Week 4 is here, and there are plenty of favorable matchups to target as you set your fantasy football lineups. While some players are coming off strong performances and have a chance to keep it rolling, others face difficult spots that could limit their production. Here are the best and worst matchups to consider when setting your lineups for Week 4.
Quarterback
Best: QB Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (@ Philadelphia Eagles)
Matthew Stafford has been a top-12 fantasy QB through three weeks, and there’s little reason to think he’s slowing down. He threw for 390 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday night’s loss to Denver, finishing with 22.9 fantasy points despite two interceptions. The biggest concern is the 55-pass attempt workload, which probably isn’t sustainable at 38 years old, but Stafford has continued to generate big plays through the air.
His 10.5 air yards per attempt ranks second among QBs, while his 9.9-yard aDOT ranks fifth among QBs with at least 40 dropbacks. The matchup also sets up well against an Eagles defense that just got shredded by Case Keenum and is allowing 20.7 fantasy points per game (FPPG) to opposing QBs. With Philadelphia struggling to generate pressure and the Rams averaging just 0.3 rushing TDs per game, Stafford should remain a viable fantasy starter in Week 4.
Worst: QB Kirk Cousins, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. Kansas City Chiefs)
Kirk Cousins has been one of the bigger surprises of the 2026 season, throwing three touchdowns in each of his first three games, breaking a Raiders franchise record. He’s completed 67.4% of his passes for 661 yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions, but the touchdown production is almost certainly going to regress.
That could start this week against the Chiefs, who have allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks and just two passing touchdowns through three games. Cousins has been a strong fantasy option to open the season, but this is a much tougher matchup, and fantasy managers should temper expectations for another three-touchdown performance.
Running Back
Best: RB Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars (@ Cincinnati Bengals)
Bhayshul Tuten continues to establish himself as the Jaguars’ top fantasy option in the backfield, scoring 17.0 fantasy points in Sunday’s 35-6 win over the Patriots. He rushed 15 times for 73 yards and a touchdown while adding two catches for 17 yards, following up on his 14.2-point Week 2 performance.
Tuten still operates in a split backfield, but he has accumulated 59% to 62% of Jacksonville’s backfield expected fantasy points through three games and has dominated the work inside the 5-yard line. Tuten has also seen five targets compared to none for Chris Rodriguez, giving him some receiving upside. The Jaguars have one of the league’s more productive offenses, and will now face a Cincinnati team that ranks 25th in blended FPA to running backs. With the Bengals allowing 6.0 yards per carry to Pittsburgh last week, Tuten is shaping up to be a viable RB2 in Week 4.
Worst: RB Ollie Gordon II, Miami Dolphins (@ Minnesota Vikings)
Ollie Gordon II will likely be this week’s hottest waiver wire pickup, but I might think twice about throwing him straight into your starting lineup. The Dolphins will be taking on perhaps the best defense in the NFL this weekend in the Minnesota Vikings.
With Achane sidelined for the season, Gordon should see a significant increase in Miami’s backfield workload, but he faces a difficult matchup against Minnesota. Brian Flores’ unit has allowed just 3.5 yards per carry to running backs this season and has held running backs to the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game. Gordon should have the volume to make him a viable fantasy option, but with Miami’s shaky offensive production and Minnesota’s stingy defense, he’s more of a stash than a start in Week 4.
Wide Receiver
Best: WR Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts (@ Washington Commanders)
Josh Downs is emerging as the Colts’ top wide receiver and should have a strong chance to build on his production in Week 4. Downs caught five of 11 targets for 77 yards in Sunday’s win over Houston, leading the team in both targets and receiving yards. Through three games, he has hauled in 14 of 24 targets for 186 yards, and with Alec Pierce expected to miss time, Downs has an opportunity to become the focal point of Indianapolis’ passing game.
He’ll face a Washington defense that has allowed the most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers this season, giving Downs an excellent matchup. After seeing double-digit targets last week, he should be a quality flex option with a good chance to find the end zone in Week 4.
Worst: WR Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions (@ Carolina Panthers)
Jameson Williams has gotten off to a disappointing start this season, catching 10 of 17 targets for 127 yards and no touchdowns through three games. He hasn’t topped four catches or 49 yards in any game, and his 16% target share ranks well below what fantasy managers were hoping for.
Williams has still been on the field consistently, running a route on 90% of Detroit’s dropbacks. His big-play ability gives him plenty of upside in the Lions’ high-powered offense; however, he’ll face a Carolina defense allowing the second-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers in Week 4. Williams remains a boom-or-bust fantasy option, but this is a tough spot to trust him to get right.
Tight End
Best: TE Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers (@ Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Tucker Kraft has gotten off to a quiet start this season, catching nine of 17 targets for 106 yards through three weeks. His 3.5 fantasy points per game ranks 32nd overall among qualifying tight ends on the season.
However, his eight targets in Week 3 were a season high, and he should have another opportunity for increased production against a Tampa Bay defense allowing the sixth-most blended FPA to tight ends. If the Packers continue to operate with a pass-heavy approach, Kraft should have a good chance to turn his increased volume into a productive fantasy outing in Week 4.
Worst: TE Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens (vs. Tennessee Titans)
Mark Andrews has been a consistent part of Baltimore’s passing game through three weeks, hauling in 13 of 18 targets for 122 yards. He has at least three catches in every game but has yet to score a touchdown. A hand injury limited him to 33 of 64 offensive snaps in Week 3, but he still saw six targets and should be ready for Week 4.
This week’s matchup with Tennessee isn’t particularly encouraging though, as the Titans have given up just 48 yards and zero touchdowns to tight ends this season. Andrews should remain involved, but this is a tough spot to expect him to finally break through in the scoring department.
