Week 3 Fantasy Defenses: Eagles, Chiefs, Panthers, Rams flagged as top starts

Injuries and matchups have elevated four NFL defenses into strong fantasy football plays for Week 3.

Quarterback trouble around the NFL has created favorable spots for several defenses in fantasy football Week 3. Four units stand out as strong plays for fantasy managers this week.

The Philadelphia Eagles face a Chicago Bears team dealing with injuries at quarterback. Starter Caleb Williams is hurt, and backup Tyson Bagent, who has made four career starts, was in concussion protocol as of a September 22 report. If Bagent cannot play, Case Keenum would line up under center; neither he nor Bagent has started a game since 2023. Chicago also leads the NFL with 35.0 rushing attempts per game, making the offense predictable.

The Kansas City Chiefs host a Miami Dolphins offense that has struggled through two games, ranking ninth in fewest passing yards per game and seventh in fewest rushing yards per game at 88.0. Miami's first two opponents, the Raiders and 49ers, both finished inside the top 10 among fantasy defenses in the weeks they played the Dolphins. Kansas City opened the season as fantasy's D/ST6 against Denver.

The Carolina Panthers allowed 59 points in Week 1 but held Atlanta to six in Week 2, finishing as the week's top fantasy defense. They now face Cleveland, which threw 19 interceptions in 2025, tied for third most in the league, though the Browns have just one so far in 2026.

The Los Angeles Rams limited the New York Giants to six points in Aaron Donald's return, tying for D/ST5. Next up is Denver, whose quarterbacks have thrown an interception in every game this season and whose Bo Nix took four sacks in Week 1.