Fantasy Points Allowed: Week 3 2017

By Jen Ryan
Jen Ryan Fantasy Points Allowed by Defense


Of the many tools we offer on FootballDiehards.com, our Fantasy Points Allowed tool is right up there in level of importance. When I start the Tuesday process of updating spreadsheets and starting research, one of the first things I look at are the match ups. These match ups factor into every roster construction across all formats for the week, be it season long or daily. Playing the match ups is the name of the game.

Using our tool, you can see each important stat by position allowed by team, ranked in order. These stats include rush yards, rush YPC, total receptions, total receiving yards and total touchdowns. We then break it down by position: rush TDs, pass TDs, RB TDs, WR TDs, and TE TDs. Last but not least, we give you fantasy points per game allowed to running backs, wide receivers and tight ends, as well as total fantasy points allowed by the defensive unit.

This is obviously useful information to have when considering tough start/sit decisions or who to pay for in daily fantasy.

Below are the top five defensive units in fantasy points allowed by position, with some quick thoughts on Week 3 match ups.


Running Back



Lamar Miller, Jay Ajayi, Carlos Hyde, and Ty Montgomery are in prime positions to dominate this week. Montgomery very likely comes out of Week 3 as the reigning top scorer in fantasy for running backs.
• There should be plenty to go around for the Detroit Lions’ backfield, with the line on this game opening up at 49 points. The Falcons are awful against pass-catching running backs which is good news for Riddick. My not-so-bold prediction is Abdullah become the first Lions’ running back to hit the century mark since Reggie Bush in 2013.
• Stewart and McCaffrey are becoming an effective duo for fantasy purposes and that continues this week against the New Orleans Saints.
• The Dallas Cowboys give up an average of 30 points per game to running backs, which makes us miss David Johnson even more.

Wide Receiver



• With Greg Olsen out, Kelvin Benjamin’s stock sky rockets. His ceiling is through the roof against the Saints this week, and we should kick Funchess and Shepard up our ranks as well.
• With Corey Coleman breaking his hand and Kenny Britt trending down, Rishard Higgins is a must-add in all formats this week, especially with this juicy matchup against the Colts in front of him this week.
DeAndre Hopkins leads all receivers with 29 targets, and likely goes over 40 this week against the pass-friendly Patriots.
• Baldwin is the guy in Seattle, but Lockett and Richardson have a ton of upside. Lock Baldwin in, but good luck figuring out who to play between Lockett and Richardson. Lean Lockett in leagues that reward return points.
• Everyone’s favorite cornerback-sensitive receiver gets Patrick Peterson this week. Bryant leads all receivers with six targets from the 10-zone, arguably the most valuable target in football. Look for Williams and Beasley to benefit from the attention Bryant will see.
• It is fantastic to see Keenan Allen healthy and he already looks to be paying off at his ADP. He is a top target in daily fantasy for me this week against the Kansas City Cheifs.
• There is a major question mark at quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings. Their match up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week has all of us, especially Diggs and Theilen, hoping Sam Bradford is back.
• On the other side of the ball, Xavier Rhodes will have the tall task of containing Mike Evans. Regardless of his ability, the Vikings are averaging 39 points a game to receivers.
• As much fun as Allen should be this week, the same can be said for Tyreek Hill. This is a great matchup on both sides, and deploying the opposing receiver strategy could pay off this week.

Tight End



• The Jets are a total dumpster fire, but there is fantasy value in there (see Jermaine Kearse). Austin Sefarian-Jenkins returns from suspension this week. If you need a reason to get excited, think back to Gary Barnidge’s career-year with Josh McCown.
Jacoby Brissett is a major upgrade over Scott Tolzein. Just ask Jack Doyle, who caught all eight of his targets for 79 yards last week. He gets the Browns this week, who are ranked 31st against tight ends.
• Watson proved he was alive and well last week. After seeing just one target in Week 1, he led all Ravens in targets in Week 2. In Week 3 he faces a rather stout Jacksonville defense that is susceptible to tight ends thus far in 2017. Boyle and Williams could steal targets here, but Watson’s Week 2 usage is encouraging.
• The New England Patriots are allowing an average of 19 points per game to tight ends. Ryan Griffin is expected back this week for the Texans, but it is the DeAndre Hopkins show thus far.
• The Panthers offense in general will eat against their division rival New Orleans Saints. Greg Olsen broke my heart when he broke his foot. I doubt Dickson sees the targets Olsen does, but he could steal a touchdown in this game.


As the season progresses, we will pile up more data about the types of numbers defenses give up to positions. Our Fantasy Points Allowed tool is updated weekly, and eventually will reflect four week averages, which we should weigh heavier as the season progresses. Knowing how a defense performs against a position is key to winning the match ups each week.