Week 3 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2025 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

September 20, 2025

Joey Pollizze analyzes all 2025 fantasy football Week 3 defenses (DEF) -- streamers, sits/starts, and D/ST waiver wire pickups to add. His Week 3 rankings and tiers for all of the NFL defenses.

Welcome, RotoBallers, to our fantasy football defense streamers, starts, and tiered rankings for Week 3 of the 2025 season! Every week of the season, this article will contain the best and worst defensive options. Each defense will be ranked No. 1 through No. 32 until the end of the fantasy football season. This will be your go-to stop for all defensive rankings and streamers for the year.

Starting the right defenses each week could be the difference between a win and a loss. Look at those fantasy managers who started the Broncos D/ST over the Cardinals D/ST last week. That was a 14-point difference in fantasy points.

So, let's look at the best fantasy defenses for this week. These are the defenses fantasy managers should be starting in Week 3. Use our tiered fantasy football D/ST rankings to make the right waiver wire and start/sit decision every week of the season. Good luck, RotoBallers! 

Tier 1 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 3

1. Green Bay Packers D/ST at CLE

GB favored by 8.5, Total ~42.5

This Packers defense is legit. This unit has totaled four sacks in back-to-back games and currently ranks tied for second in total sacks through two weeks. Although the Browns have only allowed four sacks on the season, this Green Bay D/ST is in a great spot to boom in fantasy in Week 2.

It is easily the top fantasy defense to roll with this weekend.

This @packers defense looks legit 🔥 pic.twitter.com/CeJtHfHrCu

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 12, 2025

2. Seattle Seahawks D/ST vs. NO

SEA favored by 7, Total ~41.5

The Seahawks are in a prime spot to continue their early-season success on defense in Week 2. Seattle has allowed just 17 points in consecutive games, has forced four turnovers, totaled four sacks, and now gets a fantastic matchup against the Saints. Seattle ranks in the top half of the league in pressure rate so far this season, while New Orleans' offensive line ranks in the bottom 10 in pass block win rate.

That makes this defense one of the best plays of the week. The Seahawks should be able to get to Spencer Rattler a ton in this game and have the potential to force a few turnovers as well.

3. Buffalo Bills D/ST vs. MIA

BUF favored by 12.5, Total ~49.5

The Bills' defense will come in as a top-3 play in Week 3 against the Dolphins. Buffalo had a 58% pressure rate against the Jets in Week 2, and Joey Bosa still has much to prove at this stage of his career. He totaled seven pressures alone in last week's blowout victory. Now, this defense will go up against a Dolphins offense that is all out of sorts. Miami has allowed the third most sacks (eight) through two weeks.

4. Indianapolis Colts D/ST at TEN

IND favored by 3.5, Total ~43.5

What a first few weeks it has been for this Colts team. Even though this defense didn't have the best performance in Week 2 against the Broncos, Indianapolis' D/ST is almost a must-start in Week 3 against the Titans. No quarterback has been sacked more than Cam Ward through the first two weeks (11), and the offensive line ranks in the bottom seven in pressure rate allowed.

Last week, the Colts only managed to sack Bo Nix once. But the week prior, Indianapolis was all over Tua Tagovailoa and that Dolphins offense. This defense totaled three sacks and forced three turnovers in that contest. We could expect a similar strong performance from this Colts D/ST with a rookie under center.

5. Atlanta Falcons D/ST at CAR

ATL favored by 3.5, Total ~43.5

The Falcons' defense was impressive in last week's win over the Vikings. This unit totaled six sacks, forced three turnovers, and held Minnesota's offense to just six points. More importantly. Atlanta's defense generated pressure on 53% of dropbacks in that contest. Therefore, this defense will be a strong start in Week 3 against a Panthers offense that will be without two starting offensive linemen.

Pop off, defense 📸 pic.twitter.com/fIoSC0Uz8k

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) September 15, 2025

Bryce Young was already sacked three times last week, and this Falcons defense looks like a whole different unit in 2025. That makes this group a smash start in most formats.

6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers D/ST vs. NYJ

TB favored by 6.5, Total ~44.5

The Jets will have to turn to Tyrod Taylor this week after Justin Fields was ruled out due to a concussion.. With Taylor starting for New York this week, this Tampa Bay D/ST is a strong play in all formats. The offensive line allowed a 58% pressure rate in Week 2, and that makes the Buccaneers defense a high-floor option.

7. Kansas City Chiefs D/ST at NYG

KC favored by 5.5, Total ~43.5

The Chiefs' defense hasn't been at the top of its game through the first two weeks. This unit has allowed at least 20 points in back-to-back games and has yet to force a turnover. However, we could expect a much better performance in Week 3. Although Russell Wilson had a solid game through the air last week, he was pressured on 37.5% of his dropbacks back in Week 1.

So, Kansas City has a nice matchup on Sunday night. This defense still features star pass rushers like Chris Jones and George Karlaftis. Both should get to the quarterback in this game, considering Andrew Thomas (foot) has missed the first two games of the season.

