Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) celebrates after sacking Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) during the second half of an NFL football game at Huntington Bank Field, Sept. 7, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Week 12 has arrived, and it's right around the time of the week when you start thinking about your fantasy football rotation. It's getting late in the season, which means every game is more important than the last, as time is running out to catch up with the competition you may be behind. Here, we'll take a look at the defensive side of the ball and identify which units you should start and which you should sit during this week's action.

Start ‘Em:

Cleveland Browns - The Browns have had a surprisingly strong fantasy defense in recent weeks. They're averaging 9.1 fantasy points per game over the past two months, and they're ranked in the top ten in multiple NFL defensive statistical categories.

The Browns face the Raiders this week, and Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett leads the league with 15 sacks. Meanwhile, the Raiders' offensive line is...not the strongest unit in the trenches. And Las Vegas has allowed eight fantasy points per game over the past two months.

New England Patriots - The Patriots have averaged 7.8 fantasy points per game in the past two months and also rank in the top ten of the NFL in a few different categories. Similar to the Browns, they face an advantageous matchup this week. They play the Bengals, whose starting quarterback, Joe Flacco, is dealing with a shoulder injury and will be missing star wideout Ja'Marr Chase due to suspension.

Seattle Seahawks - Seattle is tied for fourth in the NFL over the past two months with 8.6 fantasy points per game, and they play a Titans' offense that we would usually recommend playing any defense against. Now, the Titans saw their three top receivers leave the game with injury, and Calvin Ridley will definitely be out for the season.

Sit ‘Em:

Pittsburgh Steelers - The Steelers just drew a bad match-up this week. They play a Bears' offense that has allowed just 2.8 fantasy points per game to opposing defenses in the past six weeks. And the Steelers' offensive injury struggles could lead to defensive struggles, as Mason Rudolph will now be starting at quarterback. He shouldn't be underestimated in his ability to put the Steelers' defense in a rough spot in his first game back as a starter.

Green Bay Packers - This one could be risky, given that the Packers face a Vikings' offense that does not look good in the slightest. But the Packers' defense doesn't do much to earn fantasy points on its own, and they are averaging just 4.1 points per game over the past two months. The Packers might win the game, but their defense won't win your fantasy match-up for you.

Cincinnati Bengals - On the other side of this match-up, things still don't look good for the Bengals. The Patriots' offense looks, dare we say, the best it has since the Brady days with Drake Maye finding his groove, and TreVeyon Henderson is proving a dynamic weapon in the backfield as a rookie. The Bengals will likely still be down star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson as well.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 12: D/ST Edition

Reporting by Joe Smith, Touchdown Wire / Touchdown Wire

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