With the nitty-gritty of fantasy football season underway, Pro Football Network will have weekly Defense/Special Teams (D/ST) rankings for the 2020 season. We continue with our fantasy defense rankings for Week 13. While singular offensive players dominate fantasy football, the other side of the ball sees players work together as a unit. These rankings can be especially useful if you are streaming your defense on a weekly basis.
When ranking a fantasy defense and special teams, the general scoring includes points for fumbles, interceptions, sacks, safeties, and restricting offensive yards and points. Special teams’ scoring incorporates any kickoff or punt return touchdowns, blocked punts, and blocked field goal attempts.
Week 13 Fantasy D/ST Ranking Top 10
1) Kansas City Chiefs
Even with Drew Lock back under center, this is a tasty matchup for the Kansas City Chiefs’ defense. The Denver Broncos are scoring on 31% of their offensive drives, putting them third-worst in the league.
2) Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off a short week and face a Washington team that has had extra time to prepare. Still, even with Bud Dupree suffering a season-ending knee injury, the Steelers have the personnel to handle business on Monday night.
3) Miami Dolphins
With a turnover forced in every game this season, the Miami Dolphins run into an underwhelming Cincinnati Bengals team. The Bengals gave up the ball three times in their first full game without Joe Burrow.
4) Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are currently averaging the fifth-most points per game among defenses. Furthermore, they’re set to meet a Dallas Cowboys team that has the second-highest percentage of drives ending in a turnover.
5) Las Vegas Raiders
A meeting with the New York Jets means a defense that is one of the worst for fantasy will have another day in the sun after their good showing against the Broncos a few weeks back.
6) New Orleans Saints
A divisional meeting with the Atlanta Falcons could yield impressive results as the New Orleans Saints put up eight sacks in their initial meeting. Before their meeting with the Broncos, this team had multiple sacks in five games straight, along with multiple turnovers in their last four.
7) Seattle Seahawks
With the New York Giants likely starting Colt McCoy, the chance for turnovers combined with Seattle’s rejuvenated pass rush means there could be plenty of points up for grabs by this defense. With three or more sacks in six of their last seven games, they are a particularly valuable play because of their high floor.
8) Los Angeles Rams
Eight turnovers over the previous three games speak to this D/ST’s impressive production and sustainability. The Arizona Cardinals are a tough matchup on paper, but they’ve allowed opposing defenses to put up 18 points since their bye.
9) Green Bay Packers
Going from the Chicago Bears to the Philadelphia Eagles is a big win for fantasy managers who picked up the Packers defense last week. The Eagles have not only the third-highest turnover percentage but also the second-fewest percent of drives ending in a score. Last week’s 14-point performance could very well be the floor this week.
10) Minnesota Vikings
Those in deep leagues looking for a defense can find the Minnesota Vikings, who are still searching for an answer to their pass rush. Still, a meeting with the Jacksonville Jaguars should prove fruitful as Mike Glennon doesn’t exactly strike fear in the hearts of opposing defenses.
Week 13 Defense and Special Teams Fantasy Rankings – Tier 2
11) Chicago Bears
13) Arizona Cardinals
14) Detroit Lions
15) Buffalo Bills
16) Tennessee Titans
18) Washington Football Team
Week 13 Defense and Special Teams Fantasy Rankings – Tier 3
21) Houston Texans
22) Atlanta Falcons
23) New York Giants
24) Cincinnati Bengals
25) New York Jets
26) Cleveland Browns
27) Dallas Cowboys
28) Jacksonville Jaguars
29) Philadelphia Eagles
30) Denver Broncos