Fantasy football waiver wire: 3 team defenses to target for Week 12

Entering Monday night, the Cincinnati Bengals defense had the most fantasy points for defense and special teams units for Week 11. Unfortunately for their fantasy owners, the high of that point total will have to last them for two weeks since the Bengals are on a bye in Week 12.

The good news is, Week 12 marks the last time fantasy owners will need to play the bye week shuffle as every team will play in every week going forward. But that shouldn't deter fantasy owners from delving into the waiver wire, as solid options are to be had regardless of which teams are getting their week of rest. Let's take a look at a few of those for this week:

Green Bay Packers (vs. Minnesota Vikings):

Waiver Wire Advice

• Carson Palmer and 4 other QBs to target • Donald Brown and 4 other RBs to target • Michael Crabtree and 4 other WRs to target • Garrett Graham and 4 other TEs to target

With Adrian Peterson nursing a groin injury and with the Packers entering Week 12 allowing just over 100 rushing yards per game, the Vikings may not be able to involve their best player as much as they would like to. With the weight of the offense instead on the shoulders of Christian Ponder, Josh Freeman or Matt Cassel, it bodes well for the Packers' chances of adding to their four interceptions on the season as the Vikings still struggle to get consistent production from the quarterback position. While that gets figured out, owners could do much worse than take a flier on the Packers defense, which can still be had in 47 percent of Yahoo! waiver pools.

New Orleans Saints (vs. Atlanta Falcons): It's difficult to put much faith in an Atlanta Falcons offense that has been banged up by injury beyond the point of recognition from its elite 2012 form. It's especially difficult to trust it with not only a short rest this week, but against a vastly improved New Orleans Saints secondary which entered Monday night third in the NFL in passing yardage allowed. That is especially impressive considering teams have had to play catch-up versus its own high-scoring offense, and the defense has hardly given an inch edgewise. Despite their dominance, the Saints can still be had in 59 percent of Yahoo! leagues and deserve starting consideration in Week 12 across all formats.

Tennessee Titans (vs. Oakland Raiders): In his NFL debut, Matt McGloin surprised his onlookers with precision and accuracy, and it didn't hurt that he threw his first three career touchdowns in his impressive effort. However, it would be difficult to envision a repeat performance versus the Titans defense, a team which has allowed just seven passing touchdowns all season. That's the best mark in the NFL, and it would be a lot to expect an undrafted rookie quarterback to improve versus one of the league's top pass defenses, especially now that his opponents have some film to study. Still available in nearly half of Yahoo! leagues, the Titans would be more than a quality plug-and-play in Week 12.

Honorable mentions: Pittsburgh Steelers, owned in 27 percent (vs. Cleveland Browns); Oakland Raiders, owned in 11 percent (vs. Tennessee Titans)

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