Fantasy defenses are becoming tougher and tougher to rank as the year goes on. Guys get hurt, some are benched as playoff spots start to get locked up and defenses are tough to rank as it is. While defenses are outright elite, these five defenses have good matchups and make great fantasy starts.

1. Seattle Seahawks

For the rest of the year, I don’t see the Seahawks falling out of the top spot. The defense is just too good. Even after the most round of suspensions that took Walter Thurmond out of the locker room (and eventually Brandon Browner, who missed the game with a groin injury), the defense still stood up to Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints, holding them to just seven points. Even though Seattle is on the road this week in San Francisco, they are still a must-start. Despite the return of Michael Crabtree, the 49ers still have the second worst pass offense in the league, and don’t score a lot of points.

Projected Statistics: 10 points allowed, three sacks, one interception, one fumble recovery

2. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals have had some dud games on defense, but has recently been on a tear, forcing multiple turnovers in three straight games. Analysts (including myself) were concerned about what this defense would become without Geno Atkins but they are getting along just fine. In all, Cincinnati has 23 takeaways this year, good for third in the AFC. Their Week 14 opponent, the Colts, have been stingy with giving up points to fantasy defenses this year, but just let the Titans defense score nine last week and Arizona’s defense scored 14 in Week 12. Andrew Luck doesn’t turn the ball over much, but Indy’s offense hasn’t been able to do much of anything without Reggie Wayne.

Projected Statistics: 10 points allowed, two sacks, two fumble recoveries

3. San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco is starting to become one of the top three or four defenses in the league, but the way Russell Wilson is playing, it doesn’t look like any defense will slow them down. But the Seahawks score 24 points per game on the road this year, as opposed to the 33 points per game they score at home, according to ESPN, which makes this play a little less concerning. The 49ers have only had two games this year when they didn’t force an interception, and have had nine sacks in the last two games. They won’t be at the top this week, but San Francisco is still a strong start.

Projected Statistics: 13 points allowed, one interception, four sacks

4. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals didn’t force a turnover on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, but that was the first time Arizona didn’t have a takeaway all year. Although they are only owned in 50.9 percent of ESPN leagues, the Cardinals should be a start this week against the St. Louis Rams, who have been a solid football team but haven’t done anything on offense with Kellen Clemens at the helm. Arizona has the fourth best rushing defense in the league, which should take away Zac Stacy, the Rams best offensive weapon. In three of the last four games, the Cardinals have scored nine or more fantasy points and they’ll be around the eight or nine point mark this week.

Projected Statistics: 14 points allowed, two sacks, one interception, one fumble recovery

5. New England Patriots

Currently second in the AFC in turnover margin, the Patriots get a great matchup this week in the Cleveland Browns, who have yet to even announce a starting quarterback for Sunday’s game. If it’s Brandon Weeden they are a lock to get two interceptions. Jason Campbell wouldn’t be fully effective if he started, and the other quarterback options for the Browns haven’t played in a game this year. New England has been declining as a fantasy defense with injuries in the secondary, but they have a great chance to rebound this week against a Browns offense who is allowing the fourth most points to fantasy defenses.

Projected Statistics: 14 points allowed, one sack, two interceptions