2.  Green Bay Packers (@KC) – Kansas City managed to get into double digits via an ill-advised pass into triple coverage by Palko.  Kansas City is still one of the best matchups to have a defense go against for fantasy purposes.  If Green Bay didn’t have a penchant for giving up late points in games that have already been decided they would probably top my list.  It will be interesting to see if the Packers start giving more rest to guys like Mathews and Woodson once they get a comfortable lead.

3.  Pittsburgh Steelers (@SF) – While Pittsburgh’s offense hasn’t done well their past few games on national television, their defense has stepped up.  While they will be without James Harrison due to his suspension, the Niners’ offense isn’t exactly explosive.  If they can contain Frank Gore, and force Alex Smith to throw the ball they should be in good shape.

4.  Atlanta Falcons (JAX) – MJD won many fantasy playoff matchups all by himself against Tampa Bay.  It definitely won’t be as easy for him or his teammates this Thursday in Atlanta.  The Falcons rank fifth in the league in terms of rushing yards given up.  Blaine Gabbert hasn’t shown me anything to scare me off playing the Falcons with confidence.

5.  Houston Texans (CAR) – The Texans have gone 7 games in a row without giving up 20 points.  While Carolina has been able to score points this season, they still the ball over an awful lot.  Arian Foster and Ben Tate should be able to run at will against the Panthers, which should also shorten the game.  I think this is a deceptively good matchup for the Texans at home.

6.  Baltimore Ravens (@SD) – The Ravens allowed a touchdown on the last play of the game, otherwise their DST numbers last week would have been even more impressive.  Based on season to date numbers I should have the Ravens higher than this, but playing a hot SD team on the road this year has them down a couple spots.  I don’t trust Phillip Rivers in December to suck as much as I think he should.

7.  Tennessee Titans (@IND) – On one hand, the Titans defense looked pretty good at home against the Saints, and are playing the winless Colts.  On the other hand, the colts seem to have found some rhythm with Dan Orlovsky behind center.  They should be able to minimize the Colts’ points, but there isn’t as much big play upside for the Titans.

8.  Arizona Cardinals (CLE) – The Cardinals have won 3 straight (and 5 out of 6) and just beat a very good team in San Francisco.  This week the get the Browns, which should be another nice matchup for them.  The reason I have them outside the top 5 is because they’re still the Cardinals, and I don’t trust them not to suffer a letdown this week.

9.  New York Jets (@PHI) – The Jets defense has been one of the more consistent groups in fantasy this season.  The Eagles’ offense has been anything but consistent.  If the bad Eagles come out, the Jets could be the top ranked defense this week.  If the good Eagles show up instead they could finish out of the top 12 entirely.  Major risk/reward play this week.

10.  Chicago Bears (SEA) – The Bears got completely Tebow’ed last Sunday.  Their defense played more than good enough to win that game, but a couple of boneheaded plays by Marion Barber cost them the game.  Marshawn Lynch has been in full Beastmode, but I don’t expect him to do nearly as much against the Bears in Chicago.  I think this ends up being a low scoring game.

11.  Cincinnati Bengals (@STL) – Sam Bradford has been in a sophomore slump all year, but last night was a different kind of terrible for him.  A lot of the blame can be put on his bum ankle and missing practice, but I’m not sure if he’ll be able to plant comfortable this week either.  If the Bengals remain stout against the run, it will put a lot of pressure on Bradford and his ankle.

12.  Detroit Lions (@OAK) – There were rumors swirling that some Raider veterans were losing faith in Hue Jackson, based on his decision to let Rolando McClain play against the dolphins.  Last week at Green Bay, they definitely looked like a team that may have fallen apart.  Carson Palmer seems to have taken a step back, and if the Lions can shut down Michael Bush, they should be in for a big day.

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