Week 3 defense rankings

Team defense and special teams projections for 2026, updated every day as injury reports and depth charts change.

Defenses to stream

Carolina Panthers
11.6 projected points at Cleveland Browns, whose offense has given up 52% more fantasy points to defenses than average.
Cincinnati Bengals
8.4 projected points at Pittsburgh Steelers, whose offense has given up 10% more fantasy points to defenses than average.
Las Vegas Raiders
8.2 projected points at New Orleans Saints, whose offense has given up 30% more fantasy points to defenses than average.
Buffalo Bills
7.5 projected points vs Los Angeles Chargers, whose offense has given up 38% more fantasy points to defenses than average.

Likely on waivers: outside last season's top 12 defenses, which most 12-team leagues draft. Check your own league.

Rank	Defense	Matchup	Matchup edge	Projection
1	Pittsburgh SteelersPIT, 7 sacks, 4 takeaways	vs CIN	+24%	11.7
2	Carolina PanthersCAR, 4 sacks, 6 takeaways	at CLE	+30%	11.6
3	Minnesota VikingsMIN, 8 sacks, 4 takeaways	at TB	+11%	10.9
4	Seattle SeahawksSEA, 5 sacks, 4 takeaways	at WAS	−5%	9.8
5	Cincinnati BengalsCIN, 8 sacks, 4 takeaways	at PIT	+6%	8.4
6	New England PatriotsNE, 6 sacks, 2 takeaways	at JAX	−16%	8.3
7	Las Vegas RaidersLV, 8 sacks, 5 takeaways	at NO	+18%	8.2
8	New Orleans SaintsNO, 4 sacks, 2 takeaways	vs LV	+30%	8.1
9	Jacksonville JaguarsJAX, 5 sacks, 3 takeaways	vs NE	−3%	7.7
10	Buffalo BillsBUF, 7 sacks, 2 takeaways	vs LAC	+23%	7.5
11	Tampa Bay BuccaneersTB, 3 sacks, 1 takeaways	vs MIN	+26%	6.8
12	Cleveland BrownsCLE, 4 sacks, 1 takeaways	vs CAR	+4%	6.3
13	Los Angeles RamsLAR, 2 sacks, 2 takeaways	at DEN	−17%	6.3
14	San Francisco 49ersSF, 4 sacks, 2 takeaways	vs ARI	+12%	6.3
15	Kansas City ChiefsKC, 3 sacks, 3 takeaways	at MIA	+18%	6.2
16	Denver BroncosDEN, 4 sacks, 2 takeaways	vs LAR	−21%	5.8
17	Chicago BearsCHI, 5 sacks, 3 takeaways	vs PHI	−17%	5.5
18	Houston TexansHOU, 7 sacks, 0 takeaways	at IND	−19%	5.5
19	Detroit LionsDET, 7 sacks, 3 takeaways	vs NYJ	+13%	5.4
20	Green Bay PackersGB, 7 sacks, 1 takeaways	vs ATL	+30%	5.3
21	New York GiantsNYG, 1 sacks, 3 takeaways	vs TEN	+25%	5.1
22	Philadelphia EaglesPHI, 3 sacks, 0 takeaways	at CHI	−19%	5.0
23	Tennessee TitansTEN, 3 sacks, 2 takeaways	at NYG	+6%	4.8
24	Atlanta FalconsATL, 4 sacks, 1 takeaways	at GB	−15%	4.6
25	Arizona CardinalsARI, 4 sacks, 3 takeaways	at SF	−22%	3.6
26	Baltimore RavensBAL, 5 sacks, 2 takeaways	at DAL	−30%	3.6
27	Los Angeles ChargersLAC, 3 sacks, 1 takeaways	at BUF	−30%	3.5
28	New York JetsNYJ, 6 sacks, 2 takeaways	at DET	−22%	3.5
29	Indianapolis ColtsIND, 4 sacks, 1 takeaways	vs HOU	−12%	3.1
30	Miami DolphinsMIA, 0 sacks, 2 takeaways	vs KC	−9%	3.0
31	Dallas CowboysDAL, 2 sacks, 2 takeaways	vs BAL	−10%	2.9
32	Washington CommandersWAS, 5 sacks, 0 takeaways	vs SEA	−14%	2.5

How we project: each defense's recent scoring, weighted toward the latest games and blended with last season's average, then adjusted for how many fantasy points the opponent's offense gives up to defenses. Scoring: sack 1, interception, fumble recovery, safety or blocked kick 2, defensive or return touchdown 6, and 10 to −4 for points allowed (0 points 10, 1–6 7, 7–13 4, 14–20 1, 21–27 0, 28–34 −1, 35+ −4). Defenses on a bye are left off.