Who’s Got the Best Defense in the NFL?
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Who’s got the best defense in the NFL? A look at the numbers
The NFL is a week-to-week league, and that is especially true when it comes to defense. One week a team can look like the best in the league, and the next week they can get lit up by an offense.
The Case for the Broncos
The Broncos have been one of the best teams in the NFL over the past few years. Their defense is a big reason why. They have a great pass rush and their secondary is one of the best in the league. Let’s take a closer look at why the Broncos have the best defense in the NFL.
Their Defensive Line
The Broncos have one of the best defenses in the NFL, and a big reason for that is their defensive line. They have a deep and talented defensive line that can get pressure on the quarterback and stuff the run.
Their defensive line is led by Von Miller, who is one of the best pass rushers in the league. He’s joined by fellow edge rusher Shane Ray, who had eight sacks last season as a rookie. They also have nose tackle Sylvester Williams, who is a good run stopper, and defensive end Derek Wolfe, who can also get after the quarterback.
The Broncos also have a good group of backups on their defensive line, including defensive end Jared Crick and defensive tackle Henry Melton. With their depth and talent, the Broncos’ defensive line is a big reason why they have one of the best defenses in the NFL.
Their Linebackers
The linebackers for the Broncos are some of the best in the NFL. They are big, strong, and fast, and they have a lot of experience playing together. They are led by Von Miller, who is one of the best pass rushers in the league.
The Broncos also have a great secondary, which is led by Aqib Talib. Talib is a Pro Bowl cornerback who is one of the best in the business. The Broncos also have a good safety in T.J. Ward, who is a hard hitter and a good tackler.
The Broncos have a great defense, and they are one of the best teams in the NFL.
Their Secondary
The Broncos’ secondary is experienced and talented. Led by All-Pro cornerback Champ Bailey, the unit also features veteran André Goodman and Pro Bowl safety Brian Dawkins. The group is effective at both shutting down the passing game and generating turnovers. In 2012, the Broncos’ secondary was a major reason the team had the best defense in the NFL.
In today’s NFL, it is essential to have a strong secondary. With so many teams using pass-heavy offenses, an elite group of cornerbacks and safeties can be the difference between winning and losing. The Broncos have built one of the best secondaries in the league, and it is a big reason why they are one of the top teams in the NFL.
The Case for the Seahawks
In recent years, the Seattle Seahawks have had one of the best defenses in the NFL. Their “Legion of Boom” secondary is feared by quarterbacks and receivers alike, and their front seven is no slouch either. In this article, we’ll make the case for why the Seahawks have the best defense in the NFL.
Their Defensive Line
The Seahawks are often lauded for their “Legion of Boom” secondary, but their defensive line is just as impressive, if not more so. Their defense as a whole only gave up 18.3 points per game last season, good for second in the NFL behind the Denver Broncos. But it was their defensive line that was really dominant, finishing first in the NFL in sacks with 44 and allowing just 3.4 yards per carry, also first in the NFL.
Their Linebackers
The Seahawks linebackers are the backbone of their defense.
Bobby Wagner is one of the best linebackers in the NFL. He is a tackling machine and can also drop back into coverage and make plays on the ball. He is the heart and soul of this defense.
K.J. Wright is another excellent linebacker for the Seahawks. He is very good in coverage and has a nose for the ball. He is a steadying influence on this defense.
Mychal Kendricks is a new addition to the Seahawks this year and he has been a revelation. He is very athletic and brings an element of speed to this defense.
the Seahawks also have a talented young player in Shaquem Griffin who has shown a lot of promise.
Their Secondary
The Legion of Boom is the nickname given to the Seattle Seahawks’ secondary during their days of success in the early 2010s. The group originally consisted of four players: cornerbacks Richard Sherman and Byron Maxwell, and safeties Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor. All four members were selected to at least one Pro Bowl during their time together on the Seahawks. In addition, Thomas and Sherman were both selected as first-team All-Pro twice each, while Chancellor was a second-team All-Pro once.
The Case for the Panthers
The Carolina Panthers have the best defense in the NFL. Some people may not agree with that statement, but the numbers don’t lie. The Panthers have the best scoring defense, the best turnover margin, and the best sack percentage. They also have the best red zone defense. All of these factors add up to a defense that is tough to beat.
Their Defensive Line
The Carolina Panthers are my pick for the best defense in the NFL. A big reason for that is their defensive line, which is loaded with talent.
led by All-Pro defensive tackle Kawann Short, the Panthers’ defensive line is one of the most disruptive in the league. Short is a force in the middle of the line, and he’s flanked by Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers and first-team All-Pro defensive end Mario Addison. The Panthers also have a deep rotation of talented backups, including former first-round pick Vernon Butler and veteran Wes Horton.
The Panthers’ defensive line is so good that they were able to trade one of their starters, defensive tackle Star Lotulelei, during the offseason and still be confident in their D-line depth. Carolina’s defensive line is a big reason why the Panthers are my pick for the best defense in the NFL.
