2012 NFL Season Predictions – Top 5 Team Defenses in the NFL: There is a popular cliché in the football world that says offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships. Looking at the recent list of Super Bowl winners, it is tough to argue with the premise. After all, the vaunted pass rush of the New York Giants allowed them to defeat the high-powered offense of the New England Patriots for the second time in five years to win last year’s title. Not to mention the fact that while Green Bay and New Orleans shattered offensive records last year, neither team even reached the Super Bowl. Instead, the Packers won the Super Bowl two years ago thanks in part to big defensive plays from Charles Woodson, B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews, and the Saints won the year before that when their defense was the best in the NFL in forcing turnovers. In crunch time, there is simply no substitute for being able to stop an opponent from scoring. With that in mind, here is a look at the top defensive units in the NFL for the upcoming season.
2012 NFL Predictions: Top 5 Team Defenses
1. San Francisco 49ers
The numbers were pretty impressive for San Francisco’s defense last season. The 49ers ranked second in the NFL in points allowed (14.3), fourth in yards allowed, second in interceptions and second in forced fumbles. The unit also ranked in the top 10 in total sacks, and San Francisco had by far the best rushing defense in the NFL. With stars like Patrick Willis, Justin Smith and Dashon Goldson lining every area of the defense, it is no wonder that this unit put up such stellar numbers. Throw in the fact that Aldon Smith is coming off a 12-sack campaign as a rookie, and the 49ers should put up elite defensive numbers for the foreseeable future.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
Last season, the Steel Curtain led the NFL in both points allowed and yards allowed. Surprisingly, the unit only had 11 interceptions and 35.0 sacks, but what Pittsburgh defense lacked in big plays, it more than made up for in physicality. The Steelers simply grind out the game, punishing opposing offenses. This unit just doesn’t give up big plays. Pittsburgh finished last year by holding five of its final six regular season opponents to nine points or less. With veterans like Troy Polamalu, LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison all back to lead the way, the Steelers’ defense should be tough for opponents to crack in 2012.
3. Houston Texans
Without a doubt, Houston has one of the up-and-coming defenses in the NFL. Last year, the Texans ranked fourth in points allowed and second in yards allowed, ranking in the top four in total yardage against both the run and the pass. They also finished the year with 17 interceptions and 44.0 sacks. Linebacker Brian Cushing is one of the most productive players at his position, and J.J. Watt and Connor Barwin are both excellent pass rushers. Not to mention that the addition of shutdown corner Johnathan Joseph prior to last season solidified the secondary. Rookies Jared Crick and Whitney Mercilus will provide nice depth and added firepower to an already-solid pass rush. With so much young talent, Houston’s defense should only get better.
4. Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia’s defense shouldered much of the blame for what turned out to be a failure of season in 2011, but the unit actually gelled nicely late in the year. The Eagles allowed less than 20 points in the final four games, allowing just 10 points or less three times. Not to mention that Philadelphia actually led the NFL with 50.0 sacks. Although the defense was a little undersized, the overall speed of the unit creates matchup nightmares for opposing offensive lines. The Eagles also addressed their biggest weakness by adding defensive tackle Fletcher Cox in the draft and signing tackling machine DeMeco Ryans to play middle linebacker. Throw in a pair of stout cornerbacks in Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Nnamdi Asomugha, and there is no reason this group shouldn’t dramatically improve.
5. Baltimore Ravens
Whoever thinks the core of the Baltimore defense is getting too old needs to look at the numbers from last season. The Ravens finished the year ranked third in both points and yards allowed and ranked second against the run. Baltimore ranked third in the league with 48.0 sacks and also forced an NFL-high 21 fumbles, grabbed 15 interceptions and added four defensive touchdowns. Sure, Ray Lewis and Ed Reed aren’t getting any younger, but Jimmy Smith, Lardarius Webb, Haloti Ngata, Terrence Cody and Courtney Upshaw are just a few of the talented youngsters that give this group a blend of youth and experience. Even with defending Defensive Player of the Year Terrell Suggs set to miss the start of the year, the Ravens’ defense will still be stout.
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