Week 13 Fantasy Football Projections: Predicting the Top D/ST Performances

In fantasy football, defense can certainly win you championships. Takeaways and sacks add up, and holding a team to a low-scoring total means a few extra points tossed your fantasy team's way.

In Week 13, there are a number of defensive mismatches; if you are lucky enough to start one of these four defenses, you're likely to see a boost to your overall bottom line this week.

San Francisco 49ers (vs. St. Louis Rams)

The San Francisco 49ers defense leads the league in turnovers, with 15 interceptions and 15 forced fumbles on the year (11 recovered) and hasn't allowed a rushing touchdown all season.

That's going to prove the biggest challenge for the St. Louis Rams to overcome this week, and if history is any indicator, they're not going to have much luck.

Rams quarterback Sam Bradford has thrown five interceptions to just six touchdowns this year and has lost fumbled balls seven times and has been sacked 33 times.

He's like a sitting duck to the Niners brutal defensive attack and, as such, if you're planning on starting the San Francisco defense this week, you should have a great showing.

Baltimore Ravens (at Cleveland Browns)

With the No. 1 defense in the NFL through 12 weeks, the Baltimore Ravens are yet again one of the most fearsome squads an offense can face.

They've notched 38 sacks, 12 interceptions and 16 forced fumbles with 10 recoveries this year, and have scored four touchdowns directly upon forcing a turnover.

Now they're up against the Cleveland Browns and their struggling offense, led by quarterback Colt McCoy. McCoy has thrown eight interceptions this year, taken 26 sacks and has fumbled 10 times, losing two.

Vulnerable to pressure, McCoy will likely be battered all day by the Ravens defense this week. There's never a good reason to bench the league's top defense, but this week when you start them, you will be handsomely rewarded.

Chicago Bears (vs. Kansas City Chiefs)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Tyler Palko has taken quite a beating in his two starts, and it should be more of the same in his third as he faces down the Chicago Bears venerable defense.

On defense, the Bears have sacked quarterbacks 22 times, picked them off 16 times and forced 10 fumbles, eight of which they've recovered, and scored four touchdowns off of turnovers.

At the same time, Palko has thrown six interceptions and zero touchdowns in two games, has been sacked four times and has lost a fumble.

It's surprising that Chiefs head coach Todd Haley hasn't yet chosen to switch from Palko to recently-acquired quarterback Kyle Orton (himself a former Bear). But that's nothing but good news for fantasy owners starting the Chicago defense this week.

New York Jets (at Washington Redskins)

The one thing the New York Jets have going for it on a consistent basis is its defense, and they get a major favor handed their way this week as they take on the Rex Grossman-led Washington Redskins.

Grossman, who took over for the failing John Beck earlier this season, hasn't looked that much better himself. He's thrown 14 interceptions to just 10 touchdowns, has been sacked 16 times and has lost two fumbles.

The New York Jets field the No. 3 defense in the NFL, sacking opposing quarterbacks 22 times this season, picking them off 13 times, forcing 13 fumbles and recovering seven and scoring three touchdowns upon nabbing a turnover.

Considering that their offense, led by quarterback Mark Sanchez, has done the team few favors this year, often the only thing keeping them in games is their defense.

The Redskins, however, have even more problems on offense than the Jets do, which will play right into the hands of the New York defense and likely sealing a win for their team. In turn, this will only benefit your fantasy team; expect the Jets defense to snag a pair of interceptions on Sunday.