10 D/ST sleepers to target for fantasy football in Week 3

8. Buffalo Bills, vs. Washington Football Team

The Bills defense has been very good thus far, holding the Steelers to 16 offensive points in Week 1 and shutting out the Dolphins in Week 2. Week 3 brings a matchup against Washington and quarterback Taylor Heinicke.

Heinicke looked good in Week 2 against the New York Giants (336 yards, two touchdowns, one interception). But he still only has three career starts on his resume (including playoffs), and the Bills will have a typical preparation week to dissect his shortcomings — whereas the Giants did not, heading into a Thursday night game.

Buffalo will get after Heinicke, with the back-to-front defensive personnel to take away his options and force Washington’s offense off-schedule.

7. New England Patriots vs. New Orleans Saints

The Patriots literally made easy pickings of New York Jets rookie quarterback Zach Wilson in Week 2 (four interceptions). Now they’ll get the Saints and Jameis Winston, who are coming off a dismal showing against the Carolina Panthers in Week 2 (seven points, four sacks allowed, two interceptions).

New England has allowed just 23 points in two games, with six sacks and five interceptions. They are set to win games in a defensive grind, with a rookie quarterback and a fairly limited offensive arsenal.

The Patriots’ defense is heavily owned, but they are worth checking on in ESPN leagues (79.1 percent owned as of Thursday morning). It’s odd to think of a Bill Belichick defense as a fantasy sleeper, but here we are in Week 3.