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Fantasy Football: Week 13 kicker and defense rankings

By Alex Butler
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Alec Olgletree (R) tackles New Orleans Saints' Ted Ginn Jr (L) Sunday in Los Angeles. Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI
1 of 3 | Los Angeles Rams linebacker Alec Olgletree (R) tackles New Orleans Saints' Ted Ginn Jr (L) Sunday in Los Angeles. Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo

Nov. 28 (UPI) -- With most fantasy football leagues wrapping up the regular season slate, it's time to buckle down for the playoffs.

If you need a win to get in and are looking for a few extra points, you need to make sure you are starting the best lineup possible. Try to find a kicker and defense with good matchups to give you an edge on your Week 13 foe.

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My top fantasy football defenses this week include the Los Angeles Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers.

My top kickers are Justin Tucker, Greg Zuerlein, Chris Boswell, Matt Bryant and Jake Elliott.

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For more of my favorite players this week and my top free agents to add to your team, check out my add/drops article for Week 13.

Read Full Rankings Below

TOP SHELF

The Los Angeles Chargers have a nasty pass rush and are facing the Cleveland Browns in Week 13. I have the Chargers ranked as my top defense in this matchup. Los Angeles is coming off of a dominant Thanksgiving performance against the Dallas Cowboys. In that game the Chargers held the Cowboys to six points and 247 total yards. They should be more than capable of a big day against a Browns team ranked last in points scored.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are my No. 2 defense for Week 13. Jacksonville hosts the Indianapolis Colts in this AFC South clash. The Colts have averaged just 15.2 points per game in their last five games. Before last week's shocking loss to the Arizona Cardinals, the Jaguars had allowed about seven points per game in their previous four contests. Jacksonville has allowed a league-low 168 points on the season. Ride with this unit through the playoffs and don't look back.

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Baltimore Ravens veteran Justin Tucker is my top kicker for Week 13. Although he's probably owned in your league, make sure he is always in your starting lineup. Tucker reminded football fans why he is considered one of the best kickers in the league with his showing on Monday, booting three successful field goal attempts and two extra points. He now has seven consecutive games with multiple field goals. This week he'll kick against the Detroit Lions in what should be a tight game.

Greg Zuerlein is the best kicker in the game this season. The Los Angeles Rams leg leads all kickers in fantasy points and has six performances with at least 15 points this season, according to ESPN standard scoring. Look for that trend to continue in Week 13 against the Arizona Cardinals in a game the Rams should win in a blowout.

SNEAKY PLAYS

The Denver Broncos are a solid starting option for Week 13. I have this unit ranked No. 6, mostly due to a matchup against the Miami Dolphins. While the Broncos have struggled lately, I expect a rebound against a Dolphins unit ranked No. 30 in points for.

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The Detroit Lions are a solid starting option for Week 13 and come in as my No. 12 unit. Detroit is facing the Baltimore Ravens, an offense that looked unimpressive on Monday Night Football. While the Ravens have a strong defense, the offense has not been putting up big numbers this season. The Ravens have scored more than 24 points in a game only twice this year. Take a shot at the Lions as a streaming option.

Week 13 Defense/Special Teams Rankings

Philadelphia Eagles kicker Jake Elliott is my No. 5 kicker for Week 13. While Elliott hasn't put up double-digit points since Week 7, he is still kicking for an Eagles unit dominating NFL defenses. Elliott will be needed big time in a Sunday Night Football matchup against the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle.

Ryan Succop is my No. 8 kicker for Week 13. The Tennessee Titans leg is going up agains the Houston Texans in what will likely be a close AFC South battle at NRG Stadium. Succop is a great streaming play. While he isn't converting at a great clip, Succop is still getting plenty of opportunities. He has multiple field goal attempts in three consecutive games. Expect the same in this game.

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LONGSHOTS

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are another streaming option for Week 13 if you are in a pinch. Tampa Bay is facing the Green Bay Packers in this matchup. Before last week's 28-point output, the Packers had averaged 11.4 points per game in their previous five games. Tampa Bay is ranked No. 15 for me this week.

The New York Giants are my No. 20 option for Week 13, but don't let that deter you from taking a shot on them against the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders hit a speed bump this year after showing off a prolific offense in 2016. This week they will be without suspended wide receiver Michale Crabtree. Oakland is averaging about 17.5 points per game in their last four games. The Giants defense has been unimpressive in 2017, but are worth a look in this spot against the Raiders.

Week 13 Kicker Rankings

Blair Walsh is on the other side of the Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks clash. The veteran kicker has produced double-digit fantasy points in two of his last four games. He will get a few extra points in this one and is good for a couple of field goal attempts. He is my No. 10 ranked player at the position this week.

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The Dallas Cowboys have not been the same team since the loss of Ezekiel Elliott to a suspension, but Dan Bailey is still usually in a position to produce points. Though he didn't make any field goals in Week 12, I expect the Cowboys to put up a better showing against the Washington Redskins in this NFC East matchup. Bailey might have been dropped in your league, but he should still be owned. He is my No. 13 option for Week 13.

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