By Bart Lopez

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Buccaneers are this week’s top projected defense/special teams. Tampa Bay is currently ranked ninth in the NFL in giving up just 20 points per game and will be playing a team in the Indianapolis Colts that have yet to score over 20 points. Without Manning behind the center, the Colts offense is seriously lacking, so expect Tampa Bay’s defense to have a good day. Projected fantasy points: 22.5.

2. Philadelphia Eagles: In the past two games, the Eagles defense has been beaten up by the Falcons and the Giants. Philadelphia has a great secondary and is good at stopping the pass, but has struggled against the run. This week the Eagles play the 49ers, a team with little offensive firepower. The Eagles need to win this game so expect the defense to step up. Projected fantasy points: 19.0.

3. Green Bay Packers: The Packers defense has played decently the past two weeks against the Panthers and the Bears. Green Bay is still giving up too many points, 24 per game, but that might change this weekend at home against Denver. Denver’s offense is mediocre at best, averaging less than 300 yards of total offense per game. Expect the Packers to hold the Broncos to under 20 at Lambeau Field.

4. San Diego Chargers: The Chargers defense is better than most would suspect ranked 9th and 19th in opposing passing and rushing yards respectively. This week the Bolts play the Dolphins in San Diego. The Miami offense started off on a high note against New England, but has failed to score 20 points in its last two contests. Expect that low scoring trend to continue on Sunday. Projected fantasy points: 17.

5. Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings defense is both very good and very bad. Minnesota can’t stop the pass, ranked 29th in opposing passing yards, but is incredible against the run, ranked 4th in opposing rushing yards. The opposing offense this weekend will be that of the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs offense looks to run most of the time, which favors the tough run defense of the Vikings. Projected fantasy points: 15.4.

Not Top 5, but could be: This week’s defense that isn’t on the list but should be on everyone’s radar is that of the New York Giants. For the past two weeks, the Giants defense has held its opponents to 16 points. This week the G-Men play the Cardinals at home in the Meadowlands. Look for the Giants, with support from the home crowd, to slow down the Cardinals offense. Projected fantasy points: 13.4.