Week 7 Fantasy Football Rankings: Top 5 D/ST Plays This Weekend

Little emphasis is placed on finding a good defense in fantasy football drafts. However, it's often the difference in winning matchups or having negative points on the board.

The Week 8 matchups are favorable for some of the league's best D/STs. Thursday night boasted two of the best in the business, as the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks were deadlocked in a struggle for most of the night.

Looking ahead, two prime-time matchups feature the best defenses the NFL has to offer. Here are five defenses worth a look this week. They are in descending order to add a little suspense to an otherwise unattractive part of your fantasy lineup.

5. Indianapolis Colts

Underwhelming in the last two weeks, the Colts get a favorable matchup at home against the Cleveland Browns, even though Brandon Weeden is coming off a great performance in his team's win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

It looks as if Dwight Freeney will be available to play despite an ankle injury, which is more good news for the defense.

"

Colts | Dwight Freeney plans to play despite injury: Indianapolis Colts LB Dwight Freeney (ankle) said he plans ... bit.ly/R45Pa3

— Colts Insider (@Colts_Insider) October 18, 2012"

In the first four weeks of the season, the Browns allowed double-digit fantasy points to opposing defenses. Look for the Colts to get back to that at home, when their pass rush figures to mess with  Weeden's rookie QB mind.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers

They haven't been overly impressive, but after allowing 26 points to Tennessee, it's about time the Steelers' defense reasserted itself. Facing the Bengals in an AFC North matchup, the Steelers won't have it easy against A.J. Green.

However, they've forced a turnover in every game this season, and Andy Dalton hasn't had great games against the Steelers in his young career. Play the Steelers with confidence this weekend.

3. Dallas Cowboys

Looking to make a statement while sitting at 2-3, Rob Ryan's defense is desperate to create turnovers. With only 10 sacks and four turnovers, they haven't been a solid play in most leagues.

But against Carolina, they'll get a turnover-happy Cam Newton and still have big-play threats Lance Dunbar and Dez Bryant in the return game. This could be the breakout game of the season for this defense, so grab it if someone in your league dropped it after its poor showing against the Ravens.

2. Chicago Bears

Chicago gets the marquee Monday night matchup against the Detroit Lions. QB Matthew Stafford has fallen ill with the turnover bug, and although the Lions put up huge offensive numbers, they will hand the ball over.

Why would that change against Chicago? A shaky running game headlined by Mikel Leshoure will face its first true test against a stingy run defense, and the Bears' secondary is playing great football right now. Expect the Bears to force a couple of turnovers and record a few sacks, even though I think this game will go down to the wire.

1. Minnesota Vikings

The special-teams play of Minnesota has been topnotch this season, and the defense hasn't been half-bad, either. Although the Vikings were embarrassed by RG3 and the Washington Redskins, they get new starter John Skelton and the Cardinals at home this weekend.

Skelton has been a turnover machine, and without the benefit of the four weeks of timing and rhythm that Kevin Kolb had with these receivers, he could have a long day in Minnesota.

Additionally, the running game is hurting, and any one of the Cardinals' three running backs could get carries. This looks like the most favorable matchup of the week, so make sure the Vikings are in your lineup on Sunday.