| Rank |
Team |
Opponent |
Comments |
| TIER 1 |
| 1 |
Broncos |
at Raiders |
Oakland isn't quite as turnover friendly as you might expect, but between Denver's sacks and a league-high seven return TDs the Broncos shouldn't have much difficulty getting theirs this week. |
| 2 |
Buccaneers |
vs. Eagles |
The Bucs rank fourth in the league in picks, but Philly's turnover of choice is the fumble. Either works. |
| 3 |
Bears |
at Vikings |
No Brian Urlacher and a run-heavy Vikings game plan will limit scoring opportunities for the Bears defense... but you know they'll still find a way. |
| 4 |
Browns |
vs. Chiefs |
No team gives the ball away more frequently than the Chiefs; even a mid-tier defense like the Browns can take advantage. |
| 5 |
Bengals |
vs. Cowboys |
One of the top pass rushes in the league against a banged-up offensive line and a pick-prone quarterback. Hey, sounds like a plan! |
| 6 |
Chargers |
at Steelers |
This would be a whole lot more exciting from the Chargers' side of the equation if it were Charlie Batch and not Ben Roethlisberger. |
| TIER 2 |
| 7 |
Packers |
vs. Lions |
No Mathews, no Woodson... no matter; no team has served up more DST scores than the Lions. |
| 8 |
Jets |
at Jaguars |
The Jets may not have the best quarterback on the field, but they're still ballin' defensively. |
| 9 |
Rams |
at Bills |
Jeff Fisher's defense has been pretty doggone good, and while the Bills haven't been overly turnover friendly there's more than enough here to work with. |
| 10 |
49ers |
vs. Dolphins |
San Fran's D hasn't been the stone cold lock many expected--or drafted--back in August, but they're coming on of late. |
| 11 |
Giants |
vs. Saints |
We've seen Drew Brees make mistakes, especially with his protection banged up; who better to encourage those mistakes than the Giants' pass rush? |
| 12 |
Patriots |
vs. Texans |
Bill Belichick's defense has been extremely opportunistic this year, but the Texans aren't inclined to give up too many opportunities. |
| 13 |
Ravens |
at Redskins |
It's Ed Reed vs. RG3, but the Redskins are one of only two teams not to have surrendered a defensive or return TD |
| 14 |
Seahawks |
vs. Cardinals |
Seattle ranks just outside the top five in sacks, but Arizona's offensive line can single-handedly vault them to the top of the charts. |
| TIER 3 |
| 15 |
Falcons |
at Panthers |
Thought we'd see more from the Atlanta defense this season, but aside from a bunch of interceptions they haven't really delivered. |
| 16 |
Steelers |
vs. Chargers |
This certainly isn't your father's Steel Curtain, or even your older brother's, but a banged up offensive line and rattled Philip Rivers could rekindle some memories. |
| 17 |
Texans |
at Patriots |
Houston has been a solid fantasy defense all year, but a date with the largely mistake-free Patriots should send you looking for an alternative. |
| 18 |
Cardinals |
at Seahawks |
A defense that ranks in the top five in sacks and picks is managing to keep Arizona in games they have no business being in. |
| 19 |
Redskins |
vs. Ravens |
It's not that far from home, but Joe Flacco on the road is an opportunity for any defense. |
| 20 |
Bills |
vs. Rams |
Buffalo's best hope for DST points is in the return game, but St. Louis has been solid on special teams. |
| 21 |
Titans |
at Colts |
Andrew Luck still ranks among the league leaders in interceptions, but a home date and three months of maturity certainly mitigate the odds in his favor. |
| 22 |
Cowboys |
at Bengals |
Andy Dalton's mistake-free spree ended with a thud last week; are the Cowboys capable of keeping the pressure on? |
| 23 |
Vikings |
vs. Bears |
Jared Allen & Co. whiffed miserably the last time they faced Jay Cutler and the Bears, so it's tough to trust them in the rematch. |
| 24 |
Panthers |
vs. Falcons |
Matty Ice has morphed into Matty INT at times this season, but with only eight picks on the year Carolina seems ill-equipped to take advantage. |
| TIER 4 |
| 25 |
Colts |
vs. Titans |
No team has generated fewer takeaways than the Colts, but Tennessee's patchwork offensive line could spark a change led by the dynamic duo of Freeney and Mathis. |
| 26 |
Dolphins |
at 49ers |
You'd like to think Jim Harbaugh learned something about running the option at his own goal line. |
| 27 |
Jaguars |
vs. Jets |
Expect a conservative game plan from Gang Green--not that they'd need to worry against a Jacksonville defense that doesn't pressure the quarterback or generate turnovers. |
| 28 |
Saints |
at Giants |
Aside from the occasional Eli brain fart the Giants haven't given up much to opposing defenses. And the Saints haven't been particularly adept at producing those opportunities. |
| 29 |
Chiefs |
at Browns |
Eleven turnovers, 21 sacks... the Chiefs defense has been anything but offensive. |
| 30 |
Lions |
at Packers |
Despite giving up 39 sacks, the Packers are near the bottom of the league in fumbles and picks and have yet to serve up a defensive or return TD. |
| 31 |
Raiders |
vs. Broncos |
No club has generated fewer defensive fantasy points than the Raiders; Peyton Manning is unlikely to help Oakland turn that around. |
| 32 |
Eagles |
at Buccaneers |
Few teams protect the quarterback or the ball better than Tampa Bay, and the Eagles are in no shape to threaten them. |
Facebook 
Twitter 
Mobile
