Fantasy Football Sleepers 2012: Under-the-Radar Defenses Worthy of Starting

They say that defense wins championships, and although that's hardly the case in fantasy football, a strong starting defense can still go a long way in terms of winning your weekend matchup.

Whether it's the lone shutout that no one sees coming, a timely special-teams touchdown or a turnover frenzy, fantasy defenses prove valuable week in and week out. 

Let's take a look at some under-the-radar defenses worthy of starting slots in Week 1. 

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals ranked towards the middle of the pack defensively in 2011 but will have an added advantage on Sunday when they face off against a rookie quarterback in Seattle's Russell Wilson.

In addition to the quarterback situation, Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch has been suffering from a nagging back injury throughout the summer and is questionable to start in Arizona on Sunday (via ESPN). 

If Lynch is limited, the Seahawks offense will become one dimensional.

Special teams is also where the Cardinals have a real chance to shine in Week 1. Arizona led all teams in punt-return touchdowns last season, scoring four. No other team had more than two.

Although the Cardinals looked down and out during the preseason, their defense and special teams will be energized playing at home against a division rival to open the season.

Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati is on the road in Week 1 to play AFC North foe Baltimore on Monday Night Football. The Bengals defense ranked in the top 10 last season against the pass (ninth) and run (10th).

The Ravens love to do both with Joe Flacco under center and the versatile Ray Rice in the backfield. However, everyone knows offenses take some warming up in the regular season. Just go back and watch the first half of Wednesday night's season opener between the Cowboys and Giants.

It will take at least a half of football for the Ravens offense to start clicking and find its rhythm. That's why I like the Bengals to hold them to very few points on Monday night. 

If Baltimore does score, it will likely be on field goals rather than touchdowns.

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers defense will be on the road this weekend taking on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who looked totally inept offensively at the end of the 2011 season.

Linebacker Jon Beason will anchor Carolina's D, which held the Buccaneers to just 17.5 points per game on average in two meetings last December. 

There will also be plenty of opportunities for the Panthers to earn takeaways in Week 1. No team in the league turned the ball over more than Tampa Bay last season. The Bucs had 40 giveaways in 16 games and boasted a minus-16 turnover differential (worst in the NFL). 

Sure, no one is talking about Carolina's defense this fall, but they will be after Sunday. Don't sleep on the Panthers this weekend.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter All Season Long For More Fantasy Football Analysis.