Week 3 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2024 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

September 22, 2024

Joey Pollizze analyzes all 2024 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 back, RotoBallers, to our weekly fantasy defensive rankings. Every week, I rank the best and worst fantasy defenses from No. 1 through 32. Each defense will also be separated by tiers. If you're looking for a defense, prioritize the units found in the first couple of tiers. 

Those fantasy defenses are going to be the plays of the week and most likely will be going against a bottom offense in the league. Facing the New York Giants, Denver Broncos, and Carolina Panthers have worked well for fantasy managers in the first two weeks. Therefore, we should be looking at defenses playing those offenses. 

So, without further ado, here are the Week 3 fantasy football defense streamers and D/ST rankings. 

Tier 1 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 3

1. Cleveland Browns D/ST vs. NYG

CLE favored by 6.5, Total ~38.5

After a miserable Week 1 performance, the Cleveland Browns bounced back in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. They sacked Trevor Lawrence four times and also forced a fumble in the contest. Now, Cleveland gets a Giants offense that has allowed six sacks and given away three turnovers through the first two weeks. If you roster the Browns' defense in fantasy, you are definitely starting them this weekend. 

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers D/ST vs. DEN

TB favored by 6.5, Total ~39.5

The Buccaneers defense surprisedly played great last week against the Detroit Lions. Despite missing several starters, Tampa allowed just 16 points while forcing Jared Goff to throw two interceptions. As a result, they come in as my second-ranked defense in Week 3 against the Denver Broncos. Denver has scored 26 points through two weeks, and rookie quarterback Bo Nix has already thrown four interceptions on the year. 

Bo Nix is 11-of-36 for 212 and 4 picks on passes more than five (!) yards downfield.

His 30.6% completion rate on such passes is the lowest in the league by six percent AND the worst figure in Weeks 1 and 2 in the last 10 years. https://t.co/R55kLFOomT

— Austin Gayle (@austingayle_) September 16, 2024

3. New York Jets D/ST vs. NE 

NYJ favored by 6, Total ~37.5

With Haason Reddick holding out, the Jets have some holes up front. However, that hasn't stopped New York from totaling seven sacks through the first two weeks, which ranks tied for third in the NFL. Last week, they got to Will Levis four times while also forcing a fumble and an interception. While the Patriots have looked better than expected on offense, the Jets are a great play in Week 3 in a game that should be low-scoring. 

4. Green Bay Packers D/ST @ TEN

TEN favored by 3, Total ~36.5

The Packers' defense played a complete game on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, allowing only 10 points and forcing four turnovers. Even though they have totaled only three sacks through two weeks, Green Bay has a prime opportunity to double that total in Week 3 against the Titans. Will Levis has already been sacked seven times while throwing three interceptions. That makes the Packers a strong start this week. 

5. Seattle Seahawks D/ST vs. MIA

SEA favored by 5.5, Total ~41.5

There's almost a 100% chance that Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) will not suit up for Sunday's game after suffering another concussion. That means the team will likely roll out Skylar Thompson at quarterback in Week 3. As a result, the Seahawks defense is a must-start. In three career starts, Thompson has thrown just one touchdown to three interceptions.  

6. Las Vegas Raiders D/ST vs. CAR 

LV favored by 5.5, Total ~41.5

The Raiders defense was originally higher up on this list, but with the Panthers switching from Bryce Young to Andy Dalton at quarterback, they drop a couple of spots. Dalton is definitely an upgrade over Young, and in one start last year, the veteran threw for 361 yards and two touchdowns. Nonetheless, Las Vegas should still have plenty of opportunities to score fantasy points against a Panthers offensive line that hasn't looked great. 

7. Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST vs. LAC

PIT favored by 2, Total ~35.5

The Steelers have looked like one of the best defenses to start the season. Granted, they played the Falcons and Broncos, but they have allowed just 16 points while totaling four sacks and forcing four interceptions across the first two weeks. Even though the Chargers have looked solid on offense, it's hard to sit this Pittsburgh defense in a game that has the lowest over/under of Week 3.

Tier 2 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 3

8. Los Angeles Chargers D/ST vs PIT 

PIT favored by 2, Total ~35.5

Given the over/under of this game, expect a low-scoring affair from both the Chargers and the Steelers. While it remains to be seen if Justin Fields or Russell Wilson (calf) will suit up on Sunday, Los Angeles should still be a strong defensive play no matter which quarterback starts. The Chargers have scored double-digit fantasy points in both of their first two games and have only given up 13 combined points. 

9. Buffalo Bills D/ST vs. JAC 

BUF favored by 5.5, Total ~45.5

Through the first two weeks, the Jacksonville Jaguars offense has not looked great. They have given up seven sacks and have failed to score above 17 points in either of their first two contests. That certainly bodes well for the Bills' defense in Week 3, especially after a dominating performance against the Dolphins. Buffalo had three interceptions in last Thursday's win, including a pick-six in the second half. 

