September 20, 2025
The Tennessee Titans' defense has been fairly average through the first two weeks of 2025, but context matters. They've already generated five turnovers and two sacks as they've faced tough matchups against the Denver Broncos in Week 1 and the Los Angeles Rams in Week 2. Unfortunately, things don't get easier in Week 3. The Titans draw a red-hot Indianapolis Colts offense led by
Daniel Jones, who just shredded Denver's elite defense for 29 points and 473 yards without a turnover. While Tennessee's defense may become a useful fantasy option later in the season, this is another matchup to avoid. They're firmly in the must-sit category for Week 3.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
September 20, 2025
The New York Jets defense/special teams will line up for their second consecutive daunting matchup in Week 3 - a road tilt with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. New York's defensive unit has been disastrous thus far, yielding 30+ points through each of the first two weeks. They've been decent against opposing passing attacks (198.5 YPG), but have allowed the ninth-most rushing yards per game (138.5). It's worth noting that most of that came in their loss to the Bills in Week 2. Still, they've yet to force a turnover - a recurring issue after averaging only one a game in 2024. With the unideal opposition, fantasy managers can likely find a better option to stream for their matchup in Week 3. New York ranks as RotoBaller's D/ST29 for this weekend's slate of action.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
September 20, 2025
The San Francisco 49ers' defense has shown some promise in the early weeks of the 2025 season, but it will need to step things up to be a consistent factor in fantasy football. San Francisco held the Seahawks to just 13 points in Week 1, and in two games, has already recovered three fumbles. However, the team has just four sacks and has yet to record an interception after facing the likes of
Sam Darnold and
Spencer Rattler. The 49ers can take another step forward in Week 3 when they face an Arizona Cardinals offense that is lacking punch, having averaged just 284.5 yards per game. At the very least, San Francisco may find success in bottling up the Cardinals' forward progress and limiting damage on the scoreboard. An adequate streamer for Week 3, the 49ers' D/ST might be worth the pickup in anticipation of their Week 4 meeting with the Jaguars.
--Dan StephensSource: NFL.com
September 20, 2025
The New England Patriots D/ST remains on the fantasy radar heading into Week 3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Patriots' defense put together an impressive showing against the Miami Dolphins last Sunday, amassing five sacks and an interception. They rank fifth among D/ST units so far this year, albeit over a small sample size. They also get a favorable matchup against the Steelers, who have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing D/ST units in 2025. Yet, RotoBaller's experts aren't very bullish on the Patriots' defense, listing them 18th in their Week 3 fantasy rankings.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 20, 2025
The Kansas City defense will take on the New York Giants on Sunday night in Week 3. The Chiefs have not played great to start the season, allowing 20 or more points with no takeaways in both games. To be fair to the defensive unit, they've faced the Los Angeles Chargers and the reigning Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles in their first two matchups. The Chargers rank first in EPA per pass and the Eagles rank sixth in EPA per rush this season. Their upcoming matchup against the Giants should provide an opportunity to bounce back. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will no doubt dial up loads of exotic looks and blitzes for veteran quarterback
Russell Wilson to deal with. The last time this Kansas City defense faced Wilson was in Week 17 of 2024, when he was a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Chiefs won that game 29-10 and held Wilson to 205 passing yards, no touchdowns, and an interception. This week's matchup will involve an entirely different offensive scheme and personnel group, but this defensive unit has found success against this opposing quarterback in the past so perhaps they can do it again. The Chiefs are the eighth-ranked defense in our RotoBaller rankings, making them worthy of a start this week.
--Joshua CostelloSource: SumerSports.com
September 20, 2025
The New York Giants Defense is a high-risk unit that should be avoided by fantasy managers in a tough Week 3 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. While their pass rush has been a bright spot, generating six sacks (10th in the NFL), the unit as a whole has struggled mightily, ranking 32nd in yards allowed (455 per game) and 31st in red zone defense. They now face a Chiefs offense that has underperformed, ranking 24th in scoring, but still features the dangerous duo of
Patrick Mahomes and
Travis Kelce. The respectable pass rush isn't enough to overcome their significant deficiencies, making this a prime "get-right" spot for the Chiefs and a clear situation to leave the Giants Defense on the waiver wire.
