Week 17 Report Card for All 32 NFL Defenses

The NFL season has officially come to an end, and the playoffs start next week. Week 17 was full of fantastic individual performances, most of which happened on the offensive side of the ball.

That being said, it's time to evaluate the defenses of all 32 teams. What does your team's report card look like?

In grading each defense, I'll be looking at a few things: 

1. How did each defense play according to their seasonal average?
2. How did each defense play according to their opponent's seasonal average?
3. How many turnovers did each defense create?
4. How many sacks did each defense produce?

By the way, congratulations to Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen for breaking Michael Strahan's NFL sack record. 

Arizona Cardinals

In a game that was meaningless to all but the players and fans from both sides, the Arizona Cardinals outlasted the Seattle Seahawks at home to finish the season with a record of 8-8. 

This Week 17 matchup featured a strong defensive performance by the pass-rushers of the Cardinals. The team finished the game with four sacks and one interception.

The Cardinals did struggle to contain the Seahawks' strong rushing attack, though, and Marshawn Lynch and Company rushed for a total of 178 yards and one touchdown.

Daryl Washington, second-year linebacker out of Texas Christian, showed why the Cardinals are so high on him going forward. He finished the day with 11 tackles and one sack.

Grade: B-

Atlanta Falcons

It was a good day for the Atlanta Falcons. They torched the hapless Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and they are one of the hotter teams going into the playoffs.

The Falcons defense played well, holding the Buccaneers to only seven points in the first half. The Buccaneers were able to put up some points in the second half, but the game was already well in hand by the time they did.

The highlights of their impressive day are as follows: The Falcons only allowed 35 yards rushing, while intercepting three Josh Freeman passes, forcing one fumble and collecting two sacks.

This is just the kind of day you hope for in Week 17 heading into the playoffs, and they should give either the Giants all they can handle in the Wild Card Game next week.

Grade: A-

Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens did what they had to do in order to win on the road in Week 17. Ray Rice carried the team, and the defense stifled the Cincinnati Bengals offense.

There weren't many big plays for the Ravens defense, but they did manage to create one turnover, which proved to be just enough.

The Ravens gave up some yards, but in the end they only surrendered one touchdown. It was a solid overall performance, and Terrell Suggs came away with one sack and one forced fumble. 

The Ravens will need to be sharper than this in the playoffs, especially when they face the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game in a few weeks' time.

Grade: B

Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills allowed 49 straight points against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. They had gone up by three touchdowns to start the game and led 21-0 after the first quarter.

Then, the Patriots went on a tear, and the Bills were helpless to stop them.

All in all, the Bills defense gave up 480 total yards to go along with the 49 points they allowed. Both totals are well above the Patriots' seasonal average, and both totals are well above their own averages.

The damage wasn't all through the air, either. The Patriots had a balanced attack (for them), running for 138 yards and scoring two rushing touchdowns (BenJarvus Green-Ellis). 

The only thing the Bills defense did right was that they did manage to sack Brady four times, while coming away with one interception.

There is still much work left to do before next year for the Bills. They need to solidify their defense to compete in the AFC East.

Grade: D-

Carolina Panthers

Cam Newton is brilliant. The Carolina Panthers defense is not.

The New Orleans Saints had their way with the young group, putting up 45 points in a resounding statement before their playoff run.

The Panthers defense allowed Drew Brees to have a pretty standard day, throwing for 389 yards and five touchdowns (yawn). The worst part of their performance (and the part that should scare the rest of the league, especially the San Francisco 49ers) is that they gave up 208 yards on the ground. 

The Panthers didn't lay a hand on Brees, ending the game without a single sack. They did manage to haul in one interception, but against the weight of all the other evidence, this is a meaningless statistic.

This young team will face the Saints and Falcons twice a year, so fixing their defensive problems is a high priority that the team will address in the 2012 NFL draft as well as in free agency.

Grade: F

Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears' frustrating season is mercifully at an end. They were able to finish the year in style, defeating their rivals, the Minnesota Vikings, 17-13.

The Bears defense had a typically strong performance, shutting down the running game and creating turnovers. They knocked Christian Ponder out of the game, and then they made Joe Webb's life a living hell.

It's too bad their offense died midway through the season, or we'd be talking about this team as major players in the playoffs.

Going forward, it's time for the Bears to get younger. This is a good veteran unit that has a little gas left in the tank, but there isn't much time left before they're done.

Grade: B+

Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals defense got bullied around by the Baltimore Ravens offensive line and Ray Rice. It was like watching a junior high school geek get shoved into a locker.

To understand what a big deal this actually was, you must realize that the Bengals were the fifth-best team in the NFL through 15 games, only allowing (96.9 yards per game). 

