The Guru Gridiron Report: Week 4 Bench/Start Runningbacks

SO far we have had some great success this season, but week 4 delivers the first serious challenge of the season and the biggest of its type we will see all season long. The bye weeks have started and in week 4 you will see 6 teams taking the week off and they include; New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots, and Detroit Lions.

Expect to see an active free agency for wide receivers and quarterbacks, but not as much on the runningback side. Examining the 6 teams that have the week 4 bye, fantasy owners will miss roughly 10 wide receivers and 5 quarterbacks, while losing only 5 runningbacks. SO grab the wide receivers if they are still out there and you are in need. As for the quarterbacks, here are our recommendations:

RUNNINGBACKS YOU MUST START
Week 4 has some intriguing match ups and affords us only a few losses with the bye week. Chris Perry has the power to explode on Cleveland and should easily find the end zone. His counterpart Jamal Lewis, if healthy will also find success this week and pay dirt. Michael Turner will continue his incredible season with a great match up against Carolina. Then there is our friend Marion Barber who is an absolute must start, but in his past he hasn't had the greatest games against Washington with only 1 TD in 5 games. Temper expectations for Barber. Finally we expect Steven Jackson to be used allot against Buffalo and get a touchdown.

Others: Maurice Jones-Drew, Frank Gore, Reggie Bush, LaDainian Tomlinson, Brian Westbrook (watch injury status), Marshan Lynch

Other Runningbacks To Consider Starting With Some Risk
There are several runningbacks who are mid-tier, but can provide some serious pop. Darin Sproles will see allot of action against Oakland and could easily score 1-2 TDs. Its a bit of a risk with him not starting, but not much. Larry Johnson will find room against Denver, but there should be concern with Denver blowing out KC and them abandoning the run. Thomas Jones will be used early and often against Arizona. Steve Slaton showed us he's the starter in Houston and should find some holes against Jacksonville. Ernest Graham is coming off a tough week, but will get some yards against the Packers in his own house.
Others: Matt Forte, Adrian Peterson, Darren McFadden, Ryan Grant

Please Bench These Runningbacks
One match up we don't like is Ray Rice and Le'Ron McClain will find little success against Pittsburgh, so bench them. Same thing with the brutal combo of LenDale White and Chris Johnson. No success against Minnesota.

Others: Clinton Portis, Edgerrin James

Sleeper Runningbacks
Our three sleepers this week are Rashard Mendenhall and Tim Hightower. We expect Hightower to score 1 or 2 TDs in goal line situations and with 10 carries minimum. Rashard Mendenhall should overpower the #1 run defense in the league and will be leaned on with Big Ben hurting. Finally we love Andre Hall this week. Selvin Young should also run easy and free, but we expect Hall to break off some big runs this week and score once or twice.

Good luck. Next are our Wide Receivers and Tight Ends!

The True Guru