Start 'Em, Sit 'Em D/ST: Week 3 fantasy football
Fantasy football managers often put a lot of thought into the offensive skill position players on their rosters. Defenses don't get quite as much attention, but they are often what makes or breaks a team's chances of winning any given week.
It's hard to predict how a collective defensive unit will perform week-to-week. Sure, the league's best and worst units are often consistent, but sometimes great streaming opportunities are created quickly by injuries to key offensive players.
Of course, it's equally important to make sure your DST unit doesn't have any key injuries among its starters. Sometimes, all it takes is one injury to a key start to dismantle a quality stop unit.
NFL WEEK 2: 32 things we learned, with Saints among biggest early-season surprises
Luckily, there are plenty of potential streaming options in Week 3 for fantasy owners who are scouring the waiver wire for starters.
Here's a breakdown of which defenses you should start and which you should sit in Week 3 of the fantasy football season.
Fantasy football start 'em: Week 3 DSTs
Green Bay Packers
The Packers are coming off a stellar defensive showing in Week 2 that saw them intercept Anthony Richardson three times and hold the Indianapolis Colts to just 10 points. Green Bay will have a chance to log similar production against Will Levis and the Tennessee Titans.
The Titans have lost each of their first two games 24-17 and Levis has come under fire for his lack of ball security throughout the contests. He threw an ugly pick-six in the team's Week 1 loss to the Chicago Bears and had a critical red-zone fumble against the New York Jets that cost the Titans a chance to take an early 10-point lead.
Levis' turnovers both stemmed from a panicked effort to get rid of the ball before being taken down in the pocket. Perhaps he has learned his lesson, but taking a chance on the Packers to force Levis into another clumsy giveaway seems like a solid bet. Green Bay has an NFL-high six takeaways, after all.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Thus far during his rookie season, Bo Nix has completed 59.7 percent of his passes for 384 yards. He hasn't recorded a touchdown and has thrown a league-high four interceptions. That should have the Buccaneers licking their chops as they hit the road for a showdown with the Denver Broncos.
The Buccaneers have allowed just 18 points per game this season while the Broncos are averaging just 13 per game, third-fewest in the league. If they can clamp down on Denver's running game – a good bet since the Broncos are averaging the sixth-fewest rushing yards per game at 81.5 – they should force Nix to have to throw to stay competitive. That could force the rookie into mistakes in a disadvantageous situation.
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are allowed a league-low 6.5 points per game this season. Granted, they have played the Las Vegas Raiders and Carolina Panthers, two teams with shaky quarterback play, but it's not like the Pittsburgh Steelers are significantly better off with Justin Fields.
Fields has guided the Steelers to a 2-0 record, but Pittsburgh has scored just 31 total points and one touchdown. The Chargers have a strong pass rush with Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, so if they can contain Fields, they should be able to limit the Steelers' offense once again.
The Chargers may not have as high a floor as usual because Fields is so hard to sack, but their ceiling remains high given the Steelers' scoring issues. If Fields has a bad game with a couple of turnovers, it could be a fruitful day for owners of the Chargers DST.
Las Vegas Raiders
No, the Raiders aren't getting to face Bryce Young in their Week 3 matchup with the Panthers. Yes, they can still be trusted.
Andy Dalton may well be a better starting option than Young at this time, but he's still playing behind an offensive line that hasn't yet gelled. That could allow Maxx Crosby to have a huge day getting pressures, sacks and forcing Dalton into quick throws.
The Raiders may not be the top defense to play this week, but they certainly deserve consideration from owners looking for a streamer off the waiver wire.
FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS: How top DST streamers stack up for Week 3
Fantasy football sit 'em: Week 3 DSTs
New York Jets
The Jets may appear to have an appetizing matchup with the New England Patriots, but that may be a mirage.
The Patriots are one of three NFL teams that hasn't yet turned the ball over. That's partly because they are running the ball 57.69 percent of the time through two games, the fifth-highest mark in the NFL.
The Jets have struggled against the run and are allowing 155 rushing yards per game, which ranks 24th in the NFL. If the Patriots continue to run often and with success, the Jets will have fewer opportunities to get sacks and force interceptions which will place an increased emphasis on limiting the Patriots' scoring.
That may be doable, but they are more of a boom-or-bust option in this matchup than most realize.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens routinely sport one of the NFL's best defenses, but they are fresh off a contest that saw them give up 26 points to Gardner Minshew and the Raiders. Now, they are taking on a Dallas Cowboys offense that is coming off an embarrassing 44-19 defeat against the New Orleans Saints and will be looking to bounce back.
Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb seem to have a nice matchup against a Ravens secondary that has allowed a league-high 257 passing yards per game this season. The Ravens may force some turnovers or get some sacks, but this has the makings of a high-scoring contest. As such, it's best to steer clear of both the Baltimore and Dallas DSTs.
NFL POWER RANKINGS: Chiefs still No. 1, but top five overhaul occurs after chaotic Week 2
Seattle Seahawks
Some may be tempted to back the Seahawks given that the Miami Dolphins are set to start Skylar Thompson at quarterback. That wouldn't be the wisest move, as the Dolphins still have De'Von Achane, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle ready to do some damage against a Seattle defense that has been middle-of-the-road against teams quarterbacked by Bo Nix and Jacoby Brissett.
Mike Macdonald is doing a good job with Seattle's defense, but it's too early to trust them against such a dynamic team. There are plenty of better streaming options available than the Seahawks.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 3: 7 D/ST to start or sit
