Streaming Defenses: Week 3 Options

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Published on September 21, 2021

Between QB injuries and struggling rookie signal-callers, Week 3 shouldn't have any shortage of streaming options. The uglier the game looks in real life, the better it is for our purposes.

For injury/ranking updates throughout the week, follow me on Twitter (@JerryDonabedian).

Note: These recommendations are limited to team defenses that are rostered on less than 60 percent of teams on Yahoo or 45 percent on ESPN. Any references to fantasy points are based on Yahoo standard scoring, which doesn't include yards allowed.

Top Streaming Options for Week 3

1. Carolina Panthers (at HOU)

20% Yahoo, 13% ESPN

Team implied total: 25.5

Opponent implied total: 18.0

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 4: 26th (at DAL), Week 5: 11th (vs. PHI)

Fresh off home matchups with Zach Wilson and Jameis Winston, the Panthers have four takeaways and lead the NFL in both sacks (10) and QB hits (21). And now, for their first road game, they'll face third-round rookie QB Davis Mills making his first NFL start on a short week. The Texans will try to keep the ball on the ground, but things could still get ugly, especially if they fall behind by multiple scores and need to pass more. While the Carolina defense still has its weak points, Brian Burns (two sacks) and Haason Reddick (three) have the look of a formidable pass-rushing duo off the edge.

2. Tennessee Titans (vs. IND)

3% Yahoo, 3% ESPN

Team implied total: 26.75

Opponent implied total:

Between QB injuries and struggling rookie signal-callers, Week 3 shouldn't have any shortage of streaming options. The uglier the game looks in real life, the better it is for our purposes.

For injury/ranking updates throughout the week, follow me on Twitter (@JerryDonabedian).

Top Streaming Options for Week 3

1. Carolina Panthers (at HOU)

20% Yahoo, 13% ESPN

Team implied total: 25.5

Opponent implied total: 18.0

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 4: 26th (at DAL), Week 5: 11th (vs. PHI)

2. Tennessee Titans (vs. IND)

3% Yahoo, 3% ESPN

Team implied total: 26.75

Opponent implied total: 21.25

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 4: 6th (at NYJ), Week 5: 8th (at JAX)

The Titans defense isn't good, but it does have favorable matchups the next three weeks, starting with a potential Jacob Eason debut this Sunday. It's either that or an average-at-best Carson Wentz playing on two banged-up ankles for the Colts this Sunday. After that, the Titans face rookie quarterbacks Zach Wilson (Week 4) and Trevor Lawrence (Week 5), neither of whom has played well so far.

Colts coach Frank Reich said QB Carson Wentz has sprained both his ankles. Reich can't say yet if Wentz will play Sunday at Tennessee.
— Mike Wells (@MikeWellsNFL) September 20, 2021

3. Las Vegas Raiders (vs. MIA)

2% Yahoo, 1% ESPN

Team implied total: 25.25

Opponent implied total: 21.25

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 4: 26th (at LAC), Week 5: 9th (vs. CHI)

With 24-year-old Maxx Crosby and his league-high 10 QB hits leading the way to a 2-0 start, Las Vegas may actually have a decent defense for the first time since... uhhhh, I don't even remember? Meanwhile, the Dolphins are fresh off a shutout loss in which their starting QB left early with a rib injury. Jacoby Brissett may be a good backup, but he didn't look the part this past Sunday. And it's a good matchup even if Tua Tagovailoa ends up playing, as he still hasn't looked the part of a top-10 pick.

4. Arizona Cardinals (at JAX)

51% Yahoo, 40% ESPN

Team implied total: 29.75

Opponent implied total: 22.25

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 4: 25th (at LAR), Week 5: 11th (vs. NYG)

J.J. Watt may be off to a quiet start, but with Chandler Jones as dominant as ever, the Cardinals have managed seven sacks despite blitzing at just the 13th-highest rate (23.1 percent) in the league (they finished Top 5 each of the past three years). While questions remain on the back end, this defense has legit top-10 upside, especially in fantasy football where takeaways and sacks are more important than point prevention. Even on the road, a matchup with rookie QB Trevor Lawrence should go well for the Cardinals.

5. New Orleans Saints (at NE)

59% Yahoo, 73% ESPN

Team implied total: 20.0

Opponent implied total: 23.0

Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 4: 3rd (vs. NYG), Week 5: 10th (at WAS)

Despite dealing with key offseason losses and now major injuries in the secondary, the New Orleans defense has been solid so far, notching four takeaways and four sacks through two games. The Saints get a decent matchup this weekend (at New England) but a great one in Week 4 (home vs. the Giants).