September 19, 2025
The Cleveland Browns defense will host a red-hot Green Bay Packers team in Week 3. Cleveland's defense has been the strength of the team through two weeks, but it will be tested against a
Jordan Love-led Green Bay offense that is sixth in the league with 27.0 points per game through two weeks. The Browns are installed as eight-point home underdogs in a game with a 41-point over/under. While the unit is talented enough to at least slow down the Packers, fantasy gamers are advised to look elsewhere for a starting D/ST in leagues this weekend due to the tough matchup.
--Matt TerelleSource: NFL.com
September 19, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals rookie first-round defensive end Shemar Stewart (ankle) has been ruled out for the Week 3 contest on Sunday versus the Minnesota Vikings. Stewart injured his ankle in last Sunday's win over the Jacksonville Jaguars and will be forced to miss at least one game. The 21-year-old will have a little extra time to recover going into a Week 4 Monday night showdown against the Denver Broncos, but it remains to be seen if he'll be able to return then. With Stewart out this weekend, Myles Murphy and Cameron Sample will see more pass-rushing opportunities alongside All-Pro Trey Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai against a banged-up Vikings offensive line that will be trying to protect veteran quarterback
Carson Wentz. Even though Stewart is out, the Bengals' defense/special teams unit has some streaming appeal in this matchup.
--Keith HernandezSource: Cincinnati Bengals
September 19, 2025
The Minnesota Vikings defense/special teams is a starting option when they take on the Cincinnati Bengals, who are playing in their first full game without star quarterback
Joe Burrow (toe) in Week 3. The Vikings rank eighth in net yards per passing attempt, a category in which the Bengals rank 23rd, and could return closer to full capacity from a health perspective. Edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel (concussion) practiced in full on Friday, safety Harrison Smith (illness) is nearing a return, and nickel back Jeff Okudah (concussion) is off the injury report after all three missed last week's loss to Atlanta. Bengals starter
Jake Browning performed capably when pressed into action in 2023, but the Vikings should have more than enough defensive talent to disrupt an offense led by a backup quarterback on the road.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
September 19, 2025
The Green Bay Packers' defense and special teams unit aim to keep their run of dominance going as the Packers travel to Cleveland to play the Browns in Week 3. The Packers have four sacks in each of their first two games while limiting two excellent offenses in the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders to 13 and 18 points, respectively. The offensive efficiency by the Packers has made life easier for the Packers' defensive unit to pin their ears back and get after the quarterback. Green Bay is second in the NFL in sacks and first in the league in total pressures, so if the Packers are not getting to the quarterback every play, they're making life difficult for opposing quarterbacks. Consider the Packers a top D/ST play in Week 3 for fantasy against 40-year-old
Joe Flacco and the Browns.
--Kevin TompkinsSource: RotoBaller
September 19, 2025
The Los Angeles Chargers defense/special teams remains a top unit in the NFL, with three interceptions and three sacks against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night. However, they will be without their veteran leader, DE Khalil Mack, who was placed on IR after dislocating his elbow. Tuli Tuipulotu will remain a starter, while Bud Dupree is expected to step into a starting role. The Broncos' offense, led by second-year quarterback
Bo Nix, has been unpredictable, and the Chargers aim to continue being the NFL's best red-zone defense (16.67% red-zone TDs allowed). Their defense has allowed a league-low 61.9 passer rating through two games, giving up completions of 15 or more yards on just 7% of pass attempts, the third-best rate in the NFL. RotoBaller projects them as D/ST13 this week, making them a solid spot start and an even better stash, as they face the New York Giants in Week 4.