Their Linebackers
The Carolina Panthers defense has been stout all season. They are 2nd in the NFL in points allowed per game, and they have only given up more than 20 points once all season. A big reason for their success has been their linebacker play. Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis, and Shaq Thompson have been superb all season long.
Kuechly is the leader of the group, and he is having another Pro Bowl caliber season. He is 2nd in the NFL in tackles, and he also has 3 interceptions and a forced fumble. Davis has been right behind him in tackles, and he also has 3 sacks. Thompson has emerged as a playmaker in his second season, racking up 2 sacks and an interception.
The Panthers linebackers are a big reason why this team is one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl this season.
Their Secondary
The Carolina Panthers have the best defense in the NFL. And a big reason for that is their secondary, which is led by All-Pro cornerback Josh Norman.
Norman is one of the best cornerbacks in the league, and he’s complemented by a strong group of safeties, including Roman Harper and Kurt Coleman. This group has been together for a few years now, and they’ve developed a great understanding of each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
They’re not afraid to take risks, either. In last year’s NFC Championship game against the Arizona Cardinals, they blitzed often and it paid off, as they picked off Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer twice.
The Panthers’secondary is talented, experienced, and they’re not afraid to take risks. That’s why they’re the best in the NFL.
The Case for the Cardinals
The Cardinals have been one of the best defensive teams in the NFL for the past few years. They have a great mix of veteran leadership and young talent. They are well-coached and always seem to be in the right place at the right time. Let’s take a closer look at why the Cardinals have the best defense in the NFL.
Their Defensive Line
The Cardinals’ defensive line is one of the best in the NFL. It’s a solid unit that can apply pressure to the quarterback and stuff the run.
The line is led by All-Pro defensive end Chandler Jones, who had a league-leading 19 sacks last season. Jones is a complete player who can rush the passer and play the run. He’s flanked by another good pass rusher in Markus Golden, who had 12.5 sacks in 2016.
On the inside, the Cardinals have a solid duo of Corey Peters and Rodney Gunter. Peters is a good run stopper while Gunter provides some good pass rush from the interior.
The Cardinals also have some depth on their defensive line with guys like Robert Nkemdiche and Olsen Pierre. Nkemdiche was a first-round pick in 2016 who has yet to live up to his billing, but he has potential. Pierre is a guy who can step in and contribute if needed.
Their Linebackers
The Cardinals linebackers are the core of their defense. They are extremely fast and aggressive and they can get to the quarterback quickly. They are also very good at stopping the run and they have a lot of experience.
Their Secondary
The Cardinals defense is legit. They are ranked number one in the NFL in total defense, allowing an average of only 17 points per game. A big reason for their success is their stellar secondary. They have two of the best cornerbacks in the league in Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu. Peterson is a shutdown corner who can take away any receiver. Mathieu is a playmaker who can make big plays on the ball or in run support. They also have a strong safety in Tony Jefferson, who is excellent in coverage. The Cardinals secondary is very talented and they have been a big part of the team’s success this season.
The Case for the Jets
The New York Jets have been one of the best teams in the NFL this season and a big reason for that has been their defense. The Jets defense is full of playmakers that can take the ball away and keep points off the board. Let’s take a look at why the Jets have the best defense in the NFL.
Their Defensive Line
What makes the Jets’ defensive line so special?
For one, they have a great mix of experience and youth. Their starters include three guys who have been to at least one Pro Bowl (Muhammad Wilkerson, Leonard Williams, and Steve McLendon), and two young up-and-comers in Leonard Williams and Jordan Jenkins. Their depth is also very good, with guys like Kony Ealy, Mike Pennel, and Brandon Copeland able to step in and contribute if needed.
But what really sets the Jets’ defensive line apart is their ability to get after the quarterback. They were tied for seventh in the NFL in sacks last season (with 42), and they should be even better this season with the addition of Jenkins. They also did a good job of generating pressure last season, as evidenced by their ranking of fifth in Football Outsiders’Adjusted Sack Rate metric.
Their Linebackers
The Jets have one of the best linebacker corps in the NFL. Led by C.J. Mosley, the Jets’ linebackers are big, fast, and can hit like trucks. They are also very good at stopping the run and can get to the quarterback in a hurry.
Their Secondary
The New York Jets boast one of the best secondaries in the NFL.
Led by Pro Bowl safety Jamal Adams, the Jets’ secondary is a force to be reckoned with. Adams is a rangy playmaker who can line up all over the field and make plays in both the run and pass game. He’s flanked by fellow safety Marcus Maye, who is also a Pro Bowler. Maye is a smart, instinctive player who does a great job of reading and reacting to plays.
Cornerbacks Brian Poole and rookie Blessuan Austin round out the Jets’ starting secondary. Poole is a physical corner who isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty in run support. Austin, meanwhile, is a long and athletic corner who uses his length well in coverage. He’s still learning the ropes at the NFL level, but he has all the tools to be a very good player for years to come.
The Jets’ secondary is one of the best units in the NFL. They have a Pro Bowl safety tandem in Adams and Maye, and Poole and Austin are both solid starters at cornerback. This group has the potential to be one of the best secondaries in the league for years to come.
