The Guru Gridiron Report: Week 8 Bench/Start Runningbacks

Week 8 is the fictitious middle of the season week (17 totals weeks with the bye). Its a perfect point to not only gauge your team, but to figure out your chances of getting into the playoffs. If you are currently a long shot keep in mind that most teams still have a shot, so making the right moves now is critical in taking the necessary steps to getting a coveted playoff spot. Lots of players will be missing with the four teams on the BYE week; Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers , so check out our picks for week 8 and use the to the best of yours and our abilities

RUNNINGBACKS YOU MUST START
Marion Barber will again be featured in the Dallas offense, but unlike the Rams, Tampa Bay will not score 31 unanswered points eliminating him. Great matchup for him. Frank Gore will absolutely slaughter Seattle. Steve Slaton will have another big game this time against Cincinnati. Start Thomas Jones. Anyone can run against Kansas City and Thomas Jones will have a huge day in New York.

Others: Ernest Graham, Clinton Portis, Jonathan Stewart, Brian Westbrook, Maurice Jones-Drew, LaDainian Tomlinson, Steven Jackson

Other Runningbacks To Consider Starting With Some Risk
Brandon Jacobs should have solid week against Pittsburgh, but temper your expectations. Willie Parker will be back this week, but we expect him to share some carries with Moore and his effectiveness will be minimal. You have to start him, but if you have better options sit him this week. Willis McGahee is back and has a great matchup this week against Oakland. We would make him a must start, but we still hold some concerns with McGahee. The 'R' brothers Ricky and Ronnie should get allot of carries against Buffalo and each should do some damage. We figure Ronnie Brown is good for at least 1 score, but Ricky Williams can run one in as well. It all depends if Buffalo can stop the Wildcat formation.

Others: Jamal Lewis, Kevin Faulk, DeAngelo Williams, Julius Jones, Ernest Graham, Marshawn Lynch, Michael Turner, Dominic Rhodes (Joseph Addai if he starts. We doubt he will)

Please Bench These Runningbacks
The Saints game in London will be a passing frenzy. Bench Duece McAllister and Pierre Thomas.

Others: Rudi Johnson, Kevin Smith, Chris Perry, Edgerrin James, Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden, Kolby Smith

Sleeper Runningbacks
This will be a good week to start Tim Hightower if you got him. If you are desperate consider starting BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Sammy Morris did not pratcie on Wendesday and if he doesn't play Green-Ellis would get the start and split carries with Faulk, but ge the majority.

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

The True Guru