Trevor Lawrence last 7 starts

0-7
1,652 Pass Yards
10 Pass TD
7 NT
81.9 Pass Rating pic.twitter.com/mQIQCymMzm

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 16, 2024

10. San Francisco 49ers D/ST @ LAR

SF favored by 7.5, Total ~45.5

No one likely expected the Vikings to put up 23 points against the 49ers defense last week, but overall, it wasn't a terrible performance from that unit in Week 2. They still secured four sacks while forcing two turnovers (one fumble and one interception). With Puka Nacua (knee) on injured reserve, Cooper Kupp (ankle) dealing with an injury, and the offensive line struggling, San Francisco is a top-10 play in fantasy this weekend. 

Tier 3 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 3

11. Kansas City Chiefs D/ST @ ATL

KC favored by 5, Total ~46.5

Starting this Chiefs defense is a riskier option in Week 3 because the over/under is set at 46.5. However, they have held their own in the first two weeks against some potent offenses (Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals). In those contests, they have totaled four sacks, forced three fumbles, and scored a defensive touchdown. Given how Kirk Cousins looked in Week 1 and most of Week 2, Kansas City could be a sneaky option on Sunday.

12. Indianapolis Colts D/ST vs. CHI 

IND favored by 2, Total ~42.5

The Colts defense hasn't exactly been great through the first two weeks. They only have one sack while forcing just one turnover. However, the Bears offense have had their own struggles to begin the year, which included Caleb Williams getting sacked seven times in Week 2. Chicago's offensive line remains a huge problem for them, so Indianapolis is a sneaky option in fantasy this week. 

The Texans defense blitzed Caleb Williams on 41.7% of his dropbacks (20 times), the unit's highest blitz rate in a game under DeMeco Ryans.

The Texans generated 12 pressures and 5 sacks when blitzing, with nine defenders finishing with multiple pressures.

Powered by @awscloud pic.twitter.com/xCsAUKKniq

— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) September 16, 2024

13. Chicago Bears D/ST @ IND

IND favored by 2, Total ~42.5

Is the Bears defense legit? While we don't know the answer to that question just yet, they have certainly played like a top unit to start the season. They held the Texans offense to under 20 points in Week 2 while totaling three sacks and forcing one fumble. Now, they get a Colts offense that struggled to get anything going last week. Anthony Richardson threw three interceptions, so Chicago has some potential in fantasy this week. 

Tier 4 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 3

14. Cincinnati Bengals D/ST vs. WSH 

CIN favored by 8, Total ~48.5

After a rough Week 1 performance against the Patriots, the Bengals' defense looked much better against the Chiefs last week. But the matchup versus the Commanders doesn't necessarily make them a must-start. Rookie Jayden Daniels hasn't turned over the ball yet, and the team has scored at least 20 points in both games. Washington, though, has allowed seven sacks, so Cincinnati has some appeal in fantasy this week. 

15. New England Patriots D/ST @ NYJ

NYJ favored by 6, Total ~37.5

The Patriots defense has surprised a lot of people to start the season. They have totaled three sacks in each of their first two games while also forcing two fumbles. The Jets offense hasn't looked overly special through the first two weeks, making New England a potential defensive option in some leagues in Week 3. The 37.5 over/under also suggests that Thursday's game is going to be low-scoring, which is a plus for fantasy defenses. 

16. Houston Texans D/ST vs. MIN

HOU favored by 3, Total ~45.5

Given how the Vikings looked in Week 1 against the Giants and Week 2 against the 49ers, there is some risk in starting the Texans' defense in Week 3. However, Houston has totaled nine sacks through two weeks, including seven last week at home versus the Bears. Sam Darnold was also sacked four times last week at home, making Houston's defense a potential start in 14-plus team leagues in Week 3. 

17. New York Giants D/ST @ CLE

CLE favored by 6.5, Total ~38.5

The Browns played much better offensively last week compared to Week 1, but they still had a hard time moving the ball consistently against the Jaguars. With Jack Conklin and Jedrick Wills Jr. still nursing injuries, the Giants' defense could be a top-15 play this week after totaling five sacks in Week 2. They could repeat that performance with pass rushers like Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence II, and Kayvon Thibodeaux on the line.

18. Tennessee Titans D/ST vs. GB 

TEN favored by 3, Total ~36.5

No one knows if Jordan Love (knee) will be ready for Week 3 against the Titans. There was a small chance he could be ready last week, but the team decided to hold him out. With another week of rest, he could suit up on Sunday. However, if he doesn't, there's too much risk in starting Tennessee's defense in fantasy, even against Malik Willis. Willis only threw 14 times in Week 2. 

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

For the most part, fantasy managers should not be targeting any defenses from these two tiers. Most of these defenses are way too risky to start this weekend. Some elite defenses even find themselves on this list like the Ravens and Cowboys. With them playing each other, both should be left on benches in Week 3.

The only defenses I would consider on this list are from tier 5 (Dolphins, Panthers, and Vikings). However, there are 18 other defenses that fantasy managers should target instead.

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