The Ravens offensive line abused the Bengals defense to the tune of 221 yards and two touchdowns (both by Rice). Joe Flacco didn't need to do much, and the Ravens relied on the running game and their own defense to win the game.

The Bengals are good on defense, and they don't need to do much to improve. They will look to draft a cornerback in the draft to replace Jonathan Joseph.

Grade: F

Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns did in Week 17 what they have been doing all year long on defense: They played smart, solid football, but they couldn't come up with the big plays it takes to win with defense.

Dominant defense starts with stopping the run, and the Browns couldn't do that against the Steelers. Pittsburgh running backs combined to gain 161 yards, and the Steelers did just enough to win on the road.

Going forward, the Browns need to continue to build their defense through the draft. Joe Haden needs more help in the secondary, and the team could use a speed-rusher to add to their arsenal.

Grade: B-

Dallas Cowboys

Eli Manning and Victor Cruz torched the Dallas Cowboys defense, and the New York Giants won handily at home. The Cowboys could not stop the dynamic duo, and they gave up a total of 437 yards in their Week 17 loss.

The Cowboys defense is predicated on quarterback pressure. Eli Manning was magnificent at avoiding that pressure, and the Cowboys only came away with two sacks. The real killer was that they could not force a single turnover, and the Giants rolled.

Going forward, the Cowboys need to bolster their defensive line, particularly at the nose tackle position. Don't be surprised to see Jerry Jones try and lure Antonio Garay to the team in free agency.

Grade: F

Denver Broncos

What happened to the Denver Broncos pass rush? Oh, that's right, Von Miller is injured. I guess that just shows how valuable he actually was to the success of the team. 

The Broncos failed to do enough to stop the Kansas City Chiefs, and they were outlasted in a game worthy of the halls of shame.

They didn't create a single turnover, and Kyle Orton stayed relatively clean (only one sack).

The future is bright for this young defense, though. They will keep building upon the foundation that they have laid this year, and Denver will have a dominant defense for years to come.

Grade: D+

Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions allowed Aaron Rodgers' backup Matt Flynn to throw for 480 yards and six touchdowns. Do I really need to say anything else?

The Lions defense tends to be one of the most undisciplined units in the NFL. They are over-aggressive and prone to getting out of position. 

They need to get another defensive mind in there to utilize the talent they do have in a way that works for them. They also need to draft some defensive backs to compete with the Green Bay Packers wide receivers, or forever suffer the fate of the younger sibling.

As good as their offense is, all it will take is for Matthew Stafford to have one off day and their hopes of going to the Super Bowl will evaporate.

Grade: F

Green Bay Packers

The thing I take away from the Packers' latest win is this: If the New Orleans Saints beat the San Francisco 49ers in Candlestick and travel up North to Lambeau, they could beat the Packers with Drew Brees matching everything Aaron Rodgers has to offer and then adding a bit more for good measure. 

Matthew Stafford lit up the Packers secondary like a Christmas tree, passing for 520 yards and five touchdowns. To make matters worse, when the Lions did actually run the ball, they were able to do so with some success. 

The Packers are supremely gifted on offense, but their defense could end up being their Achilles' heel in the playoffs. 

The loss of Cullen Jenkins through free agency has revealed a real need for the Packers to draft a 3-4 defensive end in the first or second round. If Jared Crick is available, they'll snatch him up in a heartbeat.

Grade: D-

Houston Texans

Matt Hasselbeck shredded the Houston Texans secondary. It wasn't your Aaron Rodgers kind of shredding, but it was effective enough to win the game in enemy territory. 

The Texans are looking more and more like a team that is crumbling from within. It's not entirely their fault, though, as injuries have torn the heart and soul out of their offense.

The defense did manage to do a fair job of bottling up Chris Johnson, but that isn't really saying much these days.

If the Texans have any chance at all to beat the Cincinnati Bengals next week, the defense must step up and play better, or the team's first playoff berth will be short-lived.

Grade: D+

Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts won the Suck-for-Luck contest, paving the way for the newest reality TV sensation, Andrew and Peyton. 

The Colts defense allowed Maurice Jones-Drew to put an exclamation point at the end of his season. He ran wild, gaining 169 yards on just 25 carries (6.76 yards per carry).

Robert Mathis did manage to get a sack/fumble/recovery, but it seems like anyone can do that to Blaine Gabbert these days.

The Colts have some serious discussions in front of them regarding how to fix their issues for the future of the franchise. Peyton Manning will be gone soon, and the future is now.

