The 2025 Fantasy Football season is moving along and each week brings new challenges for managers looking for the best lineup. Deciding who to start and who to leave on the bench is not always straightforward, especially when it comes to NFL defenses, which can make a difference with a great performance or ruin your score with negative numbers.
In Week 3, we look at which defenses are the best to line up and which ones to avoid based on matchups and recent stats.
Start ‘Em: Defenses you should consider this week
Green Bay Packers vs. Cleveland Browns
The Packers have proven to be a solid defensive unit, limiting offenses such as Detroit and Washington. They now face a Browns team that leads the league in interceptions, increasing the chances of Green Bay scoring points in Fantasy.
Seattle Seahawks vs. New Orleans SaintsSeattle generates pressure like no other defense so far this season. Spencer Rattler, quarterback of the Saints, has not yet faced that level of pressure. After a day of 14 points in Fantasy, the Seahawks are a high value option.
Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins
The Buffalo defense usually performs well against Miami. With the Dolphins allowing sacks at the third-highest rate in the league, and the Bills producing sacks at the second-highest rate, this matchup looks promising for those looking for a streaming defense.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans
The Titans offense is in serious trouble: quarterback Cam Ward is under too much pressure and the receivers have had multiple drops. The Colts could take advantage of this situation in a key divisional matchup.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Minnesota VikingsMinnesota has been a gold mine for opposing defenses. In Week 1, the Bears scored 11 points, and in Week 2, Atlanta scored 21. With Carson Wentz as an emergency quarterback, the offensive line could suffer again and the Bengals could shine.
Sit ‘Em: Defenses you should avoid in Week 3
Los Angeles Rams vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Although the Rams started the season well, facing the Eagles is practically suicide in Fantasy. Kansas City and Dallas barely scored a few points against them. It’s not worth the risk.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Detroit Lions
Detroit’s offense got back on track and the Ravens have already shown vulnerabilities against explosive teams. The possibility of a high-scoring game makes Baltimore unreliable this week.
Chicago Bears vs. Dallas Cowboys
The Chicago defense is coming off an abject failure and the Cowboys looked more solid in their last outing. This is a matchup to avoid.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Denver Broncos
Denver protects its quarterback very well and allows few sacks, just what defenses are looking for in Fantasy. The Chargers could fall short.
Tennessee Titans vs. Indianapolis Colts
Far from what was thought at the beginning of the year, the Colts are not an easy opponent for defenses. They have already frustrated Miami and Denver, and the Titans do not seem to have the defensive power to change that story.
Read the full article here
