Week 3 NFL Matchups Preview
NFL Week 3 Matchups Preview
The following matchup ratings are determined by compiling past data from the current season, viable 2010 preseason and the 2009 NFL regular season. By looking at the yards allowed and touchdowns allowed by the top defenses then weighting them based on recent performance, we are able to calculate a reliable estimate of how many fantasy points a defense is giving up at the current point in time, per week, to all players on an opposing team. This estimate makes for a great indicator to project matchups in the future. Below are the defenses estimated to allow the most fantasy points headed into Week 3 based on 1 pt. per 10 rushing/receiving yards and 6 points per TD. The number in the third column is the estimated amount of fantasy points this defense is allowing currently per matchup. The ‘receiving fantasy points allowed estimate’ can also be used to gauge your QBs’ matchups, and while the scoring settings may adjust the points allowed to QBs, the overall order of the rankings for receivers should be very similar for QBs. This matchup rater tool should provide an excellent starting point when filling out your lineups this week. Give the following team’s week 3 opponents a tick-up in their respective categories.
Projected Rushing Points Allowed
| Projected Rank | Rush Defense | Estimated Fantasy Points Allowed | Week 3 Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland Raiders | 23.4 | Arizona |
| 2 | Indianapolis Colts | 21.8 | Denver |
| 3 | Buffalo Bills | 21.0 | New England |
| 4 | Detroit Lions | 20.1 | Minnesota |
| 5 | St. Louis Rams | 19.9 | Washington |
| 6 | New Orleans Saints | 19.0 | Atlanta |
| 7 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 18.5 | Pittsburgh |
| 8 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 18.4 | Philadelphia |
| 9 | Arizona Cardinals | 18.1 | Oakland |
| T-10 | Broncos / Giants | 17.6 | Indianapolis / Tennessee |
Projected Receiving Points Allowed
| Rank | Pass Defense | Estimated Fantasy Points Allowed | Week 3 Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detroit Lions | 39.4 | Minnesota |
| 2 | Houston Texans | 38.5 | Dallas |
| 3 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 36.4 | Philadelphia |
| 4 | New England Patriots | 35.1 | Buffalo |
| 5 | Washington Redskins | 34.9 | St. Louis |
| 6 | New York Giants | 33.6 | Tennessee |
| 7 | Seattle Seahawks | 33.5 | San Diego |
| 8 | Philadelphia Eagles | 33.4 | Jaguars |
| T-9 | St. Louis Rams | 32.5 | Washington |
| T-9 | Arizona Cardinals | 32.5 | Oakland |
Noteworthy: The Kansas City Chiefs, who play San Francisco in Week 3, bubbled both the Rushing and the Passing lists this week.