Real football isn't all about the offensive players. Why should be any different? Every week here in Reading the Defense, we're looking back at the fantasy week that was in IDP formats and offering help for the week that's to come.Game BallsDefensive line: There's not a lot to like about the this season, but for at least one week, offered a ray of hope. The fifth-year player is getting his first chance to be a regular contributor after languishing in a reserve role in Washington for four seasons. With Chicago trading veteran pa s rusher , there could be more chances for Jenkins to chase down quarterbacks. Linebacker: After getting thumped by the in Week 2, the defense Kyle Long Jersey exacted a measure of revenge against and the in Week 3. led the way with a pair of interceptions -- including a pick-six -- on his way to a 17-point fantasy day. In his second NFL season, Brown has taken over the middle linebacker spot vacated when was traded to Philadelphia. After logging 109 tackles as a rookie, his arrow is definitely pointing up.Defensive back: Just in case you forgot, is still one of the most dynamic defensive playmakers in the league. The Honey Badger snagged two of 's four interceptions and took one of them back for a score. The defense has been among the league's best through the first three weeks, thanks in part of Mathieu's play in the secondary. The Week 4 contest against the looks to be an equally favorable matchup.What went wrong is certainly good, but he wouldn't be able to get over on , right? Right?! Uh, apparently not. The veteran corner had a tough time staying with the rookie and eventually had to leave the game with a rib injury. It's still po sible that Haden plays next week against the and hopefully he won't be as flummoxed by . is usually a tackling machine. That didn't happen in the Week 3 win over the . The playmaking linebacker recorded just one Walter Payton Jersey solo tackle and a mere 2.50 fantasy points. Trevathan should challenge for the team lead in tackles by the end of the season, so you can chalk this up to one bad day. He should have plenty Richard Dent Jersey of chances to get back on track next week against and the .Week 4 boomer, DL, : Obviously, is all about matchups, and on the offensive side we haven't been afraid to pick on the . If you have an IDP option going against the Misfortune of the Midway, don't hesitate to throw them out there. After logging his first two sacks of the season in Week 3, Mack could be on track for another big week against and the haple s .Week 4 buster, DL, : It's been a miserable start to the season for . The veteran pa s rusher has dealt with a nagging hamstring injury that hasn't kept him off the field, but has certainly hampered his production. Wake finally made the stat sheet with one-half sack in last week's lo s to Buffalo. Now he'll have to travel east of the Atlantic and fight through a offensive line that has been pretty stout so far this year.Week 4 sleeper, LB, : The certainly had high hopes for Kendricks in his rookie season and he started to show that promise in Week 3. The UCLA product recorded nine tackles, playing mostly in pa sing down situations. With Minnesota set to visit the , there could be plenty of snaps to be played. His outlook is especially encouraging against a team struggling to run the football effectively.Four downsFirst down: The defense hasn't been bad this season, but they will have Mitchell Trubisky Jersey to survive without defensive end for at least the next eight weeks. The team placed Johnson on IR boomerang with a . The move means that , in a trade with the , will have a chance to contribute right away to a defense that suddenly finds itself short on pa s rushers.Second down: The were busy on Monday, also trading away linebacker to the . Bostic never emerged as the playmaker Chicago hoped he would be and now has a chance to give it a go with the , who will likely use him as a situational linebacker. Don't look for Bostic to become an IDP must-start, but stranger things have happened with "underperforming" players going to a Bill Belichick coached team.Third down: cornerback is expected to slow down the opposition's top wide receivers. That hasn't happened so far this season. In Smith's defense, he's been asked to line up against established veterans like and , and eye-popping rookie . It has led some to wonder if Smith's isn't fully healed. For his part, Smith isn't using it as an excuse, but just watching him would lead you to believe that all is not well.Fourth down: It appears that linebacker for Philly's Week 4 contest against Washington. Kendricks mi sed last week's game against the with a hamstring injury, but should be back to make an impact against an offense that has been inconsistent in the first three weeks of the season.In the latest episode of the the gang recaps the high-scoring Week 3 fantasy slate, discu ses whether or not to panic with struggling RBs, and highlights the top Week 4 waiver targets. Don't forget to subscribe and !Marcas Grant is a fantasy editor for NFL.com. Follow him on Twitter Kyle Fuller Jersey .