Fantasy football sleepers: QB | RB | WR | TE | PK | DT

In this article KFFL breaks down the fantasy football sleepers of the week. We will avoid marquee names because players of that caliber are rarely benched, regardless of their matchup. Instead, we will focus on the players that make your fantasy lineup decisions stressful each week. Read on to learn which midrange to low-end players you wouldn't necessarily consider that you need to get into your lineup.

Note: All statistics are from Week 3 through Week 6, unless otherwise stated.

Fantasy football sleepers: Defensive teams

Seymour seeing more success?

Carolina Panthers vs. Dallas Cowboys

Fantasy value: Low-end No. 1

• Tony Romo lost a couple of fumbles in Week 3 and tossed five picks in Week 4, helping to make them appear to be a tasty matchup for most fantasy defenses. The Cowboys continue to make myriad mental mistakes, so they frequently make plenty of downs harder than they have to be.
• Carolina has fielded a top-half fantasy defense this season. In their past three games, they averaged nine standard fantasy points on the strength of 3.67 sacks and one interception per game. They also recovered a fumble, recorded a safety and returned one of their INTs for a touchdown.
• This season, the Panthers have been vulnerable primarily to the ground attack, just as they were last year. Dallas may be in trouble in that department, however, because DeMarco Murray (sprained foot) isn't expected to play. Felix Jones has stumbled in previous turns as the featured back.

Oakland Raiders vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Fantasy value: Low-end No. 1 or bench

• The Raiders have been one of the least inspiring fantasy defenses of 2012. In their last three contests, they put up 0.67 sacks and two turnovers per game, which amounts to 4.67 standard fantasy points per game.
• Oakland defensive end Richard Seymour told the media a couple of weeks ago that he believed his unit was on the verge of a breakthrough in terms of shutting down their opponents. Then, coming off their bye, they suffocated the explosive Atlanta Falcons, holding them to 286 total yards, one offensive touchdown and a smattering of field-goal attempts. They also picked off Matt Ryan three times.
• Beginning of something bigger? OK, maybe KFFL shouldn't get carried away, but fantasy owners have to dig the matchup in Week 7. Blaine Gabbert has thrown three interceptions, all of them coming in his last two contests. He's also lost two fumbles and been sacked 15 times - three times per game. Jacksonville's staff is concerned because the second-year passer still seems to panic under pressure at times.