RADIO
Texans D/ST Looking to Bounce Back against the Colts
The Houston Texans D/ST was expected to be an elite unit this season, but they struggled in the first two weeks against the Bills and Bengals. They did get five sacks in Week 2 against Cincinnati, but are still looking for their first takeaway of the year. In Week 3, they'll go on the road to Indianapolis to take on the Colts, who have three turnovers in two weeks but have only allowed two sacks. Both the Colts and Texans are 0-2 and desperate for a win, but the Texans' defense has enough talent and playmakers to be the difference in this Week 3 matchup. The Texans are an elite play as the No. 3 DST in RotoBaller's rankings, so play them with confidence this week in Indianapolis.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Giants D/ST a Solid Streaming Option Against Titans
The New York Giants defense enters Week 3 after a rough showing against one of the NFL's best offenses, the Los Angeles Rams. In two tough matchups against the Rams and the Dallas Cowboys, the Giants D/ST has allowed 24 points per game (19th in the NFL), 362.5 yards per game (27th), and has averaged 3.5 fantasy points per game (22nd). However, Week 3 offers the best matchup the defense has faced so far this season. The Tennessee Titans offense averaged the third-fewest points last season and has struggled to start the season, scoring 15 points per game and ranking last in offensive yards. Heavy rain and wind are expected, which could favor the Giants in a potential low-scoring affair. They're not the strongest defensive option in Week 3, but the New York defense could be a solid streaming option against Tennessee.
Source: New York Giants
Source: New York Giants
Broncos Defense Faces Tall Task Against Rams
The Denver Broncos put forth a stout defensive performance during a 20-13 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2. Denver limited the Jaguars to just 268 yards of total offense, including an average of just 4.9 yards per play. The Broncos sacked Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence twice and intercepted him once. Denver takes on the Los Angeles Rams this week as RotoBaller's 16th-ranked defense and is projected to score six fantasy points. The Rams racked up 481 yards of total offense during a 28-6 win over the New York Giants a week ago. This is a tough matchup for Denver as it looks to improve to 2-1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Steelers D/ST a Risky Fantasy Option Against Division Rival
The Pittsburgh Steelers defense is off to a strong start this season, but will face its toughest test yet in Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals. While Cincinnati's offense hasn't necessarily been firing on all cylinders, it is a talented group with the potential to produce big numbers on any given week. It's unclear at this point if Joey Porter Jr. (back) will make his season debut on Sunday, and with Jamel Dean (ankle) also questionable to suit up, Pittsburgh could be without two of its top corners in a matchup against arguably the league's best receiver duo. The Steelers check in as the No. 23 DST in RotoBaller's Week 3 rankings, so fantasy managers should be able to find a safer option in a more favorable matchup.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Lions D/ST a Unit to Avoid in Week 3
Through its first two games of 2026, the Lions' defense has struggled mightily. Detroit is allowing an average of 35.5 points per game and ranks 31st in total passing yards allowed (658). In Week 3, the Lions will host the New York Jets. The Jets offense has been mid-pack so far this season, ranking 15th in yards per pass attempt (7.1) but just 28th in yards per carry (3.3). Still, New York's passing game should have success against a Lions secondary that has been extremely ineffective and is also ravaged by injuries. Detroit entered the year without both starting safeties, Kerby Joseph (knee) and Brian Branch (Achilles), and will now be without top reserve safeties Avonte Maddox (foot) and Thomas Harper (ankle) in Week 3. Where possible, fantasy managers should avoid the Lions D/ST against the Jets.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Panthers D/ST a Decent Streaming Option in Week 3
The Carolina Panthers D/ST will look to carry its Week 2 momentum into a Week 3 clash with the Cleveland Browns. The Browns seem like a team worthy of targeting with opposing D/STs as long as Deshaun Watson is the starting quarterback. However, this matchup does carry some risk. The Panthers allowed 59 points to a stellar Bears offense in Week 1, and the team is still struggling to contain the running game. This will be a great litmus test for the Panthers D/ST to see if they can contain struggling running back Quinshon Judkins. Additionally, the Browns' offense played substantially better in Week 2 than it did in Week 1. If Watson can carry his Week 2 play into Week 3, the Panthers D/ST may end up being more of a mid-range option. However, this unit should have a solid floor as the Cleveland offense still has yet to score more than 23 points in a game and is always a candidate for committing a turnover or two. There are better options on waivers, but this should be a solid option if you need a start.
