Which NFL Team Has the Best Defense in 2021?
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The 2021 NFL season is underway and there are a lot of great defenses out there. But which one is the best? We take a look at the stats and decide.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the best defense in the NFL. They are led by defensive coordinator Todd Bowles. The Buccaneers have a great defensive line, linebacker corps, and secondary. They have the personnel to shut down any offense in the league.
Their Lineup
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers became the first team in NFL history to have three players with at least 10 sacks each in a season. That elite trio is led by linebacker Shaquil Barrett, who had 19.5 sacks, which tied for second in the league and set a new franchise record. Jason Pierre-Paul, who had 12.5 sacks, and Lavonte David, who had 10, join Barrett to form one of the most feared pass-rushing units in the NFL.
The Bucs also have a talented young secondary led by cornerbacks Carlton Davis III and Jamel Dean. Davis had four interceptions while Dean broke up 11 passes and intercepted two others. Safeties Jordan Whitehead and Antoine Winfield Jr. provide excellent support over the top.
The result is a defense that allowed just 22 points per game during the regular season, which was second best in the NFL. The Bucs allowed just 19 passing touchdowns all season, which was also second best in the league.
Their Record
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished the 2020 regular season with a 11-5 record, good for second place in the NFC South. They qualified for the playoffs as a wild card team and defeated the Washington Football Team in the Wild Card round. In the Divisional Round, they upset the top-seeded New Orleans Saints, before losing to the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in the Conference Championship.
The Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams have the best defense in the NFL. They are led by All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald and All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey. The Rams also have a very good pass rush and a good secondary. They have the best defense in the NFL because they can stop the run and the pass.
Their Lineup
The Los Angeles Rams have one of the best defenses in the NFL. Here is their lineup for the 2021 season:
Defensive end: Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers, Morgan Fox, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
Defensive tackle: A’Shawn Robinson, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Greg Gaines
Linebacker: Cory Littleton, Samson Ebukam, Bryce Hager, Micah Kiser
Cornerback: Marcus Peters, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Troy Hill, David Long Jr.
Safety: John Johnson III, Eric Weddle, Taylor Rapp
Their Record
The Rams had a great season in 2020, finishing with a record of 10-6. They lost in the Wild Card round of the playoffs to the Green Bay Packers. Manypeople expected them to go further in the playoffs, but they could not get past the Packers.
The Rams have a great defense, and they will be looking to improve upon their performance from last year. They have a lot of young talent on their defense, and they will be looking to make a big impact in 2021.
The Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens have been one of the best NFL teams in recent years. Their defense is no joke, and they always seem to be in the mix for the playoffs. In 2021, they look like they might be the best team in the league. Let’s take a look at their defense and see why they are so good.
Their Lineup
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional American football team based in Baltimore, Maryland. They compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league’s American Football Conference (AFC) North division. The Ravens play their home games at M&T Bank Stadium and are currently coached by John Harbaugh.
The team’s lineup includes:
-Justin Tucker, Kicker
-Sam Koch, Punter
-Morgan Cox, Long Snapper
-Patrick Ricard, Fullback
-Mark Andrews, Tight End
-Nick Boyle, Tight End
-Harrison Bryant, Tight End
-Hayden Hurst, Tight End
Oniel Cousins, Offensive Tackle
Orlando Brown Jr., Offensive Tackle
Ronnie Stanley, Offensive Tackle
Brendon Ayanbadejo, Inside Linebacker
Ray Lewis, Inside Linebacker
Peter Boulware, Outside Linebacker
Jameel McClain, Outside Linebacker
Osi Umenyiora, Defensive End Michael Bennett Sr., Defensive End Calais Campbell, Defensive End Yannick Ngakoue Jr., Defensive End Derek Wolfe Sr., Defensive End Brandon Williams Sr., Nose Tackle Justin Madubuike Jr., Defensive Tackle Broderick Washington Jr., Defensive Tackle Matthew Judon, Outside Linebacker Tyus Bowser229375164161712 NFL0Selected 24th overall 2018 NFL DraftLinebacker20202LOU2Michigan Wolverines9Wilton Speight2218563704151811 NFL0Selected 249th overall 2019 NFL DraftQuarterback20202TRU1UCF Knights8Jaylon Ferguson22812491752151813 NFL0Signed as an undrafted free agent 2019Unrestricted Free AgentDefensive end202011WASH9Louisiana Tech Bulldogs77Jimmy Smith240345596527201914NFL7Selected 27th overall 2011 NFL DraftCornerback20211Kentucky Wildcats98Chris Wormley24019529453118915NFL6Selected 74th overall 2017 NFL DraftDefensive tackle20210Michigan Wolverines99Miles Boykin242151356319141619NFL0Selected 93rd overall 2019 NFL DraftWide receiver20202Notre Dame Fighting Irish56Matthew Judon2584053387131421619nfl0selected130thoverall2016nfldraftlinebacker20197grandvalleystateuniversity96Kamalei Correa2463951258116421718nfl2selected42ndoverall2016nfldraftlinebacker20197boisestateuniversity50Pernell McPhee25034552471209318212016nflprobowllinebackerbaltimoreravens32Terrell Suggs252345435937201519probowl4timesdefensiverookietheyear2011nfldefensiveplayeroftheyear2011superbowlxlvchampion84Eric Weddle655355315526201716probowlorangecountyregisterallprosafetypeoplestyleoffensivedefensivesmidseasonfirstteamsafeties95Chris Wormley24019529453118915NFL6Selected 74th overall 2017 NFL DraftDefensive tackle20210Michigan Wolverines55Tyus Bowser230105377831588201732PFWAAllRookieTeam
Their Record
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional American football team based in Baltimore, Maryland. They compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference (AFC) North division. The team plays its home games at M&T Bank Stadium and is headquartered in Owings Mills.
