NFL Playoff Predictions: Predicting the Top Defensive Performances

We live in a world where the offensive numbers being put up are shattering past records. 

Just this past year, we had the most 5,000-passing-yard quarterbacks the NFL has ever had in a season.  Those three included Tom Brady (In fact, the three this year outnumbered the two quarterbacks who reached that milestone in year’s prior).

However, even with all the gaudy numbers being put up, no one has yet to prove that a lack of defense can consistently win.  Although some defenses are lacking in comparison to their offensive counterparts, they adapt with each situation well enough to still win. 

Defense can change the momentum of the game whether it be with a sack, forced fumble or the pick six that all defensive backs dream of. 

It's tough to say what player is the “best” on a team and the defense,specifically.  As many of us know, sometimes it's not always the best numbers that can signify a player’s importance on the squad.  With all that in mind, these players in particular look to stand out from each team and show what they can bring to the table.

Denver Broncos: Von Miller

The Denver Broncos have managed to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers and catapult themselves onto the momentum train. 

Fans, and even the players and coaches, are starting to have Tebow fever.  However, although the credit is shared around to everyone on the team, the defense had a strong part in the success of the Broncos ever since the middle of the regular season. 

Von Miller is a stud on this Broncos defense and has shown time and time again that he's here to stay.  In the regular season, he had racked up 50 solo tackles and 14 assisted tackles.  The most staggering number is really the 11.5 sacks he earned. 

Miller is big-body guy at 6’3”, 245 lbs, however, he has the speed to catch up with a back around the edge.  Along with his pursuit speed, he has a knack for finding open lanes on blitzes and getting to the quarterback. 

He will have a tough test going up against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.  It will be interesting to see if Miller is used more as a rusher or to drop back in coverage.  

Green Bay Packers: Charles Woodson

Green Bay had the statistically worst pass defense in the league with an average rush defense.  However, with their otherworldly offense they managed to only lose one game this entire regular season. 

Regardless of how good the offense is, the defense still needs to make the plays when it counts.  Luckily for Aaron Rodgers, that's exactly what they did.  The Packers defense looks to give up a plethora of yards but gain possessions in takeaways. 

One of the leaders for the sneaky Packers defense is Charles Woodson.  He has been in the league for 14 years and is considered by many to be a seasoned vet.  Being 35 years old has shown in his play at times, however, he still manages to lead the team with seven interceptions. 

The defense as a whole may give up plenty of yards, but that's not necessarily the end of the world for this team.  The Packers’ identity is Aaron Rodgers and that offense.  With that being understood, if the defense can create more opportunities for that offense to come on the field, which may be exactly what Green Bay will need. 

Woodson has been in the league long enough to know the subtle nuances in reading the offense.  With a defense that's known for making the plays when the team needs them to, look for Woodson to be a standout player on the big stage.  

New Orleans Saints: Roman Harper

When fans think of the New Orleans Saints, some things that come to mind are Drew Brees, Marques Colston and Jimmy Graham.  Most likely for most of you, the defense was not one of the first to be thought about.

This is understandable due to the fact that they were ranked 30th in pass defense and 12th in rush defense.  However, their defense does have some good pieces such as Will Smith, Malcolm Jenkins, and most of all, Roman Harper.

Harper totaled 95 tackles with 73 of them being solos.  Along with the tackles, he also managed to gain seven-and-a-half sacks in the regular season. 

Roman Harper is a leader of that defense, and he will need to have a good postseason to help this squad make it back to the Super Bowl.  

Houston Texans: J.J. Watts

The Houston Texans went into the postseason with a defense that was ranked in the top five against both the run and pass. 

He's a rookie out of Wisconsin, however, he has shown that he's capable of making plays when he needs to.  As seen in his first playoff appearance, he has the talent to become a factor in the NFL.

During the regular season, Watts managed to gather 56 total tackles and five-and-a-half sacks.  In his first postseason game, he managed to get two tackles and a pick six. 

Those numbers would be impressive for any player, let alone a rookie.  

Look for Watts to make an impression on fans and his peers in his first NFL postseason.  

New England Patriots: Rob Ninkovich

There's no doubt that the New England Patriots have a struggling defense.  Especially with the injury to Andre Carter, the Patriots are stretched thin at every position on defense.

In his sixth year out of Purdue, linebacker Rob Ninkovich is preparing to help lead this team to the Super Bowl. 

During the regular season, Ninkovich managed to garner up 74 total tackles, 43 of which were solo.  He also managed to earn six-and-a-half sacks, second to only injured Carter and Mark Anderson. 

Ninkovich’s numbers may not stand out or wow anybody, but he has been the most consistent and reliable on this shaky Patriots defense.  Especially coming from a squad that's second-worst against the pass and ranked 17 against the run, Ninkovich has managed to stay focused. 

As long as he stays healthy and plays the way he's capable of, this Patriots team with the help from Tom Brady can do some big things in the postseason.  

Baltimore Ravens: Terrell Suggs

Terrell Suggs of the Baltimore Ravens is arguably one of the most-talented defensive players in today’s game. 

In his ninth year out of Arizona State, this linebacker has continued to put up impressive numbers. 

He garnered 70 total tackles with 14 sacks and two interceptions.  Playing for a team with Ed Reed and Ray Lewis, Suggs tends to not get as much attention as he deserves.

However, it looks like that's nothing that bothers Suggs.  His performance has started to pick up later on in his career, which is good for the Ravens.

From 2003 to 2009, his stats have started to look less impressive with every year. Yet, from 2010 to 2011, his numbers have been getting significantly better.  It looks like Suggs is ready to help lead the Ravens to a Super Bowl win.  

San Francisco 49ers: NaVorro Bowman

NaVorro Bowman deserves a lot of credit for keeping this defense solid in the absence of linebacker Patrick Willis.  In only his second year in the league, he has shown what kind of talent he possesses. 

At the end of the season, he led his team with 143 total tackles.  Among those 143, 111 of those being solo while 32 were assisted.  Bowman is a beast in the middle, along with the rest of the 49ers defense; it's going to be tough to score on them. 

Bowman will have a huge test in his next game against Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints.  With a quarterback of Brees’ capability, it will be interesting to see how Bowman reacts against him and their stellar running game. 

He will be counted on to neutralize the run game, allowing the rest of the defense to focus on Brees and the deadly passing attack of the Saints.  This is no easy task, considering the Saints rushing attack during the regular season was ranked sixth best in the league.  

New York Giants: Jason Pierre-Paul

Jason Pierre-Paul is just in his second year of NFL experience, and yet, is putting up impressive numbers.  At age 23, Pierre-Paul managed to rack up 86 total tackles along with two forced fumbles and a staggering 16.5 sacks. 

He helps bolster down a solid Giants defense starting from the defensive line. 

Pierre-Paul will be a vital component if they ever want to beat the Green Bay Packers in their next playoff game.  With Aaron Rodgers playing at such a high level, it will be important for him to get off to a good start. 

He's young and energetic which is what the Giants are going to rely on as the postseason continues.  His speed and versatility in the Giants' schemes is what also helps him look better at times.

Paul has the ability to speed rush and bum rush the offensive lineman making him incredibly difficult to defend against.  This may be one of the better postseason performances statistically.