Who Is The Top Ranked Defense In The NFL?

The NFL regular season is over and the playoffs are in full swing. So, who is the top ranked defense in the NFL?

Introduction

In the National Football League, there are a number of different ways to measure the success of a defense. One common metric is points allowed per game. However, this stat doesn’t give a true picture of how good a defense is because it doesn’t take into account the quality of competition or variables such as turnovers.

Another popular metric is yards allowed per play. This stat does a better job of measuring the effectiveness of a defense, but it too has its shortcomings. For example, it doesn’t take into account the down and distance situations that a defense faces.

The most comprehensive and accurate way to measure the success of an NFL defense is by using a metric called Defensive Efficiency. This metric takes into account all of the different factors that can affect a defense’s performance, including points allowed, yards allowed, turnovers forced, and more.

So, who is the top ranked defense in the NFL according to Defensive Efficiency? The answer may surprise you…

The Top Ranked Defenses of the NFL

In the NFL, there are a lot of great defenses. But who is the top ranked defense? The answer may surprise you. The top ranked defense in the NFL is the Denver Broncos.

The Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens have been one of the most dominant defensive teams in the NFL over the last few years. Led by All-Pro linebacker Terrell Suggs, the Ravens defense has been a force to be reckoned with. In addition to Suggs, the Ravens have Pro Bowlers in safety Ed Reed and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata. The Ravens also have a young, talented group of players in their secondary, led by cornerback Lardarius Webb. The Ravens defense is simply one of the best in the NFL.

The San Francisco 49ers

1. The San Francisco 49ers have the top ranked defense in the NFL. They are allowing an average of only 16.5 points per game, which is the fewest in the league.
2. The Niners have been extremely effective against the run, giving up just 77 rushing yards per game, which is also the best in the NFL.
3. San Francisco’s pass defense has been very good as well, as they are ranked second in the league in yards allowed per game (192).
4. The 49ers have forced 21 turnovers this season, which is tied for second most in the NFL.
5. San Francisco has a very good pass rush, as they are tied for fourth in the league with 36 sacks.

The New England Patriots

The New England Patriots have been the top ranked defense in the NFL for the past two seasons. They are led by head coach Bill Belichick, who is considered one of the best defensive minds in NFL history. The Patriots use a variety of different schemes on defense, which makes them very difficult to prepare for.

The Patriots are strong against both the run and the pass, and they have a very good pass rush. They also have a great secondary, which is led by Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore. The Patriots have a deep and talented defense, and they should be able to again be one of the best defenses in the NFL in 2020.

The Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been one of the best teams in the NFL for the past few years. They have a great defense that is led by linebacker Ryan Shazier. The Steelers have been to the playoffs in three of the past four seasons and they have won two Super Bowls during that time.

The Los Angeles Rams

No matter how you look at it, the Rams have one of – if not the – best defenses in the NFL. And it’s not really close.

They finished the regular season ranked first in points allowed per game (18.7), yards allowed per play (4.6) and yards allowed per game (275.9). They were also second in takeaways (39), third in opponent passer rating (78.4) and sixth in sacks (52). According to Football Outsiders’ DVOA metric, which measures a team’s efficiency by comparing success on every play to a league average based on situation and opponent, the Rams’ defense was also first overall.

The Rams have an elite pass rush, led by Defensive Player of the Year candidate Aaron Donald, who had 20.5 sacks this season. They also have two other players with double-digit sacks: Ndamukong Suh (4.5) and Michael Brockers (6). And they have a talented secondary, led by Pro Bowl cornerback Marcus Peters, who had eight interceptions this season.

The Rams’ defense is so good that it might even be better than the legendary “Steel Curtain” defense of the 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers. In fact, according to Football Outsiders’ DVOA metric, the Rams have the best defense of any team since at least 1986, which is as far back as their data goes.

Conclusion

The Patriots are currently the top ranked defense in the NFL, giving up an average of only 17.5 points per game. The Seahawks, Ravens, Cowboys, and Vikings round out the top five.