What a wild and unpredictable week it was for fantasy football defenses! It was truly a spectacle, with excitement reaching new heights.
In Week 3 alone, there were nine touchdowns scored by non-offensive units, marking the highest number recorded in a single week since 2020. According to Zachary Pereles from CBS Sports, this was a historic moment in the NFL, as it was the first time multiple interception return touchdowns, multiple fumble recoveries for touchdowns, and multiple punt return touchdowns all occurred in the same week.
For instance, the Philadelphia Eagles clinched their comeback victory against the Los Angeles Rams thanks to a blocked field goal that was returned for a touchdown by defensive tackle Jordan Davis. Meanwhile, in Minnesota, Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers made headlines with a pick-six and a fumble return for a touchdown. Over in Seattle, Tory Horton set a new franchise record for the Seahawks with an impressive 95-yard punt return for a touchdown.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Five team defenses managed to score at least 15 fantasy points in Week 3. The Vikings, in particular, stood out with a remarkable 30 points, placing them among the top five fantasy "players" of the week overall.
It was an exhilarating week, but fantasy managers should be cautious about chasing after such extraordinary performances from team defenses. As the wise Admiral Ackbar famously warned, "It’s a trap!"
While Week 3 was a thrilling anomaly, it’s essential to recognize that such occurrences are rare, happening only once every few years. Instead of hoping for a lottery win, fantasy managers should focus on making informed decisions regarding defenses this week. After three weeks of play, we’re beginning to see which teams are favorable matchups for opposing defenses, paving the way for potential victories in Week 4.
In a significant development, James Conner is anticipated to be sidelined for the remainder of the 2025 season due to an ankle injury, which opens the door for Trey Benson to step into an RB1 role. Fantasy managers should prioritize acquiring him from waivers without hesitation.
THE NO-DOUBTERS
Denver Broncos (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)
Fantasy managers who invested in the Broncos as the first defense drafted this year might be feeling disappointed with their returns thus far. Following a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, the Broncos find themselves outside the top 10 fantasy defenses for the season. However, from a fantasy perspective, their five sacks and a turnover against the Chargers last week were decent stats. Now, with an angry Broncos team set to face Jake "The Turnover Machine" Browning on Monday night, they could be primed for a bounce-back performance.
Buffalo Bills (vs. New Orleans Saints)
The Bills are currently undefeated at 3-0, but their defense hasn’t been particularly impressive for fantasy managers this season, with two lackluster performances surrounding a decent outing in Week 2 against the New York Jets. After a dismal showing in Seattle last week, where the Saints struggled to generate any offense until the game was out of reach, they now face another tough matchup on the road against a formidable Bills defense.
Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Minnesota Vikings)
Although the Steelers didn’t score a defensive or return touchdown in Week 3, they still ranked as a top-three fantasy defense after accumulating four sacks and an impressive five takeaways in their victory over the New England Patriots. While the Vikings had a strong performance against the Bengals, I remain skeptical about trusting Carson Wentz as a reliable NFL starter again, especially with a tackle returning from a year-long absence facing off against Steelers edge-rusher T.J. Watt.
Los Angeles Chargers (at New York Giants)
The Chargers may not receive the same recognition as teams like the Bills and Ravens in the AFC, but they have had an impressive start to the season, winning all three of their divisional games, including two against playoff teams from 2024. Any offensive momentum the Giants had built in Dallas vanished during their disappointing performance against the Kansas City Chiefs. Rumors are already swirling about a potential quarterback change for the Giants, which would be ill-advised against the Chargers.
Minnesota Vikings (at Pittsburgh Steelers)
Let’s be realistic: the Vikings aren’t going to consistently achieve five takeaways, four sacks, and two defensive touchdowns every week. Additionally, this week marks the first overseas game of the season, which often leads to unpredictable outcomes. However, with Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard as a strong duo of edge-rushers, the Vikings have improved their pass defense compared to last year. Given that the Steelers’ offense is struggling, averaging less than 250 yards per game, this matchup could favor Minnesota.
Houston Texans (vs. Tennessee Titans)
Currently, the Texans are winless and possess the worst scoring offense in the NFL. However, their defense has been working hard to keep the team competitive, ranking sixth in the league for scoring defense, allowing just 17 points per game. Rookie quarterback Cam Ward is on track to be sacked an astonishing 85 times this season, and the Titans have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing defenses this year.
STREAMERS OF THE WORLD, UNITE!
Green Bay Packers (at Dallas Cowboys)
The Packers’ first loss of the season can’t be blamed on their defense, but they have performed better as an NFL unit than in fantasy terms, ranking just inside the top 12 in fantasy points over the first three weeks. The Cowboys are reeling after a tough loss in Chicago, compounded by the injury to star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. While the Packers are a solid choice, their status as a "No Doubter" is temporarily on hold as they face a formidable opponent.
Detroit Lions (vs. Cleveland Browns)
Remember when there were concerns about the Lions after their rough outing at Lambeau Field in Week 1? Since then, they have convincingly defeated the Chicago Bears and stunned the Ravens in Baltimore. Although the Lions’ defense hasn’t made a significant fantasy impact, that largely reflects the quality of their opponents. Now, they return to Ford Field to face a Browns team that ranks 30th in scoring and has given up the fifth-most fantasy points to defenses this season.
Seattle Seahawks (at Arizona Cardinals)
While it’s noteworthy that Seattle ranks second in fantasy points among defenses, it’s also important to mention that they scored a non-offensive touchdown for the second consecutive week in Week 3. Although their opponents haven’t been offensive juggernauts, the Seahawks have allowed fewer points than all but the Green Bay Packers this season, not exceeding 17 points in any game. The Cardinals have been inconsistent offensively, making this matchup potentially favorable for Seattle.
New England Patriots (vs. Carolina Panthers)
From an NFL standpoint, the Patriots’ defensive performance in Week 3 might have been their best of the season. However, from a fantasy perspective, it was their weakest, with only one interception as a notable play against the Steelers. Despite this, the Patriots remain a top-10 fantasy defense after three weeks. The Panthers may have had a strong showing against the Falcons last week, but that performance is unlikely to be repeated, making them a prime target for opposing defenses.
Chicago Bears (at Las Vegas Raiders)
To be clear, the Bears haven’t been particularly impressive defensively, allowing the fourth-most yards in the league and ranking among the top teams in points allowed per game. However, they did manage a pick-six in Week 1 and held the Cowboys in check during Week 3. The Bears are better defensively than many realize, while the Raiders’ offense has been just as poor as it appears, with baffling play-calling and a lack of production. The Raiders rank third in the league for fantasy points allowed to defenses.
CAVEAT EMPTOR, FOLKS
Baltimore Ravens (at Kansas City Chiefs)
The Ravens could very well be one of the top teams in the AFC by the end of the season, despite their current record. Their early-season schedule has been particularly challenging. While the Kansas City offense has not performed up to its usual standards, the Baltimore defense has had mixed results, dominating the Browns but struggling against the Bills and Lions. Kansas City has allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game to defenses, and playing at Arrowhead Stadium makes this matchup a risky proposition. It’s best to avoid the Ravens this week.
Gary Davenport is a two-time Fantasy Sports Writers Association Football Writer of the Year. You can follow Gary on X at @IDPGodfather.
