RandBall's Week 3 Fantasy Football Challenge

Week 3 of the Page 2 Fantasy Football Challenge is upon us. Each week, a guest picker chooses a QB, RB and WR. The only players off-limits are those selected by the previous week's guest picker. This week's guest — Seth Kaplan, the executive producer at Fox 9 who has been playing fantasy football since Dalton Hilliard was a must-have running back — will go head-to-head against Star Tribune writer Michael Rand, who is not allowed to pick anyone projected to score in the top 10 by NFL.com at their respective positions:

QB: Drew Brees, Saints

NFL.com QB projection: No. 1

Matchup: Vikings

This isn't because he's my QB in two of three leagues. This isn't because he's playing the Vikings. This is because the Saints (0-2) are desperate, Drew is due and my Purdue source told me "Brees will put up a 4-ball" Sunday. I just assume that means four touchdowns?

RB: DeMarco Murray, Cowboys

NFL.com RB projection: No. 1

Not only is DeMarco Murray on pace for 400-plus carries this season, which would be a top-five rushing attempt season in NFL history, but he's facing a Rams run "D" yielding 171 yards/game.

WR: Brandon Marshall, Bears

NFL.com WR projection: No. 6

Matchup: Jets

Sometimes you just have to go with the hot hand. Like keeping Pedro Martinez on the mound in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS. Hot hands never fail! Guaranteed formula to beat Rand.

NFL.com QB projection: No. 14

Matchup: Buccaneers

Opponents are completing 73 percent of their passes against Leslie Frazier's new defense in Tampa Bay, which might sound familiar if you watched the Vikings in recent years. Matt Ryan is accurate and will have a field day against a defense that plays to his strengths.

RB: Matt Asiata, Vikings

NFL.com RB projection: No. 20

I gave up trying to predict too much about sports a long time ago. Logic probably dictates the Vikings get blown out against a motivated Saints team. But I saw them try to pass last week. Asiata runs big.

WR: Randall Cobb, Packers

NFL.com WR projection: No. 23

Matchup: Lions

Aaron Rodgers has found Cobb for TDs three times in the first two games, and there's no reason to think they won't continue that chemistry against the Lions.

Loser: Michael Rand — Colin Kaepernick (12.5), Alfred Morris (20.5), Calvin Johnson (8.3). Total: 41.3.