Everyone knows to start Peyton Manning every week, regardless of the match-up. But not all decisions are as easy at that one. So to help you decide who you should start and who you should bench I have identified the players at the QB, RB and WR positions that should excel this week and should be started, as well as the players who will struggle this week and should be benched.

Let's start with the QB position. You shouldn't have to be told, but just in case... always, always start the following players: Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Matt Schaub, Tony Romo and Philip Rivers. Now onto the question marks…


Quarterbacks

Start 'Em:
Quarterbacks Who Will Outperform Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype

Michael Vick @ DET
Has the Vick II era begun in Philly? Kolb is out with a concussion and Vick certainly made things interesting last week in relief – both through the air and on the ground. Against Detroit, who gave up 362 yards and 2 TDs passing, the second worst pass defense performance of the week, I expect Vick to run and throw all over the Lions and generate an even larger QB controversy for Andy Reid to deal with.

Sam Bradford @ OAK
The Raiders only allowed 140 yards passing last week but that was against Vince Young, who is still known more for his running than his throwing. They also gave up 2 TDs and a league worst 142.8 QB rating, showing they can be passed on. Bradford had enough attempts last week for the entire month of September and had a decent showing for his first rookie start in the NFL (253 yards, 1 TD). The Raiders are still the most dysfunctional team in the league and I’m thinking the rookie cuts back on those 3 INTs.

Donovan McNabb vs. HOU
The Texans were the worst passing defense in the league in Week 1. They gave up the most yards (419 – the only team to give up over 400 passing yards), the most TDs (3 - tied with others), the 5th worst passer rating allowed (110.8), the 2nd most first downs (20), the 2nd longest TD play (73 yards), the 6th worst completion percentage allowed (70.2), and had 0 INTs. Granted they were playing against Peyton Manning, but these numbers are still atrocious. McNabb has another week of practice and comfort in the Shanahan system and should exploit the Texans secondary – not to the extent that Peyton did, but certainly enough to make him a solid starter in Week 2

Flacco: No Tom Brady?

Joe Flacco @ CIN
The Bengals, a sexy pick to not only win their division this year but to make some noise in the playoffs, got their butts spanked last week by the resurgent Patriots. The pass defense gave up 258 yards, 3 TDs, produced no sacks or INTs, and allowed the 4th worst pass completion percentage (71.4) and 3rd worst passer rating (120.9). Joe Flacco is no Tom Brady but he is a rising star and has more receiving weapons this year than most NFL teams. Look for a rebound performance.

Bench 'Em:
Quarterbacks Who Will Under Perform Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype

Carson Palmer vs. BAL
I know it was against an inept New York Jets offense led by the equally inept QB Mark Sanchez, but the Ravens gave up just 60 yards and 2 first downs in the passing game last week. Sure they were pumped to face the loudmouth J-E-T-S - but they’ll be just as pumped to face their main competition for a division title this year. Palmer will break 100 yards but he might not break 200.

Dennis Dixon @ TEN
Dixon wasn’t horrible against Atlanta last week, throwing for 236 yards, but he was at home, had 0 TDs, 1 INT and was sacked 3 times. The Titans held the Raiders to just 151 yards passing, had 1 INT and 4 sacks. The Titans see a huge opening in this division with the Indy loss to Houston last week so expect them to remain aggressive and make it a long day for the young, inexperienced Steelers QB.

Chad Henne @ MIN
The mighty Vikings defense proved once again it is strong against the run. They gave up 229 yards passing, 1 TD and had just 1 sack with 0 INTs, the 4th worst pass completion percentage (75%) and the 7th worst passer rating (101.3). However… the Dolphins offense, led by Chad Henne, looked horrible against the Bills and I’m thinking the anomaly was the Vikings pass defense, not the poor play of Henne. Expect Henne to duplicate last week’s numbers (182 yards, 0 TDs and 3 sacks) making him worthy of your bench.

Mark Sanchez vs. NE
Sanchez finished 10-21 for 74 yards against the Ravens last week. He had the 4th worst passer rating (56.4), the 4th worst pass completion percentage (47.6), the 3rd lowest number of completions (10), and a league worst 2 first downs. Granted he kept the INTs in check, but he also kept the TDs to a minimum and was sacked twice. Think he’ll fare any better against New England? Perhaps, but not enough for him to be anywhere near your starting lineup.

Eli Manning @ IND
The Colts not only lost to the upstart Houston Texans but they got destroyed on the ground. However, their pass defense held Matt Schaub and Co. to just 98 yards with an INT and 2 sacks. If they can do that to Schaub and Andre Johnson than I’m staying away from them with almost every other QB in the league – certainly with Peyton’s inconsistent baby Brother Eli.

Running Backs