I said it last week and I’ll say it again: managing defenses in fantasy football can be really tricky. Case in point, our top three streaming options last week combined for 10 points, while two units (Jacksonville and Atlanta) that are both sitting at 1% owned scored 21 and 16 points, respectively.
The unpredictable world of D/ST streaming continues into Week 3. Here are some of the top streaming options we’re looking at heading into this week.
Also, check out our Week 3 Rankings if you have further questions about who to start in the important DST spot.
NEW YORK GIANTS (7% ROSTERED)
Week 3: vs. Dallas, 8:15 EST (Monday Night Football)
The Giants are off to a surprising 2-0 start after close wins over the Titans and Panthers to start the year. Defensively, they have allowed just 18 points per game, and held Baker Mayfield to 145 yards passing in Week 2. They’ve managed to generate some turnovers early in the season, but have struggled a bit against the run, including yielding 102 yards to Christian McCaffrey in Week 2. Dallas will definitely focus on getting their two-headed rushing attack of Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard going early, but if they fall behind and are forced to throw, that’s where things could get interesting.
Dallas’ offensive line has struggled in pass protection so far in the young season, despite their successes in run blocking. Cooper Rush looked surprisingly competent in his Week 2 start, throwing for 235 yards and a TD, but is Still missing Michael Gallup and may be without Dalton Schultz in Week 3. The Cowboys are optimistic that their starting tight end avoided serious injury, but it still appears likely he’ll miss some time with a PCL injury. Noah Brown and Ceedee Lamb have anchored Dallas’ receiving group and done well so far, but will be relying on Rush to perform under the pressure that new Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale loves to dial up from all angles. If Rush isn’t up to the challenge, it could be a long day for him, and a productive one for New York’s defensive unit.
ATLANTA FALCONS (1%)
Week 3: @ Seattle, 4:25 PM EST
The Falcons have been a very surprising top-10 fantasy defense through two weeks in 2022, averaging 11 FPPG in two tough matchups against New Orleans and the LA Rams. After sacking Jameis Winston four times in Week 1, the Falcons D/ST managed 16 points in Week 2 despite yielding 31 points to LA. Atlanta picked off Matthew Stafford twice and forced a key fumble by Cooper Kupp which set them up outside the red zone with a change to take the lead late. They also benefitted from a late safety, which the Rams took intentionally to run out some clock in the final seconds.
The Falcons have allowed 58 points in their first two games but have put up solid fantasy production nonetheless. They now face a Seattle team that’s been unexpectedly adequate with Geno Smith at the helm, but has only put up 24 points in two games — and only seven in Week 2, which came on a blocked FG return. Smith fell back down to Earth last week with just 197 yards passing and an INT, and Seattle has yet to get much of a ground game going.
Atlanta isn’t the safest pick — there’s a reason they’re available in 99% of leagues — but they could surprise some people in what could be a low-scoring affair in Seattle.
CHICAGO BEARS (4%)
Week 3: vs. Houston, 1:00 PM EST
The Bears were a secondary streaming option for us last week, and managed 5 fantasy points in a loss to Green Bay, sacking Aaron Rodgers three times and holding him to a relatively modest 234 yards passing, forcing a fumble as well. Chicago’s been solid against the pass and not so great in stopping the run, but in Week 3 they host a Houston team that’s struggled to get any rushing attack going so far. Dameon Pierce hasn’t been the bellcow back many fantasy managers hoped he’d be, even after serving as Houston’s RB1 in Week 2 after a week of Rex Burkhead stealing his thunder. The result so far is a 3.4 yard per carry mark that has the Texans tied for the second-least efficient rushing attack in the NFL through two weeks.
Houston failed to reach the end zone in Week 2 against Denver, and Davis Mills managed just 177 yards through the air at a 50% completion rate. Combined with their run game struggles early on, it remains to be seen what kind of offensive production Houston can really generate. I’m not expecting much, and the Bears are hoping for the same as they look to improve to 2-1 at home.
OTHERS TO CONSIDER IN DEEPER LEAGUES
Carolina Panthers (4% owned): Carolina got back on track a bit last week with three sacks against the Giants, and now face a questionable Saints offensive line and a turnover-prone Jameis Winston
Las Vegas Raiders (4% owned): The 0-2 Raiders have held two decent offenses to 23 and 24 points, but haven’t shown a ton in terms of fantasy production. But, they face a lackluster Tennessee offense on the road in a must-win Week 3.
Seattle Seahawks (2% owned): The Seahawks are averaging 8 FPPG through two weeks with a few key forced fumbles against Denver and a blocked FG returned for a touchdown against the 49ers. They’ll now go up against Atlanta at home, who just threw two INTs and allowed three sacks vs. LA.