--Don FanelliSource: NFL
September 18, 2025
It's no surprise the Week 3 point total is sky-high: Dallas is surrendering points in bunches. The Cowboys are allowing just over 30 per game, while their opponent, Chicago, leads the league at 39.5. Neither defense belongs on a fantasy roster. Dallas did post three sacks last week against the Giants' shaky line. Hoping to spark it, the Cowboys recently signed veteran edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney to a one-year deal, pairing the 32-year-old with Kenny Clark to bolster the front. With both defenses springing leaks, fantasy managers can confidently start offensive players from either side. Expect plenty of yards, touchdowns, and a busy scoreboard operator, making the Cowboys DST an avoid heading into Week 3.
--Tipp MajorSource: NFL
September 18, 2025
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network said on Thursday that Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross "does not want to fire" head coach Mike McDaniel, who is firmly on the hot seat through two weeks of the 2025 season. Ross still likes McDaniel and believes in him, and Rapoport reports that the owner plans to be patient amid fan unrest. The Dolphins gave McDaniel a contract extension last year, and he still has two years and about $19 million left on it. Rapoport senses that "nothing is imminent" on McDaniel's future in Miami, even if the Dolphins lose on Thursday Night Football to the division-rival Buffalo Bills. Things can change quickly in the NFL, though, and Rapoport thinks Ross could have a change of heart if the fan base stops showing up to games on Sundays or if McDaniel loses the locker room. It will be a big storyline if the Dolphins continue to struggle.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
September 18, 2025
When asked if Green Bay Packers All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons (back) is no longer on a snap count, head coach Matt LaFleur said, "We'll see." Parsons, who was listed as questionable on the injury report in the first two weeks of the season, is not on the injury report this week as the team prepares to face the Cleveland Browns in Week 3. Despite being eased into action in his first two games with the team, the 26-year-old has still made an impact, recording three tackles (one solo), 1.5 sacks, one tackle for loss, and four QB hits in wins over the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders. It's unclear if Parsons will remain on a snap count in his third game of the season, but fantasy managers in IDP leagues should have him in their starting lineups against the Browns and immobile veteran quarterback
Joe Flacco.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky
September 18, 2025
The Carolina Panthers defense/special teams will be tested in Week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons. In their Week 2 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, they actually put on a solid performance. The Panthers' offense gifted the Cardinals with 10 points after two offensive turnovers. The Panthers' defense successfully contained quarterback
Kyler Murray, holding him to just 220 passing yards, one touchdown, and forcing one interception. On the ground, they were equally impressive, holding running back
James Conner to 34 yards on 11 carries, with just one rushing touchdown. In Week 3, the Panthers will try to slow down one of the NFL's best running backs in
Bijan Robinson. The Falcons' offense, led by rookie quarterback
Michael Penix Jr., is still looking to reach its full potential, averaging a league-average 21 points per game in the first two weeks. While the Panthers' defense is showing flashes of being a viable fantasy unit, they are not yet a reliable streaming option. With a good performance in Week 3, they could propel themselves into the conversation for future weeks, but for now, they are best left on the waiver wire as a team to watch.
--Jp SticcoSource: ESPN
September 18, 2025
The Los Angeles Chargers are signing free-agent defensive end Clelin Ferrell to an undisclosed deal on Thursday, sources tell Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Ferrell will help fill in as a pass-rusher for the Chargers after they placed Pro Bowler Khalil Mack (elbow) on Injured Reserve after he dislocated his elbow in the Monday night win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Ferrell, the former fourth overall pick, has plenty of NFL experience, starting 57 career games. The 28-year-old spent the 2024 campaign with the Washington Commanders and racked up 26 tackles (11 solo), 3.5 sacks, nine QB hits, and a forced fumble in 14 regular-season games (10 starts). Ferrell was cut by Washington at the end of training camp this summer, but he'll return to the AFC West with the Chargers and will likely fill a rotational role as the Bolts look to replace Mack's production over at least the next four games.
