 15 probably. Tom Brady has been turning the ball over lately, so they have a chance. The chance of NE putting up more than 30 though is why they are low.

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  25. Ogbonnaya fell for me. I wouldnt be surprised to see him split carries with an even lower RB or even Josh Cribbs. Jones and Manningham the are selections here. Nicks should be back which takes Manningham down a bit. Both have good matchups. I'd go with the hot hands of Jones though. Lots of injuries in the NO secondary.

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  26. Nicks should be back. He has been practicing which is a good sign. The matchup is pretty nice. I think you have to go with him here.

    Finley has been too inconsistent to consider with the others. Colston has hot games and cold games, ATL is a hard matchup to call as well. I think he'll do fine. Don't think he'll do as well as Jones though. Jones (I havent heard of any injury) should be able to tear up the injured NO defense pretty easy.

    I'd go Nicks and Jones as you mentions

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  27. I do think that this will help you out quite a bit. Stafford obviously has more points than Fitzpatrick and will continue to do so. But McGahee is a big step above Tolbert at RB2 and Holms can be put in at Flex or take over for WR if you are in a pinch.

    I think this is a nice upgrade for you. The only way that this screws you over at all is if Mathews gets hurt and Tolbert gets all of SD's carries.

    I would take it. At 5-3-1, you are likely fighting for a playoff spot and this could push you over. Run the math on it. I think you'll find that it works for you.

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  28. Chicken Milk StinkbombNovember 12, 2011 at 11:53 AM

    Dropped the last 3 games - fighting for first in a 12man .5 PPR League

    Starting Romo over Tebow - gut is telling me to start Tebow

    Starting Forte - on the bench is Beanie and Best, do I trust Beanie over my below WRs

    Starting Earl Bennet, Dez, Cruz and Harvin - bench Breaston and Larry Fitzgerald

    My TE, Kicker and D are set (Ballard, Bailey, Jags)

    Do I trust Arizona at all with Skelton and go with wells/fitz or keep the current line-up
    QB - Romo
    RB - Forte
    WR - Bennett
    WR - Dez
    WR - Cruz
    WR - Harvin
    TE - Ballard
    K - Bailey
    D - Jags

    Thanks for any assistance, cannot afford another loss

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  29. Personally, I would trust Breaston more over Harvin. Harvin's getting a lot of love this week because he's a little healthier, but he also has some downside due to limited snap counts. With Champ Bailey covering Bowe, I like Breaston's chances to get a lot of action.

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  30. 1. Due to potentially bad matchups this week for some of my roster, I am extremely torn about how to fill 2 WR slots and a RB/WR slot, in a standard league. I must win the rest of the way to make the playoffs. Here are my options:
    On my team: Larry Fitzgerald, Brandon Lloyd, Steve Breaston, Marion Barber, Earl Bennett… Especially worried about Fitzgerald’s matchup/QB situation, and Lloyd’s matchup.
    Free agents I could pick up: Chris Ogbonnaya, Michael Jenkins, Jabar Gaffney, Josh Cribbs.
    What would you do? I’m good with Foster and Murray at RB, but beyond that, it’s a struggle this week…

    Also, thinking of starting Tebow over Romo… Is there too much risk in doing so? I can picture Dallas controlling their game against the Bills w/ the run… And incidentally, do you like Carson Palmer or Tebow more rest of the season? (I picked up Tebow only for this week initially due to his favorable matchup, but can’t afford to carry 3 QBs).

    Thanks!!

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  31. PPR Leauge Helu or Blount? Also, I am reading reports H. Nicks and Manningham are game time decisions. When are these typically made? hour/2 hours before kickoff?
    At receivers: Garcon, Manningham, Cruz, and J. Jones.
    Runningbacks: Tolbert, Blount, Helu, and Rice.

    Obviously, I am playing Rice and Tolbert already played, but lineup advice for my flex spot and recievers would be great! Thanks

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  32. Also, I have Texans Defense. Would starting Blount and the Texans be kind of a conflict of interest when my points are concerned? If you suggest I play blount after looking at my WR and RB's I could pick up the Redskins Defense or Cardinals. Cardninals play eagles so screw that, but the skins play Miami. Plus I am a huge bucs fan. My guess here is play blount and the Texans D.

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  33. Please disregard this specific post, I posted a more up-to-date version in your Advice Time column... Thanks!

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  34. If your gut says Tebow, go for it. Even when they lose and he has an awful game, he gets good fantasy points. I have Romo higher, just because Tebow is a risk, but he can also be a huge reward.

    I would use Beanie over Bennett, assuming that is a RB/WR or Flex spot. Bennett has a tough matchup. Against any team it would be tough to assume that Bennett repeats last week, but with this matchup, I say stick him on the bench and see how he does there. Beanie is vs. PHI, but they can definitely be run on with that defense of theirs.

    Hard to keep Fitz on the bench, but I do think that your other WR options are all good calls here and should see better days that Larry.

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  35. Both have good odds. The way that GB can not cover the pass at all is making me lean Harvin though. Vikings will have to pass. Ponder has been very good up til now and Harvin should see a good amount of work.

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  36. Tebow over Romo is a big risk here. Romo is pretty consistent, so you know what you can expect out of him. The thing about Tebow is that he can either have a terrible game and get you like 7 fantasy points. Or he can have a great fantasy game and get you 30. The risk is high on Tebow, but the reward is also high. The matchup is playable for him.

    I've got Tebow higher than Palmer nearly every week. He has a pretty easy playoff schedule as well.

    As fr your WRs and Flex spot. I'd go with the WRs. Fitz, Lloyd, Breaston. I know that it is not ideal, but Barber can't be counted on and Bennett has a scary matchup and only one good week under his belt.
    Fitz is going to have to rely on his talent and being an elite receiver to get anything going against Philly, but if there is any WR I would count on to do that, its Fitzgerald. Lloyd has proven that he was a great pickup for the Rams. Another week under his belt with Bradford. Matchup isn't great, but I think that they can do a little work. Breaston is a good play here with Bowe being heavily covered.

    Its definitely not an ideal week for your top receivers, but I think it is better than fishing in free agency at this point. If they can all put up 5-8 points and your RBs have the great games they are expected to, then hopefully you can pull this one out.

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  37. I have both of them pretty low. Blount has a tough matchup, but he would get the nod from me. Helu is a big gamble. His points all came off receptions last week, and who knows if it will be Torain getting the load this week. He is a big gamble. Because you are a PPR league, I'm hesitant to write him off, but I'd still likely stick to Blount, as you know that he will get a huge majority of the carries in TB.

    Latest is that Nicks will play and Manningham is still questionable. If you are lucky, they will announce it before the early games. If they are really game time decisions though, then it will be much closer to their kickoff, after the early games have started. Because you have Garcon, Cruz and J Jones, I wouldnt worry too much about Manningham. I think your other receivers are all capable of good things this week.

    If it is 2 WRs and a Flex, I'd likely go J Jones, Cruz and Blount.

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  38. I have never worried about conflict of interests. So what if Blount is playing Houston and you own both? If you didnt have Houston.. you would still start Blount. If you didnt have Blount, you'd still be starting Houston.

    I'd play both of them. Texans are a better play than anyone else you listed.

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