Fantasy Football 2018: 3 Must-Start Defenses for Week 3
By Bill Pivetz
Despite teams scoring a lot of points so far, here are three defenses that will help you win your fantasy football matchup in Week 3.
Fantasy football owners pick their defenses in two ways. They either draft one and stick with them for the full season or they play the matchups every week. If you are in the latter category, there are a few defenses that have favorable matchups and low ownership percentages that could make a difference in Week 3.
Finding a good defense doesn’t mean shutting out their opponent every game. They could rack up the points with sacks, interceptions and fumbles recovered. Then again, posting a shutout is a good way to prove their dominance.
The three defenses are owned in less than 40 percent of ESPN leagues. I don’t recommend owning two defenses on your team but having two for a week or two won’t hurt your team.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have recorded five interceptions, a fumble recovery and a touchdown over the first two weeks of the season. They allowed 32 points in that span. The Dolphins faced two poor offenses in the Tennessee Titans and New York Jets.
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They welcome the Oakland Raiders in Week 3. Derek Carr doesn’t look good, one touchdown to three interceptions. Many thought the combination of Amari Cooper and Jordy Nelson would light this offense on fire, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.
The Dolphins tallied three sacks in Week 2 and should create the same pressure this week. They are owned in just 21.2 percent of leagues. If your defense has a questionable matchup, the Dolphins are a good alternative.
Green Bay Packers
Despite allowed 29 points to the Minnesota Vikings, they scored six fantasy points. The defense has an interception, fumble recovery, touchdown and six sacks in two weeks.
The Packers take on the Washington Redskins in Week 3. Alex Smith is his typical self, not taking any risks or turning the ball over. He is 54-for-76 with 547 yards and just two touchdowns. The running game was absent after Week 1. The Packers defense may not rack up the interceptions but they can get pressure and limit the scoring.
The Packers win this game through the arm of Aaron Rodgers but the defense will be able to stifle this Redskins offense. They are owned in 11 percent of leagues.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys defense put on a show in Week 2 against the New York Giants. With Eli Manning, Odell Beckham, Evan Engram and Saquon Barkley on offense, the Cowboys defense allowed just 13 points.
The defense sacked Manning six times in that game. With the Seattle Seahawks next on the schedule, they could do it again in Week 3.
The Seahawks offense, especially the run game, is not there. Russell Wilson has five touchdowns and three interceptions. He’s already been sacked 12 times. No running back has scored a touchdown this season.
Fantasy owners are buying in as they are owned in 32 percent of leagues, up 21.9 percent over the last week.
Next. Fantasy Football Week 3 Rankings. dark
These three defenses can kill the momentum of the offenses they face. The top defenses are widely owned for a reason but with the Rams/Chargers and Saints/Falcons games on the Week 3 slate, we could see a lot of points scored, making these defenses a good alternative.