Top 10 Defenses in the NFL Entering The Season By Nikhil Ramgiri August 02, 2014 9:36 pm 
10. Denver BroncosA lot of people will want to see the Denver Broncos ranked higher on this list after the spending spree they went on this offseason. After surrendering 43 points to the Seattle Seahawks during the Super Bowl, it was clear the Broncos' defense needed retooling. That is why John Elway went out and added perennial All-Pro defensive end Demarcus Ware, Pro-Bowl safety T.J. Ward, and Pro Bowl cornerback Aqib Talib. However, on the defensive side of the ball, talent does not always equate to winning, and each of these three has concerns surrounding him. Ware is aging and may not be capable of producing like he did during his hey-day in Dallas. T.J. Ward is coming off one terrific year, but legal concerns threaten his image. Aqib Talib can be one of the best in the business, but inconsistency has plagued him throughout his career. The Broncos' defense has to prove it can mesh before they get ranked any higher on this list.9. St. Louis RamsWith the Seahawks, 49ers, and Cardinals all vying for playoff positioning in the NFC West, the St. Louis Rams have been left in the basement. However, they have been steadily stockpiling talent through the draft over the last few years, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. After drafting Aaron Donald this year, they may have the most intimidating front four in football with Robert Quinn, Chris Long, Michael Brockers, and Donald. The real question lies with the linebacking corps and the secondary. Alec Ogletree was solid in his rookie campaign, but his lack of awareness and football IQ resulted in many costly mistakes. Janoris Jenkins has shown glimpses of stardom, but has yet to put it all together. If the Rams can get star production from these two players, they'll shoot up these rankings. 8. Tampa Bay BuccaneersThis is my sleeper team in the NFC this season. With Lovie Smith on board as head coach, you know that the Bucs will be all about defense. During the offseason, they acquired talent that fits their new mindset. They first signed Michael Johnson to be their starting defensive end, giving them a solid tandem at the ends with Adrian Clayborne on the other side. Defensive tackle Geno Atkins and linebacker Lavonte David will continue to be the lifeblood of the front seven. At the back end, they signed Pro Bowl cornerback Alterraun Verner away from the Tennessee Titans to team with sophomore Jonathan Banks. While safety is still a question mark with the overaggressive Mark Barron and Dashon Goldson, the Bucs have a solid chance of breaking top ten lists on defense.7. Miami DolphinsThe unfortunate scandal involving Jonathan Martin and Richie Incognito masked what was actually a solid Miami Dolphin defense. The Dolphins were within playoff contention despite the bullying scandal and an underachieving offense primarily due to the efforts on defense. They gave up their fair share of yardage (12th most in the league), but they showed a ton of heart by giving up the seventh fewest points. With guys like Cameron Wake, Randy Starks, Brent Grimes, and Philip Wheeler, you have a recurring theme - a bunch of guys that refuse to quit. While reliance on grit may lead to some regression, the Dolphins will be in every single game thanks to the toughness of their defense. 6. Kansas City ChiefsAfter being the worst team in the league two seasons ago, the Kansas City Chiefs, sparked by their defense, started out last year 8-0. One loss to the Broncos later, everything began to fall apart. Star outside linebacker Justin Houston went down with injury. His partner, Tamba Hali, also dealt with various maladies down the stretch, and as a result, the Chiefs' defense became exposed. Without the pass rush provided by their health outside 'backers, the secondary was picked apart. Andrew Luck and the Colts were able to compile a remarkable comeback against the Chiefs in the Wild Card Game by scoring 28 unanswered points against a hapless-looking Kansas City defense. Entering this season, the Chiefs' defense has plenty of questions to answer. Outside of Houston and Hali, can the front seven apply pressure on the quarterback without giving up huge gains in the running game? Can Marcus Cooper become the No. 1 cornerback after the departure of Brandon Flowers? As of now, the Chiefs have a lot to prove.5. Cincinnati BengalsIn a few years, the Cincinnati Bengals are going to look back and wish they had capitalized on a golden opportunity. The two perennial superpowers in their division - the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens - have fallen off in the last few years, and it has coincided with the Bengals' rise, particularly on defense. With the terrific defense they have possessed, the Bengals will be disappointed they didn't capitalize in the postseason. Carlos Dunlap and superstar tackle Geno Atkins have been consistently disruptive forces against both the run and the pass. Last season, Vontaze Burfict broke onto the NFL scene with a magnificent campaign as the weak-side linebacker. Outside of those three however, the Bengals' defense is likely on decline. Without defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and with mediocre talent in the secondary, the Bengals' best defensive days are behind them.4. New Orleans SaintsNormally identified as a high-flying, offensive finesse team, a No. 4 ranking defensively may come as a surprise. However, under new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, the Saints have undergone a remarkable transformation, going from being one of the worst defensive teams in history to being one of the most sound defenses in the league. Outside of the newly signed safety Jairus Byrd and cornerback Champ Bailey, there are no easily recognizable studs at any level of this defense. Ryan simply excels at utilizing his players' strengths and giving opposing offenses multiple looks with variants of 3-4, 4-3, and 4-4 defensive fronts. The Saints were a bit porous against the run last season, giving up 4.6 yards per carry, ranking them 14th in the league in that category. Their pass defense, on the other hand, was exceptional, as they ranked only behind the Seahawks' in fewest passing yards per game. 3. Carolina PanthersThe Carolina Panthers were the surprise team of 2013, finishing with a record of 12-4, ahead of their high-profile division rival New Orleans Saints. Possessing a fairly lackluster offense, the Panthers were carried by their tough, physical defense. With the Carolina defense, it all starts up front along the defensive line. Defensive ends Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy are explosive pass rushers off the edge, making it impossible to double-team either one. Kawann Short and Star Lotulelei were superb at closing rushing lanes and collapsing the pocket. But the unquestioned leader of this defense is undoubtedly middle linebacker Luke Kuechley. Last year's Defensive Player of the Year is the complete package, from defending the run to running upfield with tight ends. The one thing preventing the Panthers from rising up these rankings is their uninspiring secondary. 2. San Francisco 49ersThe NFC West has experienced a remarkable turnaround in the last few seasons, going from being the laughingstock of the NFL to being the most stacked division in football. Jim Harbaugh has been one of the prime causes of this turnaround, as he has turned the San Francisco 49ers into one of the most vaunted defensive juggernauts in the league. Veteran Justin Smith has been a stalwart along the defensive line, allowing linebackers Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman, Ahmad Brooks, and Aldon Smith to garner six collective All-Pro nominations. The secondary is largely untested, outside of stud sophomore safety Eric Reid, but there is plenty of potential lurking in cornerbacks Tramaine Brock and Chris Culliver. 1. Seattle SeahawksThe defending Super Bowl champions carry the honor of "Best Defense in the NFL" entering this season, and it really isn't even close. If there had been any question at all regarding whether or not the Seattle Seahawk defense was legitimate, they were put to rest during their Super Bowl drubbing of five-time MVP Peyton Manning and the Broncos. Possessing a ferocious defensive line, a criminally underrated linebacking corps, and one of the stingiest secondaries ever to play, the Seahawks boast the most complete defense in the league. And of course, they have an excellent spokesperson in Richard Sherman. link