Grade: D

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Indianapolis Colts spent most of the first half of the game on their side of the field on offense, because the Jacksonville Jaguars defense dominated. 

The play of the game for the Jaguars might have been a fourth-down stop after Robert Mathis had sacked Blaine Gabbert and forced/recovered the fumble deep in enemy territory.

The Colts managed to get close in this game due to some second-half heroics by Dan Orlovsky, but in the end Jeremy Mincey and the Jaguars defense were too much to handle. Mincey had 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

The Jaguars need to invest in some secondary talent and another speed-rusher on their defense. They will be a good team in a couple of years.

Grade: B

Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs had a good plan to defeat Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos, and they executed that plan to perfection. The plan is simple: Don't let Tebow run.

Tebow only ran six times for 16 yards in this game, and the Chiefs kept him safely in the pocket most of the time. This forced him to pass, and the Chiefs won the game. 

All in all, they held the Broncos offense to 266 yards, 145 of which came by way of Willis McGahee.

The Chiefs will be a fantastic team on defense next year with Eric Berry returning from his injury.

Grade: B+

Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins played well in their Week 17 victory against the New York Jets, knocking them out of the playoffs. Jason Taylor retired in style, and Randy Starks channeled Taylor in a one-sack, two-interception performance.

The Dolphins defense made the plays they needed to make to pull out the win. 

The team needs to draft another pass-rusher to fit into their 3-4 defense, as Cameron Wake has been disappointing this year after shining in 2010.

Grade: B+

Minnesota Vikings

Jared Allen broke Michael Strahan's NFL sack record against the Chicago Bears in a losing effort. He had 3.5 sacks in the game, bringing his season total up to 22 sacks. Congratulations, Mr. Allen!

The Minnesota Vikings defense did enough to win this game, but Charles Tillman returned an interception for a touchdown for the Bears, and that was the difference in the game.

The Vikings held the Bears to 209 total yards, sacked Luke McCown seven times and forced three turnovers. That's a fantastic effort from a team that had nothing on the line but pride.

Going forward, the Vikings need to get some help for their secondary, which they can address in the draft and/or through free agency.

Grade: A

New England Patriots

The Patriots have a wicked-good offense. Everybody knows this. What most people don't know is that they are developing into one of the best ball-hawking defenses in the NFL (T-fifth place in NFL with 19 interceptions). 

After allowing the Buffalo Bills the thrill of scoring the first 21 points of the game, the Patriots went into championship mode and proceeded to shut them out the rest of the way as their offense scored 49 straight points in response.

The much-maligned secondary of New England intercepted four Ryan Fitzpatrick passes in route to a blowout to end their 2011 season.

The Patriots still need to do some work to bolster their defense for next year. They, like the Green Bay Packers, are looking to score one of the up-and-coming 3-4 defensive ends at the end of the first round.

Grade: B

New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints are the most dangerous team heading into the NFL playoffs, and their defense has started looking like the same unit that helped them win the Super Bowl in 2009. 

They held Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers offense in check for the most part in Week 17, and they forced two turnovers in the process. Also impressive to me is the fact that they were able to sack Cam Newton twice.

The Saints defense thrives on turnovers, and they are starting to create them on a regular basis. This is bad news for the Detroit Lions and Matthew Stafford. 

Grade: B

New York Giants

The defense of the New York Giants stepped up in a major way in their Week 17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. The Giants needed to win to get into the playoffs, and the players responded with their best performance of the year.

Osi Umenyiora is finally healthy, and the Giants front four dominated this game. Umenyiora had two sacks in the game, and the Giants combined for a total of five.

The Cowboys were hopelessly inept in the running game, as Felix Jones was trying to play hurt. 

All in all, this was a dominant performance by the Giants on both sides of the ball, and it couldn't come at a better time. 

Grade: A

New York Jets

The New York Jets lost their Week 17 contest in Miami against the Dolphins, but you can't blame their defense for the loss.

The Jets defense only surrendered 210 total yards in the loss. Matt Moore was efficient in the passing game for the Dolphins, but he only threw for 135 yards out of 32 attempts (4.21 yard average). The Jets successfully kept the Dolphins running game in check throughout the contest, although they did give up two key long runs.

Unfortunately, Mark Sanchez had one more turnover than Moore, and the Dolphins knocked the Jets out of the playoffs.

Going forward, the Jets need to draft some safety help, and they need to shore up the middle of their defense.

Grade: A-

Oakland Raiders

Norv Turner called a brilliantly balanced game in maybe his last (reportedly) as head coach of the San Diego Chargers. 

Philip Rivers and the Chargers offense dominated the Oakland Raiders defense.

