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.
New England, New York Jets, St. Louis and San Francisco are all on bye.
2012 NFL Week 9 Fantasy Football Rankings — Defense/Special Teams
| Rk | Player | OPPONENT | Notes |
| 1 | Chicago Bears | at TEN | Defense fueled last week's comeback vs. Panthers. |
| 2 | Green Bay Packers | vs. ARI | Defense w/ most sacks vs. offense w/ most sacks allowed. |
| 3 | Houston Texans | vs. BUF | Rested Texans coming off of bye. |
| 4 | Seattle Seahawks | vs. MIN | Allowing only 14 ppg at home. |
| 5 | San Diego Chargers | vs. KC (Thurs.) | Forced 6 turnovers in Week 4 win at Kansas City. |
| 6 | Atlanta Falcons | vs. DAL | Falcons 10th against pass (217 ypg). |
| 7 | Detroit Lions | at JAC | Lions allowing 16.8 ppg over last four. |
| 8 | Denver Broncos | at CIN | Held New Orleans to 252 total yards, 14 pts. last week. |
| 9 | Minnesota Vikings | at SEA | Gave up 135 yards rushing to Doug Martin last week. |
| 10 | Baltimore Ravens | at CLE | Ravens rested for Round 2 against Browns. |
| 11 | Miami Dolphins | at IND | Dolphins are No. 5 in scoring defense (18 ppg). |
| 12 | New York Giants | vs. PIT | Picked off Romo 4x last week, but also gave up 437 yds. |
| 13 | Pittsburgh Steelers | at NYG | No. 1 passing defense will be tested by Eli, Cruz, Nicks. |
| 14 | Cleveland Browns | vs. BAL | Allowed only two field goals to Chargers last week. |
| 15 | Arizona Cardinals | at GB | Been better against pass (No. 4) than run (No. 21). |
| 16 | Washington Redskins | vs. CAR | Can league's worst pass defense slow down Cam and co.? |
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 9 Positional Rankings
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
Kickers
