NFL Picks Week 4: Predicting Dolphins vs. Saints Final Score, Top Fantasy Stars

The NFL couldn't have asked for a much better matchup for Monday Night Football in Week 4, as two undefeated teams will clash in New Orleans. The Miami Dolphins will take on the New Orleans Saints in what has turned into a big game for each team.

Both teams finished 7-9 last year, so not many people expected either squad to be undefeated this late in the season. However, both teams have already knocked off playoff squads from a season ago.

The New England Patriots have dominated the AFC East for more than a decade, so the Dolphins need every win they can get. New Orleans entered Week 4 with a two-game lead in the NFC South. Its top rivals, the Atlanta Falcons, are banged up right now, so it's important for the Saints to get out to a strong start before the Falcons get healthy.

Although it's still early, this game could turn out to be a pivotal point in each team's season. A win will put the winning team in a great position to make a run at the postseason, while a loss will show the losing team any flaws it needs to fix.

Keep reading to see who the fantasy studs for this game will be, via ESPN standard scoring, as well as a prediction for which team will win.

Fantasy Stars

QB Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. Drew Brees will always be a big fantasy player, and this week will be no different.

With Sean Payton on the sidelines, Brees has been great at home. Since 2008, the quarterback has thrown 94 touchdowns to only 29 interceptions with his head coach leading the way. That's an average of 2.7 touchdowns and less than one interception per game.

Brees has averaged nearly 350 yards per game at home this season, and he has thrown for 5,000 yards in back-to-back seasons. He is currently on pace to challenge his NFL record of 5,476 passing yards in a season, which he set two years ago with Payton as coach.

The reunion between the coach and quarterback has been great for the Saints. Brees has been terrific early on this year, and he will go up against the No. 21 pass defense this week. Cleveland's Brandon Weeden was able to throw for nearly 300 yards against the Dolphins, so Brees should be able to put up some strong numbers.

Projected fantasy numbers: 330 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT (23 points) 

WR Brian Hartline, Miami Dolphins

One of the league's most underrated receivers since the beginning of last season has been Brian Hartline. The veteran had his first 1,000-yard season last year, and he is on pace to hit that mark again in 2013.

Mike Wallace was supposed to give quarterback Ryan Tannehill a playmaker who could stretch the field. However, Hartline has been Tannehill's favorite target.

Hartline has at least four receptions and 56 yards—which Wallace has done only once—in each of the first three games. Although the 26-year-old isn't an elite receiver, he does enough to help move the football. 

Miami hasn't had much of a running game this season, so Hartline has had to be on top of his game. With Wallace drawing multiple defenders, Hartline should be able to get his yards Monday night.

Projected fantasy numbers: 6 receptions, 79 yards, 1 TD (13 points)

Game Prediction

Tannehill is only 4-6 on the road since entering the league, and the Superdome isn't an easy place for visiting teams to play. He pulled off arguably the biggest win of his career against the Atlanta Falcons last week, but he hasn't had to play in a place as loud as the Superdome.

Miami took a while to put Cleveland away in its opener but has won back-to-back four-point games against playoff teams from a season ago.  

Since Payton took over in 2006, the Saints have compiled a 38-16 record at home with him leading the way. Payton has led his team to a 30-7 record in New Orleans since 2008 and has not lost in his last 11 home games.

After a pair of close calls to open the season, the Saints dominated the Arizona Cardinals last week. It was huge for them to finally have an easy win. Look for them to continue their hot streak this week.

Prediction: New Orleans Saints 24, Atlanta Falcons 14

*All stats are courtesy of NFL.com