NFL Power Rankings: Most Deadly Defensive Juggernauts Still Alive

Defense wins championships isn’t just a cliché; it’s a fact. Teams like the Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints make popular Super Bowl picks because their offenses are seemingly unstoppable. Well, they’re unstoppable until they come across one of the following defenses.

Here are the power rankings of the top four defensive units in the 2012 NFL Playoffs.

4. Houston Texans

If you would’ve told me last season that the Texans defense would be one of the best in the league this year, I would’ve had tears of laughter rolling down my face. 

Not Houston’s offense, but its defense led the team to the postseason. Without Matt Schaub, the Texans won’t win too many more games, but the ones that they do win will be on the backs of Brian Cushing and company. 

3. San Francisco 49ers

If you would’ve told me last…no, but seriously, San Francisco was supposed to be this good last season; they just failed to live up to expectations. While Jim Harbaugh is without a doubt the coach of the year, the 49ers defense is the strength pushing the 180-degree turnaround. This season, they allow a league-low 77.2 rushing yards per game.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

Dick Lebeau’s crew is near the top of the league yet again, and I doubt they’ll ever leave. Just once in the last five games have the Steelers allowed an opposing offense to score at least 10 points.  Pittsburgh ranks first in the NFL in yards and points surrendered while only allowing an insane 171.9 passing yards per game.

1. Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore’s defenses takes home the top spot because they are the most complete defense.  Offenses can pass on the 49ers and run on the Steelers. Unlike the rest of the units on this list, the Ravens are ranked among the top four in the league in rush and pass defense along with points allowed. 

David Daniels is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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