September 26, 2025
The Las Vegas Raiders defense has quickly regressed after a promising Week 1 showing against the Patriots, struggling to keep opponents out of the end zone in recent matchups. Their sack production has not been enough to offset the points allowed, as evidenced by a negative fantasy score last week. With Chicago's offense showing signs of life, this is not the matchup to gamble on a Raiders turnaround. Fantasy managers should leave the unit on waivers, as they remain a matchup-dependent play only worth considering against the league's weakest offenses.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Raiders.com
September 25, 2025
The Carolina Panthers defense/special teams unit is widely considered a decent defensive streamer for Week 4 against the New England Patriots. Coming off a decisive shutout of the Falcons, the Panthers proved they have the necessary playmakers to capitalize against weak offenses. In Week 3, they forced a total of four turnovers. This week, they travel to face a Patriots team that just committed a massive five turnovers in Week 3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Patriots' severe ball-security issues elevate Carolina from a bench stash to a decent-floor, high-ceiling streamer for fantasy managers this weekend.
--Jp SticcoSource: ESPN
September 25, 2025
The Arizona Cardinals defense/special teams unit is a low-end starting option as they prepare to take on the Seattle Seahawks in Week 4. The Cardinals, despite some injuries, have played well defensively in all three games this season, and a suspect Seattle offensive line should offer an opportunity to create sacks and turnovers. Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald publicly criticized the team's rushing attack as "not good enough" this week, which sounds great for managers holding their next opposing defense. Seattle quarterback
Sam Darnold has been fairly efficient so far, but does have three turnovers in three weeks, giving the Cards a reasonable chance to be a nuisance on Thursday Night Football.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
September 24, 2025
The Seattle Seahawks defense/special teams unit has been one of the best in the league for fantasy this season. They have done so without several of their top defensive backs in the lineup over the last couple of weeks. With several players trending towards a return to game action in Week 4 against the Arizona Cardinals, this unit should receive a huge upgrade. This team has racked up five interceptions and six sacks through three weeks of the season. The Cardinals have done a solid job of protecting quarterback
Kyler Murray and limiting turnovers, but they have not faced a smothering defense such as Seattle's. The Cardinals struggled to put points on the board in Week 3 when they faced their first quality opponent in the San Francisco 49ers. That figures to remain the same in Week 4 against Seattle. This D/ST will be going for its third straight week scoring a touchdown. Keep them in your lineup until they run into a truly bad matchup.
--Quincy Milton III - RotoBallerSource: Brady Henderson
September 22, 2025
The Indianapolis Colts defense stayed hot in a 41-20 Week 4 win over the Tennessee Titans. The Colts held the Titans to just 282 yards of total offense while notching four sacks. Indy also got a 32-yard touchdown when Kenny Moore II intercepted
Cam Ward in the first quarter to kick off the scoring on the afternoon. Indianapolis was not a popular fantasy D/ST heading into the season, but they have proven to be a productive unit through the first three weeks of the year. They will be tested, however, in a Week 4 road matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. Fantasy managers who have been using the Colts D/ST so far might want to consider streaming a different option this weekend.
--Matt TerelleSource: NFL.com
September 22, 2025
The Carolina Panthers' defense absolutely balled out in Week 3, shutting out star running back
Bijan Robinson and the rest of the Atlanta Falcons' offense. The Panthers were particularly dominant on third and fourth downs, holding the Falcons to just five conversions on 13 third-down attempts and a perfect 0-for-3 on fourth-down attempts. However, the real game-changer was their ability to force three turnovers -- two interceptions and one forced fumble -- which completely took the will out of the Falcons' offense. The Panthers will look to continue their strong play in Week 4 when they head to New England to face a Patriots team that just committed four fumbles and one interception in their Week 3 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
--Jp SticcoSource: ESPN
September 22, 2025
Indianapolis Colts Pro Bowl defensive back Kenny Moore II (calf) is expected to miss a couple of weeks after leaving Sunday's blowout victory against the Titans in the second half. Moore left his mark on the game before exiting, intercepting
Cam Ward's second pass attempt of the day and returning it for a touchdown. Through three weeks, the Colts' defense has been a matchup-dependent streamable option for fantasy managers, but losing Moore's big-play ability lowers their ceiling. The team is signing veteran CB Mike Hilton to their practice squad, and he will likely become a gameday elevation should Moore miss extended time.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Ian Rapoport
September 21, 2025
San Francisco 49ers pass-rusher Nick Bosa (knee) likely avoided suffering an ACL injury during Sunday's Week 3 win over the Arizona Cardinals, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. Bosa exited during the first half and was initially listed as questionable, but the team downgraded his status to out during the second half. At the time of his departure, he had made two tackles and also forced a fumble. Bosa is the heart and soul of the 49ers' defense, so the unit might take a step backward if he's forced to miss extended time. If that happens, Yetur Gross-Matos and Bryce Huff should earn more defensive snaps opposite rookie Mykel Williams.
