Who Has the Best Defence in the NFL?
Contents
We take a look at which NFL teams have the best defences heading into the 2020 season.
The Basics of a Good Defence
A good defence in the NFL can make or break a team. A strong defence will keep the opposing team from scoring, while a weak defence will let the other team run all over them. There are a few key components to a good defence. Let’s take a look at what they are.
A good defence starts with a good pass rush
A good defence starts with a good pass rush. The best way to disrupt an opponent’s passing game is to apply pressure to the quarterback, and the best way to do that is with a strong pass rush. Pass-rushers can come from any position on the defensive line, but they are most commonly found at defensive end.
A good pass rush doesn’t necessarily need to result in a sack, though sacks are always welcome. Even if the quarterback gets the ball off before the pass-rusher can reach him, the act of being hurried can lead to an incompletion or an interception. And even if neither of those things happens, a good pass rush can still force the quarterback to make quick decisions and get rid of the ball before he’s ready, leading to incompletions and bad decisions.
In order to have a good pass rush, a team needs good pass-rushers. And while there are a number of ways to find good pass-rushers – through the draft, free agency, or even trades – there is no guaranteed formula for acquiring them. However, one thing that all good pass-rushers have in common is athleticism.
While some larger defensive linemen may be able to generate a decent pass rush simply by bull rushing their way into the backfield, most effective pass-rushers are relatively small and fast for their position. This combination of speed and power allows them to beat offensive linemen around the edge and get to the quarterback before he has time to set up and make a throw.
So while there are no guarantees when it comes to building a good defence, teams that are able to generate a strong pass rush will usually find themselves in better position than those who cannot.
A good defence is built from the back end
A good defence starts with a strong front four that can put pressure on the quarterback without having to blitz. This allows the linebackers and defensive backs to play more aggressive, knowing that they don’t have to worry about getting beaten deep. The secondary must be able to cover the receivers and also make plays on the ball when it’s in the air. A good defence is one that can stop the run and the pass, and one that can get off the field on third down.
The best defences in the NFL are usually able to do all of these things. The Denver Broncos have had a top-10 defence in each of the last four seasons, and they’ve been among the league leaders in fewest points allowed. The Seattle Seahawks have also been near the top of the league in fewest points allowed, and they’ve had a top-10 defence in three of the last four seasons. The New England Patriots have had a top-10 defence in eight of the last 10 seasons, including each of the last four.
A good defence is disciplined
A good defence is one that is disciplined and does not allow the other team to score. The best defences in the NFL are those that have a good mix of talent and experience. They are also well-coached and have a good game plan.
The best defences in the NFL
In the NFL, having a good defence is just as important as having a good offence. A good defence can make or break a team. There are a few teams that have defensive units that are head and shoulders above the rest. In this article, we will take a look at the best defences in the NFL.
The Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have always been known for their tough, hard-nosed defense. They have been one of the top defenses in the NFL for many years and 2018 was no different. The Steelers finished the season ranked 2nd in total defense and 1st in points allowed. They were also 1st in sacks and turnover differential.
The Steelers have a lot of talent on their defense, especially in their front seven. Their line is anchored by All-Pro defensive end Cam Heyward. Heyward is one of the best defensive ends in the league and is a force against both the run and the pass. Behind Heyward, the Steelers have a talented group of linebackers that includes Ryan Shazier, T.J. Watt, and Bud Dupree. These guys are all playmakers who can make an impact on both sides of the ball.
The secondary is led by All-Pro cornerback Joe Haden. Haden is one of the best cover corners in the league and he often takes on the other team’s best receiver. The Steelers also have a good young safety tandem in Sean Davis and Terrell Edmunds. These two guys are still learning, but they have a lot of potential and could be very good for many years to come.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have all the pieces in place to be one of the best defenses in the NFL for many years to come.
The Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens have been one of the best defences in the NFL for a number of years now. Led by defensive mastermind, John Harbaugh, the Ravens always seem to be in the mix for the Super Bowl.
The strength of the Baltimore defence lies in its ability to stop the run. The Ravens have had some of the best run-stoppers in the league over the years, including Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs and Haloti Ngata. This season, they added former All-Pro nose tackle, Brandon Williams, to their already strong defensive line. With Williams in the middle, opposing teams will find it very difficult to run the ball against the Ravens.
In addition to their strong run defence, the Ravens also have a very good pass defence. They are led by cornerback, Jimmy Smith, who is one of the best in the business. The Ravens also have a 38-year-old safety, Ed Reed, who is still playing at a high level. Reed is a future Hall of Famer and he will provide great leadership for this young Baltimore defence.
The Ravens will once again be one of the best teams in the NFL this season and their defence will be a big reason why.
The Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams have the best defence in the NFL. The Rams are led by one of the best defensive coordinators in the league, Wade Phillips. Wade Phillips has been a defensive coordinator for a number of teams, including the Denver Broncos and the Buffalo Bills. He is considered to be one of the best defensive minds in the NFL.
The Rams have a number of great players on their defence, including Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh. Aaron Donald is widely considered to be the best defensive player in the NFL. He is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, and he was named First-Team All-Pro in 2017. Ndamukong Suh is also a force to be reckoned with on the defensive line. He is a five-time Pro Bowler, and he was named First-Team All-Pro in 2010.
The Rams also have a great secondary, led by Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib. Marcus Peters is a two-time Pro Bowler, and he was named First-Team All-Pro in 2016. Aqib Talib is also a Pro Bowler, and he was named First-Team All-Pro in 2016. The Rams have one of the best defences in the NFL, and they will be a tough team to beat in 2018.
Why these teams have the best defences in the NFL
Defence wins championships. This age-old saying in football is often true. The teams with the best defences usually are the ones contending for the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season. So, who has the best defence in the NFL? Let’s take a look at a few teams.
The Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have long been known for their “steel curtain” defense, and this season is no different. They are currently ranked first in the NFL in points allowed per game, and they have only given up more than 20 points in a game twice all season. They have a very good front seven that is led by former Defensive Player of the Year Cameron Heyward, and they also have one of the best secondary’s in the league led by cornerbacks Joe Haden and Steven Nelson.
The Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens have one of the best defenses in the NFL. They are led by middle linebacker C.J. Mosley, who was named the Defensive Player of the Year by the NFL in 2019. The Ravens also have two of the best edge rushers in the league in TERRELL SUGGS and Za’Darius Smith. The Ravens’ defense is so good that they were able to win a Super Bowl with Joe Flacco as their quarterback.
The Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams have the best defence in the NFL. They have only allowed opponents to score an average of 19.7 points per game, which is the lowest in the league. They also boast the best pass defence, allowing an average of only 209.3 yards per game through the air.