For Week 3 of the 2025 fantasy football season, the best defense to start is the Green Bay Packers, who have a strong matchup against the Cleveland Browns, a team that has struggled offensively this season. Other top options include the Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Falcons and Colts are also notable streaming candidates with favorable matchups. It is best to avoid defenses like the Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys, who face tough offensive opponents this week. Summary of top fantasy defenses for Week 3:
- Green Bay Packers @ Cleveland Browns
- Minnesota Vikings vs. Cincinnati Bengals
- Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New York Jets
- Atlanta Falcons @ Carolina Panthers
- Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee Titans
Defenses to avoid:
- Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills (worst defense ranked)
- Dallas Cowboys @ Chicago Bears (gave up many points last week)
The best strategy for fantasy defenses is streaming based on matchups rather than sticking to one defense long term.