Streaming Defenses Week 3: D/ST Picks for Fantasy Football This Week

Find top fantasy D/ST streamers for Week 3, with matchup-based analysis, waiver targets and sneaky plays to help you with your fantasy football roster.

September 15, 2025

Streaming Defenses Week 3: D/ST Picks for Fantasy Football This Week

By:

Jerry Donabedian

September 15, 2025

Streaming Defenses

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We're off to another strong start here at Streaming Defenses, despite my inclusion of Dallas as the No. 3 recommendation last week. The other four D/STs that were highlighted each scored at least a handful of fantasy points, with three of them ranking Top 10 at the position for Week 2. After two weeks, we're 9-of-10 for scoring at least five fantasy points under Yahoo standard settings, and 6-of-10 at landing in the weekly Top 10.

Week 3 looks like the easiest slate yet for streaming in most fantasy leagues, as many of the defenses with premium matchups are rostered in less than one-fourth of Yahoo and ESPN leagues. I don't think any one or two of the streaming options listed below is far enough ahead of the other to justify a FAAB commitment in most formats; better to save those dollars for weeks when everyone wants the same one or two defenses. The plethora of options should mean free/cheap production at the D/ST spot this week, mostly backing middle-of-the-league teams to beat up on the dregs.

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. Seattle Seahawks (vs. NO)

24% Yahoo, 58% ESPN
Team implied total: 24.5 Opponent implied total: 17.0
Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 4:

Top Streaming Options for Week 3

1. Seattle Seahawks (vs. NO)

24% Yahoo, 58% ESPN
Team implied total: 24.5 Opponent implied total: 17.0
Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 4: 15th (at ARZ), Week 5: 17th (vs. TB)

The Seahawks got by without top corner Devon Witherspoon (knee) in Sunday's win at Pittsburgh, recording three sacks and two interceptions while holding the Steelers to 17 points. Seattle also had a pair of INTs (and just 17 points allowed) in a Week 1 loss to the 49ers, and we could see another similar performance Week 3, with or without Witherspoon in the lineup. Seattle's home-field advantage and deep group of pass rushers should make life difficult for Saints QB Spencer Rattler, who surprisingly hasn't turned the ball over this year. That's coming soon enough, as he's otherwise been unimpressive, averaging just 5.3 YPA with one pass play of more than 21 yards.

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. NYJ)

7% Yahoo, 9% ESPN
Team implied total: 26.25 Opponent implied total: 19.25
Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 4: 22nd (vs. PHI), Week 5: 14th (at SEA)

This is a rare case where the injured starting QB might actually be a better matchup for the D/ST than his backup. Justin Fields is much better than Tyrod Taylor is at making big plays, but the latter has a far better track record for avoiding turnovers. Both have consistently taken sacks at a high rate, although in Fields' case you can argue that's a fair price for scrambling production that's been unmatched at times. Tampa Bay's defense, fresh off solid showings in Weeks 1 and 2, can be confidently started against either New York quarterback, with a slight boost in most fantasy formats if Justin Fields ends up clearing concussion protocol and starting.

3. Indianapolis Colts (at TEN)

7% Yahoo, 31% ESPN
Team implied total: 23.25 Opponent implied total: 20.25
Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 4: 25th (at LAR), Week 5: 12th (vs. LV)

Top cornerback Charvarius Ward (concussion) may return this week, after the Colts faced Denver without Ward, fellow cornerback Jaylon Jones (IR - hamstring) or starting DE Laiatu Latu (hamstring). Even if Ward is out again, any team facing the Titans is a solid streamer right now. Cam Ward (no relation) has taken a league-high 11 sacks through two weeks while completing just 50.8 percent of passes for 4.7 YPA. The first two D/STs to face the Titans put up eight and 12 fantasy points.

4. Atlanta Falcons (at CAR)

1% Yahoo, 1% ESPN
Team implied total: 24.0 Opponent implied total: 19.5
Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 4: 24th (vs. WAS), Week 5: BYE

We don't need to have much/any confidence in Atlanta's defense to start them against a miserable Carolina offense. As it turns out, the Falcons have actually looked pretty good on that side of the ball so far, albeit with a major assist from J.J. McCarthy on Sunday. I don't expect Atlanta's early defensive success to last throughout the season, but it should hold up against Bryce Young this Sunday.

5. Washington Commanders (vs. LV)

18% Yahoo, 6% ESPN
Team implied total: 24.0 Opponent implied total: 20.5
Upcoming Ranks (Projected) — Week 4: 16th (at ATL), Week 5: 23rd (at LAC)

Coming off a three-interception performance Monday night, Geno Smith and Co. will have to travel cross-country to face a team that has a four-day rest advantage after a TNF game. Even worse that said team was in the NFC Championship Game last year, although you wouldn't have known it from watching Washington last Thursday. A rebound is coming, and perhaps even in a blowout. The Raiders have some great players, but the running game remains a work in progress, which seemingly means continuing with the pass-happy approach for now (and thus risking more sacks/turnovers, which are the key to D/ST scoring).