Luke Kuechly
Two olds and a new are must-starts this week on defense, but it is where Athlon Sports' fantasy football Week 13 rankings are bookended in the top five that could make the most noise.
The Carolina defense, a surprise this season at second in total fantasy points, has faltered the last couple of weeks to the tune of nine and eight points after not having dipped below double digits since Week 2.
Baltimore and San Francisco are inside the top five of the DST rankings this week, a spot those two squads are used to residing in during a fantasy season.
Cleveland, tied for 23rd amongst DSTs, plays host to a Jacksonville team allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to fantasy defense/special teams. That's why the Browns are Athlon Sports’ No. 1 DST for Week 13.
Miami, tied for 16th in fantasy points for DSTs, travels to face a New York Jets team allowing the third-most points to DSTs. The Dolphins are ranked fifth this week.
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.
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2013 NFL Week 13 Fantasy Football Rankings — Defense/Special Teams
Rk | Team | OPP |
1 | Cleveland Browns | vs. JAC |
2 | Carolina Panthers | vs. TB |
3 | Baltimore Ravens | vs. PIT (Thurs.) |
4 | San Francisco 49ers | vs. STL |
5 | Miami Dolphins | at NYJ |
6 | New England Patriots | at HOU |
7 | Seattle Seahawks | vs. NO (Mon.) |
8 | New York Jets | vs. MIA |
9 | Dallas Cowboys | vs. OAK (Thurs.) |
10 | Buffalo Bills | vs. ATL |
11 | Philadelphia Eagles | vs. ARI |
12 | Washington Redskins | vs. NYG |
13 | Chicago Bears | at MIN |
14 | Cincinnati Bengals | at SD |
15 | Pittsburgh Steelers | at BAL (Thurs.) |
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 13 Positional Rankings