Tier 2 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 3

8. Minnesota Vikings D/ST vs. CIN

MIN favored by 3.5, Total ~43.5

If Joe Burrow weren't out for this game, the Vikings defense wouldn't be this high. But with Burrow out for at least three months with a toe injury, the Bengals will turn to Jake Browning. While Browning did a solid job in relief last week, he'll have his hands full on Sunday. Minnesota ranks in the top 12 in pressure rate, and Cincinnati ranks in the bottom 10 in pressure rate allowed.

That's enough to start this defense in fantasy.

9. Arizona Cardinals D/ST at SF

ARI favored by 1.5, Total ~43.5

The Cardinals have played well on the defensive side so far. They generated a 40% pass-rush win rate in Week 1 against the Saints, and then tallied three sacks with two turnovers in last week's win. With Brock Purdy's (toe) status still up in the air for this Week 3 contest, Arizona could be worth starting in most formats against the Mac Jones-led 49ers offense.

defense stood up pic.twitter.com/jt5Qhk2NfS

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) September 15, 2025

Just make sure to check the status of Will Johnson, Max Melton, and Garrett Williams before potentially starting this defense in Week 3. All three of Arizona's top cornerbacks are currently dealing with injuries. If two or more of these cornerbacks were to miss this contest, then the Cardinals D/ST would fall lower on this list.

10. Houston Texans D/ST at JAC

HOU favored by 1.5, Total ~43.5

The Texans were one of the best fantasy defenses last year, finishing tied for fourth in sacks and second in interceptions. In Week 1, this defense picked up where it left off last year. Houston only allowed the Rams to score 14 points while sacking Matthew Stafford three times and forcing one fumble.

With the Texans ranking in the top three in pressure rate so far this season, they are absolutely worth starting in 12-team leagues this week. Trevor Lawrence has thrown three interceptions in two games, and that could lead to some points for Houston's D/ST. Even though Jacksonville's offensive line has allowed just one sack through two contests, this defense is a strong start.

Tier 3 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 3

11. Washington Commanders D/ST vs. LV

WSH favored by 5.5, Total ~47.5

The Commanders' defense did not have an encouraging Week 2 performance against the Packers. Green Bay was able to throw/run all over Washington's defense, and this unit only managed to sack Jordan Love twice. However, this could be a bounce-back week for this defense against this Raiders offense.

Las Vegas' offensive line allowed a ton of pressure in Week 1 and currently ranks in the bottom 10 in pressure rate this season. That means the Commanders are in a solid spot this week. Therefore, this Washington D/ST could be worth a look in 12-plus team leagues.

12. Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST at NE

PIT favored by 1.5, Total ~44.5

Things have not been pretty for this Steelers defense to start the season. This unit has allowed 30 points in back-to-back games for the first time since 2021 and can't seem to get to the quarterback. Pittsburgh has tallied just three sacks in its first two games while having just a 30% pass-rush win rate (24th in the NFL).

Things might not get better for this defense in Week 3 either, with Alex Highsmith (ankle) likely to be out for this week's contest. Still, if any defense can turn it around, it's the Steelers. The Patriots have allowed seven sacks through two games, and Pittsburgh did have 19 pressures in Sunday's Week 2 loss to the Seahawks.

So, it's fair to put this defense at No. 12 this week.

13. Philadelphia Eagles D/ST vs. LAR

PHI favored by 4.5, Total ~45.5

The Eagles were one of the most formidable defenses to rank for this week. They have played solidly in each of the first two weeks, but nothing spectacular. The defense has just two sacks and two turnovers through the first two weeks. On top of this, Philadelphia has to go up against another good offense in the Rams.

However, fantasy managers can still likely start this defense in some 12-team leagues and most 14-plus team leagues. The Rams struggled to put points on the board in Week 1 against an above-average Texans defense, and Philadelphia has had some surprise stars on the defensive side early in the year. Moro Ojomo led the team with six pressures last week.

Tier 4 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 3

Most of the defenses in this tier should only be started in deeper leagues as a last resort. Some of these D/ST either have tougher matchups (Los Angeles Chargers and San Francisco 49ers) or question marks surrounding their defense (Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys). As a result, these defenses should be avoided in most cases.

If you need a defense from this tier, the Patriots are your best bet. New England has accumulated nine sacks through the first two weeks and ranks toward the top of the league in pressure rate. Mike Vrabel has made this defense much better already, and the Steelers have been hit-or-miss on offense so far. Aaron Rodgers was sacked three times last week.

As for the Chargers, Bengals, 49ers, and Cowboys, it's best to avoid these defenses. The Chargers have a tough matchup against a Broncos offense that doesn't allow many sacks. The Bengals' secondary remains a huge question mark -- even with Carson Wentz starting. The 49ers couldn't stop the Saints' offense last week, and the Cowboys just allowed Wilson to throw for 450 yards last week.

Tier 5 and 6 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 3

The defenses in both Tier 5 and Tier 6 should be avoided in most cases this week. There is a ton of risk in starting any of these defenses, and there are 18 better fantasy D/ST to roll with for Week 3.

More Waiver Wire Analysis