Making the right choices for your lineup is crucial as the NFL season continues. A key strategy for many managers is streaming defenses in fantasy football.
Finding the right matchup can be the difference between winning and losing your week. Here are some defensive units that are in a great position to succeed.
Seattle Seahawks (vs. NOR)
The Seattle Seahawks are the best defense in fantasy football through the opening two weeks of the season, tied with the Atlanta Falcons. Their four interceptions rank second in the league, tied with the Cincinnati Bengals, while they’ve allowed three total touchdowns, and none on the ground.
This week, they face a New Orleans Saints offense that has scored the seventh-fewest points in the NFL. So far, second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler has performed better than many expected, but Seattle’s defense will be the toughest he’s faced.
The Seahawks twice picked off Aaron Rodgers in Week 2 and may have Devon Witherspoon and second-round pick Nick Emmanwori available after both missed the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Indianapolis Colts (at TEN)
All the talk about the Indianapolis Colts before the season centered on their concerning quarterback situation. However, the team made some impressive defensive additions during the offseason and is reaping the rewards.
READ MORE: Fantasy Football Streamers Week 3
New defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo seems to have Indianapolis firing on that side of the ball, and the Colts are tied for the 10th-best fantasy defense in the league. That might not sound like much, but another top-10 finish wouldn’t be too disappointing for a streamer.
The Colts face their first divisional opponents of the year in Tennessee this weekend, and will be eager to pick apart the Titans’ rookie quarterback. Ward has yet to throw his first NFL interception, but that might not still be the case come Monday.
Cincinnati Bengals, DEF (at MIN)
I wouldn’t have imagined I’d be promoting the Cincinnati Bengals’ defense this early in the season, after a wildly turbulent offseason. However, I also didn’t expect to be watching Carson Wentz throw to Justin Jefferson… ever, but here we are.
The Bengals picked off Trevor Lawrence twice in Week 2, and star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson was back to his usual disruptive self. Meanwhile, the Vikings were crumbling against the Falcons in another embarrassing display from J.J. McCarthy.
McCarthy has faced pressure on 22.2% of his dropbacks this season and is now being replaced by Wentz, whose last start ended in a 38-0 loss. To be fair to Wentz, he will have a much better supporting cast this weekend, but in his nine starts since 2022, he has a 3-6 record, with 13 touchdowns and 10 picks.
If there was ever a time to start the Bengals’ defense, it’s this weekend.
Fantasy Week 3 Defense Rankings
1) Green Bay Packers | at CLE
2) Buffalo Bills | vs. MIA
3) Kansas City Chiefs | at NYG
4) Houston Texans | at JAX
5) Atlanta Falcons | at CAR
6) Seattle Seahawks | vs. NO
7) Tampa Bay Buccaneers | vs. NYJ
8) Minnesota Vikings | vs. CIN
9) San Francisco 49ers | vs. ARI
10) Philadelphia Eagles | vs. LAR
11) Denver Broncos | at LAC
12) Indianapolis Colts | at TEN
13) Los Angeles Chargers | vs. DEN
14) New England Patriots | vs. PIT
15) Pittsburgh Steelers | at NE
16) Baltimore Ravens | vs. DET
17) Washington Commanders | vs. LV
18) Arizona Cardinals | at SF
19) Dallas Cowboys | at CHI
20) New York Giants | vs. KC
21) Chicago Bears | vs. DAL
22) Cincinnati Bengals | at MIN
23) Los Angeles Rams | at PHI
24) Detroit Lions | at BAL
25) Tennessee Titans | vs. IND
26) Cleveland Browns | vs. GB
27) Jacksonville Jaguars | vs. HOU
28) New York Jets | at TB
29) New Orleans Saints | at SEA
30) Las Vegas Raiders | at WAS
31) Carolina Panthers | vs. ATL
32) Miami Dolphins | at BUF
