What NFL Team Has the Best Defense?

The answer to this question may seem obvious, but a lot of people don’t realize that the best defense in the NFL isn’t always the one that gives up the fewest points.

The Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks have the best defense in the NFL. They are a force to be reckoned with and have a great record. Some people might say that the Denver Broncos have a better defense, but the Seahawks have proved time and time again that they are the best.

The “Legion of Boom”

The Legion of Boom is the nickname for the Seattle Seahawks’ defense. The Legion of Boom was a term coined by then-assistant head coach and defensive coordinator Gus Bradley in reference to the size, strength, and speed of the Seahawks’ starting secondary: cornerbacks Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner, and safeties Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor. All four players were drafted by the Seahawks within a five-year span (2010–14).

A strong pass rush

A strong pass rush is the foundation of any great defense, and the Seattle Seahawks have that in spades. With a deep and talented defensive line, the Seahawks are able to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks, which often leads to sacks and turnovers. In addition to their sack totals, the Seahawks also lead the NFL in interceptions and forced fumbles. All of these factors combine to make the Seahawks one of the most feared defenses in the NFL.

The Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos have one of the best defenses in the NFL. They are strong against the run and the pass, and they have a lot of playmakers on defense. They also have a great homefield advantage.

A suffocating secondary

The Denver Broncos’ defense is one of the most feared in the NFL. The “No Fly Zone” secondary is a big reason why.

The Broncos have four Pro Bowlers in their secondary: cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr., safety T.J. Ward, and cornerback Bradley Roby. These four players have a combined 14 Pro Bowl appearances.

Talib and Harris are arguably the best cornerback tandem in the NFL. They are both Shutdown Corners, meaning they can take away half of the field for opposing quarterbacks.

Ward is a hard-hitting safety who is excellent in run support. He is also a very good coverage safety, which is rare to find.

Roby is a young player with tremendous upside. He has good size and speed and is excellent in coverage.

A great front seven

The Denver Broncos have one of the best defenses in the NFL. Their front seven is particularly strong, with a deep and talented defensive line and linebackers corps. The Broncos’ defense is built around stopping the run, and they are very good at it. They are also good at getting to the quarterback, especially from the edge.

The Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers have the best defense in the NFL. They are led by linebacker Luke Kuechly, who is one of the best linebackers in the league. The Panthers also have a great defensive line and secondary. They are a very talented and well-coached team.

An elite front seven

It’s no secret that the Carolina Panthers have one of the best defenses in the NFL. The Panthers’ defensive line is considered one of the best in the league, and the team’s linebackers and defensive backs are extremely talented as well.

One of the things that makes the Panthers’ defense so special is their “front seven.” This refers to the team’s defensive linemen and linebackers. These seven players are responsible for stopping the run and getting to the quarterback.

The Panthers have some of the best individual players in the front seven, including linebacker Luke Kuechly and defensive end Julius Peppers. But it’s not just about individual talent. The front seven also works well together as a unit. They communicate well and they’re always in the right place at the right time.

The result is a defense that is extremely difficult to score against. In fact, over the past two seasons, the Panthers have allowed an average of just 17 points per game. That’s an incredible stat, and it’s a big reason why the Panthers are one of the best teams in the NFL.

A ball-hawking secondary

The Carolina Panthers have one of the best defenses in the NFL, and a big reason why is their ball-hawking secondary.

Led by All-Pro cornerback Josh Norman, the Panthers have four players in their secondary who have interception totals in double digits over the last two seasons. Norman has 13 interceptions over that span, while safety Kurt Coleman has 12, and cornerbacks Bene Benwikere and Robert McClain have 10 each.

In addition to being great at intercepting passes, the Panthers’ secondary is also very good at keeping opposing receivers in front of them. According to Football Outsiders’ defensive DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) metric, which measures a team’s efficiency by comparing success on every play to the league average, the Panthers’ pass defense was the second best in the NFL last season.

The Panthers lost some key players from their secondary this offseason, including Norman (who signed with the Washington Redskins) and Benwikere (who was released after getting hurt), but they still have plenty of talent remaining. Coleman and McClain will continue to anchor the unit, while second-year pro James Bradberry and free-agent signee Daryl Worley will compete for starting jobs at cornerback.

With a ball-hawking secondary leading the way, the Carolina Panthers are poised to once again field one of the best defenses in the NFL in 2016.

The Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals have been a top 10 defense in the NFL for the past few years. They are solid against the run and the pass. They have a good mix of veterans and young players. They are coached well and always seem to be in the right position.

A deep and talented defensive line

The Arizona Cardinals have one of the best defenses in the NFL. They are led by a deep and talented defensive line that can get after the quarterback and stuff the run. The Cardinals also have a talented secondary that can make life difficult for opposing quarterbacks.

A strong linebacker corps

The Arizona Cardinals have one of the best defenses in the NFL, and a big part of that is due to their strong linebacker corps. Led by All-Pro Chandler Jones, the Cardinals LBs are a force to be reckoned with.

Jones is one of the best edge rushers in the league, and he’s flanked by two other great linebackers in Haason Reddick and Markus Golden. Together, they form a fearsome trio that not many offenses can handle.

Beyond those three, the Cardinals also have Jordan Hicks, who’s been a solid player for them since arriving from the Philadelphia Eagles. And they’ve got Dante Booker, who’s a promising young player with a lot of potential.

All in all, it’s a great group of linebackers that makes the Cardinals defense one of the best in the league.