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Come Fan with UsSaturday, June 20, 2026

Fantasy Football Rankings Week 3: Defense/Special Teams

Your Week 3 Defense/Special Teams Rankings are here. Make sure you check out all of our rankings before setting your rosters this week.

Jonathan Daniel - Getty Images

Last week I told you to start defenses playing against the Dolphins, Browns, Buccaneers and Rams as I thought these teams would struggle to score points. Well these 4 teams combined to score 127 points last week with the Dolphins and Rams winning their games outright. So much for preseason rankings.

This week my top ranked defense, the Houston Texans, travel to visit Peyton Manning and the Broncos. Manning has struggled with turnovers thus far this season, and he will have his hands full with the Texans defense on Sunday.

Now, let’s take a look at our Week 3 Defense/Special Teams Rankings:

Rank

Team Name

1

Houston

2

San Francisco

3

Chicago

4

New York Jets

5

Pittsburgh

6

Philadelphia

7

Baltimore

8

Detroit

9

Green Bay

10

Arizona

11

Seattle

12

New England

13

Denver

14

Dallas

15

Miami

16

Cincinnati

17

Atlanta

18

New York Giants

19

Buffalo

20

San Diego

21

Washington

22

Oakland

23

Tennessee

24

Cleveland

25

St. Louis

26

Minnesota

27

Carolina

28

Jacksonville

29

Indianapolis

30

Tampa Bay

31

New Orleans

32

Kansas City

In a game pitting the two worst defenses in the NFL, in my eyes, the Chiefs travel to New Orleans to play the winless Saints. The Saints offense revolves around Drew Brees and the passing game, and the Chiefs have given up an average of 25.5 points per game to the opposing quarterback, so this game could get ugly quick. Then again, the Saints defense isn't much better against the pass, so this could be a shootout.

The Eagles defense is a must start against former Eagle quarterback Kevin Kolb and the Arizona Cardinals. But, don't sell the Cardinals defense short either. They held the Patriots to just 18 points last week and get to play Michael Vick who has turned the ball over seven times already.

Something has to give in San Diego this weekend as Atlanta's high powered offense travels to battle the surprising Chargers defense. The Chargers are holding opponents to 266.5 yards/game of offense. They are No. 1 against the run, but the Falcons offense no longer revolves around Michael Turner, it revolves around quarterback Matt Ryan and the passing game.

Over the next few weeks, we should start to see which defenses are for real, and which ones are a one to two week wonder.

For more fantasy news, rankings and analysis, check out SB Nation Fantasy. For live fantasy advice, check out the SB Nation Fantasy War Room, Monday through Friday 4 to 8:30 p.m. ET and Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET. Play SB Nation’s new fantasy football game, Pick 6!

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