Week 3 IDP focus centers on the latest risers, pitfalls, and matchup plays across DL, LB and DB units. Byron Young bursts out for the Rams, while Kevin Byard stumbles for the Bears, shaping waiver decisions and start-sits. The piece also notes high-upside plays like Watt, Hendrickson, Bosa and Parsons, with caution flags around Philly and Buffalo matchups.

The emphasis on snap rates, pass rush grades, and opponent offensive lines gives fantasy managers a sharper lens for rostering top DLs, linebackers, and defensive backs, while identifying safer floor plays in two-IDP formats. Week 3 intrigue lands across the entire IDP slate.

Detroit stormed Chicago for 52, erasing Week 1 jitters as Jared Goff carved up the Bears for five passing TDs on 80% accuracy, with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams providing the big-play spark. John Morton’s play-calling looked sharper behind an improving line, while Bears OC Ben Johnson watched from the other sideline. Across outlets, Lions sit in a broad top-10 range entering Week 3, signaling a durable fantasy ceiling for Detroit’s pass game.

Power rankings entering Week 3 cluster the Lions at No. 5–12 across ESPN, The Athletic, NFL.com, Fox, NBC, and CBS, underscoring a consensus that Detroit’s offense is back in elite territory. The Week 2 blowout confirms Goff’s efficiency and the WR duo’s upside, with Morton stabilizing the offense and the line rounding into form, even as division rivals like Green Bay and Chicago loom in the division.

Chase Brown’s 2025 Bengals backfield has been muted by inefficiency and stalled game scripts. He’s seen about 73% of snaps but just 90 rushing yards on 37 carries and a single rushing TD through two games, plus only four receptions for 26 yards this season. Burrow’s turf-toe injury puts more pressure on Brown, yet upcoming matchups vs a soft run defense (MIN) and a concessive Detroit D offer a path to regression toward the mean. Buy-low stories flourish when volume remains intact and efficiency returns.

With Burrow out for months, Cincinnati plans to lean on Brown’s workload while Jake Browning runs the offense. The path to fantasy relevance hinges on Brown reeling in more receiving work and breaking longer runs. If you own him, patience is warranted; if you don’t, there’s demand potential in a trade window as defenses still fear the run and the schedule softens.

Bills sit No. 1 with a clean Week 2 showing, followed by Eagles, Ravens, Packers, and Chargers as Week 3 favorites. The rest of the league shifts with the Dolphins and Panthers sliding after rough outings, while Colts climb into the middle of the pack on explosive offense and emerging pieces. Bryce Young flashed in Carolina, Spencer Rattler impressed in New Orleans, and J.J. McCarthy looks like a work-in-progress in Minnesota as teams settle into schemes and fantasy roles.