The Guru Gridiron Report: Week 3 Bench/Start Runningbacks

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):

RUNNINGBACKS YOU MUST START
Week 3 has a ton of great runningbacks to start. We love Michael Turner this week against the sad KC defense. We also think that Marshan Lynch is an absolute must start as he should have no problems running on the Raiders run defense. Brandon Jacobs is emerging as a dominating RB and with solid RBs like Ward and Bradshaw to spell him he is staying healthy. Jacobs is a must start this week.

This is a rare time when we will say this as we are not fans of Clinton Portis, but START HIM. Finally, we may pay for this dearly, but we like the match up for Laurence Maroney. He should punish the Dolphins, but keep an eye out on LaMont Jordan. If Laurence Maroney's shoulder injury acts up, Jordan could be a steal.
Others: Adrian Peterson, Reggie Bush, Frank Gore, Joseph Addai, Brain Westbrook, Marion Barber.

Other RUNNINGBACKS To Consider Starting With Some Risk
There are several runningbacks that carry a heavy risk this week, but also carry a heavy reward. You would think that Larry Johnson would be a great start against Atlanta, but we thought that as well last week. You have to start him and we think that Kansas City will focus their sagging offense on the running game and give him allot more touches. We were high on Chris Johnson last week and we like him this week at home against Houston. Another surprise last week was Julius Jones. He was left for dead by most experts and managers, but last week proved he has it. He should find lots of room against the Rams. Thomas Jones should be active often and early against the Chargers and with Detroit shopping for another running back expect Kevin Smith to have a big game against San Francisco. Finally we are concerned the turf toe injury to LaDainian Tomlinson, so we recommend you watch his status for the game. If for some crazy reason he doesn't play get Darren Sproles or Jacob Hester as they will certainly split carries.
Others: Chris Perry, Stephen Jackson, Maurice Jones-Drew, Ryan Grant, Ernest Graham, Darren McFadden (watch injury status).

Please Bench These RUNNINGBACKS
We only have a few must bench runningbacks. Start with Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams. Nobody runs on Minnesota, so neither are worth a start this week. The same goes for Matt Forte against a tough Tampa Bay defense. Finally, bench Jamal Lewis. he is hurting with a soft hamstring and isn't 100%. He doesn't match up well against Baltimore's defense. In his last two games he's averaged 75 yards and a touchdown, however he is on the road and hurt.

Others: LenDale White, Edgerrin James, Ricky Williams.

Sleeper RUNNINGBACKS
We have a few sleepers we like this week. First we'll start with Ronnie Brown. He's getting healthier by the day and is stealing more carries from Ricky Williams. We expect him to have a nice game against New England. We already mentioned Sproles. Regardless of LT's health he will get 7-8 carries plus he returns. Steve Slaton will get the start against a tough Tennessee defense and we like this match up against a defense that will focus on the pass. Finally, we like Michael Bush. With McFadden limping look for Bush to get 10-14 carries and make the most of it.

Good luck. Next are our Wide Receivers!

The True Guru