Oct 12, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) reacts after a play during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Allegiant Stadium.

Fantasy football managers must find ways to secure an advantage over their league mates during the playoff push.

One of the most overlooked areas of a fantasy football lineup is the DST unit managers play. Oftentimes it's as simple as playing the best defense against a bad offense.

Week 12 provides multiple lopsided matchups on the field, and fantasy managers can look to capitalize. The New England Patriots have been terrific and face the gunslinger Joe Flacco and the Cincinnati Bengals who will be without Ja'Marr Chase. The Seattle Seahawks aim to bounce back against the Tennessee Titans, who are an obvious offense to target. While the Las Vegas Raiders will host a likely Shedeur Sanders-led Cleveland Browns.

Here's a look at the best defense/special teams units fantasy managers can target for Week 12 lineups.

WEEK 12 BYES: Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins and Washington Commanders

Fantasy football Week 12 defense/special teams rankings

  1. Seattle Seahawks (SEA) at TEN
  2. Baltimore Ravens (BAL) vs. NYJ
  3. Las Vegas Raiders (LV) vs. CLE
  4. Green Bay Packers (GB) vs. MIN
  5. Cleveland Browns (CLE) at LV
  6. New England Patriots (NE) at CIN
  7. Detroit Lions (DET) vs. NYG
  8. Atlanta Falcons (ATL) at NO
  9. Buffalo Bills (BUF) at HOU
  10. San Francisco 49ers (SF) vs. CIN
  11. Chicago Bears (CHI) vs. PIT
  12. Houston Texans (HOU) vs. BUF
  13. New Orleans Saints (NO) vs. ATL
  14. Jacksonville Jaguars (JAC)at AZ
  15. Kansas City Chiefs (KC) vs. IND
  16. Pittsburgh Steelers (PIT) at CHI
  17. Los Angeles Rams (LAR) vs. TB
  18. Philadelphia Eagles (PHI) at DAL
  19. Minnesota Vikings (MIN) at GB
  20. Arizona Cardinals (ARI) vs. JAX
  21. Dallas Cowboys (DAL) vs. PHI
  22. Indianapolis Colts (IND) at KC
  23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (TB) at LAR
  24. Tennessee Titans (TEN) vs. SEA
  25. Carolina Panthers (CAR) at SF
  26. New York Jets (NYJ) at BAL
  27. New York Giants (NYG) at DET
  28. Cincinnati Bengals (CIN) vs. NE

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Week 12 fantasy football defense rankings: Best D/ST streamers, starts

Reporting by Tom Viera, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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