Fantasy Football: Week 3 Kicker and Defense Rankings

MIAMI, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- Week 3 commences with a battle featuring a third string quarterback vying to keep the New England Patriots undefeated on Thursday Night Football against the Houston Texans.

That also means time is running out for you to set your fantasy football team's lineup. One of the most underrated decisions when setting that lineup comes from the kicker and defense slots. It is important to not only know your fantasy team, but also the dynamic of the teams that you decide to lean on for a victory. Will your kicker get opportunities for a lot of extra points or field goal attempts? Does your defense have a shot at being on the wrong end of a blowout? Knowing the answers to these questions can mean the difference between a win and a loss, or between starting the season 1-2 or 0-3 for some owners.

Here are my top 20 defense/special teams units and top 15 kickers for Week 3. You can also look at my top add/drops for the week and visit other positional rankings, in the links below.

TOP SHELF

My top-rated fantasy football defense for Week 3 is the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers have allowed 24 points per game through two weeks. But the Panthers have allowed 304 yards per game, the seventh fewest in the NFL. The Vikings have averaged 292 yards per game so far. I don't think the Vikings' offense can quickly recover from the loss of Adrian Peterson. I also think the Arizona Cardinals can capitalize off of a Buffalo Bills offense in shambles this week and put up top-5 production.

Cardinals kicker Chandler Catanzaro should show plenty of leg against the Bills in what I think will be a blowout. Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer looked liked his 2015-regular-season-self last week and I expect more of the same here, opening the door for many extra point attempts and field goals. Mason Crosby could be in a similar situation this weekend as the Green Bay Packers host the Detroit Lions. This has to be the week when Aaron Rodgers returns to glory as he heads back to Lambeau Field. Crosby is in line for a big day, especially if the Packers click and score upwards of 35 points.

SNEAKY PLAYS

The Miami Dolphins are a terrific streaming option this week. In its first home game of 2016, the Dolphins welcome the Cleveland Browns. Rookie quarterback Cody Kessler will have his first start Sunday on the road for the Browns with Terrelle Pryor as his top receiving target and a cast of Andrew Hawkins, Rashard Higgins, and Ricardo Louis as alternate pass catchers. All of that makes for excellent opposition for the Dolphins' defensive unit. I also like the Packers' defense against the Detroit Lions this week. As previously mentioned, this game could get ugly fast if the Packers click early at home.

Seattle Seahawks kicker Steven Hauschka battles the San Francisco 49ers in a game I would label as offensively challenged. Look for Hauschka to benefit from the Seahawks' red zone struggles and also hit a few attempts from long range here. I also like Pittsburgh Steelers' Chris Boswell this week against the Philadelphia Eagles. Boswell is part of an exciting Steelers offense and has a good leg. I could see this being an underrated interstate game with plenty of points.

LONGSHOTS

Arrowhead Stadium will be the stage for a battle between the Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets. I think the Chiefs can do enough to win this one and it will be because of its defense. I don't see Matt Forte putting up back-to-back stellar weeks, especially in this venue, forcing the game into the hands of quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. It looks like the New York Giants' offseason spending spree is paying dividends through two games. The Giants held New Orleans Saints gunslinger to one touchdown and 263 yards last week. I don't see a struggling Kirk Cousins doing much better.

Although the Atlanta Falcons could get blown out, I think Matt Bryant holds some value this weekend against the Saints. I expect an offensive extravaganza here, but I don't think the Falcons can keep up the scoring pace with Brees, giving Bryant more shots for three points. The Dolphins' Andrew Franks is another underrated pick this week against the Browns. Franks could sneak into the top-10 in Week 3 with a solid performance at home.