Week 12 fantasy defense rankings: Best DST starts
With the Dallas Cowboys offense struggling under QB Cooper Rush, the Houston Texans took advantage -- scoring a fumble return touchdown and finishing the week as the No. 1 fantasy defense.
There are several other shaky quarterback situations to exploit this week as a season-high six teams take the week off.
ON BYE: Atlanta, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Jacksonville, New Orleans, New York Jets
Fantasy football rankings for Week 12 are based on the point-per-reception (PPR) scoring used in most seasonal and daily fantasy football formats. Six points are awarded for defensive and kick return touchdowns. Two points are awarded for safeties and one half point is awarded for sacks.
Rankings are compiled by Daniel Dobish, TheHuddle.com.
Fantasy football Week 12 defense/special teams rankings
| Rank | Team | Opp |
| 1 | Minnesota Vikings | at Chi. |
| 2 | Denver Broncos | at L.V. |
| 3 | Detroit Lions | at Ind. |
| 4 | Los Angeles Chargers | vs. Bal. |
| 5 | Pittsburgh Steelers | at Cle. |
| 6 | Los Angeles Rams | vs. Phi. |
| 7 | Green Bay Packers | vs. S.F. |
| 8 | Arizona Cardinals | at Sea. |
| 9 | Chicago Bears | vs. Min. |
| 10 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | at N.Y.-G |
| 11 | Philadelphia Eagles | at L.A.-R |
| 12 | San Francisco 49ers | at G.B. |
| 13 | Seattle Seahawks | vs. Ari. |
| 14 | Houston Texans | vs. Ten. |
| 15 | Indianapolis Colts | vs. Det. |
| 16 | Washington Commanders | vs. Dal. |
| 17 | Miami Dolphins | vs. N.E. |
| 18 | Cleveland Browns | vs. Pit. |
| 19 | New York Giants | vs. T.B. |
| 20 | Baltimore Ravens | at L.A.-C |
| 21 | Kansas City Chiefs | at Car. |
| 22 | New England Patriots | at Mia. |
| 23 | Dallas Cowboys | at Was. |
| 24 | Tennessee Titans | at Hou. |
| 25 | Carolina Panthers | vs. K.C. |
| 26 | Las Vegas Raiders | vs. Den. |
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