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Randball's Week 3 fantasy football guest picker: Chase Budinger

Each week, a guest picker chooses a quarterback, wide receiver and running back who he or she believes will score big in fantasy that week. Chase Budinger originally took Matt Forte as his running back but switched to Frank Gore.

September 20, 2012 at 1:58PM

3:13

(Michael Rand/Michael Rand)

Week 3 of the Page 2 Fantasy Football Challenge is upon us. Each week, a guest picker chooses a quarterback, wide receiver and running back who he or she believes will score big in fantasy that week. The only players off-limits are those selected by the previous week's guest picker. The guest -- new Wolves forward Chase Budinger -- will go head-to-head against Star Tribune writer Michael Rand, who is not allowed to pick anyone ranked in the top 10 by NFL.com experts at their respective positions:CHASE BUDINGER'S WEEK 3 FANTASY PICKS

QB: Eli Manning, Giants

NFL.com fantasy QB rank: No. 9. Matchup: Panthers

It's a Thursday night game, and also I know the Panthers defense is not the greatest in the NFL. Eli Manning is going to have a big, big throwing night. His confidence is very high right now.

WR: Reggie Wayne, Colts

NFL.com fantasy WR rank: No. 15.

Matchup: Jaguars

My wild card. He's going to surprise a lot of people. I think Andrew Luck found his go-to guy in Reggie Wayne. Those two are going to connect on a couple touchdowns this next week.

RB: Frank Gore, 49ers

NFL.com fantasy RB rank: No. 14.

Matchup: Vikings

Frank Gore is a beast. And I will probably be seeing him in person this weekend. So hopefully he will have a good game, but with the Vikings coming out on top.

MICHAEL RAND'S WEEK 3 FANTASY PICKS

QB: Andy Dalton, Bengals

NFL.com fantasy QB rank: No. 19. Matchup: Redskins

Washington has ex-Vikings Cedric Griffin and Madieu Williams playing prominent roles in its secondary. The Redskins have given up an NFL-high six TD passes. These facts seem to be related.

WR: Miles Austin, Cowboys

NFL.com fantasy WR rank: No. 16

Matchup: Buccaneers

The Bucs have given up 801 passing yards in two weeks. Tony Romo spreads the ball around, but the smart money is on Austin to cash in with a nice game here.

RB: Michael Bush, Bears

NFL.com fantasy RB rank: No. 12

Matchup: Rams

Technically, I could have taken Week 2 hero Reggie Bush again since he's still ranked outside of the top 10 by experts. But with Matt Forte hobbled, let's give another Bush a try.

Minnesota Timberwolves' Chase Budinger (Star Tribune file/The Minnesota Star Tribune)