Source: Carolina Panthers
Source: Carolina Panthers
Seahawks D/ST an Excellent Fantasy Option in Week 3
The Seattle Seahawks D/ST has been fantastic through two weeks. They draw a great matchup in Week 3 with the Washington Commanders starting backup quarterback Marcus Mariota. This unit is trending towards getting safety Nick Emmanwori (ankle) back into the lineup this weekend. He is a versatile player who the Commanders will likely have difficulty defending. Concerningly, the team will be without safety Julian Love (calf) this weekend, but this unit should still have no issues handling the Commanders' offense. Seattle's defense is No. 2 in total yards allowed and No. 1 in passing yards allowed. Those numbers do not bode well for a backup quarterback despite Mariota's extensive NFL experience. Additionally, Seattle's defensive line should have a field day against the Commanders' offensive line. There should be plenty of sacks and opportunities for turnovers. Start this unit with confidence.
Source: Seattle Seahawks
Source: Seattle Seahawks
Treydan Stukes Out for Boom-or-Bust Raiders Defense vs. Saints
The Las Vegas Raiders defense will face the New Orleans Saints without safety Treydan Stukes (concussion) and is muscling through some injuries ahead of Sunday's road game. Cornerback Darien Porter returned to practice after sitting out Week 2 with a foot injury. Linebackers Nakobe Dean (shoulder) and Segun Olubi (knee) and defensive tackles Folorunso Fatukasi (shoulder) and JJ Pegues (back) were all full participants in practice on Friday. The Saints offense will be confident after its upset win against the Baltimore Ravens, but is still very susceptible to turnover pressure. This makes the Stukes-less Vegas D a boom-or-bust streaming option on the road in Week 3 as the team aims for a 3-0 start to the 2026 campaign.
Source: Sports Illustrated
Source: Sports Illustrated
Chiefs Defense a Must-Start On The Road In Miami
The Kansas City Chiefs defense will face the Miami Dolphins on the road in Week 3. The Chiefs defense held the Denver Broncos to just 10 points in Week 1 before surrendering 30 points to the Indianapolis Colts last week. This defensive unit will now get a favorable matchup against the Dolphins, who have scored 13 points in each of the first two games this season. The Kansas City defense has racked up four sacks, two interceptions, and one fumble recovery in two weeks. Despite the favorable matchup, this defensive unit could be down DB Chamarri Conner, who is listed as doubtful with a knee injury ahead of Sunday. That said, the Chiefs defense is still ranked as the second-best defense in our RotoBaller Week 3 rankings. Fantasy managers should feel good about plugging the Chiefs' defense into their lineups this week.
Source: Chiefs.com
Source: Chiefs.com
Bengals Defense has A Juicy Matchup In Week 3
The Cincinnati Bengals defense has been one of the biggest surprises of the 2026 season so far, transitioning from one of the worst units in the league to one of the most improved through two weeks. The Bengals held the Houston Texans offense to just six points while racking up four sacks in Week 2. The Cincinnati defense now has eight sacks and four fumbles recovered through two games in 2026. This defensive unit will now get to face the Pittsburgh Steelers led by a 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers, who has taken six sacks so far this season. The Steelers offense has also scored the second-fewest points in football through two weeks. The Bengals defense should be able to feast against a weak Steelers offense, but they are dealing with a notable injury. Cincinnati may be without DT B.J. Hill, who is doubtful to play with an Achilles injury, but they should be able to overcome his absence. The Bengals defense is ranked ninth in our RotoBaller Week 3 rankings, making it a top-10 option at this position this week. Fantasy managers should be interested in the Bengals defense this Sunday.
