Fantasy Football Week 13 Rankings: D/ST

By the looks of it, our top spot this week could prove to be a real jackpot, as the Green Bay Packers have all the pieces in place. In addition to their perpetual knack for sacks (31), interceptions (15), forced fumbles (11) and defensive touchdowns (4), they play the league's second-worst offense in the 49ers. Couple that with the fact that they play at Lambeau and that they now have ground to recover -- as they are a game behind the division-leading Bears -- and this looks like a recipe for a fantasy windfall.

The second pick this week goes to the Steelers, who at this point, rarely fall out of our top three picks. Even after last week's near slip-up, you can't dismiss the aggressiveness, and more importantly, the results. Pittsburgh ranks right near the top of virtually every defensive category, and it faces a Baltimore team with a severely banged-up offensive line. This should be just another day at the office for the Steelers.

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The third-best defensive start this week goes to the Eagles, who currently lead the league with 19 interceptions on the season. The Texans do wield an explosive offense, but the pace of this game should force Houston to rely heavily on the pass, which works to the Eagles' favor as they can capitalize on their strong pass rush and propensity to force turnovers.

1. Packers (GB vs. SF)
2. Steelers (PIT at BAL)
3. Eagles (PHI vs. HOU)
4. Chargers (SD vs. OAK)
5. Seahawks (SEA vs. CAR)
6. Rams (STL at ARI)
7. Giants (NYG vs. WAS)
8. Bears (CHI at DET)
9. Jets (NYJ at NE)
10. Titans (TEN vs. JAC)
11. Cardinals (ARI vs. STL)
12. Saints (NO at CIN)
13. Dolphins (MIA vs. CLE)
14. Jaguars (JAC at TEN)
15. Lions (DET vs. CHI)
16. Falcons (ATL at TB)
17. Ravens (BAL vs. PIT)
18. Patriots (NE vs. NYJ)
19. Bills (BUF at MIN)
20. Colts (IND vs. DAL)
21. Vikings (MIN vs. BUF)
22. Raiders (OAK at SD)
23. Bengals (CIN vs. NO)
24. 49ers (SF at GB)
25. Buccaneers (TB vs. ATL)
26. Redskins (WAS at NYG)
27. Chiefs (KC vs. DEN)
28. Broncos (DEN at KC)
29. Cowboys (DAL at IND)
30. Browns (CLE at MIA)
31. Panthers (CAR at SEA)
32. Texans (HOU at PHI)

• For our spot-start recommendation this week, we're going back to an old favorite who disappeared on us for the middle portion of the season, the St. Louis Rams. St. Louis heads to Arizona to face the collapsing Cardinals. Arizona ranks second-to-last in the league in both total yards and third-down conversion percentage, as well as fourth-worst in points scored. The quarterback situation is a mess and they cannot seem to get the ball to Larry Fitzgerald. Furthermore, the Rams have a great pass rush that has netted them 31 sacks on the season, and they continue to force a ton of fumbles (15).

• I also like Tennessee for a spot-start option this week. The Titans have a monster pass rush and have the league's second-highest sack total and third-highest interception total to show for it. Combine that with the fourth-worst passing offense in football in Jacksonville, and this looks like a sneaky winner. The loophole, of course, is the Jaguars' 141 rushing yards per game, but I like Tennessee to win this battle.

• Finally, inasmuch as we've been touting the Bears defense all season long -- and will continue to do so -- I think they get a negative surprise this weekend. For starters, the Lions have revenge on their minds, since everyone knows they beat the Bears in their first clash this season, but furthermore, the Lions play at home and they just keep scoring big points. Despite a couple of recent hiccups against the Bills and Cowboys, Detroit still averages almost 24 points per game and over 340 yards per game. I smell an upset.