Who Has the Number One Defense in the NFL?

The NFL’s regular season is coming to a close, and there’s still a lot of uncertainty about who will end up with the number one defense. The Baltimore Ravens and the New England Patriots are currently tied for the lead, but there are a few other teams close behind them. So, who has the best chance of finishing the season with the top defense?

The Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens are currently ranked number one in the NFL for overall defense. The Ravens have been dominant on defense all season, only giving up an average of 16.6 points per game. Their opponents have only been able to score a total of touchdowns against them, and they have forced 24 turnovers. The Ravens defense is led by veteran linebacker Terrell Suggs, who has been with the team since 2003.

The Numbers

The Baltimore Ravens have the number one defense in the NFL. The Ravens have given up the fewest points per game, the fewest yards per game, and they have the best turnover differential. In addition, the Ravens have sacked the quarterback more times than any other team in the NFL.

The Players

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 Players:
Offense:
Quarterback- Lamar Jackson
Running Back- Mark Ingram
Full Back- Patrick Ricard
Wide Receiver- Marquise Brown
Tight End- Mark Andrews
Left Tackle- Ronnie Stanley
Right Tackle- Orlando Brown Jr.
Left Guard- Marshal Yanda
Right Guard- Ben Powers
Center- Matt Skura

The Scheme

The Baltimore Ravens play a 3-4 defensive scheme. This scheme uses three defensive linemen and four linebackers. The three defensive linemen consist of a nose tackle and two defensive ends. The nose tackle’s job is to line up directly over the center and try to control the middle of the line. The two defensive ends line up on either side of the nose tackle and their jobs are to contain the offensive tackles and try to make plays in the backfield.

The four linebackers consist of two outside linebackers and two inside linebackers. The inside linebackers line up in the middle of the defense and their job is to stuff the run and provide support against the pass. The outside linebackers line up on the outside of the defense and their job is to contain the edge of the defense and also make plays in the backfield.

The Baltimore Ravens’ 3-4 scheme is very effective against both the run and the pass. This scheme allows them to stuff the run with their big defensive linemen and also pressure the quarterback with their talented group of linebackers.

The New England Patriots

The New England Patriots have had the number one defense in the NFL for the past two seasons. They are led by head coach Bill Belichick and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. The Patriots have a unique style of defense that uses a combination of man and zone coverage. They also use a variety of blitzes to put pressure on the quarterback.

The Numbers

The New England Patriots have the best defense in the NFL. This is based on a number of factors, including:
-The number of points allowed per game
-The number of yards allowed per game
-The number of sacks
-The number of takeaways

Here is a closer look at the numbers:
-Points allowed per game: 14.1 (1st in the NFL)
-Yards allowed per game: 275.8 (1st in the NFL)
-Sacks: 40 (2nd in the NFL)
-Takeaways: 28 (1st in the NFL)

The Players

The New England Patriots are a professional American football team based in the Greater Boston region. The Patriots compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league’s American Football Conference (AFC) East division. The team plays its home games at Gillette Stadium in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts, which is located 28 miles (45 km) southwest of downtown Boston, Massachusetts. The Patriots are also headquartered at Gillette Stadium.

An original member of the American Football League (AFL), the Patriots joined the NFL in the AFL–NFL merger in 1970. The team changed its name from the original Boston Patriots after relocating to Foxborough in 1971. The Patriots played their home games at Foxboro Stadium from 1971 to 2001, then moved to Gillette Stadium at the start of 2002 season. Between 2002 and 2017, the Patriots compiled a regular season record of 177–60 (.747), winning seven conference championships and twelve division titles along the way. The team has appeared in ten Super Bowls—winning six of them—since appearing in their first game in 1986, making them one of just two NFL teams to have already played more than ten Super Bowls before either winning their first or losing their tenth game overall—the only other such team as of 2019 is Pittsburgh Steelers—and one of only four ever to have won more than five, joining also Pittsburgh and San Francisco 49ers as well as Dallas Cowboys; all four teams have played each other many times since they each reached five wins except for Dallas and San Francisco who will play each other for a record eleventh time this season with a win by either guaranteeing that one if not both these teams will be playing each other for a record twelfth time come next season).

