Getting on the defensive: Week 4 fantasy plays led by Vikings, Seahawks; best streaming defenses

The rest of the AFC West should be scared. Terrified. Dismayed, even.

Because the Soul Patrol is back, baby!

For those of you who aren’t old and decrepit like this hack, the Soul Patrol was the nickname given to defenses run by Jack Tatum in 1970s Oakland. And three weeks into the 2026 season, no AFC defense has more fantasy points than Max Crosby and the Las Vegas Raiders 3-0.

Just a year ago, the Raiders fielded one of the worst defenses in the league. But under the leadership of the first year head coach Klint Kubiak and defensive coordinator Rob Leonardthe Raiders have been respectable: the Silver and Black rank 12th in total defense and seventh in scoring defense.

The Raiders have also racked up some big plays: After three games, the Raiders are one of five teams in the NFL with double-digit sacks. The Raiders’ nine takeaways lead the league.

To be fair, we haven’t exactly seen the Raiders face a Murderer’s Row: the Los Angeles Chargers, Arizona Cardinals and New Orleans Saints are a combined 2-4. And the fantasy managers set to deploy Vegas this week at home against the red-hot Kansas City Chiefs straddle the line between brave and crazy. And next month’s schedule will probably mean the party is over.

But it was a surprisingly enjoyable evening – and with matchup defenses, that’s all fantasy managers can ask for.

THE WITHOUT DOUBTS

Minnesota Vikings (vs. Miami Dolphins)

After three weeks, the Minnesota Vikings are the kings of fantasy defenses. The Vikings lead the league in scoring defense with just 12 points per game, have an NFL-high 14 sacks and are third in the league in takeaways. This week, Brian Flores“The extremely aggressive unit hosts a Miami Dolphins team that could legitimately go 0-17. The Dolphins are tied for last in the league in scoring at 12 points per game, and Miami’s only real offensive weapon (running back De’Von Achane) just came down with a torn ACL.

Seattle Seahawks (vs. Los Angeles Chargers)

The Seahawks were the fantastic defense ranked seventh after two weeks and seemed to have a dream matchup last Sunday with a Washington Commanders team starting their backup quarterback. What happened next was…unexpected. But Seattle was defeated in Week 3 more by untimely mistakes than by a poor defensive outing, and now they return home to face a winless Chargers team that is floundering offensively. Breathe: An angry Seattle defense is going to take out your frustration on the Bolts as well as theirs.

Pittsburgh Steelers (at Cleveland Browns)

The Steelers started the season on a good defense—TJ Watt And Alex Highsmith After the quarterback, the Steelers piled up big plays and fantasy points followed. Things calmed down last week against Joe Burrow and the Bengals, but expect the Steelers to get back on track Thursday night in Cleveland. The Browns may be 2-1, but the team has been inconsistent offensively, Deshaun Watson has been dropped nine times in three games, and the Browns have been a top-10 fantasy matchup for opposing defenses since 2025.

Cleveland Browns (vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)

Fun fact: The Cleveland Browns have only lost one of their last eight home games against the Steelers. Fun Fact #2: The Steelers have been a favorable fantasy matchup for defenses so far this season, giving up the fifth-most fantasy points per game at the position. The Browns aren’t as good defensively as they were a year ago, but the team has bounced back nicely after a miserable Week 1 in Jacksonville. The points will be precious Thursday evening.

Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Las Vegas Raiders)

This one is risky enough that maybe it should be a streamer more than a sure thing (word salad alert!). But the Chiefs played excellent defense in two of their three games, and Steve Spagnuolo is one of the best defensive coordinators in the league. This will be the toughest test the 3-0 Raiders have faced and then some. If the Raiders’ difficulties in the running game continue (only 100 yards per game) and Kirk Cousins must try to fight Patrick MahomesSpags will warm up Cousins. Cousins ​​are many things. Mobile is not one of them.

STEAMERS OF THE WORLD, UNITE!

Baltimore Ravens (vs. Tennessee Titans)

Baltimore’s defense was supposed to be much improved in 2026. The Ravens may be 2-1, but that’s more in spite of that defense than because of it: Baltimore is allowing nearly 31 points and 400 offensive yards per game. Of course, this has come up against real offenses in the NFL, and the Tennessee Titans are in name only. No team in the AFC has gained fewer yards per game this season. Only two teams average fewer points per game. If ever there was a place to “do it right,” this is it.

Buffalo Bills (vs. New England Patriots)

To be clear, even though the Bills are 3-0, Buffalo’s defense hasn’t played particularly well in many ways this year: the Bills are 24th in the league in total defense and have allowed 26 points per game. But the New England Patriots are a dysfunctional mess on offense. The offensive line is shaken up. The receivers cannot open. And the quarterback Drake Maye is a turnover machine dating back to last year’s playoffs. The Patriots are fifth fantasy points per game allowed on defenses this year.

Chicago Bears (vs. New York Jets)

The Chicago defense’s fantasy production has quietly improved — a unit that didn’t look great in Week 1 at Carolina just put the irons on an undefeated Philadelphia Eagles team at Soldier Field Monday night. The Jets seem improved offensively with Geno Smith at quarterback, but last week’s numbers were inflated by Detroit’s decision that playing defense is stupid. The Bears are a top 10 fantasy defense for the season and a top 10 fantasy defense in Week 4.

Green Bay Packers (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

It might seem strange to see the Packers listed here. After all, the last time we saw the Pack, they were giving up all the rushing yards to the Atlanta Falcons. The Packers had an OK fantasy outing in Week 2 against the Jets, but that was sandwiched in two clunkers. But this week, the Packers head south to face a Buccaneers team that was one of the best fantasy matchups for defenses this season previously. Mayfield Baker got injured. Now, Tampa will likely deploy an undrafted rookie under center.

New Orleans Saints (vs. Atlanta Falcons)

Feeling froggy during week 4? Playing in a league with a bunch of assholes stacking defense? Well, if you’re at the end of your rope, the Saints are your defense. New Orleans hasn’t played very well defensively this year, and the Falcons may have found a winning formula last week: play football like it’s 1956. But this is also a Saints team that beat the Ravens in Baltimore two weeks ago to a Falcons team that has given up the second-most fantasy points to defenses in 2026.

WARNING EMPTOR, PEOPLE

Denver Broncos (San Francisco 49ers)

Despite an absolutely brutal schedule (at Kansas City and at home against the Jaguars and Rams), Denver’s defense is back in the top 10 in fantasy points – the Broncos pulled off a disastrous opener at Arrowhead to shut down two powerful attacks in the second half. If this game were at Mile High, this writer might just go ahead and roll out Denver. But it was in Santa Clara against a 49ers offense that scored 98 points in three games despite numerous offensive injuries.

Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)

After a somewhat disappointing road game in Denver in Week 2, the Jaguars posted their second dominant defensive performance in three weeks against the Patriots on Sunday, recording three sacks and three takedowns while allowing just six points. But for some reason, the Jaguars just aren’t the same team away from EverBank Stadium, and last week, Cincinnati’s offense gave Pittsburgh’s defense its worst fantasy effort of the season. I’m not necessarily saying give up on the Jags. But if you start them, moderate your expectations.

Gary Davenport is a two-time Fantasy Sports Writers Association Football Writer of the Year. Follow Gary on @IDPGodfather.