Rent-A-Defense: Week 3

Sigmund Bloom runs down defenses with good matchups in Week 3 that could be on your waiver wire.

Sigmund Bloom's Rent-A-Defense: Week 3 Sigmund Bloom Published 09/22/2026

IMAGN IMAGES via REUTERS CONNECT team defense

It was a brutal week across the league, but D/ST picks are actually where we want to find and capitalize on that brutality. We had the best D/ST play last week as our #1 choice; let's see if we can do it again!

Week 2 Results

Carolina (at Atlanta) - 3 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 3 INTs, 1 DEF TD, 3 points against

Isn't it wonderful when a plan comes together? We won't have Cooper Rush to kick around any more, as Jack Strand replaced him during this debacle, and Michael Penix Jr.. is ready to start on Thursday against Green Bay.

A Look Ahead: @CLE DET BYE - Even though it's a road game and Deshaun Watson played his best game in years last week, we will still consider the Panthers in Week 3

Tampa Bay (vs Cleveland) - 2 sacks

Speaking of Watson, it turns out that Tampa vs Cleveland in Week 2 was a revenge game, but instead of Mayfield getting revenge on Cleveland, it was Watson who struck back at the Browns by playing so well that the team has to keep him in for the home opener after leaking that they were ready to put in Shedeur Sanders.

A Look Ahead: MIN GB @DAL - Send the Bucs D/ST back to the high seas

San Francisco (vs Miami) - 4 sacks

Malik Willis hasn't created big numbers for himself or the opposing defense in garbage time through two weeks, but that doesn't mean we won't try him again this week.

A Look Ahead: ARI DEN @SEA - Yes, we will consider this defense against Jacoby Brissett this week

Buffalo (vs Detroit) - 4 sacks

The Bills pass rush should have a lot of opportunities to get after the opposing quarterback playing with a lead. This matchup looked like it was going to yield big D/ST numbers, but Jared Goff recovered in the second half.

A Look Ahead: LAC NE @LAR - The way the Chargers offense is playing right now, you have to consider the Bills D/ST this week

Chicago (vs Minnesota) - 3 sacks

Let's just all agree to forget that this game happened

A Look Ahead: PHI NYJ @GB - We won't come back to the Bears D/ST any time soon

Cincinnati (at Houston) - 4 sacks, 6 pts allowed

This was a modest success, and more importantly, it looks like the Bengals D/ST is here to stay.

A Look Ahead: @PIT JAX @MIA - Stay in our lineups in Week 3 against Old Man Rodgers, that is (and Week 5 is looking promising)

Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda

New England (vs Pittsburgh) - 4 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT, 1 DEF TD, 3 points allowed

We will target Old Man Rodgers going forward

Las Vegas (at LA Chargers) - 1 safety, 3 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 2 INTs

How bad is it for the Chargers offense? We are going to be targeting them with our rent-a-defense every week until they make that look like a bad decision.

Minnesota (at Chicago) - 4 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT, 3 pts allowed

Ok we will bring up this game one more time, just as a reminder that the Vikings D/ST is a solid pick most weeks.

Week 3 Candidates

**Seattle, Houston, and Philadelphia are all assumed to be rostered**

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