Fantasy Football Week 12 waiver wire pick ups: Top 5 Team Defenses

Nov 17, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints free safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) breaks up a pass to San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) during the first half of a game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

With the Seahawks, Bengals, and Bills on their bye this week, there will be more owners than usual hitting the wire looking for fantasy defenses. Here are my top five pickups who are available in over half of ESPN leagues as of Tuesday night.

With the Seahawks and Bengals on their bye this week, there will be more owners than usual hitting the wire looking for fantasy defenses. Here are my top five pickups who are available in over half of ESPN leagues as of Tuesday night.

1. New Orleans Saints (45.9%)

New Orleans defense has been opportunistic and should be in top form as they travel to Atlanta to take on the Falcons. Atlanta’s offense has been horrible the last three weeks allowing a total of 59 ESPN standard points to opposing D/ST. They’ll be on a short week this week which should only help the Saints thrive as they look to take down their division rival.

2. Cleveland Browns (15.8%)

The Browns have scored 20 points in their last two games after a touchdown and two picks got them nine points against Cincinnati in week 11. They’ve actually been solid throughout the season and only have been under five twice. This week, they face the Pittsburgh Steelers in a rivalry game this week and then host the Jags next week. If you need a two-week fill-in or a week 13 play, look ahead and grab Cleveland.

3. New York Giants (8.5%)

Nov 17, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle (26) runs back an interception against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter of a game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

The Giants defense has been surging scoring 12+ points in ESPN standard leagues for their last four games. This week they host the Dallas Cowboys who allowed three sacks on Romo against New Orleans in week 10.

4. Dallas Cowboys (35.9%)

The other side of this NFC East clash is also one to look at for defense. Dallas’s D was shredded in it’s last game before the bye in New Orleans allowing 49 points and finishing with -9 ESPN standard points. In their four previous games, they actually had three decent games scoring 11 points or more against the Redskins, Eagles, and the Vikings. Back in week one, they put up a season-high 21 points against the Giants, so they could put up another big game this week in New York. I like the Giants a little bit more because of their recent form, but Dallas isn’t a bad play either against the turnover-prone Giants who allow the most points per game to opposing D/ST.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars (0.6%)

Nov 17, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) carries the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports /

The Jags aren’t the worst defensive option this week as they take on the Texans in Houston. They’ve had a couple of solid games the last two weeks, and the Texans offense has been struggling and has allowed the fourth-most points per game to opposing D/ST on the season. Plus, they are definitely the pickup if your league awards bonus points for dreadlocks removed.

This list of D’s is part of my weekly waiver wire focus. If you need further help constructing your team, check out my top ten waiver wire picks of the week as well as my top waiver targets at each of the following positions: QB, RB, WR, TE.

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