Week 12 Fantasy Football Defense Rankings: Lions DST Ranks In The Top Five

Welcome to Week 12!
The NFL schedule goes back to a four-team bye week, as the Chargers, Commanders, Broncos, and Dolphins are off. That obviously leaves us without each of their defenses, all of which can be considered viable weekly starters when the matchup is favorable.
There are longer any International Games left on the schedule, so the Sunday slate starts at 1pm ET with seven games. There are four games in the 4pm ET window, followed of course by the usual Sunday night and Monday night contests to end the weekend’s action.
This week’s defense risers in the rankings include the Ravens, Patriots, and Browns, all of whom have great matchups next on the schedule. On the flip side, defensive units like the Chiefs, Colts, and Eagles could struggle versus tougher foes.
With that said, here are my complete fantasy football defense rankings for Week 12 of the NFL season.
Be sure to check back all week for daily updates!
All Positions: QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | FLEX | Ks
Week 12 Fantasy Defense Rankings
RK | Player | TM | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Seahawks | SEA | at TEN |
2 | Ravens | BAL | vs. NYJ |
3 | Lions | DET | vs. NYG |
4 | Packers | GB | vs. MIN |
5 | Patriots | NE | at CIN |
6 | Bills | BUF | at HOU |
7 | Browns | CLE | at LV |
8 | Raiders | LV | vs. CLE |
9 | Falcons | ATL | at NO |
10 | Rams | LAR | vs. TB |
11 | Cardinals | ARI | vs. JAC |
12 | 49ers | SF | vs. CAR |
13 | Steelers | PIT | at CHI |
14 | Saints | NO | vs. ATL |
15 | Vikings | MIN | at GB |
16 | Bears | CHI | vs. PIT |
17 | Jaguars | JAC | at ARI |
18 | Chiefs | KC | vs. IND |
19 | Panthers | CAR | at SF |
20 | Titans | TEN | vs. SEA |
21 | Eagles | PHI | at DAL |
22 | Texans | HOU | vs. BUF |
23 | Jets | NYJ | at BAL |
24 | Colts | IND | at KC |
25 | Buccaneers | TB | at LAR |
26 | Bengals | CIN | vs. NE |
27 | Cowboys | DAL | vs. PHI |
28 | Giants | NYG | at DET |

Michael Fabiano is a fantasy football analyst for Sports Illustrated. His weekly rankings and Start 'Em, Sit 'Em articles are must-reads for fantasy players. He is also the co-host of the Fantasy Dirt Podcast on SI. Before joining SI in August 2020, he worked for CBS Sports, NFL Network and SiriusXM. He also contributes to Westwood One Radio. Fabiano was the first fantasy analyst to appear on one of the four major TV networks and is a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association Hall of Fame.
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