Week 14 Rankings: D/STs

No time for risks if you're in the playoffs. You have to decide what gives you the best chance of winning. That's it. It's that simple. Sure Brees just threw five picks last week, but is it really worth playing the Giants over a Steelers or Cardinals unit? Probably not. I'm not saying you have to stay safe on all accounts, but you'll be beating yourself up more if your risk play doesn't work out rather than your safe play. I promise you. "Always Start Your Studs" applies to defenses to a certain degree, too.

Rank	D/ST	Opp	Comments
1	49ers	MIA	The Fins will have to face a league-best defense that's angry from losing the week before. Yikes.
2	Seahawks	ARI	Skelton, Lindley, it doesn't matter. QB is not the issue. It's the five guys the Cards throw out there and call an O-line.
3	Broncos	@OAK	Palmer has shockingly kept the turnovers to a minimum so far but this is a very good fantasy defense.
4	Bears	@MIN	Can't sit them against anyone, even the Minnesota Petersons. And the Petersons will be missing Harvin, too.
5	Steelers	@SD	Best statistical defense in the league and Philip Rivers is one false start from having a complete meltdown.
6	Browns	@KC	This defense is underrated. And the Chiefs are the most generous team in the league to opposing fantasy D/STs.
7	Cardinals	@SEA	They may keep losing, but this is an elite defense. This squad under Ray Horton has been phenomenal.
8	Buccaneers	PHI	I can't put any eggs in that Nick Foles basket that has all of Philadelphia delusional. Not happening.
9	Jets	@JAC	If there's no Jones-Drew, I can't believe that Jaguars will just be running up the score on the Jets.
10	Rams	@BUF	Fitzpatrick, while the King of Garbage Time, still turns it over. Also, three defensive scores in the past two games.
11	Falcons	@CAR	Newton's best game this year came against the Falcons, but something tells me it won't be as easy this time.
12	Jaguars	NYJ	QB situation is a big enough mess that any team can take advantage of it, even the Jags. Right?
13	Patriots	HOU	Tough play but this team can force turnovers. There is obvious risk though.
14	Giants	NO	Well, we know Brees is human now. He surprisingly leads the league in interceptions.
15	Chargers	PIT	This obviously goes up just a few stops if Big Ben ends up inactive.
16	Cowboys	@CIN	I have too much faith in the Cowboys CBs to believe AJ Green shatters this defense. Cincy protects well, though.
17	Packers	DET	Stafford does throw picks but he also leads the league in passing yards.
18	Ravens	@WSH	Tough to bet against RGIII but it's nice knowing if there is a turnover, it'll likely go for six. Jacoby Jones helps, too.
19	Texans	@NE	Pats give up the least amount of fantasy points to opposing defenses. This would be the squad to change that, though.
20	Bengals	DAL	"Uh oh, Pacman Jones has a "double chip" on his shoulder," said no one.
21	Dolphins	@SF	I'm torn on Kaepernick. He's a great fantasy QB, but not a great QB. He showed last week that he helps D/STs though.
22	Bills	STL	The Rams offense is starting to get things going. Hell, they toppled the Niners without Amendola.
23	Colts	TEN	They've got a nice matchup but they've just been so bad this season.
24	Vikings	CHI	Cutler's known to turn it over now and again but Brandon Marshall is going to have a monster game.
25	Lions	@GB	Chance for sacks against a pretty bad O-line, but too risky with such a prolific offense.
26	Chiefs	@CLE	Weeden's been fantastic lately and they'd have to contain that Richardson guy, too. No thanks.
27	Redskins	BAL	Flacco has had his troubles on the road but the Redskins haven't shown any signs of defensive life.
28	Panthers	ATL	I guess there's a chance Matt Ryan throws five picks, but there's always a chance he throws five TDs.
29	Titans	@IND	I'm not trusting them to stop Andrew Luck trying to make a playoff push.
30	Raiders	DEN	Come on, it's Peyton. They haven't stopped much of anything all year.
31	Saints	@NYG	You can't risk playing them against anyone, let alone the Giants.
32	Eagles	@TB	This is an offense often overlooked and a defense getting worse and worse.