Fantasy Football Week 14 Rankings: D/ST

By this point in the season, you know the drill: Atlanta plays the Panthers, so it earns top billing as the fantasy defense to start. The decision comes only in part from the fact that the Panthers are cemented in last place as the worst offense in football, averaging a full four points lower than the next worst team. Their 12.8 points a game are bad, but it's the mere 157.3 yards per game passing that really kills them. Couple that with the fact that Atlanta is tied for third in the league in interceptions (16) and solid in terms of points allowed at 19.4 per game.

Like I said, the formula is in place. The number two spot this week goes to the trusty Steelers, who should lay a whooping on the Bengals at Heinz Field. Cedric Benson should clock in around 37 yards rushing and that will force Cincinnati to go to the air, in which case, Troy Polamalu's blitzes and James Harrison's helmet will create plenty of big plays. The Steelers now boast a very impressive 36 sacks, which leads the league, so Carson Palmer will have a long day in the cold.

Week 14 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | D/ST | K | Sleepers | Waiver Pickups

Rounding out the top three, we have the Packers -- another weekly start this season. Unfortunately for Pack owners, news broke on Wednesday that Charles Woodson sprained his ankle, and his status for the game remains uncertain. Still, facing the depleted Lions -- who are starting third-stringer Drew Stanton at quarterback -- the matchup looks tasty. Keep in mind that the Packers are tied for second in the league in sacks and have 14 interceptions on the season not including Charles Woodson's, so there's a lot more to this defense than a one-man show.

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

• The Patriots are the popular pickup this week for a spot start, rightfully so, as they devoured the Jets on Monday Night Football with three interceptions and a sack, while allowing just three points to one of the league's so-called best teams. This week they face the hit-or-miss Chicago offense, so they should be able to do more of the same in Chicago. As I've said all season, the Bears defense is what wins games; the offense is unreliable at best.

• The Bucs provide another nice spot start as they face the banged-up Redskins. Washington literally has 24 players on the injury report, so it comes as no surprise that it has lost four of its last five games, and most recently got embarrassed by the Giants 31-7. Tampa Bay's ball-hawking secondary should have no problems making a big play or two in this matchup.

• Finally, this week provides a nice opportunity to catch a bounce-back game from the Chargers. The Bolts slipped up against the Raiders last weekend, but this week they face the Chiefs at home. The Chargers still possess one of the league's best run defenses, and the Chiefs are nothing special on the road (2-4 versus 6-0 at home).