The Guru Gridiron Report: Week 3 Bench/Start Quarterbacks

Week 3 is a pivotal week and one that is more important then most think. At this point you are either 2-0, 0-2, or 1-1. If you are 2-0 that's great, but a lost would heavily tarnish the record at this point, so perfection is the only option in your eyes. If you are 0-2 you cannot fall to 0-3 as its very hard to claim out from under and 1-2 is still very salvageable for the season. If you are 1-1 this could will be the first defining moment of the season. Do you take a step forward to 2-1 or go backwards and fall below .500.

Now we may be over exaggerating albeit, but the bottom line is its a good week to win and we will help you with our weekly selections using the our patented True Guru Equation (The variable definitions are the secret):

QUARTERBACKS YOU MUST START
Week 3 produces several great quarterback match ups for managers that they must start. Eli Manning should easily be able to dice up Cincinnati's pass defense in New York, while Jay Cutler and Drew Brees will get in another shootout and score that may total 60+ points. Tony Romo and Aaron Rodgers will be firing on all cylinders in an early season playoff match, so both will have to be started. Then there is a great match up in San Diego between the Jets and the Chargers. Brett Farve is getting more use to the playbook with each week that goes by and we just saw what Denver and Carolina did to that pass defense especially without Merriman, so start Farve. Phillip Rivers is a QB we were high on in the preseason and that still stands. He has too many weapons and 3 TDs per game. He's a must start.

Other Quarterbacks To Consider Starting With Some Risk
These are the hardest calls to make. These guys will either do great, OK, or stink up th joint. Trent Edwards should be able to pass against a solid Raider pass defense, but expect them to run the ball more so his yards and TDs will be limited. We actually like Matt Cassel this week against Miami. Look for him to exploit match up issues with Welker and Moss. Then there is the big J.T. O'Sullivan Vs. Jon Kitna match up that has disaster written all over it. This could be a 38-35 game or a 20-13 game. We think it will be closer to the higher end, but I would temper my expectations for Kitna. Gore will play a big role in this one as O'Sullivan continues to develop, but look for J.T. to get 2 TDs.

As much as we love Kurt Warner, not this week. He's not are favorite against a fast defense that gets juiced from home field crowds. Enter the Redskins. Big risk in starting Warner. We cannot tell you not to start Peyton Manning, but here are the facts. A three year average of 4 games vs Jacksonville has netted Manning an 84.3 QB rating. Combine that with his slow start and he's a risk, but only a minor one, so feel good in starting him. Donovan McNabb has a match up we like, but Pittsburgh surprises everyone and this is not a good match up for McNabb. However he's at home, coming off a tough loss, and hopefully his big O-line will stop the speedy Pittsburgh pass rush. Start him, but look for no more than 2 TDs at best.
Others: Matt Ryan, Matt Schaub, Matt Hasselbeck, Marc Bulger, Kerry Collins.

Please Bench These Quarterbacks
What has happened to Carson Palmer. We actually like this match up for him, but we have ZERO confidence in him and so should you. Jason Campbell will not have much luck against the stout Arizona pass defense so if you have someone else to start consider it. Big Ben will not have fun trying to figure out Philadelphia's blitz's and on the road makes it worst. Bench Ben Roethlisberger.
Others: David Garrard, JaMarcus Russell, Chad Pennington, Brian Griese.

Sleeper Quarterbacks
There aren't many this week, but we expect Gus Frerotte to make some magic for Minnesota against Carolina. Also we like Derek Anderson against the aging Baltimore Ravens defense.

Good luck. Next are our Runningbacks!

The True Guru