Fantasy football rankings, 2016: Defense/special teams for Week 16

Don’t get cute. Not at this point of the season. There are no sure things in fantasy football, but at this stage of the season -- if you’re still alive and playing for a title this weekend -- you’ve got to roll with what’s gotten you to this point.

As you’ll see, the New England Patriots took the top spot this week against the Jets at home. San Diego plays Cleveland, albeit on the road, but those are both still great matchups regardless of actual talent on the defensive side of the ball.

Remember that “don’t get cute” line from the beginning? Here’s where that comes into play.

As you can tell, some of my compadres aren’t as high on neither Kansas City and Seattle. I personally don’t see what’s not to like about their matchups. The Chiefs are at home to a Denver team that has lost two straight, three of its last four, and four of its last six. Not to mention the fact that the Chiefs are favored by 3.5 points. Oh, and the Broncos are tied for eighth-most fantasy points allowed by opposing defenses. The team they’re tied with? The Arizona Cardinals, aka the team traveling to Seattle as touchdown-plus underdogs. The Seahawks defense is too good at this point. Play ‘em.

The same thing applies with the Packers here. They’re at home against a Minnesota offense that slots one spot behind Denver and Arizona in regards to fantasy points allowed by opposing defenses. Green Bay’s first matchup against the Vikings back in Week 2 resulted in 17 points against, a fumble recovery, and four sacks.

After an underwhelming performance against the Browns last week, Buffalo is set up for the opportunity to be a great play during championship weekend against a Miami team that will be without Ryan Tannehill. The Bills should be a lock for a handful of sacks and an increased chance at a turnover or two.

Right in that tier with Buffalo and Green Bay sit the New York Giants, who have somehow managed to be the top D/ST over the last eight weeks. The Giants will travel to Philadelphia, who have been pretty dreadful offensively and have allowed double-digit points over it’s last four games.

Looking for a prayer and trying to snag a sleeper? They’re hard to come by at this point in the season, and this week especially when there are already so many good matchups.

You could go out on a limb and pick up the Rams, who’ve been beyond dreadful over the last four weeks, but go up against a San Francisco team that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing offenses. Conversely, you could take a shot on the 49ers D/ST. The Rams have allowed double-digit fantasy points in every game except the Week 6 matchup against Detroit.

Lastly, we’ll throw Cincinnati in this class as well if only because Houston has named Tom Savage its starting quarterback for its Thursday Night Football on Saturday night matchup.

(SK: Scott Kaliska, JG: Jeff Goldberg, JM: Jason Marcum, DG: Derek Gordon KB: Kyle Bennett)