NFL Playoffs 2012: Ranking the 4 Defenses Remaining

If last week's losses by the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers prove anything, it is that defense still matters in the NFL.

Two of the top three scoring defenses in the league are still alive, while the other two teams playing next week feature plenty of quality players on that side of the football.

Whether it's the Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers or New York Giants, no one is winning the Super Bowl without solid defensive play in the next couple of games.

This list is not only a power ranking but a breakdown of the four defenses remaining with the strengths and weaknesses of each unit.

4. New England Patriots: Strengths

It is easy to pick on the New England Patriots defense this season, but they are much better than they get credit for.

Despite giving up the second-most yards in the NFL during the year, the Patriots were around the league average with 21.4 points allowed per game.

This was mostly thanks to the team's ability to force turnovers, leading the AFC with 34 takeaways this season. 

Finally, New England made great halftime adjustments toward the end of the year. Teams might have come out strong, but no one scored more than seven points after intermission in the last five games.

4. New England Patriots: Weaknesses

The New England Patriots are very inexperienced in the secondary and that shows when facing top passing attacks.

The defense allowed over 400 total yards per game during the year, and did not even face elite quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees.

New England also lost a good pass-rusher when defensive end Andre Carter went down for the year with a leg injury. Carter had 10 sacks before being placed on injured reserve.

They are fortunate to face a struggling Joe Flacco in the AFC Championship Game, but there is enough offensive talent for the Baltimore Ravens to give this team trouble.

3. New York Giants: Strengths

Few teams are better at getting to the opposing quarterback than the New York Giants.

When Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora missed time with injuries, second-year defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul took over and had an All-Pro season with 16.5 sacks.

Umenyiora has also returned strong when the team needed him most, totaling five sacks and a forced fumble in the last three games.

The pass-rush forces the quarterback into making mistakes, helping out a secondary that struggles in coverage.

3. New York Giants: Weaknesses

The New York Giants were ranked No. 29 in the NFL against the pass this season, which is completely due to their difficulties in coverage.

Besides Corey Webster, the cornerbacks on the roster have struggled throughout the season and have not been able to stay with their assignment.

Another weakness is at linebacker, where the Giants are often out of place and missing tackles. Safety Antrel Rolle leads the team in tackles because opponents are able to get 10 yards down the field before being touched.

The Giants will need to use the front four to compensate for the rest of its weak defense.

2. Baltimore Ravens: Strengths

There is a big gap between the first two defenses on the list and the last two, because the Baltimore Ravens are part of the league's elite.

The Ravens have had one of the best defenses for the past decade, led by All-Pro performers Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. This season, Baltimore was ranked third in the league in points and total yards allowed. 

The key is how well-rounded the unit is, from Haloti Ngata and his ability to stop the run to Terrell Suggs and his skill as a pass-rusher.

It is a roster with tons of experiences and the players are used to playing in big moments like this one.

2. Baltimore Ravens: Weaknesses

There are few weaknesses in this unit, but age and injuries might become a problem for the Baltimore Ravens.

Ray Lewis missed four games this season, and Ed Reed ended last week's game limping on an injured ankle.

The defense has also not really been tested, only facing one top-10 offense all year. That team was the San Diego Chargers, which totaled 415 yards in a 34-14 win over the Ravens.

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots should provide a much tougher challenge than Baltimore has seen this season.

1. San Francisco 49ers: Strengths

The strength of the San Francisco 49ers is the front seven of their defense.

This group shuts down the run and gets plenty of pressure on the quarterback.

Underrated defensive end Justin Smith was named first-team All-Pro, as well as linebackers Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman, who can track down any ball-carrier.

When quarterbacks try to get the ball into the secondary, they run into ball-hawks Carlos Rogers and Dashon Goldson. Each player has six interception on the season for a team that leads the NFL in turnover differential. 

The 49ers have the most complete defense in the league, and it is the reason they are still alive in the playoffs.

1. San Francisco 49ers: Weaknesses

Opposing teams are rarely able to sustain drives against the San Francisco 49ers, but they are susceptible to allowing big plays.

The safeties love going for interceptions, but sometimes a missed play leads to a long run after the catch by the receiver.

The New Orleans Saints were able to take the lead twice in the fourth quarter with 44-yard and 66-yard touchdown passes. In the upset loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 14, the 49ers allowed long pass plays to Larry Fitzgerald and Early Doucet that cost them the game.

Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks of the New York Giants are as good as anyone in the league at turning short slants into long touchdowns, so San Francisco better stay focused in order to avoid a game-changing play.