Each week during the NFL season, we will rank enough players at each position to appease everyone from those in 8-team leagues to 16-team leagues, those that can start two QBs, two TEs, three RBs and four WRs. We cut out the rest, because if you're looking at who the 50th-best running back or the 17th-best kicker is for that week, you need more help than any Web site can give you.
Dallas, Detroit, Oakland and Tampa Bay are all on bye.
2012 NFL Week 5 Fantasy Football Rankings — Defense/Special Teams
| Rk | Player | OPPONENT | Notes |
| 1 | Houston Texans | at NYJ (Mon.) | Just like 49ers, Texans should feast on Jets' O in disarray. |
| 2 | Chicago Bears | at JAC | Bears abused Romo (5 INTs) on MNF, greener Gabbert next. |
| 3 | Arizona Cardinals | at STL (Thurs.) | No. 2 DEF in fantasy, second in league in sacks (16). |
| 4 | Seattle Seahawks | at CAR | Hawks D vs. Cam Newton will be fun to watch. |
| 5 | Baltimore Ravens | at KC | Chiefs have turned ball over NFL-worst 15 times. |
| 6 | San Francisco 49ers | vs. BUF | Looking to feast on AFC East for second week in a row. |
| 7 | St. Louis Rams | vs. ARI (Thurs.) | Rams been strong against pass (8 INTs) so far. |
| 8 | Minnesota Vikings | vs. TEN | Vikings can get to QB, make big special teams plays. |
| 9 | New York Giants | vs. CLE | Will T-Rich run on G-Men like McCoy (123 yds.)? |
| 10 | Atlanta Falcons | at WAS | Last week it was Cam, this week it's RGIII. |
| 11 | Pittsburgh Steelers | vs. PHI | Should get Polamalu, Harrison back. |
| 12 | Green Bay Packers | at IND | Packers looking to pressure rookie Luck into mistakes. |
| 13 | Philadelphia Eagles | at PIT | Will need to get pressure on Big Ben to slow down passing attack. |
| 14 | Miami Dolphins | at CIN | Fins better against run than pass, could be issue with Green. |
| 15 | Cincinnati Bengals | vs. MIA | Leading league in sacks with 17. |
| 16 | New England Patriots | vs. DEN | Pats rely on turnovers, Manning has just 3 INTs so far. |
| 17 | New York Jets | vs. HOU (Mon.) | Offensive issues starting to bring down D. |
Rankings are based upon Athlon Sports' standard scoring system:
DEFENSIVE SCORING
0 points allowed = 12 points
1-6 points allowed = 10 points
7-13 points allowed = 8 pts
14-20 points allowed = 6 points
21-27 points allowed = 2 pts
28+ points allowed = 0 points
Safeties = 2 points
Fumbles recovered = 2 points
Interceptions = 2 points
Sacks = 1 point
Defensive/Special Teams TDs = 6 points
Additional Week 5 Positional Rankings
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
Kickers
