NFL Fantasy Football Week 12 Rankings: Kickers & Defense

Here’s my Week 12 kicker rankings.

1. Matt Bryant (ATL) vs. GB:  Has 8 FGs in the past three games. GB has allowed 16 FGs.
2. David Akers (PHI) @ CHI:  Double-digit points in past four games.
3. Sebastian Janikowski (OAK) vs. MIA:  Leads league with 23 FGs. Dolphins have allowed 18 FGs.
4. Neil Rackers (HOU) vs. TEN:  Has 16 FGs. Titans have allowed league-high 27 FGs.
5. Nick Folk  (NYJ) vs. CIN:  Has 8 FGs in past 3 games. Cincy has allowed17 FGs.
6. Rob Bironas (TEN) @ HOU:  Multiple FGs in 6 of past 8 games. Texans have allowed 16 FGs.
7. Dan Carpenter (MIA) @ OAK:  Burned me last week, but should bounce back.
8. Graham Gano (WAS) vs. MIN:  I’m expecting bend, but don’t break defense from Vikes. Multiple FGs.
9. Adam Vinatieri (IND) vs. SD:  17 FGs on the year. SD has allowed 16.
10. Billy Cundiff (BAL) vs. TB:  10 FGs in past 4 games.
11. Robbie Gould (CHI) vs. PHI:  5 FGs in past 2 games.
12. Matt Prater (DEN) vs. STL:  Rams have allowed 24 FGs on the year.
13. Josh Brown (STL) @ DEN:  Has multiple FGs in 7 of 10 games this year.
14. Mason Crosby (GB) @ ATL:  8 of his 14 FGs have come from 40+ yards.
15. John Kasay (CAR) @ CLE:  5 FGs in past two games.

Here’s my Week 12 team defense rankings.

1. Philadelphia @ Chicago
2. Cleveland vs. Carolina
3. New York Giants vs. Jacksonville
4. New York Jets vs. Cincinnati (Thursday)
5. San Francisco @ Arizona (Monday)
6. Pittsburgh @ Buffalo
7. Minnesota @ Washington
8. Kansas City @ Seattle
9. New England @ Detroit (Thursday)
10. Baltimore vs. Tampa Bay
11. New Orleans @ Dallas (Thursday)
12. Washington vs. Minnesota
13. Oakland vs. Miami
14. Miami @ Oakland
15. Green Bay @ Atlanta

Inside the numbers:

• Philadelphia’s aggressive defense should not bode well for Jay Cutler, who has a tendency to get sacked and throw picks.
• When was the last time the Browns were thought about as a good fantasy defense option? It’s a combination of their improvement and Carolina's ineptitude.
• Both New York teams make solid plays this week. On a side note, who would have thought without T.O. the Bills would have a better offense than Cincy with him (not that I’m blaming T.O.)?
• The Niners looked awful last week, but they should get a reprieve against the Cardinals.
• I think the Vikings will look more like last year’s version with the coaching change. The players’ hearts weren’t in it for Brad Childress. That said, Washington is a decent play this week because of Favre’s tendency to get sacked and throw picks.

Here’s my Week 12 IDP rankings.

1. Jerod Mayo (NE) @DET:  Averaging 13.3 tackles over past seven games.
2. Paul Posluszny (BUF) vs. PIT:  Averaging 12.5 tackles over past four games.
3. Chad Greenway (MIN) @WAS:  Averaging 9.9 tackles per game this year.
4. Stephen Tulloch (TEN) @HOU:  Averaging 10.4 tackles over past eight games.
5. Patrick Willis (SF) @ ARI:  Averaging 11 tackles over past four games.
6. London Fletcher (WAS) vs. MIN:  Averaging 9.2 tackles per game this year.
7. James Anderson (CAR) @CLE:  Should bounce back trying to stop Peyton Hillis.
8. Ray Lewis (BAL) vs. TB:  Averaging 9.5 tackles over past four games.
9. Dhani Jones (CIN) @ NYJ:  Averaging 10.0 tackles over past three games.
10. Donte Whitner (BUF) vs. PIT:  Averaging 8.6 tackles this year.
11. Curtis Lofton (ATL) vs. GB:  Averaging 8.8 tackles over past five games.
12. Derrick Johnson (KC) @ SEA:  Averaging 8.1 tackles for the year.
13. Karlos Dansby (MIA) @ OAK:  Averaging 8.8 tackles over past five games.
14. E.J. Henderson (MIN) @ WAS:  Averaging 8.0 tackles over past three games.
15. James Harrison (PIT) @ BUF:  Averaging 6.3 tackles and a sack over past four games.

Also check out:

• Sneaky Week 12 Fantasy Football Pick-ups
• Week 12 Get ‘em or Don’t Sweat ‘em Waiver Wire Advice
• Week 12 Fantasy QB Rankings
• Week 12 Fantasy RB Rankings
• Week 12 Fantasy WR Rankings
• Week 12 Fantasy TE Rankings
• Week 12 Sit-Start Advice
• Week 12 Fantasy Sleepers