Week 12 Fantasy Rankings: The Top 5 Team Defenses

Many of the top fantasy defenses for Week 12, such as the Green Bay Packers and Baltimore Ravens, played on Thanksgiving Day, and in the case of the Ravens at least their fantasy owners were rewarded nicely as Baltimore rolled up nine sacks in their win over the San Francisco 49ers.

However, if you're still in the market for a team defense for this 12th week of the 2011 fantasy football campaign here's a quick look at the top five units still remaining this week.

5. St. Louis Rams (vs. ARI)

The St. Louis Rams aren't a whole lot to look at on paper, ranking a mediocre 22nd in the NFL in total defense, but it's hard not to like their matchup this week with an Arizona Cardinals squad that has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to opposing defenses.

4. Chicago Bears (at OAK)

Fantasy's top defense through 11 weeks may be hurt somewhat by the blow to the Chicago Bears offense caused by quarterback Jay Cutler's absence but they still have a fairly solid matchup with the Raiders in Oakland Sunday afternoon.

3. Cincinnati Bengals (vs. CLE)

The Cincinnati Bengals are sixth in the National Football League in total defense and seventh in scoring defense entering this week and face off with a Cleveland Browns team that has been an offensive mess for much of the season.

2. New York Jets (vs. BUF)

The loss of running back Fred Jackson for the season and recent struggles of quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick make the Buffalo Bills a very tasty matchup for fantasy football's ninth-ranked defense this week in the Big Apple.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers (at KC)

The Pittsburgh Steelers formidable defense, which ranks second in total defense and third in points allowed, gets a dream matchup Sunday night with an injury-riddled Kansas City Chiefs team featuring Tyler Palko at quarterback.