Week 3 power rankings hinge on health and explosive defenses. Philadelphia remains No. 1, while Green Bay rockets into the top three behind Jordan Love’s clean reads and a revitalized run game with Josh Jacobs. Buffalo’s two-way punch keeps them dangerous, and San Francisco claws into the top five amid injury concerns, leaning on depth to grind out wins.

Fantasy angles center on Love’s efficiency, Jacobs’ workload, Micah Parsons’ expanding snap count, James Cook’s role in Buffalo, and Mac Jones stepping in for SF. Monitor matchups and injuries as these teams push toward October with playoff ambitions.

Week 3’s fantasy defense slate centers on streaming value and clear starts, led by Green Bay, Seattle, Buffalo, and Indianapolis in Tier 1 with favorable matchups and strong pressure outputs. Expect continued sack-heavy games from these units, plus solid floor from the Falcons, Buccaneers, and Chiefs. Tier 2 adds Vikings, Texans, and Cardinals in matchups that carry swing potential if pass rush and turnover luck align. Tier 3 brings Commanders, Steelers, and Eagles in sturdy, mix-and-match starts. Tier 4-6 caution managers to seek safer streams or deeper-league plays and exploit waiver opportunities.

Key Week 3 takeaways: target defenses with high sack rates and favorable implied game scripts, especially when facing rookie QBs or O-lines with documented struggles. Watch injury reports and quarterback status closely, as even small changes can swing a D/ST’s Week 3 upside. This guide emphasizes tiered rankings, waiver adds, and start/sit decisions to help fantasy managers optimize lineups and shave points off potential losses.