The Patriots D/ST might have won more than a few fantasy football owners their matchups last week, which underscores the important of this importance. Of course, highly projected units like the Bears, Ravens and Broncos did little, which underscores its volatility. Our Week 3 fantasy defense rankings try to sort through it all and find the best start 'em, sit em choices, whether they were drafted studs or matchup-based streamers you can pick up off the waiver wire right now.
We're sticking with the Bears in the top spot against Case Keenum and the Redskins. Washington has disappointed owners of the Eagles and Cowboys in the first two owners, as its been surprisingly efficient, but we expect a bounce-back from the Bears. New England has a legit claim to the top spot against Trevor Siemian and the Jets and will likely be highly owned in DFS contests. (Update: With Luke Falk likely to start for the Jets this week, we've moved the Pats up to No. 1, where they probably should have been all along.)
WEEK 3 NON-PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | Kicker
We're giving the Cowboys another chance after they've disappointed against the Giants and Redskins. The Dolphins have been a disaster offensively in each of the first two weeks, so if Dallas can't do it against them, there are really no excuses. The Rams should be solid against a Browns team that turned the ball over in Week 1, and the Titans (@ Jaguars) look good against a rookie QB on a Thursday night. Seattle (vs. Saints) should be able to cause problems for Teddy Bridgewater at home; likewise for the 49ers, who will face Mason Rudolph at home.
WEEK 3 PPR RANKINGS: Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end
Some of the best matchups for waiver wire D/STs belong to units you don't want to start. The Giants (@ Buccaneers), Bucs (vs. Giants), and Bengals (@ Bills) all face turnover-prone QBs, but only the Bucs have impressed in any way this year. They're a sneaky sleeper option, though they come with a very low floor.
WEEK 3 DFS LINEUPS:
FD cash | FD GPP | DK cash | DK GPP | Y! cash | Y! GPP
On the other side, the Texans (@ Chargers), Broncos (@ Packers), Ravens (@ Chiefs), and Chiefs (vs. Ravens) are tough to play this week -- which means they're tough to keep on your roster at all. Unless any of those teams have favorable upcoming matchups, you can feel free to drop them and play matchup game going forward.
MORE WEEK 3 DFS: Values | Stacks | Lineup Builder
Reminder: These rankings will be adjusted throughout week, so check back often for updates and analysis!
Week 3 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defense
| 1 | New England Patriots vs. NYJ. The Patriots dominated the Dolphins so thoroughly in Week 2 that there's a good chance they'll end as fantasy's No. 1 defense at the end of the year. Yes, we're already making that call after two weeks. But even if they don't, they're going to be a solid starting option most weeks. That includes Week 3 against Trevor Siemian and the Jets. Siemian threw 14 INTs in fumbled five times in 11 games (10 starts) with the Broncos in 2017, so he's certainly prone to mistakes. (Update: It now looks like the Pats will be facing Luke Falk at QB, which is enough for us to bump them up to No. 1.) |
| 2 | Chicago Bears @ Redskins. We knew the Bears would regress after last year's monster season, but with only one takeaway through games, it's safe to say they have been a major disappointment. The Redskins have been surprisingly competent, allowing just two sacks and not turning it over in either game. These are two trends that suggest a sharp correction is coming, and we think it will be Monday night in Washington. Chicago is still generating a solid pass rush (seven sacks), so look for Case Keenum to get pressured into mistakes. |
| 3 | Dallas Cowboys vs. MIA. The Cowboys seemingly had favorable matchups against the Giants and Redskins in Weeks 1 and 2, but they managed just two sacks and two takeaways. Normally, that would send them tumbling down the rankings, but the Dolphins have been abysmal through two weeks, allowing 10 sacks, six INTs, a lost fumble, and two D/ST touchdowns -- and both of those games have been at home. Dallas should be able to produce in Jerry Wold. |
| 4 | Los Angeles Rams @ CLE. The Browns were better in Week 2, but they still allowed three sacks and Baker Mayfield threw an INT. This comes on the heels of a Week 1 performance where he was sacked five times and threw three INTs. The Rams have had multiple sacks and an INT in each of their first two games, and given how leaky Cleveland's line has looked, we expect Aaron Donald to be in the backfield all night long. |
| 5 | Tennessee Titans @ JAX. Rookie Gardner Minshew II has held his own through two games, throwing only one INT. He has taken five sacks and lost a fumble, but all things considered, he's done a decent job. But this will be his first time starting on short rest. The Titans dominated the Browns in Week 1 and managed three sacks and two takeaways against the Colts in Week 2, so even on the road, you have to like their chances of generating points against a rookie QB in a Thursday night game. |
| 6 | Seattle Seahawks vs. NO. Teddy Bridgewater struggled in relief of Drew Brees last Sunday, averaging just 5.5 yards per pass attempt. He managed to avoid any turnovers and took just two sacks, but he's still someone who seems likely to struggle in a tough road environment. Seattle hasn't exactly impressed defensively this year, but we know it has upside at home, which was on display in Week 1 when it recorded five sacks and three fumble recoveries against Cincinnati. The Seahawks can do more of the same against Bridgewater and the Saints. |
