If your fantasy defense hasn't given you an edge through two weeks of the fantasy football season, it's time to lock in and identify the top streaming options for Week 3. If that's your goal this week, we're here to help with our NFL team's Week 3 fantasy football defense (D/ST) rankings.
The Buccaneers, Packers, and Raiders defenses have plus matchups and are ranked in the top 10 in RotoBaller's Week 3 DST rankings. Check out where other defenses, such as the Steelers, Chargers, and Seahawks rank, among others.
Our Week 3 defense (DST) fantasy football rankings are put together by Nick Mariano, Brandon Murchison, Andersen Pickard, and Scott Engel. In addition to our staff rankings, below you will find a summary of this week's important fantasy football injury news.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Week 3 Defense (D/ST) Fantasy Football News
- Giants Defense Could Get A Boost In Week 3
- Steelers DST Remain High-End Option In Week 3
- Seahawks DST A Solid Start In Week 3
- Browns DST A Top Option In Week 3
- Myles Garrett Will Play In Week 3
- Trevon Diggs Off The Injury Report
- Nick Bosa Questionable To Face Rams
- Titans DST Could Be A Sneaky Play In Week 3
- Brian Burns Questionable Against The Browns
Week 3 Fantasy Football Defense (D/ST) Rankings
Be sure to bookmark our weekly PPR rankings, Half-PPR rankings, Standard rankings.
D/ST Tier | D/ST Rank | D/ST Name | Position |
1 | 1 | Cleveland Browns | DST |
1 | 2 | San Francisco 49ers | DST |
1 | 3 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | DST |
1 | 4 | New York Jets | DST |
2 | 5 | Seattle Seahawks | DST |
2 | 6 | Pittsburgh Steelers | DST |
3 | 7 | Las Vegas Raiders | DST |
3 | 8 | Buffalo Bills | DST |
3 | 9 | Los Angeles Chargers | DST |
3 | 10 | Kansas City Chiefs | DST |
4 | 11 | Green Bay Packers | DST |
4 | 12 | Indianapolis Colts | DST |
4 | 13 | Chicago Bears | DST |
4 | 14 | Tennessee Titans | DST |
4 | 15 | Houston Texans | DST |
5 | 16 | Baltimore Ravens | DST |
5 | 17 | New York Giants | DST |
5 | 18 | Cincinnati Bengals | DST |
5 | 19 | New England Patriots | DST |
5 | 20 | Dallas Cowboys | DST |
5 | 21 | New Orleans Saints | DST |
6 | 22 | Minnesota Vikings | DST |
6 | 23 | Philadelphia Eagles | DST |
6 | 24 | Detroit Lions | DST |
6 | 25 | Miami Dolphins | DST |
6 | 26 | Arizona Cardinals | DST |
6 | 27 | Jacksonville Jaguars | DST |
6 | 28 | Carolina Panthers | DST |
6 | 29 | Denver Broncos | DST |
6 | 30 | Atlanta Falcons | DST |
6 | 31 | Los Angeles Rams | DST |
6 | 32 | Washington Commanders | DST |
Week 3 Defense Outlooks for Fantasy Football
Las Vegas Raiders DST - Fantasy Football Outlook
The Las Vegas Raiders defense/special teams will face a substantially easier challenge than they did their first two weeks when they take on the Carolina Panthers at home. The Raiders DST has had their hands full the past two weeks, taking on the Los Angeles Chargers and Baltimore Ravens, which are not conducive to high opposing D/ST scoring.
The Raiders defense will face Panthers QB Andy Dalton, who will be replacing the recently benched QB Bryce Young. Dalton hasn't started an NFL game in nearly a year and will likely have much rust to shake off. The Panthers receivers will need to build chemistry with Dalton, which can take time. The Raiders D/ST becomes a potential top-10 D/ST for Week 3 and is a great streaming option in 10+ team leagues.
- John Johnson, RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers DST - Fantasy Football Outlook
The Los Angeles Chargers defense/special teams unit is a solid choice in Week 3 fantasy lineups when the Chargers face the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road. The Bolts defensive unit put up 14 fantasy points in Week 1 and followed that up with 11 in Week 2.
They've allowed just 13 points so far this season while recording six sacks, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries. They've been a top-six fantasy defense both times and have that same upside this time in what is expected to be one of the lowest-scoring games of the week. They're certainly worth starting and are still available on the waiver wire in many leagues.
- David A. Marcillo, RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers DST - Fantasy Football Outlook
The Pittsburgh Steelers defense has been sensational through the first two weeks of the season and will hope to carry that momentum into a Week 3 clash against the Los Angeles Chargers. Los Angeles has not been especially prone to turnovers and has only allowed quarterback Justin Herbert (ankle) to be sacked twice thus far in 2024.
That could limit the fantasy upside for Pittsburgh's defense in this contest, but its floor is extremely safe in what is projected to be the lowest-scoring game of the week. The Chargers are expected to lean on the run, which does not bode well against a Pittsburgh defense surrendering the third-fewest rushing yards in the NFL. Fantasy managers should continue to trust the Steelers DST as one of the top options on Sunday.
- Jorden Hill, RotoBaller
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More Fantasy Football Analysis
Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.