7 Fantasy Stars to Watch in Week 4

Week 3 of the 2012 NFL season is in the history books, and it will probably have its own chapter.

Now, fantasy football owners can look forward to the favorable matchups that lay ahead in Week 4.

While the start of the year has shown that anything is possible with the replacement refs calling games, some defenses will be helpless to stop the fantasy studs they will face this week, even if they are aided by the officials. 

When an offensive superstar goes up against a weak defense, it makes for a must-watch matchup.

Here are the NFL stars that will have monster games this weekend. 

Note: Fantasy points against statistics via NFL.com.

Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans

Arian Foster was the consensus top-overall pick in most fantasy football leagues and he has justified all the hype. 

Foster has 294 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, in addition to eight catches for 36 yards and a touchdown. He has received 79 carries thus far, which is most of any running back in the league. 

The Houston Texans have been one of the best teams in the NFL and will host the Tennessee Titans, who have been woefully inept on defense. The Titans are currently allowing the third-most fantasy points to running backs through three games. 

As is the case in most weeks, Foster will be one of the most productive fantasy players. 

Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens got their revenge against the New England Patriots in Week 3, and now they will have to take on the Cleveland Browns on a short week. 

Rice was rated as one of the top-three running backs before the season, but had fantasy owners worried when the Ravens revealed a new-look offense that put the ball in Joe Flacco's hands more often. Still, Rice remains the focal point of the offense. 

He has 200 combined rushing yards in the last two games, and now will go against a Browns defense that has allowed the 10th-most rushing yards this season.

Rice is a fantasy stud, and the Ravens will ensure that he makes his mark on this game. 

Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans

Arian Foster will not be the only Houston Texan to have a productive day against a porous Tennessee Titans defense. Wide receiver Andre Johnson will remind the league why he is a fantasy football star.

Tennessee has allowed the most points of any team this season while giving up the third-most passing yards and the ninth-most fantasy points to wide receivers. 

The high-powered Houston offense will be the next team to run up the score against the Titans, and Johnson will improve on his 212 receiving yards and two touchdowns. 

Look for Johnson to put on an excellent performance in Week 4. 

Greg Jennings, WR, Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers will be playing angry in Week 4 after being robbed of a victory on Monday Night Football. The team will be looking to fire on all cylinders at Lambeau Field against the New Orleans Saints, and wide receiver Greg Jennings will be one of several players to have big days.

The Saints defense has been ineffectual through three games and has allowed the eight-most passing yardage and the10th-most fantasy points to wide receivers. 

Jennings missed the Packers Week 2 game against the Chicago Bears with a groin injury. He came back with six receptions for just 35 yards against the Seattle Seahawks, but he will have his first standout performance of the season this coming week. 

Green Bay's offense will be fueled by the terrible refereeing that cost them a win. Jennings and the offense will finally look like it did last season and put up plenty of points. 

Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego Chargers

Antonio Gates has relinquished his crown as the best tight end in football, but he will still have a fantastic week against the Kansas City Chiefs. 

The San Diego Chargers star has yet to catch a touchdown pass this season, but he will get back on track against a Chiefs defense that is allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to tight ends. 

After an embarrassing loss to the Atlanta Falcons, in which the offense only managed three points, the Chargers will find it much easier to move the ball against Kansas City.

Gates will cause serious matchup problems in this Week 4 matchup, and he will not let another game go by without getting in the end zone. 

Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers had at least three touchdown passes in 10 of the 15 games he played last season. In 2012, he has three touchdown passes in his first three games. 

Those who picked Rodgers are likely starting to run out of patience while waiting for the 2011 MVP to show up. The player who seemed like a lock for 20 fantasy points every week will be back when the Green Bay Packers take on the New Orleans Saints. 

The Saints defense has allowed the ninth-most points to quarterbacks this season, and Rodgers will be extremely motivated to build a lead that cannot be taken away by poor officiating. 

The Packers offense will finally return the form it was in during the 2011 season, and Rodgers fantasy stock will skyrocket after Week 4. 

Robert Griffin III, QB, Washington Redskins

Rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III currently has the most fantasy points of any players in ESPN standard scoring leagues, and he will continue to produce at a high level against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Bucs have given up the most passing yardage of any team in the NFL through the first three weeks of the season.

Griffin has been sensational to start his career, and he will have no problem carving up a Tampa Bay secondary that has been hemorrhaging yardage this season. 

With this favorable matchup, Griffin will still be leading all players in fantasy points after Week 4.