The Ravens were established in 1996, when Art Modell, who was then the owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced plans to relocate the franchise to Baltimore. As part of a settlement between Modell and the city of Cleveland, the Ravens were given an expansion franchise that would begin play in 1996. The Ravens began play in September 1996. In their first season, the team advanced to Super Bowl XXXV, defeating the New York Giants 34–7 to win their first Super Bowl Championship. Since their second Super Bowl victory following the 2012 season, they have appeared in two more conference championship games: losing to the New England Patriots in 2013 and again to the Patriots in 2019.
The New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints have the best defense in the NFL. They are led by a great coach in Sean Payton and have a lot of talent on that side of the ball. They finished the season ranked first in points allowed per game and yards allowed per game. They also had the most sacks in the league.
Their Lineup
This year, the New Orleans Saints have one of, if not the best defense in the NFL.
Their defensive line is anchored by All-Pro defensive end Cam Jordan, who is coming off a season where he recorded 15.5 sacks. On the other side of the line is Marcus Davenport, who had 8.5 sacks last season. The Saints also have one of the best young defensive tackles in the NFL in Sheldon Rankins, who had 4 sacks last season.
The Saints linebackers are led by Demario Davis, who had 5 sacks and 1 interception last season. They also have A. J. Klein, who had 3 sacks and 2 interceptions last season. The Saints also have Manti Te’o, who is a solid run-stuffer in the middle of their defense.
The Saints have one of the best secondaries in the NFL, led by All-Pro cornerback Marshon Lattimore, who had 4 interceptions and 1 sack last season. They also have former Pro Bowl safety Vonn Bell, who had 3 interceptions and 2 sacks last season. The Saints also have Eli Apple, who had 1 interception and 1 sack last season.
Their Record
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the league’s National Football Conference (NFC) South division. The team was founded by John W. Mecom Jr., David Dixon, and the city of New Orleans on November 1, 1966. The Saints began play in Tulane Stadium in 1967.
The name “Saints” is an allusion to November 1 being All Saints’ Day in the Catholic faith, as well as to the team’s #1 Fan base, located in the Gulf Coast region known as “Who Dat Nation”. They have won one NFL Championship (Super Bowl XLIV), and 11 division championships. Their Super Bowl appearance was the first appearance by a wild card team from any conference since 1995; they are also one of only two NFC teams to make ten or more appearances since wild cards were instituted in 1975 and one of only five NFC teams to make four consecutive appearances, having done so from 2009–2012. As a result of these successes, among others, salary-cap restraints have forced them to release several prominent players following championship runs, such as Deuce McAllister, Drew Brees and Reggie Bush after their Superbowl XLIV victory; Keenan Lewis after their 2013 season; and most recently Jimmy Graham and Junior Galette after their 2017 season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been one of the most dominant teams in the NFL over the past few years. Their defense has been a big reason why they have been so successful. In 2021, they look to be the best defense in the NFL once again. Let’s take a look at why the Steelers have the best defense in the NFL.
Their Lineup
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference (AFC) North division. They are one of the eight teams of that conference to win at least one Super Bowl title, and are the only AFC North team to have done so twice, winning their sixth Championship in 2020.
The team is currently owned by Art Rooney II, and his son Daniel serves as president and co-owner. The Steelers have played their home games at Heinz Field on Pittsburgh’s North Side since 2001. The Steelers share the record for the most Super Bowl appearances with the New England Patriots, and both teams are tied for the most wins with six apiece.
The team has had 30 head coaches in its history; including three who served as interim head coach: Bill Cowher, Mike Tomlin, and Ken Whisenhunt. The current head coach is Mike Tomlin, who has held the position since 2007.
Their Record
In 2021, the Pittsburgh Steelers had the best defense in the NFL. They finished the regular season with a record of 15-1, and they allowed the fewest points per game of any team in the league. Their defense was led by linebacker T.J. Watt, who had 15 sacks and was named the Defensive Player of the Year.