In total the Raiders surrendered 463 yards and 38 points on their home turf. They would have won the AFC West with a win, but they could not stop the Chargers offense if their playoff lives depended on it (which it did).

Going forward, the Raiders need to realize that Rolando McClain isn't an elite middle linebacker. He plays stiff and slow and reacts badly to plays at times. He gets out of position on a regular basis, and he needs to be cut.

Grade: F 

Philadelphia Eagles

When you take a look at the stat sheet, you might be inclined to think that the Philadelphia Eagles defense had a bad game. 

They gave up 377 yards, 130 of which came on the ground. They only sacked Rex Grossman once, and they only created one turnover. 

The thing is, the Redskins only scored 10 points. 

Going forward, the Eagles need to get better in the middle of their defense, both on the line and at the middle linebacker position. 

Grade: C+

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers defense looked like they did last year in Week 17's contest against the Cleveland Browns. They completely dominated their opponent, allowing only three field goals and stifling the Browns running game.

Then, you realize it was against the Browns, and you come to understand that this game meant nothing to determine the worth of this defense.

The Steelers are getting old. They need to start drafting replacements for some of their key players. They always do, though, and that is why they are one of the best franchises in all of sports.

Grade: C+

San Diego Chargers

If it were up to the San Diego Chargers defense to win games, they wouldn't. The Chargers won their Week 17 matchup against the Oakland Raiders, but Carson Palmer threw the ball all over the yard in defeat. 

The Chargers failed to sack Palmer one single time, and they were only able to force one turnover. 

The Chargers need to get much younger at the middle linebacker position, as Takeo Spikes isn't fast enough to cover the whole field. They also need to bolster the outside linebacker position and the safety position in the 2012 NFL draft.

Grade: C-

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers defense is headed in the wrong direction at the wrong time. 

After going 14 straight games without allowing a rushing touchdown, the 49ers have given up three in their last two games. They were once again bullied in the trenches, and Stephen Jackson would surely have breached the 100-yard mark if not for injuring his arm in the third quarter.

The 49ers secondary, despite intercepting two passes, had a rough time. They allowed Brandon Lloyd to go off, catching six passes for 100 yards and one touchdown. Additionally, the 49ers did sack the quarterback three times.

Going forward, the 49ers need to rest up and get ready for some of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL in the next few weeks. They're going to need it.

Grade: C-

Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks have been one of the best defenses in the NFL in 2011. They failed to live up to their own standard in Week 17, though, and I wonder if the matchup against the 49ers took all the wind out of their sails.

In the end, Larry Fitzgerald and John Skelton were too much for the Seahawks to stop, and they lost in overtime, 23-20.

Going forward, the Seahawks are looking like they could become one of the most dominant defenses in the league. Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor lead a secondary that will soon be mentioned in hushed tones.

Grade: D+

St. Louis Rams

Alex Smith, Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree abused the injury-depleted St. Louis Rams secondary on their way to their Week 17 win. The two receivers combined for 17 catches for 200 yards and two touchdowns. 

The Rams were helpless to stop the 49ers offense. Kendall Hunter and Anthony Dixon combined to rush for 97 yards and a touchdown as Frank Gore took most of the morning off. 

They did manage to sack Smith three times, but they couldn't create a single turnover.

Going forward, the Rams need some serious help on the interior of their defensive line and in their secondary. 

Grade: D-

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense gave up 42 points...in the first half.

This was just one more dismal performance to add to the pile of dismal performances by the Buccaneers defense in 2011. 

Matt Ryan only threw the ball nine times in this blowout victory, but that was all he and the Falcons needed to completely dismantle the Buccaneers. 

The Bucs defense allowed the Falcons to gain 251 yards on the ground, which is simply pathetic.

The team needs to draft one of the top cornerbacks early in the draft to replace an aging Ronde Barber, and they need to get someone in there who can teach this young defensive line how to work together.

Grade: F

Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans defense did just enough to help the team end the 2011 season on a high note.

Dave Ball had a sack/fumble that Chris Hope recovered for the only turnover of the game for the Houston Texans. 

The Titans allowed 22 first downs and 387 yards of total offense, but they still managed to come away with the win. 

Going forward, the Titans need to consider drafting a defensive end who can rush the passer.

Grade: C-

Washington Redskins

The Philadelphia Eagles crushed the Washington Redskins in Week 17, and the Redskins defense fell apart against Michael Vick and the Eagles passing attack.

LeSean McCoy wasn't in the game due to injury, and the Eagles were mostly one-dimensional on offense. Still, the Redskins couldn't stop the attack, and the game was over by halftime.

Going forward, the Redskins need to improve at the cornerback position. 

Grade: F