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It was no surprise that last week’s number 1 predicted defense came through for me as the Patriots put up 35 fantasy points in the romp over the Dolphins. The Patriots have jumped up from 77% to 88% owned over the last week and will again be a must start this week as they face the Luke Falk led Jets, who is starting his first NFL game on the road in Foxborough.
The rankings have been updated with the latest owned percentage (from ESPN) so you can see the teams you’re most likely to be able to find on the waiver wire this week, though obviously if you’ve already got ‘em, then start ‘em.
Week 3 Defense Rankings
| Ranking | Team | Opponent | % Owned | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking | Team | Opponent | % Owned | Comment |
| 1 | Cowboys | vs Dolphins | 37.5% | At home versus the league's worst offense. Run to the waiver wire and pick up the Cowboys defense |
| 2 | Patriots | vs Jets | 88.7% | The top fantasy defense in the league against a QB making his first ever start. Yes please |
| 3 | Vikings | vs Raiders | 89.2% | A long day in store for Carr and co against one of the league's top defenses in their own building |
| 4 | Bills | vs Bengals | 88.3% | The Bengals crumbled last week against the 49ers and the Bills are an even tougher proposition |
| 5 | 49ers | vs Steelers | 14.2% | The 49ers will relish facing a QB making his first start in their own building |
| 6 | Seahawks | vs Saints | 13.5% | Strong streaming option this week with Teddy Bridgewater starting for Drew Brees |
| 7 | Bears | @ Redskins | 99.3% | Bears are a must start every week and have punished the run especially in the opening 2 weeks |
| 8 | Packers | vs Broncos | 7.1% | Criminally underowned, the Packers have shut down the pass in the first 2 weeks |
| 9 | Titans | @ Jaguars | 55.6% | Titans strength against the pass makes them a must start against Gardner Minshew this week |
| 10 | Rams | @ Browns | 91.5% | Strong against both the pass and run, the Rams' defense is a must start |
| 11 | Buccaneers | vs Giants | 0.6% | Bucs will look to give Daniel Jones a rough introduction to the NFL |
| 12 | Lions | @ Eagles | 2.3% | Injuries to the Eagles' receiving corps makes a Lions an intriguing start this week |
| 13 | Chargers | vs Texans | 70.9% | The Chargers' pass rush needs to get going and the Texans' o-line can't help giving up sacks |
| 14 | Ravens | @ Chiefs | 87.0% | Can the Ravens be the team that puts the shackles on Mahomes and his pals? |
| 15 | Texans | @ Chargers | 61.2% | The Texans smothered the Jaguars last week and will get after Rivers on the road |
| 16 | Saints | @ Seahawks | 77.3% | Despite the hit to the offense, the defense is still a legit streaming option this week |
| 17 | Colts | vs Falcons | 24.4% | Colts defense matches up well with Falcons strength on offense and should dominate in Indy |
| 18 | Chiefs | vs Ravens | 12.5% | Toughest outing yet for a Chiefs' defense that has been a borderline start through weeks 1 and 2 |
| 19 | Jaguars | vs Titans | 82.3% | The Jalen Ramsey shenanigans won't help but the Titans' offense is average and can be exploited on TNF |
| 20 | Jets | @ Patriots | 16.1% | A tough task agaiunst the high-flying Patriots, but the Jets are a good all-round defense |