Top 10 sleepers for Week 4

Week 3's sleepers of running back Darren McFadden and Mike Tolbert, wide receivers Austin Collie and Kevin Walter, tight end Dustin Keller and Cincinnati D/ST helped some fantasy teams score better and clinch a Week 3 victory.

Start these emerging players or overlooked veterans with favorable Week 4 matchups. They can solve lineup decisions at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, the flex positions or defensive/special teams.

10. Indianapolis D/ST at Jacksonville

The Jaguars have thrown the second-most interceptions (5) and have allowed the third-most sacks (10) this season. If the Colts jump to a lead, they can force Jacksonville into passing frequently to keep pace. Indianapolis ranks in the top quarter of forcing sacks (7).

9. Greg Olsen, TE, Chicago at New York Giants

The Giants yielded a solid fantasy day to Dallas Clark in Week 2. He caught five passes for 83 yards and one score.

Olsen has caught a touchdown in two straight contests. He also posted a solid game against Green Bay’s No. 3 pass defense, finishing with five receptions for 64 yards. He’s only one of two players to catch a touchdown against Green Bay this season. Though the Giants’ pass defense ranks as the league’s fourth-best, it could be vulnerable to play action passes if its seventh-worst run defense continues to have difficulty.

8. Justin Forsett, RB, Seattle at St. Louis

Forsett became Seattle’s featured back in Week 3, receiving 17 carries and catching three passes. He finished with 94 yards (63 rushing, 31 receiving). He displayed some of his big-play ability with a 28-yard run against San Diego. Forsett had a couple of outstanding fantasy days last year, including one at St. Louis when he ran for 130 yards and two scores in Week 12. He also totaled 149 yards, five receptions and one score against Arizona in Week 10.

The Rams rate in the bottom quarter of run defenses by allowing 134 yards per game. Tim Hightower totaled 94 yards and one score in Week 1, and Darren McFadden totaled 153 yards in Week 2.

7. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB, New England at Miami

Green-Ellis responded well in his first extensive action as New England’s featured back in Week 3. He ran for 98 yards and a score from 16 carries against Buffalo.

Miami has been susceptible to allowing many fantasy points to running backs. Adrian Peterson totaled 186 yards and one score in Week 2, and LaDainian Tomlinson totaled 88 yards and one score last game.

6. Ryan Mathews, RB, San Diego vs. Arizona

After missing Week 3 with an ankle injury, Mathews practiced fully on Wednesday, indicating that he’ll likely be available for Week 4. He’s been effective with the few carries that he’s received, averaging 4.2 yards per carry.

The rookie has a favorable matchup with Arizona’s second-worst rushing defense. It allowed a big fantasy day to Jason Snellng in Week 2. He totaled 186 yards and three touchdowns against Arizona in Week 2. Additionally, Darren McFadden ran for 105 yards and one score last contest.

5. Louis Murphy, WR, Oakland vs. Houston

Houston ranks as the league’s worst passing defense, allowing 369 yards per game. The Texans have yielded big fantasy days to Austin Collie (11 receptions for 163 yards), Reggie Wayne (seven receptions for 99 yards and a score), Santana Moss (10 receptions for 89 yards) and Roy Williams (five receptions for 117 yards).

Murphy has continued to be Oakland’s featured receiver. He’s led the Raiders in receiving for the past two contests. He caught six passes for 91 yards and a score in Week 2, and gained 119 yards from five receptions in Week 3.

4. John Kuhn, RB, Green Bay vs. Detroit

Detroit has allowed the most rushing yards (149 per game) and touchdowns (5) this season. Adrian Peterson totaled 190 yards and two scores against Detroit during Week 3; LeSean McCoy ran for 120 yards and three touchdowns in Week 2; and Matt Forte totaled 251 yards and two scores.

He’s served as Green Bay’s most effective runner this season. Kuhn has averaged 4.8 yards from 17 carries for 86 yards compared to Brandon Jackson’s 2.9 yards from 36 carries for 104 yards. He was also more effective than Jackson last game. He ran for 31 yards on six carries compared to Jackson’s 12 yards from seven handoffs.

3. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, New York Jets at Buffalo

Tomlinson has become the Jets’ most effective back, rushing for team highs of 208 yards, 37 carries and a 5.6 average. He’s outproduced Shonn Greene’s run stats of 106 yards, 30 carries and a 3.5 average.

Buffalo ranks as the league’s sixth-worst rushing defense (141) and has yielded the most rushing scores (5). It permitted solid fantasy games to Ronnie Brown (85 total yards and a score) in Week 1 and BenJarvus Green-Ellis (104 total yards and one score) in Week 3

2. Hakeem Nicks, WR, New York Giants vs. Chicago

Nicks has already produced a great fantasy day this season, gaining 75 receiving yards and three scores in the opener. He has a favorable matchup with Chicago in Week 4. The Bears rate as the league’s fifth-worst pass defense by allowing 279 yards per game. It has yielded solid fantasy games to Miles Austin (10 receptions for 142 yards) and Donald Driver (nine receptions for 61 yards).

1. Donovan McNabb, QB, Washington at Philadelphia

The Eagles allowed Shaun Hill to throw for 335 yards and two scores during Week 2, and they’ll be facing a more prolific McNabb. Washington’s quarterback has already shown he can be successful in Mike Shanahan’s offensive system. He passed for 426 yards and one score against Houston in Week 2. McNabb will be looking to do well against his former team that traded him.