--Keith HernandezSource: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
September 17, 2025
The Miami Dolphins defense has been a major disappointment this season, giving up 33 points in each of their first two games, both resulting in losses. They don't have a takeaway yet this season, but have managed four sacks and a touchdown, which came on
Malik Washington's punt return in Week 2. On the road in a short week, the Dolphins will have a tough matchup against
Josh Allen and the Bills, who have started the year red hot with wins over the Ravens and Jets. The Bills have been the toughest matchup for defenses this year, piling up 71 points in two weeks with just two sacks allowed and no turnovers. It's a tough matchup for an under-performing unit, so the Dolphins are the No. 32-ranked defense in the RotoBaller rankings for Week 3, meaning literally every other team defense is a better play this week than Miami, according to the rankings.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NFL.com
September 17, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said on Wednesday that the team will put Pro Bowl pass-rusher Khalil Mack (elbow) on Injured Reserve, according to Kris Rhim of ESPN. The move means that Mack will miss at least the next four weeks after he suffered a dislocated elbow in the Week 2 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday. It's not a long-term injury, but the 34-year-old veteran pass-rusher won't be eligible to return to the Bolts' defense until Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts. It's a blow to a strong L.A. defense, as the Chargers are relying more on Mack as a pass-rusher with Joey Bosa no longer in town. Since coming to the Chargers in 2022, Mack has had a whopping 32 sacks. With Mack out until at least Week 7, former first-rounder Bud Dupree will see more snaps across from Tuli Tuipulotu.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Kris Rhim
September 17, 2025
The Buffalo Bills' defense was among the worst in the NFL in a 41-40 win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1, but the unit orchestrated a dramatic turnaround in a 30-10 victory against the New York Jets last Sunday. The Bills held the Jets to a paltry 154 total yards while notching four sacks and forcing a turnover. They dominated despite missing defensive tackle Ed Oliver (ankle), who will sit out Thursday's Week 3 showdown with the Miami Dolphins. The Bills will also go without starting linebacker Matt Milano (pectoral). The 0-2 Dolphins have injury problems of their own, including along the offensive line, and have averaged just 17.5 points and 284.5 yards per game despite the presence of running back
De'Von Achane and the wide receiver duo of
Tyreek Hill and
Jaylen Waddle (shoulder). Quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa has already taken eight sacks and thrown three interceptions. It's also worth noting that he has tossed more INTs (10) than TDs (nine) in nine career games against Buffalo. Add in that the Bills are set to play in front of a raucous home crowd in prime time, and their D/ST looks like an enticing fantasy option in Week 3.
--Connor ByrneSource: Buffalo Bills
September 17, 2025
New England Patriots star cornerback Christian Gonzalez (hamstring), who has been out since the preseason with a hamstring injury, is set to return to practice on Wednesday, according to head coach Mike Vrabel. Gonzalez will probably be limited in his return to the practice field, but it gives him a chance to make his 2025 debut this Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3 after he missed the first two games of the season. If Gonzalez, a former first-rounder, were to play this weekend, he could have his snaps limited, but it would be bad news for Steelers wideout
D.K. Metcalf and quarterback
Aaron Rodgers. The Patriots' defense/special teams unit would receive a boost and would be a borderline streamer in deeper leagues.
UPDATE: Gonzalez was limited in Wednesday's practice.--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
September 17, 2025
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris is calling cornerback A.J. Terrell (hamstring) week-to-week with a hamstring injury that he picked up in the Week 2 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night, according to Terrin Waack of AtlantaFalcons.com. "We'll see how it goes. ... Obviously, those hamstrings are tricky," Morris said. Terrell's status for Week 3 against the division-rival Carolina Panthers will depend on how much he's able to do in practice this week, but right now, it doesn't look good for his availability. If the 26-year-old defensive back is unable to play this Sunday, both Natrone Brooks and Dee Alford would see more action against a Panthers team still searching for their first win of 2025. If Terrell is ruled out for Week 3, his next chance to return would be for a Week 4 meeting against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Sept. 28.
--Keith HernandezSource: AtlantaFalcons.com - Terrin Waack
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