Week 8 Fantasy Football Rankings: Ravens, 49ers and Defenses Sure To Score Big

Playing the wrong defense in fantasy football can easily come back to haunt you, especially if that team ends up with negative points. 

Some players have even lost a game because they were forced to subtract points thanks to their defense. It's an unfortunate event that happens all too often, which is why you need to know which teams would be wise to start. 

Fantasy football is all about matchups, and while some of the games this weekend don't look all that intriguing to watch, they do make for some good fantasy plays. 

Here are the top three defenses in fantasy football for Week 8. 

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens were embarrassed by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday night, but they managed to still score double-digit points last week. Only field goals were scored, which makes it even worse that they lost the game. 

Baltimore is the best defense in fantasy football, and the Ravens are always capable of scoring more points than you could have ever imagined. 

Well, unless you're quite the day dreamer. 

Ray Lewis and company are back in Baltimore, and they're hosting the struggling Arizona Cardinals. This is a matchup to love, as the Ravens will frustrate Kevin Kolb to no ends. The possibility that Beanie Wells could be out is just icing on the cake.

San Francisco 49ers 

The 49ers are fresh off a bye, which means that intense defense will be well rested and very prepared to stop the sluggish Cleveland Browns. 

San Francisco is second in the NFL against the run, which spells bad news for the Browns since that's really all they are good at. Montario Hardesty carried the ball 33 times last week, and he still didn't score a touchdown.

It's tough to say the same thing will happen again this week, but rest assured knowing that the 49ers won't have any trouble limiting the Browns to few points, as well as creating turnovers and possibly scoring on special teams. It definitely helps that the 49ers are playing at home.   

New York Giants 

If you happen to need a defense, the Giants would be a great pickup since they're only owned in about 55 percent of leagues. 

The Giants host the slumping Miami Dolphins on Sunday, and it will be too easy for them, especially since they are feeling good after their bye week. 

The Dolphins picked up J.P Losman in case Matt Moore further injures himself, which is a good possibility. Everything is adding up for a big day in the fantasy world for the Giants defense. 

Rounding out my top five for Week 8 would be the Cincinnati Bengals defense against the Seattle Seahawks and the Houston Texans against the Jacksonville Jaguars.