Fantasy Football: Week 12 Kicker and Defense Rankings

MIAMI, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- With the full slate of NFL teams on the field for the holiday weekend, you have plenty of options for starting fantasy football defenses and kickers.

With more options, comes more opportunities to make mistakes. Starting a defense/special teams unit that gives you negative points can end up handing you a loss. Picking the right kicker can give you the vital points you need from an unexpected source.

To help you figure out who to sit or start at those positions, take a look at my top 20 defense/special teams units and top 15 kickers for Week 12. You can also view my add/drops for the week and more positional rankings in the links below.

TOP SHELF

The New York Giants are my No. 2 defense/special teams unit for Week 12. Look for the Giants to continue its stellar stretch of holding offenses to 23 points or fewer in six consecutive games. The Giants have eight interceptions in its last four games. The Browns have scored 10 points or fewer in three consecutive games.

Stephen Hauschka is my top ranked kicker for Week 12. The Seattle Seahawks veteran has made multiple field goals in eight of 10 games this season. I don't expect the surging Seahawks to struggle offensively against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, meaning plenty of opportunities for extra points and field goals from the special teams unit.

SNEAKY PLAYS

The New England Patriots should roll over the New York Jets Sunday. The Jets are coming off of a loss to the Los Angeles Rams when it scored just six points. I see Tom Brady leading his stellar offense to a big lead and forcing turnover-prone Ryan Fitzpatrick into more passing attempts.

Dan Bailey is really showing off his leg for the dominant Dallas Cowboys offense. I have Bailey as a top-five option for a Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Washington Redskins. Bailey has hit an average of three extra points per game this season. He has made multiple field goals in four of his last five appearances. That trend will continue against a Redskins defense that can be had.

LONGSHOTS

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a good streaming option again this week against the Andrew Luck-less Indianapolis Colts. I don't see the Colts defense slowing down Le'Veon Bell, Ben Roethlisberger, and Antonio Brown. I expect the Colts to attempt to keep this contest low scoring, using Frank Gore and its running game to control the clock. I love the Steelers defense against a rusty Scott Tolzien.

New Orleans Saints kicker Will Lutz began as a streaming option, but he is rounding into a weekly play at the position. Lutz has made at least two field goals in three of his last four games. He has multiple extra points in three consecutive contests. I expect the Saints to dominate the reeling Los Angeles Rams.