Seattle Seahawks

Fantasy Football: Is 49ers Week 3 Defense Worth Starting versus Seahawks?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Not too many fantasy football owners will be relying on the San Francisco 49ers defense this season. But a Week 3 contest against a struggling Seattle Seahawks offense might be worth a gamble.

OK, fantasy football general managers. Maybe some of you aren’t exactly getting the performance out of your fantasy team’s defense and special teams through two weeks of the 2016 NFL season.

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Maybe you banked on the Jacksonville Jaguars, and all their offseason defensive upgrades, to be better than what they are this year.

They’ve mustered 10 total fantasy points over two weeks, according to CBS Sports’ standard-fantasy scoring system, by the way.

So if you’re scrounging the last-minute waiver wire, you might want to consider adding — and even starting — the San Francisco 49ers D/ST as they take on the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3.

The 49ers shouldn’t be considered a top-tier fantasy option. Any defense opposite a Chip Kelly offense is going to struggle. And the Niners are playing in Seattle — a place they haven’t won since 2011.

But San Francisco’s defense could turn some heads in Week 3. This unit is currently ranked seventh with 29 fantasy points so far (thank you, Los Angeles Rams). And the D/ST will be facing off against the offensively challenged Seahawks.

Sep 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is pressured by Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) during a NFL game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Seattle is next to last in points scored (15) and 25th in total yards gained (497). A permeable offensive line — ranked dead last in pass protection, per Pro Football Reference — could lead to multiple sacks of injury-laden Hawks quarterback Russell Wilson.

Even if the 49ers’ struggling pass rush doesn’t get to Wilson, the lack of any Seahawks offensive prowess could mean the Niners defense actually posts some decent numbers.

Oh, and San Francisco’s defense has generated six turnovers over two games — good for second in the league so far.

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And San Francisco veteran kicker Phil Dawson? He’s 15-of-18 in his career against Seattle. And the Niners probably won’t find the end zone much in Week 3.

You could do worse than roll with the 49ers D/ST against Seattle. It’s a gamble (we know Wilson and Co. could easily explode versus the Niners).

But it could easily be a quick way to seize a Week 3 fantasy football victory.

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of ESPN.com, Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated.

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