2012 Fantasy Football Defense/Special Teams Rankings: Week 8
By: Athlon Sports | 10/25/12, 5:34 AM EDT
Each week during the NFL season, we will rank enough players at each position to appease everyone from those in 8-team leagues to 16-team leagues, those that can start two QBs, two TEs, three RBs and four WRs. We cut out the rest, because if you're looking at who the 50th-best running back or the 17th-best kicker is for that week, you need more help than any Web site can give you.
Baltimore, Buffalo, Cincinnati and Houston are all on bye.
2012 NFL Week 8 Fantasy Football Rankings — Defense/Special Teams
| Rk | Player | OPPONENT | Notes |
| 1 | Chicago Bears | vs. CAR | Bears looking to add to Panthers' woes. |
| 2 | San Francisco 49ers | at ARI (Mon.) | 49ers could seize control of NFC West with W. |
| 3 | Green Bay Packers | vs. JAC | Jaguars will be w/o MJD, possibly Gabbert too. |
| 4 | Seattle Seahawks | at DET | Hawks allowing 16 ppg on road. |
| 5 | Minnesota Vikings | vs. TB (Thurs.) | Vikings hoping to slow down Freeman/passing game. |
| 6 | Arizona Cardinals | vs. SF (Mon.) | Cardinals gave up 153 yards to Peterson, Gore up next. |
| 7 | New England Patriots | vs. STL (London) | Patriots gave up 403 total yards vs. Jets last week. |
| 8 | Atlanta Falcons | at PHI | Falcons hoping to capitalize on turnover-prone Eagles. |
| 9 | Detroit Lions | vs. SEA | Defense played well in 13-7 loss to Chicago on MNF. |
| 10 | Miami Dolphins | at NYJ | Dolphins held Jets to 93 yds. rushing in Week 3 loss. |
| 11 | San Diego Chargers | at CLE | Facing Weeden welcome sight after getting Brees/Peyton. |
| 12 | New York Giants | at DAL | Gave up 433 total yards to Cowboys in Week 1 loss. |
| 13 | Pittsburgh Steelers | vs. WAS | Steelers No. 1 in total defense, No. 2 against pass. |
| 14 | New York Jets | vs. MIA | Have allowed only 172 yards rushing last two games. |
| 15 | Cleveland Browns | vs. SD | Chargers' Rivers turned ball over six times in last game. |
| 16 | Dallas Cowboys | vs. NYG | Held Giants to 269 yards of offense in Week 1 win. |
Rankings are based upon Athlon Sports' standard scoring system:
DEFENSIVE SCORING
0 points allowed = 12 points
1-6 points allowed = 10 points
7-13 points allowed = 8 pts
14-20 points allowed = 6 points
21-27 points allowed = 2 pts
28+ points allowed = 0 points
Safeties = 2 points
Fumbles recovered = 2 points
Interceptions = 2 points
Sacks = 1 point
Defensive/Special Teams TDs = 6 points
Additional Week 8 Positional Rankings
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
Kickers
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