The 2016 fantasy football playoffs are upon us for most leagues. If your league runs playoffs Week 15, 16, and 17, you should find another league. If you have a bye this week, congratulations. And if you are in the first round of your playoffs, congratulations, and it is time to get to work.
Fantasy football rankings, 2016: Defense/special teams for Week 14
The SB Nation fantasy team reveals which defense/special teams rank in the top 25 heading into Week 14.
Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images
There are no more bye weeks, so there is a full range of defenses to consider. People underestimate their defensive options at their own peril. Hitting just right can be the difference between a close win and a heart-breaking playoff elimination.
The Cleveland Browns are back in play, which means the Cincinnati Bengals are going to be an option for some folks. The Browns are expected to send Robert Griffin III out for his first start since Week 1. Their offense is better than some people think, with Terrelle Pryor, Corey Coleman, and Gary Barnidge catching passes, and Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson running out of the backfield. The Bengals are not a bad option per se, but this could be an interesting matchup.
A lot of our voters expect nothing from Miami Dolphins this week following their ugly loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 13. If you are desperate, however, they might be worth a speculative play against an Arizona Cardinals defense that is struggling on the road.
Defense/special teams, Week 14
(ZS: Zach Senvisky, JM: Jason Marcum, SK: Scott Kaliska, JG: Jeff Goldberg, DG: Derek Gordon)
| Rk | Consensus | Opp. | ZS | JM | SK | JG | DG |
| 1 | Minnesota Vikings | @ JAC | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | Denver Broncos | @ TEN | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 3 | New England Patriots | vs. BAL | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| 4 | Detroit Lions | vs. CHI | 2 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 10 |
| 5 | Arizona Cardinals | @ MIA | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 |
| 6 | Cincinnati Bengals | @ CLE | 4 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 15 |
| 7 | Seattle Seahawks | @ GB | 9 | 8 | 12 | 7 | 8 |
| 8 | Tennessee Titans | vs. DEN | 6 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 13 |
| 9 | Baltimore Ravens | @ NE | 13 | 2 | 20 | 13 | 2 |
| 10 | Houston Texans | @ IND | 12 | 6 | 15 | 12 | 6 |
| 11 | Kansas City Chiefs | vs. OAK | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 |
| 12 | San Diego Chargers | @ CAR | 10 | 11 | 18 | 10 | 12 |
| 13 | Pittsburgh Steelers | @ BUF | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 17 |
| 14 | Dallas Cowboys | @ NYG | 19 | 9 | 24 | 21 | 9 |
| 15 | New York Jets | @ SF | 8 | -- | 14 | 8 | -- |
| 16 | Washington | @ PHI | 14 | 17 | 23 | 15 | 14 |
| 17 | New York Giants | vs. DAL | 16 | 16 | 21 | 16 | 16 |
| 18 | Buffalo Bills | vs. PIT | 18 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 18 |
| 19 | Atlanta Falcons | @ LA | 20 | 21 | 9 | 20 | 20 |
| 20 | Carolina Panthers | vs. SD | 21 | 22 | 11 | 19 | 19 |
| 21 | Green Bay Packers | vs. SEA | 17 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 23 |
| 22 | Jacksonville Jaguars | vs. MIN | -- | 15 | -- | -- | 5 |
| 23 | Philadelphia Eagles | vs. WAS | 23 | 19 | 19 | 23 | 22 |
| 24 | Miami Dolphins | vs. ARI | -- | -- | 4 | -- | -- |
| 25 | San Francisco 49ers | vs. NYJ | 24 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 21 |
| -- | Los Angeles Rams | vs. ATL | 25 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 24 |
| -- | Oakland Raiders | @KC | 22 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| -- | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | vs. NO | -- | 25 | -- | 25 | 25 |
