Fantasy Football: Week 8 Kicker and Defense Rankings

MIAMI, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- There are quite a few streaming options this week available on the waiver wire when it comes to filling in for your kicker and defense.

With six teams on a bye, you might even want to play strategy and keep a great option away from your opponent.

To help you with that research, I have ranked my top 20 defense/special teams units and top 15 kickers for the week in the tables below. You can also view my add/drops for the week and more positional rankings in the links below.

TOP SHELF

The Minnesota Vikings are my top defense/special teams unit for Week 8. This road matchup against the Chicago Bears is vital in its quest for the NFC North. Chicago has scored more than 17 points in a game only once this season. The Vikings have held every opponent this season to less than 17 points and allowed 10 points or less to three of its previous four opponents. The Vikings also have four touchdowns and have forced 16 turnovers through six games. With Brian Hoyer heading to injured reserve, this unit should feast on turnover king Jay Cutler.

Mason Crosby is my top ranked kicker with a matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Crosby has netted at least two field goals in five of six games this season. I expect plenty of chances in a shootout in Atlanta.

SNEAKY PLAYS

The Tennessee Titans are quietly putting together a good season defensively as a streaming play. With pockets of good matchups, this unit has another good week hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars have scored 17 points or fewer in four of six games this season. I don't expect an offensive explosion here against a struggling and turnover prone Blake Bortles.

Seattle Seahawks kicker Stephen Hauschka will show plenty of leg against the New Orleans Saints. Although Hauschka has missed a field goal in each of his previous two contests, I expect him to excel in this road matchup. Check out your waiver wire, Hauschka could still be available if he was dropped during his Week 5 bye.

LONGSHOTS

The Cincinnati Bengals host the Washington Redskins Sunday. I like the Bengals' defense/special teams unit in this spot against Kirk Cousins. The Bengals' early season schedule began with tough battles against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys, and New England Patriots. Eventually, that experience will start paying off. Look for the 3-4 Bengals to get back on track at the turning point of its season.

Oakland Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski travels for a battle against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Janikowski has made four field goals in two of his last three contests. He also hit three extra points in his Week 7 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Look for that success to continue against the Buccaneers.