Top 12 Fantasy Football Defense Rankings for Week 12 (Ride Broncos Defense in Juicy Matchup)

Defenses are usually just an afterthought in fantasy football. That's leaving points on the board though. Savvy fantasy managers will be scouring the waiver wire to capitalize on the best defensive matchups each and every week, especially with six teams playing on Thursday this week.

With that in mind, here are the top 12 fantasy football defenses for Week 12 of the 2022 NFL season.

Fantasy Football Defense Rankings Week 12

12. Minnesota Vikings (vs NE)

11. Baltimore Ravens (at JAX)

The Ravens have turned things around on defense after an ugly start, yielding just 16 points over their last two games combined. Baltimore's defense will look to stay hot here against a Jaguars offense that has cooled off from its blistering start, scoring 17 points or fewer in four of its last six games. Jacksonville ranks 19th in points per game and shouldn't pose too much of a threat against the surging Ravens, who have won four in a row and boast one of the best run defenses in the NFL. Baltimore has also been opportunistic in the secondary with 11 interceptions (fourth-most), so don't be surprised if the Ravens pick off last year's INT leader Trevor Lawrence at least once.

10. New England Patriots (at MIN)

9. Kansas City Chiefs (vs LAR)

8. New York Jets (vs CHI)

7. Philadelphia Eagles (vs GB)

6. Dallas Cowboys (vs NYG)

The Cowboys just dismantled one of the NFL's best offenses on Sunday, holding the Minnesota Vikings to three points on the road. Now they get a much easier matchup in Week 12 at home against the New York Giants, whose offense can best be described as one-dimensional. The Giants rely heavily on Saquon Barkley and don't have much of a passing attack to speak of, ranking fifth-worst in passing yards and passing touchdowns per game, Daniel Jones has been better at limiting turnovers this year, but he did just throw two picks against the Detroit Lions and is usually a good bet to make costly mistakes under pressure. Look for Dallas to get to him with its pass rush and force Jones into making bad throws.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at CLE)

4. Buffalo Bills (at DET)

3. Denver Broncos (at CAR)

We can't recommend too many offensive players on the Broncos for fantasy purposes, but keep rolling out that defense. Denver's D has been both excellent and consistent, allowing fewer than 17 points in eight of 10 games and never surrendering more than 23. The Broncos also have a tantalizing matchup against a Carolina Panthers offense that might be even worse than their own. The Panthers were just held to three points by the Baltimore Ravens and have struggled offensively all season, ranking 25th in points per game and 31st in yards per game. Don't expect that to change against a stout Denver unit yielding the third-fewest point and yards per game this year.

2. Indianapolis Colts (vs PIT)

1. San Francisco 49ers (vs NO)

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