Fantasy Football: Week 11 Kicker and Defense rankings

MIAMI, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- The NFL's top defense and kicker might be taking seats for Week 11 byes, but that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of attractive options still available for fantasy football.

Whether you are streaming a defense/special teams unit and kicker or have planned for your bye weeks with adequate depth, have no fear.

To help you judge who you should start or sit, take a look at my top 20 defense/special teams units and top 15 kickers for Week 11. You can also view my add/drops for the week and more positional rankings in the links below.

TOP SHELF

The New England Patriots defense is my top-ranked unit for Week 11. This is a gut call here, but I'm buying Bill Belichick following a loss last week to the Seattle Seahawks, when his Patriots allowed 31 points. I don't see Colin Kaepernick torching that same defense in Week 11. Look for the Patriots to make Kaepernick a passer in this contest and keep him inside the pocket.

I have Dallas Cowboys' Dan Bailey penciled in as my top-ranked kicker for Week 11. Bailey should have plenty of attempts to connect for three points against the Ravens and I expect the Cowboys to score at will once again this week. He has made at least three field goals in three of his last four games.

SNEAKY PLAYS

The Kansas City Chiefs are a top-3 defense for me against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I don't see the Buccaneers putting up a ton of points, riding on Doug Martin and its running game to control pace. The Chiefs are averaging the second-most points per game as a fantasy defense and haven't allowed more than 21 points in a game since Week 4.

Stephen Hauschka should put up a top-5 kicking performance. The Seattle Seahawks veteran should stay busy against the Philadelphia Eagles. With Russell Wilson heating up at quarterback, I expect a one-sided affair Sunday, with the Seahawks prevailing. Hauschka has made multiple field goals in seven of nine contests this season. He made all four of his attempts in last week's win against the Patriots.

LONGSHOTS

The New York Giants should put up a top-10 performance against mistake-prone Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears. After looking somewhat decent in his Week 8 return in an upset of the Minnesota Vikings, Cutler threw for just 182 yards, one touchdown, threw two interceptions, and fumbled once in a Week 10 loss to the Buccaneers. The Giants have seven interceptions in its last three games. Start this unit with confidence.

Detroit Lions' Matt Prater is a fringe starter for me against the Jacksonville Jaguars. This game should have very little defense, giving Prater ample chances to connect for extra points and field goals, when/if his offense struggles to get in the end zone. Prate has connected for multiple field goals in three consecutive contests.