--Andersen PickardSource: Adam Schefter
September 21, 2025
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (shoulder) exited during the second half of Sunday's Week 3 contest against the Chicago Bears. At the time of his departure, he had made two tackles. Diggs was a late addition to the injury report with a knee injury this weekend, but he recovered in time to suit up on Sunday. Now, he's dealing with a new shoulder issue, and it remains to be seen how long the injury will sideline him. Until Diggs can return, Trikweze Bridges and C.J. Goodwin should earn more defensive snaps.
--Andersen PickardSource: Todd Archer
September 21, 2025
San Francisco 49ers rookie defensive end Mykel Williams (ankle) has returned to Sunday's Week 3 contest against the Arizona Cardinals. Williams made an early exit in the second quarter due to a wrist injury. It looks like the training staff has taped up his ankle and Williams is back in action for the second half. So far, Williams has two solo tackles and one tackle for loss. His return is a welcoming sight especially with Nick Bosa (knee) done for this game.
--Andy WebbSource: Nick Wagoner
September 21, 2025
San Francisco 49ers pass-rusher Nick Bosa (knee) will not return to Sunday's Week 3 contest against the Arizona Cardinals. The team initially listed him as questionable before downgrading him to out during the second half. At the time of his departure, he had made two tackles and also forced a fumble. Bosa is the heart and soul of the 49ers' defense, so the unit might take a step backward for the duration of his absence. To make matters worse, San Francisco is also without Mykel Williams (wrist, questionable). Yetur Gross-Matos and Bryce Huff should earn more defensive snaps for the time being.
--Andersen PickardSource: Adam Schefter
September 21, 2025
San Francisco 49ers rookie defensive end Mykel Williams (wrist) exited during the first half of Sunday's Week 3 contest against the Arizona Cardinals. He is officially listed as questionable to return. The bad injury news continues to come in large doses for the Niners. In addition to existing injuries to
Brock Purdy (shoulder),
George Kittle (hamstring), and
Brandon Aiyuk (knee), San Francisco's defense suddenly finds itself short-staffed with Williams and Nick Bosa (knee) sidelined. Yetur Gross-Matos and Bryce Huff should earn more defensive snaps for the time being.
--Andersen PickardSource: Matt Barrows
September 21, 2025
San Francisco 49ers pass rusher Nick Bosa (knee) exited during the first half of Sunday's Week 3 contest against the Arizona Cardinals. He is officially questionable to return. At the time of his departure, he had made two tackles and also forced a fumble. Bosa is the heart and soul of the 49ers' defense, so the unit might take a step backward until he's able to return. In the meantime, Yetur Gross-Matos and Bryce Huff should earn more defensive snaps.
--Andersen PickardSource: Nick Wagoner
September 21, 2025
Dallas Cowboys defensive back Trevon Diggs (knee) is officially active for Sunday's Week 3 contest against the Chicago Bears. He had been listed as questionable after being a late addition to the injury report on Saturday. While there were some questions about his status, he is evidently healthy enough to play. Diggs has made five tackles through two games but is still looking for his first interception of the season.
--Andersen PickardSource: Joe Trahan
September 21, 2025
Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (abdomen) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's Week 3 contest. He exited near the end of the first quarter and was initially listed as questionable before being downgraded to out. He had registered zero tackles and one pass defended before his departure. Tremon Smith and Jalen Pitre should earn more defensive snaps for the duration of Stingley's absence.
--Andersen PickardSource: Houston Texans
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