NFL Playoff Predictions: Predicting the 6 Most Brutal Defenses

While offenses score points in bunches, NFL teams have to have a stifling defense to win the Lombardi Trophy.

This season, there is quite a disparity among playoff-bound teams and the way they play defense.

While the three highest seeds in the post season—Green Bay, New England and New Orleans—rank among the elite in scoring points and passing yards, the defenses each team displays each week are some of the worst in the NFL.

All three play with the theory that you must outscore your opponent—not hold them to low scoring—to win.

Memo to the NFL: This is not the 1984 Miami Dolphins.

In order to be the contender that sets the tone for this year's playoff run, you have to have a competent defense that can stop the run and close in on the pass. If this is not part of the game plan, it could be an early exit for some of the better teams in the NFL.

These defenses will be ready to play come Saturday and Sunday.

6. Atlanta Falcons

Now that Brent Grimes is back roaming in the secondary, things look a lot better.

John Abraham was a beast again this season, and the linebackers played aggressively for Mike Smith.

Atlanta's 12th overall defense was no joke and looks to improve their run defense against the Giants' Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs this weekend.

5. Cincinnati Bengals

Mike Zimmer, the defensive coordinator for the Bengals, should be considered for a head coaching vacancy somewhere.

Zimmer's run-stuffing unit with no-names that fly to the ball carrier and shut down speed on the outside in the passing game helped the Bengals to a winning season in only the third time in 21 years.

They have had some issues against their own division rivals in Baltimore and Pittsburgh, but they will come ready to play against Houston.

4. San Francisco 49ers

Not only did the 49ers surprise everyone on offense this season, but the defense was one of the best in the NFL.

Vic Fangio did a great job with this unit, which only gave up 14 points per contest and just over 300 yards in total offense per game.

The run defense has been the star of this unit all season long.

3. Houston Texans

So what you want about Gary Kubiak leading this team to the playoffs for the first time in team history, but Wade Phillips is the key reason this team was so good this year.

While there can be disputes as to whether Phillips is a good head coach, no one can find fault with the way he runs a defense.

Phillips put together a unit that was in the Top-5 for most of the season and a main reason the Texans will have a fighting chance in the playoffs to make some noise.

2. Baltimore Ravens

They gave up 16.6 points per contest and 288 yards in total offense this year.

But let's be honest; do you want to run into Haloti Ngata, Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis?

The three still play the game like it is a war, and of course, they don't like to lose.

The secondary is still roamed by Ed Reed, who knows a thing or two about pass defense.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers

This weekend, the Steelers have a chance to really make a statement.

The league's top rated defense goes into Mile High Stadium to face "The Tebows."

If the run-stuffing unit that only allowed a league-best 227 yards per game can hold Tebow in check on the ground and stick to the slot receivers, this could get ugly early.

The Steelers always play tough defense in the playoffs. This year should be no exception.