--Danny BoilySource: NFL.com
September 20, 2025
The Las Vegas Raiders defense gets a major boost in Week 3 with Commanders quarterback
Jayden Daniels (knee) sidelined. Instead, veteran
Marcus Mariota will take the start, and the Raiders are well-acquainted with his limitations. While Las Vegas has struggled against the pass this season, ranking 26th in the league, Mariota's career-long issues pushing the ball downfield could neutralize that weakness. On the flip side, the Raiders' fourth-ranked run defense should match up well against Washington's backfield. Led by Maxx Crosby, the unit will look to control the line of scrimmage and force Mariota into uncomfortable situations. Given the matchup and opportunity for turnovers, the Raiders defense profiles as a must-stream option for fantasy managers in Week 3.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Raiders.com
September 20, 2025
The Denver Broncos defense/special teams unit is one of the best in the league on paper, but a matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers makes them less reliable in Week 3. Los Angeles' offense has been firing on all cylinders this season, taking down the Chiefs and Raiders in back-to-back primetime games. Meanwhile, Denver's defense was surprisingly underwhelming against the Colts last week, surrendering 29 points while failing to force a turnover. We wouldn't advise dropping the Broncos D/ST in fantasy football given their extreme talent on defense, but looking for a different unit to start this week is the right move. RotoBaller has the Broncos listed 15th in the latest D/ST rankings.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 20, 2025
The Seattle Seahawks defense/special teams is a potential starting option at the position in Week 3 when the team hosts the New Orleans Saints. Coming into the 2025 season, the Saints seemed like a great team to target for D/ST matchups. However, second-year quarterback
Spencer Rattler has played solid football this season, which has allowed the team to move the ball up and down the field. Additionally, Rattler has not committed a turnover in 2025, which has prevented opposing D/ST's from reaching double-digit fantasy points. To make matters worse, the Seahawks are likely going to be without three of their top defensive backs in this game, with safety Nick Emmanwori (ankle), safety Julian Love (hamstring), and cornerback Devon Witherspoon (ankle) all unlikely to play. Then again, the Seahawks were without some of their defensive backs in Week 2, but they still held the Pittsburgh Steelers to a quiet day on offense. The Seahawks' defensive front may be good enough to offset any issues in the secondary. As such, this unit can be started this week, albeit with limited upside.
--Quincy Milton III - RotoBallerSource: Brady Henderson
September 19, 2025
The New Orleans Saints defense/special teams unit has recorded eight sacks, one fumble recovery, and one blocked kick through the first two weeks. They draw a matchup against the Seahawks, who have allowed three sacks, two interceptions, and two fumbles so far this season. Ranked 28th this week by RotoBaller, the Saints D/ST can be left on waivers once again.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
September 19, 2025
The Houston Texans defense will be in Jacksonville Week 3 for a divisional matchup against the Jaguars. Houston had four sacks and no takeaways against the Bucs in Week 2 after forcing a turnover and totaling three sacks in Week 1 against the Rams. The defense has been solid with Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter providing excellent pass rush, and Derek Stingley Jr. as a lockdown corner, but the team is still 0-2 and looking for its first win after two narrow defeats. They'll take on the Jaguars, who have allowed three interceptions and a sack in the first two weeks. In the divisional matchup, the Texans are the No. 9 DST in RotoBaller's rankings for this week, meaning they're a solid starting option in standard leagues.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NFL.com
September 19, 2025
The Philadelphia Eagles defense/special teams unit held a
Patrick Mahomes-led offense to just 17 points last week, their second game in a row allowing 20 points or less. Philly's defense has also forced two turnovers so far this year, while their Week 3 opponent (the Rams) have turned it over twice. Los Angeles did manage to score 33 points against the Titans in their last outing, but they could only muster 14 against Houston in their season opener. It'll be a clash between Philadelphia's eighth-best passing defense against the Rams' eighth-best passing offense, featuring
Puka Nacua and
Davante Adams. While the Eagles D/ST is yet to put up big numbers in fantasy, this star-studded squad is still worth a start on Sunday.
--Ricky Maloney - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
September 19, 2025
The Arizona Cardinals D/ST has looked quite improved so far from last season. They're ranked 10th in points allowed per game, eighth in takeaway differential, and sixth in rushing yards allowed per game. The big caveat is that they've only played the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers through the first two weeks. They have a solid opportunity in Week 3 as they'll likely go up against
Mac Jones and a skeleton crew for a pass-catching group. On the flipside, they couldn't even force
Spencer Rattler into a turnover, so streaming the Cardinals could be a very risky play.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
September 19, 2025
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense hasn't offered much value through two games, but that should change this week. The Bucs come into a matchup against the New York Jets in Week 3. A team that looked absolutely lost during last week's loss to the Buffalo Bills. More importantly, the Jets will be without starting quarterback
Justin Fields (concussion) for Sunday's game. That being said, the Bucs defense should have no problems being able to handle
Tyrod Taylor under center. Through two games, the Bucs defense has held their opponents to 20 points or less. The biggest problem is they haven't been able to create any fantasy points with fumbles or interceptions. They should be able to make some noise in Week 3. Fantasy managers looking for a defense to stream should consider using Tampa Bay.
--Andy WebbSource: ESPN
September 19, 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers' defensive woes continued in Week 2 as they surrendered 395 total yards in a 31-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. They'll look to bounce back on the road against the New England Patriots in Week 3. New England is coming off an impressive offensive showing, putting up 33 points in a win over the Miami Dolphins, and could present challenges for a Pittsburgh defense missing cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (hamstring), safety DeShon Elliott (knee), and linebacker Alex Highsmith (ankle). On the positive side, first-round rookie defensive lineman Derrick Harmon (knee) practiced in full on Friday and could make his regular-season debut, which should provide a much-needed boost to the run defense. Even so, it's difficult to trust the Steelers DST as anything more than a risky streaming option on Sunday.
--Jorden HillSource: Brooke Pryor
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