Week 12 NFL Defense (DEF) Fantasy Football Rankings: Stats & Projections

The people of lineups.com have worked tirelessly to bring you are brand new fantasy football rankings for the 2020 NFL season. Along with these rankings we bring you our projections, stats, and defensive rankings. These are the tools you will need for a good season and we hope you check them out.

It was the Falcons to put up the most fantasy football points this week, as they took advantage of Kyle Allen’s struggles, but also had a special teams touchdown. Jameis Winston struggled, and gave up a big fantasy game to the Saints defense, who are about to take on Carolina at home. Cleveland, San Francisco, Baltimore, New England, and the Jets all put up big numbers on the defensive side.Minnesota, Pittsburgh, and Dallas were disappointing.  Kansas City, Minnesota, Los Angeles, and Arizona are all on bye. You can find our season long rankings here.

Week 12 Team Defense Rankings, Stats, Projection

Week 12 Top Options

Things are starting to fall apart for Carolina and Kyle Allen. New Orleans can take advantage of that, especially with the offensive line also struggling. They are among the highest in fantasy points allowed per game to opposing defenses this season, but of course this past week bumped that up. However, over the last four weeks, the Panthers offensive line has allowed 18 sacks. The New Orleans defense was a little shaky last week against Atlanta, but largely they have been one of the better defenses in the league, and can keep the run going after a big game against Tampa. Buffalo will take on Denver, who have allowed the tenth most fantasy points per game. This Bills team continues to have a favorable schedule, which means the defense continues to be in strong spots.

The Bears defense has a chance to shine against the Giants, who have allowed the fourth most fantasy points per game to opposing defenses this season. Chicago’s pass rush will be in a good spot, and Daniel Jones inexperience continues to show with big turnover potential. Pittsburgh has a strong rest of the season for their schedule and fantasy potential on the defensive side, this is highlighted below. The Bengals had another lackluster game against Oakland, and are allowing over nine points per game to opposing defenses. Joe Mixon is the only real threat, but a lack of usage and a good Pittsburgh run defense makes him less of a threat.

Streaming Options

The loss of Myles Garrett for the rest of the season is going to be a hit to the pass rush, but a home game against the Browns is a good streaming matchup for the Browns. They are sitting at 29% owned around the industry, so they are the likely team out there for you to pick up. Cleveland has been able to take advantage of the poorer offenses, and that should be the case again. In fact they have a pretty favorable schedule themselves over the next few weeks, facing Pittsburgh again, Cincinnati, and Arizona. In deeper leagues, both Detroit and Atlanta re the next best options who are going to be out there below 15% ownership. The Falcons will welcome the Buccaneers, and a very turnover prone Jameis Winston. We have seen the upside that the Buccaneers can give an opposing fantasy defense. For one the offensive line continues to struggle, and they have allowed the fourth most sacks per game (3.8). Tampa Bay has turned the ball over 25 times in ten games this season, which is the most in the league. Washington isn’t far behind with 15 turnovers in ten games, and have allowed 2.9 sacks per game. Even with a depleted defense, Detroit is worth a flyer if you are desperate.

Defenses To Avoid

The Colts have had a good fantasy defense this season, and they held their own against Houston earlier this season. Generally the Texans haven’t allowed much production to defenses, although Baltimore will beg to differ. On the road against Houston is a big game, but I worry about the production here for the Colts. There are plenty of options to consider this week over them. The Seahawks look like they allow a ton of fantasy points, but four defensive touchdowns allowed is going to bump them up. While this is a cross country game for the Seahawks, I have my doubts about them slowing down Russell Wilson and forcing turnovers. You can stick with the big named defenses even though they aren’t in ideal matchups. New England welcomes Dallas, and the 49ers welcome Green Bay. Upside is still there for both teams, especially New England. The 49ers have had a stout defense this season, but this will be a test for them.

Planning For Fantasy Playoffs

Weeks 13, 14, 15

Eagles: @Miami, New York Giants, @ Washington

Steelers: Cleveland, @Arizona, Buffalo

Panthers: Washington, @Atlanta, Seattle

Packers:  @New York Giants, Washington, Chicago