NFL Football: Power Ranking the Top 5 NFL Defenses of 2011

With only one week remaining in the 2011 NFL season, we can start to see things clearer than ever before. Teams have had their ups and downs, and there are no more pretenders to be found among the elite.

With that in mind, I'll revisit a topic I'm particularly fond of: ranking the top five defenses in the NFL.

In my quest to determine the best of the best, I'll be looking at all aspects of what an elite defense is supposed to do: stop the run, stop the pass, sack the quarterback, force turnovers and keep the opponent from scoring points.

5. Seattle Seahawks

Earl Thomas leads a feisty young group of players for the Seattle Seahawks that will be strong in the Northwest for a long time. This group graded out exactly the same as the Dallas Cowboys, but given the fact that the Seahawks did a better job keeping people from scoring, they get the nod here as the fifth-best defense in the NFL in 2011.

Highlights for the Seahawks terrific year include: ranked fifth in takeaways (29) and fifth in scoring defense (19.5 points per game).

In addition to Thomas, the Seahawks secondary includes second-year stud strong safety Kam Chancellor, who has played out of his mind. Another strong contributor is eight-year veteran defensive end Chris Clemons, who leads the team with 11 sacks.

4. Cincinnati Bengals

If you don't already know who Geno Atkins is, you soon will. Atkins is doing for the Cincinnati Bengals what the Detroit Lions had hoped they would get out of Ndamukong Suh. 

The Bengals defense is playing a superb brand of football. Manny Lawson and Nate Clements are San Francisco 49ers cast-offs, and I've started thinking of the Bengals defense as a band of misfits as a result. 

Highlights for the Bengals impressive season include: ranked fifth in rushing (96.9 yards per game), third in sacks (44) and sixth in points (19.6 points per game).

Also playing well for the Bengals is safety Reggie Nelson, who leads the team with four interceptions.

3. Houston Texans

In one of the more under-appreciated stories of the 2011 NFL season, Wade Phillips has turned the Houston Texans defense into one of the elite units in the league. When you consider that the Texans secondary used to make people think of Swiss cheese it's quite remarkable what Phillips has done.

Imagine how good they would be if Mario Williams hadn't injured his chest. That's a scary thought. 

Highlights of the Texans turnaround season include: ranked second in passing (184 yards per game), fourth in rushing (96.7 yards per game), eighth in takeaways (26), sixth in sacks (41) and fourth in points (17 points per game).

Brian Cushing, Brooks Reed, Jonathan Joseph, Jason Allen and J.J. Watt are all playing outstanding football for the Texans. The biggest surprise is outside linebacker Connor Barwin, who is playing out of his mind and leads the team with 11.5 sacks. 

2. Baltimore Ravens

No disrespect to Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, but Terrell Suggs is the biggest trouble-maker on the Baltimore Ravens defense. Suggs is having an outstanding year, and I'd have to consider him one of my top three for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

The Ravens defense is the most well-rounded defense in the NFL. It can defend anything you try to throw at it. 

The only reason I have the Ravens ranked lower than the next team on the list is because they aren't as good in some key areas. 

Highlights for the Ravens typically dominant season on defense include: ranked fourth in passing yards (194 yards per game), second in rushing (91.8 yards per game), ninth in takeaways (25), second in sacks (47) and third in scoring (16.7 points per game).

Ladarius Webb, Pernell McPhee and Paul Kruger are all names to watch out for in the future. It looks like Ozzie Newsome still knows what he's doing on draft days.

1. San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers are the best defense in the NFL this year. There is no debating this fact. They are simply a cut above the rest. 

Rookie defensive end Aldon Smith reminds me of a young Bruce Smith. At the tender age of 22, Smith is still a pup. He will put on at least another 20 pounds before he's done growing. Still, he possesses rare traits for a pass-rusher, and he'll only improve upon them as his body develops.

Highlights for the 49ers dominant season include: ranked first in rushing (75 yards per game), ranked first in takeaways (36), ranked ninth in sacks (39) and ranked first in points (13.5 points per game).

Until their Week 16 victory against the Seattle Seahawks, the 49ers hadn't allowed a single rushing touchdown all season long. As it stands now, their next competitor is the Pittsburgh Steelers with seven.

There will be a chance in the 2011 playoffs for the 49ers to prove to themselves and to the world that they either can or cannot stifle the elite offenses of the NFC.