We saw the Dolphins and Chargers quarterback situations take hits this week and Deshaun Watson is on the ropes. There are also some rent-to-buy D/ST candidates emerging.
Week 3 Results
Tampa Bay (vs Denver) - 1 fumble recovery
This one backfired as it was actually the Broncos defense that was getting after the quarterback and racking up fantasy points in this one.
A Look Ahead: PHI @ATL @NO - The Bucs D/ST walks the plank.
Seattle (vs Miami) - 6 sacks, 3 points allowed
The Seahawks didn’t force any turnovers, but they made for a miserable afternoon for Dolphins quarterbacks and worthy fantasy start nonetheless.
A Look Ahead: @DET NYG SF - The Seahawks fly the coop
Chicago (at Indianapolis) - 1 sack, 2 INT
The Bears defense didn’t control this game by any measure, but Anthony Richardson made a few poor decisions to keep Chicago in it and throw a few points the way of fantasy teams that used the Bears D/ST this week.
A Look Ahead: LAR CAR JAX - Matthew Stafford isn’t going to roll over, and neither is Andy Dalton. Maybe we’ll come back to them in Week 7.
Green Bay (at Tennessee) - 8 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 2 INT, 1 DEF TD
Will Levis obliged with a staredown out route pick-six, and his offensive line allowed a lot of jailbreak rushes to make the Packers D/ST the clear #1 pick of the week.
A Look Ahead: MIN @LAR ARI - Sam Darnold has been excellent, but the Packers D/ST has been good enough to consider sticking with them no matter the opponent.
Cleveland (vs New York Giants) - 2 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries
The Browns defense wasn’t able to come up with an answer for Malik Nabers. Myles Garrett was good but is clearly ailing.
A Look Ahead: @LV @WAS @PHI - We won’t go back to the Browns until Jameis Winston is in, and maybe not even then.
Buffalo (vs Jacksonville) - 5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT
The game wasn’t as close as the Bills D/ST solid, but not overwhelming production indicates. They are an every-week starting D/ST with Josh Allen locked in.
A Look Ahead: @BAL @HOU @NYJ - We’re riding the Bills across the prairie if they were dropped.
LA Chargers (at Pittsburgh) - 2 sacks, 1 INT
Justin Fields found a new level to his game, and the Chargers lost Joey Bosa and Justin Herbert during the game.
A Look Ahead: KC BYE @DEN - We may come back to the Chargers if/when they get healthy
Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda
Denver (at Tampa Bay) - 7 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT
The Bucs offensive line was outplayed by the Broncos pass rush. We’ll consider the Broncos in better matchups than the Jets in Week 4.
NY Giants (at Cleveland) - 8 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries
We’ll consider any D/ST that is facing Deshaun Watson for as long as the Browns keep putting him out there.
Indianapolis (vs Chicago) - 4 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 2 INT
The Colts D/ST may have a good day when Jonathan Taylor has a good day, but don’t pick them up for the Steelers matchup.
Minnesota (vs Houston) - 5 sacks, 2 INT
The Vikings D/ST may be worth playing against any opponent, even Jordan Love in Lambeau