Let's take a look at my Week 3 recommendations and rankings for NFL fantasy defenses. Keep in mind, the order is based specifically upon the match-ups for this week; these are not season-long power rankings.
32. Saints @ Panthers - Current Point Total (Special Teams NOT included): -2...yes, that's a negative.
The Saints have only been playing one side of the ball for many years now, but they've been particularly awful through two games this season. There are only two bright spots this week: They're not playing on turf -- where opposing skill players are simply too fast and precise for them to defend -- and Cam Newton looked old and beat up in an ugly win over the Bills.
31. Bears v. Steelers - Current Point Total: 6
The Steelers generally perform well below expectations on the road, but Le'Veon Bell hasn't had his breakout game yet. I think it comes this week. Expect Antonio Brown to rebound after last week, as well.
They are 13.5-point underdogs at Gillette Stadium, and rookie Deshaun Watson's expected turnovers against Bill Belichick and Matt Patricia's sophisticated defensive schemes will put Tom Brady and company in prime position to light up the scoreboard.
29. Jets v. Dolphins - Current Point Total: 0
Todd Bowles' once-vaunted defensive line has been carved to pieces through two unsurprising losses to the Bills and Raiders. The only potential positives for the Jets are that they will likely cover the spread -- which means the score remain close -- and Jay Cutler can always gift a couple turnovers to you.
28. Bengals @ Packers - Current Point Total: 11
The Bengals are obviously hoping both Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb will sit out with injuries. It appears that only the latter will oblige them. I expect this game to be a bit of a shootout.
27. Chargers v. Chiefs - Current Point Total: 11
26. Giants @ Eagles - Current Point Total: 7
25. Raiders @ Redskins - Current Point Total: 11
24. Packers v. Bengals - Current Point Total: 11
Andy Dalton and A.J. Green are absolutely desperate for a victory. This could actually be a make-or-break game for Dalton's enigmatic career.
23. Redskins v. Raiders - Current Point Total: 19
Cameron Wake, Ndamukong Suh and company are likely the most overrated fantasy defense this week. Yes, there's a chance the Jets will go winless for the season. Yes, their offense is anemic. However, Josh McCown's timing has been surprisingly sharp out of the gate, and the Jets' offensive conservatism doesn't lend itself to a boatload of turnovers. Ultimately, we want explosive plays and turnovers from our fantasy defenses, and Miami's upside isn't as high as conformers think this week.
21. Cowboys @ Cardinals - Current Point Total: 14
Carson Palmer is like Cutler -- he can always drop some turnovers in your lap. The Cowboys D looked like paper mache against Trevor Siemian's surprising Broncos, but Palmer is the great equalizer. When he's suffering through a bad spell, both mentally and physically, he can boost the point total of any fantasy defense.
20. Browns @ Colts - Current Point Total: 9
19. Titans v. Seahawks - Current Point Total: 11
Tennessee's defensive personnel may have become a tad overrated, but Seattle's offensive line is downright embarrassing. I don't love the play; but you're not dead in the water if you need to use the Titans.
18. Colts v. Browns - Current Point Total: 9
DeShone Kizer is a rookie QB dealing with debilitating migraines. Recipe for disaster.
17. Chiefs @ Chargers - Current Point Total: 14
Just not the same defense without Eric Berry and Tamba Hali.
16. Cardinals v. Cowboys - Current Point Total: 18
15. 49ers v. Rams - Current Point Total: 11
Jared Goff is still young and green enough to implode in any given week. Thursday night games are particularly ugly from an offensive standpoint. This game will likely be near impossible to watch.
Ziggy Ansah, Haloti Ngata, Darius Slay and Glover Quin are all superb defensive players, but Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman scare me every week of the season. Atlanta has too much firepower and determination to place blind faith in your fantasy defense. I'd look elsewhere.
13. Falcons @ Lions - Current Point Total: 18
Was absolutely blown away by their defensive performance against Aaron Rodgers and his Packers. Of course both Nelson and Cobb got injured during the game, and GB was missing two extremely valuable offensive linemen, but Atlanta's defensive speed was simply mind-numbing. The great Desmond Trufant came away with an electric interception, while Brooks Reed and Adrian Clayborn had Rodgers running for his life. The Vic Beasley injury is devastating, though.
12. Seahawks @ Titans - Current Point Total: 15
In a vacuum, the Panthers boast one of the top 5 or 6 fantasy defenses. I'm simply dropping them to 11 here because the Saints are a high-powered offense in desperate need of a win. Drew Brees knows he has to come out guns blazin'.
10. Patriots v. Texans - Current Point Total: 3
As I said before: Belichick against a rookie QB. Lamb to slaughter.
Everson Griffen, Linval Joseph, Anthony Barr, Xavier Rhodes and company are downright SCARY at home. Mike Zimmer's vicious D opened up against the Saints and Steelers, making the Vikings an excellent buy-low candidate this week. The only reasons I don't have Minnesota in my top 5 or 6 are because both Barr and Rhodes are questionable. Keep an eye on their statuses; particularly Rhodes, who is one of the top 2 or 3 corners in the game.
8. Bills v. Broncos - Current Point Total: 19
Arguably the sneakiest, high-quality play of the week. Everyone is high on the Broncos after their Week 2 drubbing of the Cowboys, so the Bills would appear to be a walk in the park. Appearances, of course, can be deceiving. The Bills always find ways to force turnovers at home, and the Broncos might be riding carelessly on their high horses. Spice up your lineup with a little Buffalo sauce.
7. Jaguars v. Ravens - Current Point Total: 27 (T-3rd)
This game has LETDOWN written all over it for Joe Flacco and the Ravens. Baltimore is currently 2-0 and exceeding early expectations, and Flacco is the type of QB who has been known to underperform in match-ups against "lesser" teams. The Jacksonville D we'll be seeing is the one that sparked fantasy lineups in Week 1.
6. Broncos @ Bills - Current Point Total: 18
The Bills' run-heavy offense is too vanilla to be effective against Denver's elite D. This is definitely going to be an ugly, low-scoring affair.
5. Rams @ 49ers - Current Point Total: 30 (2nd)
4. Eagles v. Giants - Current Point Total: 26
The Eagles always get pressure and we know how awful Eli Manning, Brandon Marshall, Paul Perkins and the Giants' offensive line have been. Seems like a perfect storm for Philly's fantasy D.
Sure it was against the lowly Bears, but the Bucs clearly established their identity in Week 2 (which for them, was actually Week 1). Dirk Koetter is making a concerted effort to limit Jameis Winston's costly turnovers in the redzone, which means Gerald McCoy, Chris Baker, Robert Ayers, Lavonte David, Kwon Alexander (Q) and Brent Grimes are being asked to make Tampa's D its primary source of victories. If Sam Bradford plays he'll be less than 100 percent, and the brazen Bucs will most certainly smell blood in the water.
2. Steelers @ Bears - Current Point Total: 26
Yeah, I mean, if you caught any of the Bears' offensive performance last week, I don't really have to add anything to that. If you didn't see it -- well -- they suck.
Terrell Suggs already has 3 sacks. C.J. Mosley has 18 tackles, and Lardarius Webb and Brandon Carr are leading the NFL with 2 interceptions apiece. John Harbaugh has this group believing that its collective mojo is back. Fittingly enough, what's the best way to keep defensive mojo going? Suit up for a game against Blake Bortles. Lock in the Ravens as your #1 fantasy defense this week.
As always, my sincerest thanks for reading. If you need specific fantasy advice, feel free to tweet me @RedSoxAuthor. Good luck in Week 3!
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