Week 12 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2024 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

Joey Pollizze analyzes all 2024 fantasy football Week 12 defenses (DEF) -- streamers, sits/starts, and D/ST waiver wire pickups to add. His Week 12 rankings and tiers for all of the NFL defenses.

Welcome back, RotoBallers, to our Week 12 fantasy football defense streamers and D/ST rankings for the 2024 fantasy football season. Every week, I'll go through the best and worst fantasy defenses. With six teams on bye (Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints, and New York Jets), there will be only 26 defenses to rank this week. 

Although there are six teams on bye this week, there are plenty of great defenses to target and play in Week 12. Almost all of the defenses ranked in the top 10 on this list have top matchups against some of the worst offenses in the NFL. 

So, here are defenses fantasy managers should be starting in Week 12. Below, you will find our tiered fantasy football D/ST rankings. Good luck RotoBallers!

Editor's Note: Stay on top of your draft prep with RotoBaller’s fantasy football rankings, featuring expert analysis, ADPs, and draft insights for both PPR and non-PPR leagues.

Tier 1 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 12

1. Denver Broncos D/ST at LV

DEN favored by 5.5, Total ~41.5

The Broncos defense will come in as the No. 1 fantasy option in Week 12 against the Raiders. Denver is coming off a strong defensive performance last week, holding the Falcons to only six points. Now, this defense gets a Raiders offense that has struggled for most of the year. Las Vegas has allowed 33 sacks through 11 weeks (tied for the fifth-most in the NFL), and Gardner Minshew II has thrown nine interceptions this season. 

So, fantasy managers should be starting the Broncos defense in Week 12. Denver ranks first in sacks (39), first in pass-rush win rate (55%), and top-7 in pressure rate (37.6%). This is also a unit that has totaled at least four sacks in three of the past five games. With Minshew starting again this week, this defense is a must-start. 

2. Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST at CLE

PIT favored by 3.5, Total ~36.5

After looking at what the Steelers defense did to the Ravens last week, this unit should be started in most formats this weekend. Pittsburgh held Baltimore's offense to only 16 points while also totaling two sacks and forcing three turnovers. So, they will be a great play against the Browns on a short week. 

There were so many plays by the defense where you can say, “The Steelers don’t win today without this” but this interception by Payton Wilson is special.

To make an insane INT like that in the 4Q of your first Ravens rivalry game. What a way to arrive.
pic.twitter.com/kgCRhc0FVf

— Daniel Valente (@StatsGuyDaniel) November 17, 2024

Even though Jameis Winston has given the Browns offense a major boost since he has taken over, this is still an elite matchup for the Steelers defense. Cleveland has allowed the most sacks (46) this season, and Winston has been brought down nine times over the past two games. Given that Pittsburgh also ranks tied for second in takeaways (19), it's hard to bench this defense in Week 12. 

3. Houston Texans D/ST vs. TEN

HOU favored by 7.5, Total ~42.5

The Texans defense will be a top-3 play in Week 12 against the Titans. Not only does Houston rank in the top 10 in pressure rate and seventh in sacks, but Tennessee has also had its own troubles protecting the quarterback this season. Will Levis/Mason Rudolph have been sacked 33 times through 11 weeks (tied for fifth-most in the NFL), and Levis has been sacked at least five times in three of his last four full starts. 

As a result, the Texans defense will be a strong play this weekend. Houston ranks second in pass-rush win rate (52%), and the Titans rank 30th in pass-block win rate (51%). On top of that, opposing defenses are averaging 11.1 fantasy points per game against this Tennessee offense this season. 

4. Minnesota Vikings D/ST at CHI

MIN favored by 3.5, Total ~39.5

The Vikings defense will continue to be a strong play in Week 12 against the Bears. This unit ranks tied for third in sacks (35), ninth in pass-rush win rate (45%), and fourth in points allowed per game (17). Minnesota's defense has also totaled at least three sacks in eight of 10 games this season. Now, they get an incredible matchup this weekend. 

The Bears have allowed the second-most sacks this season (41), and Caleb Williams has been brought down 18 times over the last three games. Chicago's offense has also only scored four offensive touchdowns since Week 8. So, make sure to get this Vikings defense in your lineup this week. 

5. Kansas City Chiefs D/ST at CAR

KC favored by 11, Total ~41.5

The Chiefs defense will be a high-floor play in Week 12 against the Panthers. Although Kansas City's defense hasn't scored more than five fantasy points in three straight games, this unit has a nice matchup this weekend. Carolina ranks tied for sixth in giveaways (16) and fourth in points scored per game (16.7) this season. 

While the Panthers haven't allowed many sacks in recent weeks, this is still an offensive line that ranks 27th in pass-block win rate (53%). That is certainly good news for a Chiefs defense that ranks 11th in pass-block win rate (44%) and top-10 in pressure rate through 11 weeks. So, look for this Kansas City defense to have a solid day in Week 12. 

6. Detroit Lions D/ST at IND

DET favored by 7, Total ~50.5

Even without Aidan Hutchinson (leg), this Lions defense continues to play well. They have forced at least one turnover in every game this season and currently rank tied for third in takeaways (19). Now, this Detroit defense gets a solid matchup against the Colts in Week 12.

Although Anthony Richardson played well last week, the Lions could really make things tough for the young quarterback in this game. The addition of Za'Darius Smith -- who totaled three pressures and one sack across 29 snaps last week -- gives Detroit's pass rush a major boost. Given that Richardson has also thrown seven interceptions in six full starts this season, this defensive unit is a strong start in Week 12. 

7. Washington Commanders D/ST vs. DAL

WSH favored by 10, Total ~45.5

With Dak Prescott (hamstring) out for the season and Cooper Rush likely starting again in Week 12, the Commanders defense is a nice play in most formats this weekend. Washington currently ranks eighth in sacks (29) while also ranking fourth in pass-rush win rate (49%) through 11 weeks. Therefore, this defense should be able to get to Rush quite often in this game. 