Source: Bengals.com
Source: Bengals.com
Rolling Vikings D/ST Has Potential Against Struggling Bucs
The Minnesota Vikings' defense has looked superb so far, hounding quarterbacks and holding opponents to just six points in its past six quarters, making them a must-start fantasy option against the winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Two of the NFL's top five leaders in pressures are Vikings (edge rusher Dallas Turner and linebacker Blake Cashman), while Tampa's offense currently has more turnovers (five) than touchdowns (three). Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield has a modest 398 yards and one passing touchdown through two games, though the entire offense has looked out of sync. Minnesota is just 2-9 in its past 11 trips to Tampa, and Mayfield and the Bucs won the most recent meeting, a 2023 game in Minnesota, as underdogs. But the current form of both teams matters more than series history, so fantasy managers should feel confident relying upon the Vikings' ability to cause chaos.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Packers D/ST Draws Favorable Week 3 Matchup Against Falcons
The Green Bay Packers defense has recorded seven sacks and held opponents to 2.8 yards per carry through two games. Atlanta has scored only 16 points, has yet to reach the red zone, and has allowed seven sacks. Michael Penix Jr. (knee) will make his 2026 debut; his return raises Atlanta's offensive ceiling, but the Falcons' protection remains a concern. Green Bay's biggest challenge may be containing Bijan Robinson, especially with Warren Brinson (calf) out and Javon Hargrave (knee, concussion) questionable. As home favorites, the Packers could also force Atlanta into more obvious passing situations and create additional sack opportunities. RotoBaller ranks Green Bay D/ST7 in Tier 1 for Week 3, with the Falcons carrying an implied total near 19 points. Start the Packers with confidence in season-long formats and consider them a high-upside option in Thursday Showdown contests.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kerby Joseph Hits a Snag in Recovery
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (knee) continues to rehab his knee injury, but the process has taken longer than anticipated. Head coach Dan Campbell discussed his status on Tuesday, noting that Joseph won't return until after fellow safety Brian Branch (knee) is back. Joseph and Branch are both on the PUP list, and while the latter could return as soon as he's eligible to be activated on October 5th, it doesn't sound like that's the case for the former. Campbell stopped short of saying Joseph had a true setback, but he did admit that "there was a time there where we weren't able to do everything we needed to do." He said that Joseph won't play until his knee has returned to its maximum strength and he feels confident in the body part, presumably while running and making cuts. Joseph has spent all four of his pro seasons with the Lions, and he was a First-Team All-Pro in 2024 after picking off nine passes that season. Last year, he had 18 tackles and three interceptions before the knee issue cut his campaign short.
Source: Detroit Lions
Source: Detroit Lions
Brian Branch Getting Closer to a Return?
Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch (Achilles) appears to be making progress in his recovery, even though a return isn't imminent. Head coach Dan Campbell fielded questions about his injured safeties Tuesday, saying that Branch is closer to returning than Kerby Joseph (knee). That doesn't necessarily narrow down the timeline, but it's worth noting that Branch is eligible to be activated from the PUP list as early as October 5th. Thomas Harper and offseason addition Chuck Clark have filled in at safety in the meantime. The Lions would welcome a Branch return with open arms, as the former first-round pick made the Pro Bowl in 2024 before registering 75 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and five tackles for loss in 2025.
Source: Detroit Lions
Source: Detroit Lions
Brian Burns Suffers Low-Ankle Sprain in Final Minutes on Monday
New York Giants pass rusher Brian Burns (ankle) exited with less than seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter of Monday's Week 2 contest against the Los Angeles Rams. Head coach John Harbaugh told Connor Hughes of SNY that Burns has been diagnosed with a low-ankle sprain. The team had listed him as questionable to return, but he didn't get back into the game. It's unclear whether he was held out of the final drive due to the severity of his injury or the fact that the game was out of hand and there was no need to get him on the field. The good news is that the sprain is of the low-ankle variety, rather than high-ankle. He still might miss time, but at this point, an injured reserve stint seems unlikely. That's a huge sigh of relief for the Giants, whose defense is at its best when Burns is on the field. The 28-year-old Pro Bowler finished Monday Night Football with two tackles, including one quarterback hit. He had 16.5 sacks last year but is still looking for his first sack of the 2026 campaign.
Source: Connor Hughes
Source: Connor Hughes
