NFL Rankings: Top Five Defenses
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While offense gets all the love from the media, Super Bowl winner usually point to their defense as the true key to their success. This season, there are a number of very good defensive teams around the league. Here is a list of the top five defenses in the NFL:
1) Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are quietly having an amazing year on the defensive end of the field. The Pittsburgh D is leading the league in fewest points allowed, fewest rushing yards allowed and fewest passing yards allowed. The Steelers defense simply can’t play much better than they are playing right now.
2) New England Patriots
Part of the reason why the Patriots are so good is because their defense is one of the best in the league. They are third in the league in points allowed and really, that doesn’t tell you how dominant they’ve been. The stat is somewhat distorted because teams have scored some late touchdowns with the Patriots up big.
3) Green Bay Packers
Everyone points to Brett Favre as the reason why the Packers are again a force to be reckoned with. However, doing so overlooks one huge aspect – the team’s defense. The Packers have a very good defensive unit that seems to get better as each week goes by.
4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs are second in the league in allowing the fewest points, as they allow only 15.1 points per game. Tampa Bay has a veteran defensive core that knows how to stop opposing offenses. Specializing in pass defense, the Bucs D has been the key to the team’s success this season.
5) Indianapolis Colts
The Colts would be a bit higher on this list if they hadn’t lost Dwight Freeney for the season. With Freeney sidelined, we’ll have to see how the Colts react over the long haul. However, the Colts are very well coached defensively and should be able to makeup for the loss.