The Cowboys have allowed at least three sacks in four of the past five games, and this offense has taken a huge step back since Rush has taken over. Since the Commanders have totaled at least two sacks in nine straight games, this is a great matchup for them at home in Week 12. 

Tier 2 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 12

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers D/ST at NYG

TB favored by 5.5, Total ~41.5

I wanted to put the Buccaneers defense higher on this list because this unit will be going up against a Tommy Devito-led offense in Week 12. However, given their struggles on that side of the ball this season, they will be more of a Tier 2 defense this week. Still, Tampa Bay is a great option to roll with this weekend.

Giants QB Tommy DeVito is expected to start Week 12 vs. the Buccaneers. (via @rapsheet, @tompelissero) pic.twitter.com/cMIVvhcv0J

— NFL (@NFL) November 18, 2024

The Giants will be starting DeVito this weekend, and this offensive line has had a hard time protecting the quarterback this season. They have allowed 30 sacks through 11 weeks while ranking 22nd in pass-block win rate (56%). Yes, the Buccaneers defense has struggled in the secondary this season, but they also rank in the top half of the league in pressure rate and have totaled at least three sacks in five of the past seven games. 

9. Miami Dolphins D/ST vs. NE

MIA favored by 7, Total ~46.5

There's no doubt that the Patriots offense has looked better in recent weeks with Drake Maye. But this Dolphins defense can still be a solid play in Week 12. New England quarterbacks have been sacked 36 times this season (fourth-most in the NFL), and Maye has been taken down at least three times in two of the past three games. 

While the Dolphins have only totaled 17 sacks this season, they have been pressuring the quarterback at a high level. Their 34.1% pressure rate ranks in the top half of the league, and this unit has totaled at least three sacks in back-to-back games. With New England ranking 32nd in pass-block win rate (49%), fantasy managers can start this Miami defense in most cases in Week 12. 

10. Chicago Bears D/ST vs. MIN

MIN favored by 3.5, Total ~39.5

The Bears defense will be a top-10 play in Week 12 against the Vikings. Although Chicago has only totaled two sacks over the last two games, Sam Darnold's interception woes are why this unit is ranked at this spot on this list. Darnold has thrown 10 interceptions through 10 games and has been sacked at least three times in six of 10 games this season. 

As a result, the Bears defense will be a high-floor play this weekend. This defense ranks seventh in points allowed per game (18.7), fifth in pass-rush win rate (47%), and tied for seventh in takeaways (17). Given that Minnesota has turned over the ball 17 times through 11 weeks, this Chicago defense is a top-10 option in Week 12. 

Tier 3 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 12

11. Cleveland Browns D/ST vs. PIT

PIT favored by 3.5, Total ~36.5

The Browns defense couldn't stop the Saints offense last week. But this defense has some upside in 12-plus team leagues this weekend. Cleveland has totaled at least three sacks in three of the past four games, and Russell Wilson has been sacked at least three times in three straight games. 

Since the Steelers offensive line has given up the 11th-most sacks through 11 weeks (28), the Browns defense could be a solid play in deeper leagues this weekend. This Cleveland unit ranks sixth in pass-rush win rate (47%) and top-3 in pressure rate this season. 

12. Arizona Cardinals D/ST at SEA

ARI favored by 1, Total ~47.5

The Cardinals defense has played well in recent weeks, which is why this unit is ranked No. 12 on this list. Over the last four games, this Arizona defense has totaled 13 sacks and held the Chargers (Week 7), Bears (Week 9), and Jets (Week 10) to zero touchdowns. So, they will be a solid play in Week 12 against the Seahawks. 

Opposing defenses are averaging 8.9 fantasy points per game against Seattle's offense this season, and Geno Smith has been sacked a ton through the first 11 weeks. The Seahawks offensive line has allowed the seventh-most sacks (32) in the NFL. Even though the Cardinals rank bottom-5 in pressure rate this season, there is still potential for this unit in deeper leagues. 

13. San Francisco 49ers D/ST at GB

GB favored by 2, Total ~48.5

This is a tough matchup for the 49ers in Week 12. The Packers rank eighth in points per game, and Jordan Love has only been sacked eight times this season. However, if Nick Bosa can suit up in this game after leaving last week's contest early due to a hip injury, there is potential for this unit in 12-plus team leagues.

Love has thrown an interception in all eight of his games this season and currently ranks first in interceptions thrown (11) this season. Given that the 49ers have forced an interception in eight of 10 games this season while ranking tied for ninth (16) in takeaways, this San Francisco defense could be an option in Week 12. 

Tier 4 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 12

Most of the defenses in Tier 4 should only be started in deeper formats. If all 13 defenses aren't available from the first three tiers, then the Eagles and Giants are your next best choices.

The Eagles defense has played well in recent weeks. Since the team's Week 5 bye, Philadelphia is allowing only 12.8 points per game while averaging 3.7 sacks per game. However, Matthew Stafford doesn't take many sacks, and this Rams offense has all its playmakers back. As for the Giants, the matchup isn't great, but their high sack total makes them an option in deeper leagues. This New York defense ranks second in sacks.

The other three defenses on this list are all riskier options. The Seahawks will play against a Cardinals offensive line that has allowed only four sacks since Week 6, the Ravens will play a Chargers offense that doesn't turn over the ball much, and the Titans have totaled only 20 sacks all season.

Tier 5 and 6 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 12

For the most part, fantasy managers should not be targeting any defenses from these two tiers. Most of these defenses are way too risky to start this weekend and should be avoided in most cases. 18 other defenses are better plays in Week 12.

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