Bill Belichick has been head coach since 2000, making him the longest-tenured head coach in NFL history. The franchise has used 47 different quarterbacks over that period; Tom Brady has started more games (275 including playoffs) than any other quarterback for New England, winning eight conference championships with the team along with four Super Bowl MVP Awards—an NFL record for most such awards by a single player.. In 2019, according to Forbes Magazine real estate tycoon Robert Kraft bought sports merchandise retailer Kraft Group LLC for $172 million and combined it with Vornado Realty Trust he already owned; this gave Kraft ownership of not only Gillette Stadium but also strategic land around it allowing him greater control over future development there including potential construction ofPatriot Place 2 which could bring office space and more shopping and restaurants near stadium making it more attractive on non-game days; as part being purchased by Kraft Group LLC.,the New England Revolution Major League Soccer team which he also owned was included in sale making Kraft Sports + Entertainment one entity that owns both an MLS soccer club and an NFL football club; following purchase transaction was completed on June 7, 2019.

The Scheme

The New England Patriots use a multiple defense scheme, which means that they adapt their defensive alignment and strategies to match the offensive formation of the opposing team. This makes them difficult to prepare for, as the opposing offense never knows what to expect. The Patriots’ base defense is a 3-4, but they often use a 4-3 when facing an offense that uses a lot of wide receivers.

The heart of the Patriots’ defense is their line, which is anchored by All-Pro defensive tackle Vince Wilfork. Wilfork is a massive man at 6’2″ and 325 pounds, and he commands double-teams on almost every play. This leaves one-on-one matchups for Patriots’ defensive ends Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich, who are both excellent pass rushers. Behind them are linebackers Dont’a Hightower and Jerod Mayo, who are adept at stopping the run and covering tight ends and running backs in the passing game.

In the secondary, the Patriots are led by cornerback Aqib Talib, who was acquired from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers midway through the 2012 season. Talib is a shutdown corner who can take away half of the field for opposing quarterbacks. He’s flanked by Alfonzo Dennard, who had a breakout season as a rookie in 2012. The Patriots also have two good safeties in Devin McCourty and Steve Gregory, who provide good support against both the pass and run.

The San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers have the number one defense in the NFL. They are a well-rounded team with a strong pass rush, good coverage, and a stout run defense. Their defense is led by All-Pro linebacker NaVorro Bowman and safety Eric Reid. The 49ers have a talented group of young players that should keep them near the top of the league for years to come.

The Numbers

The San Francisco 49ers Although they may not have the highest average yards allowed per game, the San Francisco 49ers have the number one defense in the NFL according to points allowed per game.

In the 2018 NFL season, the 49ers only allowed an average of 17.7 points per game. This was good enough for first in the NFL. The next closest team was the New England Patriots who only allowed 18.5 points per game.

The 49ers were also first in the NFL in takeaways with 36. They had 13 interceptions and forced 23 fumbles. They also had a +12 turnover differential which was tied for first with the Chicago Bears.

The 49ers gave up an average of 275.4 yards per game which was good for fifth in the NFL. They gave up an average of 109 rushing yards per game which was good for eighth in the NFL. They gave up an average of 166 passing yards per game which was good for second in the NFL

The Players

The San Francisco 49ers defense is one of the most feared in the NFL. The team is full of big names and talented players who have made a name for themselves by shutting down opposing offenses.

The defensive line is led by former first overall pick DeForest Buckner. Buckner is a force to be reckoned with, and he commands double teams on a regular basis. He is flanked by fellow Pro Bowler Arik Armstead, who is a physical specimen at 6’7″. The 49ers also have one of the best young pass rushers in the league in Dee Ford, who they acquired via trade from the Kansas City Chiefs during the offseason.

The linebacker group is equally as talented, headlined by All-Pro Fred Warner. Warner is one of the best coverage linebackers in the NFL, and he has the speed to keep up with running backs and tight ends alike. Behind Warner are two more Pro Bowlers in Kwon Alexander and Dre Greenlaw. Alexander missed most of last season with an injury, but he is one of the best tacklers in the league when healthy. Greenlaw was a rookie last season, but he impressed with his play and should only get better in 2020.

The secondary features another Pro Bowler in Richard Sherman. Sherman is one of the best cornerbacks of this generation, and he still has plenty of gas left in the tank. Opposite Sherman is Ahkello Witherspoon, who has shown flashes of being a very good player himself. The 49ers also have on one of the best young safeties in the NFL in Jaquiski Tartt. Tartt is a physical presence who can lay down some big hits, but he also has great coverage ability for a safety.

The Scheme

The 49ers play a base 3-4 defense. In a 3-4, there are three defensive linemen (usually big, space-eating types) and four linebackers. The 49ers have built their team around this scheme for a few reasons. First, it allows them to take advantage of their strong linebacking corps. Second, it gives them the flexibility to use either smaller, quicker linemen or bigger, run-stopping types – depending on the game situation. And third, it’s become increasingly popular in recent years, so the team has been able to attract some top-tier talent to play in their scheme.

The Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers have the number one defense in the NFL. They are ranked first in points allowed per game and first in yards allowed per game. They have a great defense and they are always improving.

The Numbers

The Pittsburgh Steelers have long been known for their stifling defense, and this year is no different. The Steelers currently boast the number one defense in the NFL, giving up an average of just over 17 points per game.

Offensively, the Steelers are no slouch either. They are averaging almost 26 points per game, good for fifth in the NFL. Led by veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and a host of talented skill position players, the Steelers offense is a tough one to stop.

With a record of 8-5, the Steelers are currently in control of their own playoff destiny. If they can win out, they will almost certainly be headed to the playoffs. It will be tough task, but if anyone can do it, it’s this team.

The Players

The Steelers defense is filled with household names that have been terrorizing offenses for years. Guys like Cameron Heyward, T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Joe Haden have established themselves as some of the best at their respective positions, and show no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

The Scheme

The Steelers play a base 3-4 defense, meaning there are three defensive linemen and four linebackers on the field at any given time. The type of personnel employed in the secondary varies depending on the play call, but most of the time there are two cornerbacks and two safeties.

The Steelers’ defense is predicated on stopping the run first and foremost. The reason for this is twofold. First, if you can stop the run, it forces the opposing offense to become one-dimensional and therefore easier to defend. Second, stopping the run usually means that the opposing offense is behind on the scoreboard, which puts even more pressure on them to pass.

The key to stopping the run is having strong, physical defenders at all three levels of the defense – up front, in the middle, and in the back end. The Steelers have had no shortage of these types of players over the years, which is a big reason why they’ve been so successful against the run.

The Los Angeles Rams

The Rams have the number one defense in the NFL. They are a well-rounded team with a great pass rush, good coverage, and a stout run defense. The Rams have been able to stop some of the best offenses in the league this season.

The Numbers

In the NFL, the Rams have one of the best defenses. They rank first in points allowed per game and first in yards allowed per game. The Rams also have the best turnover differential in the NFL. They have forced 31 turnovers and have only turned the ball over 15 times.

The Players

The Los Angeles Rams are a professional American football team that competes in the National Football League (NFL). The Rams franchise was founded in 1936 as the Cleveland Rams in the short-lived second American Football League (AFL) before joining the NFL the next year. In 1946, the franchise moved to Los Angeles. The Rams franchise remained in the metro area until 1994, when they moved to St. Louis. The Rams franchise returned to Los Angeles in 2016.

The Los Angeles Rams organization is a member of the National Football League (NFL) and play their home games at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The Rams began play as an NFL expansion team in 1936. Losing their first game against the Detroit Lions, then-head coach Potsy Clark said, “We didn’t lose today, we just ran out of time.” The team finished their inaugural season with a win against the New York Giants; however they only managed a 6–5–1 record and finished third in their division—missing out on a playoff bid.

The following year, despite adding star halfback Marshall Goldberg, the team posted a 2–9 record and again finished third in their division. During this time period Local newspaper sports editor Al Davis began referring to the team as “the Ravishments”, a play on words for “the Ruins”.

The 1941 season was notable for two things: firstly, Red Ramsey became head coach, and secondly, future Hall of Fame quarterback Bob Waterfield joined the team. Under Ramsey’s direction, and with Waterfield leading an explosive offense which also featured future Hall of Famer Elroy “Crazy Legs” Hirsch, the Rams posted an 8–3 record and won their first division title. However they lost their sole playoff game against Dallas Cowboys 21–16.

The Scheme

The Los Angeles Rams run a hybrid defense that is a mix of both the 3-4 and the 4-3. They will primarily line up in a four man front, but they will also occasionally use a three man front. The key to their success is their ability to disguise their intentions and keep offenses off balance.

The Rams have two All-Pro caliber players on the defensive line in Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers. Donald is an elite pass rusher who can also stop the run. Brockers is a big, physical player who is excellent against the run. The Rams also have two very good edge rushers in Samson Ebukam and Dante Fowler Jr.

At linebacker, the Rams are led by former All-Pro Cory Littleton. Littleton is an outstanding coverage linebacker who can also make plays against the run. The other starters are Bryce Hager and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo. Hager is a very good run stuffer, while Okoronkwo is still developing as a player but has shown some flashes of potential.

In the secondary, the Rams have two Pro Bowl caliber players in cornerback Aqib Talib and safety Eric Weddle. Talib is one of the best cornerbacks in the league, while Weddle is an excellent all-around safety who can play both center field and in the box. The other starters are cornerback Marcus Peters and safety John Johnson III. Peters is a talented but inconsistent player, while Johnson III is a solid all-around safety.