| 7 | San Francisco 49ers vs. PIT. The Steelers offense actually moved the best it had all season with Mason Rudolph under center, so perhaps we're going overboard with this anti-Rudolph ranking, but to be fair, the 49ers have been the second-best fantasy defense this season. Sure, their numbers are inflated by two Jameis Winston pick-sixes in Week 1, but they've posted at least three sacks and a takeaway in each of the first two games. Finally back home, San Francisco could be even more dangerous, and with a backup QB and possibly a backup RB (Jaylen Samuels), Pittsburgh's offense could continue to struggle. |
| 8 | Buffalo Bills vs. CIN. Buffalo opened the season with favorable matchups against the Jets and Giants, and they paid them off, allowing just 22 total points while recording five sacks and three takeaways. The Bengals have allowed 4.5 sacks through two games, so Buffalo should be able to pressure Andy Dalton into some mistakes in its home opener. |
| 9 | Green Bay Packers vs. DEN. Denver's offense has struggled this year, but it hasn't allowed that many fantasy points to D/STs (five sacks, one turnover). Green Bay has been solid, though, racking up six sacks and five takeaways while allowing 19 total points. We like them at home against an immobile QB who won't generate many points. |
| 10 | Carolina Panthers @ ARZ. Everyone was on the Panthers at home on a Thursday against Jameis Winston last week, and they just managed three sacks. So, we might be overrating them on the road this week, but we like that they've had extra rest while the Cardinals will be flying back across the country. Kyler Murray has only thrown one INT in two games, but with eight sacks allowed, the Cardinals line is clearly vulnerable. |
| 11 | Minnesota Vikings vs. OAK. The Vikings have generated multiple sacks and takeaways in both games despite facing two veteran QBs (Matt Ryan, Aaron Rodgers). Derek Carr was great in Week 1 when Denver couldn't generate any pressure, but he struggled against the Chiefs pass rush in Week 2 (three sacks, two INTs). Playing in a noisy potentially closed-roof stadium in Week 3 should mean more pressure and more mistakes. |
| 12 | Pittsburgh Steelers @ SF. This game is a bit of a wild card, as San Francisco hasn't really played a good defense (Tampa, Cincinnati) and Pittsburgh has played two of the best QBs in the league (Tom Brady, Russell Wilson). Pittsburgh couldn't do anything against the Pats in Week 1, but it got to Russell Wilson for four sacks and recovered two fumbles in Week 2. San Francisco has allowed just one sack through two games, but Jimmy Garoppolo is still a question mark when under pressure, as shown by his two INTs. It might be easy to write off the Steelers on the road here, but we think their defense is better than its showed and will step up after the loss of key offensive players. |
| 13 | Jacksonville Jaguars vs. TEN. Tennessee hasn't turned the ball over this season, but it has allowed four sacks in each of its first two games. After getting run over by Kansas City in Week 1 (no shame in that), Jacksonville recorded four sacks against Houston in Week 2. Given this is a Thursday night home game for the Jags, we like them to generate pressure, record a few sacks, and finally get a takeaway or two this season. |
| 14 | Los Angeles Chargers vs. HOU. We're probably still overrating the Chargers simply based on our preseason outlook for them, but given the talent on their defense, they should be better. Last week's zero-sack performance against the Lions is definitely a worry, but this week they face a Texans offense that has one of the leakiest lines in the league. Houston has allowed 10 sacks through two games, and it's a real testament to Deshaun Watson that the Texans have only turned it over once. More sacks are coming for L.A., and more turnovers are coming for Houston, so even if the Texans score points, the Chargers D/ST should still be able to help fantasy owners. |
| 15 | Indianapolis Colts vs. ATL. What's gotten into Matt Ryan this year? He's thrown some brutal picks that you normally don't see a former MVP throw. Overall, Atlanta's offense has allowed five sacks and turned it over six times. Indianapolis has had four sacks in each game, and given that Ryan typically plays a little worse on the road, you can argue the Colts should be ranked ever higher. |
| 16 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. NYG. Tampa's defense has been solid this year, allowing an average of 15.5 points while recording four total sacks and three total takeaways. Eli Manning and the Giants are always good for a couple of turnovers, so Tampa has a nice floor in this one. |
| 17 | New York Giants @ TB. We love to pick on turnover-machine Jameis Winston, but he didn't throw any INTs last Thursday in Carolina, so the Giants' porous defense likely won't generate a ton of points. Still, there is potential here, so consider New York a boom-or-bust option that could just as easily wind up negative as it could paying off with a pick-six. |
| 18 | Washington Redskins vs. CHI. |
| 19 | Cincinnati Bengals @ BUF. |
| 20 | Philadelphia Eagles vs. DET. |
| 21 | New Orleans Saints @ SEA. |
| 22 | Denver Broncos @ GB. |
| 23 | Atlanta Falcons @ IND. |
| 24 | Houston Texans @ LAC. |
| 25 | Kansas City Chiefs vs. BAL. |
| 26 | Arizona Cardinals vs. CAR. |
| 27 | Cleveland Browns vs. LAR. |
| 28 | Detroit Lions @ PHI. |
| 29 | Baltimore Ravens @ KC. |
| 30 | Oakland Raiders @ MIN. |
| 31 | New York Jets @ NE. |
| 32 | Miami Dolphins @ DAL. |
