NFL Predictions Week 1: Picking the Top Defenses

You know the old saying, "Offense wins games, defense wins championships."

Well, don't tell the Saints that after winning the Super Bowl thanks to a high powered offense. But teams with great defenses do have a pretty good track record. 

Defense is exactly why teams like the Jets were thinking (and talking) about the Superbowl before the season even started.

And who can blame them? Any team with a defense that good should be gunning for the Lombardi Trophy.

Here's a look at five such teams who will be looking for their defense to carry them to the promised land.

Dallas Cowboys

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ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 9: DeMarcus Ware #94 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts after the Cowboys recovered a second quarter fumble by Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2010 NFC wild-card playoff game at Cowboys Stadium on January 9, 2010 i

Although the offense gets the majority of the attention, the Cowboys defense is one that could take them to the Superbowl this season.

Demarcus Ware is back to bolster one of the most intimidating front-sevens in the league.

The Cowboys pass rush will wreak havoc against opposing offenses and the secondary should be improved with the emergence of cornerback Mike Jenkins.

Cincinnati Bengals

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CINCINNATI - JANUARY 9: Wide receiver Braylon Edwards #17 of the New York Jets is tackled by cornerback Leon Hall #29 of the Cincinnati Bengals after a catch during the 2010 AFC wild-card playoff game at Paul Brown Stadium on January 9, 2010 in Cincinnat

Want to know a great way to improve upon an already solid defense?

Put together an offense that can hold onto the ball and keep the defense resting on the sidelines.

The Bengals did just that by bringing in Terrell Owens. 

Owens should help out a passing game that was nothing more than pedestrian last year. The Bengals will continue to pound the ball with the running game this year, but having another threat in the passing game could help them convert on a few more third and long scenarios.

With Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph locking down opposing receivers, the Bengals defense should be primed for another great season.

Pittsburgh Steelers

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PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 15: Troy Polamalu #43 and William Gay #22 of the Pittsburgh Steelers break up a pass intended for Laveranues Coles #11 of the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field on November 15, 2009 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rick Stewa

Last year, despite finishing fifth in the league in yards allowed, the defense didn’t quite live up to their usual standards.

Of course, they were missing one of the most impactful players in the league, Troy Polamalu.

He’s healthy again, and the Steelers should be poised to once again finish near the top of the league in total defense—reclaiming their reputation as one of the absolute toughest teams in the league.

Baltimore Ravens

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 10: (L-R) Ed Reed #20 and Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens warm up against the New England Patriots during the 2010 AFC wild-card playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 10, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Ro

If you don’t already know how good the Ravens are on defense every single year, then you must be living under a rock.

Safety Ed Reed is going to be out for awhile due to a hip injury, but even so, the Ravens have plenty of talent and should have no trouble finishing near the top of the league in total defense.

Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs are still around and they’ll be joined in the front-seven by several good looking prospects taken in this year’s draft. Sergio Kindle, Terrence Cody, and Arthur Jones.

New York Jets

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SAN DIEGO - JANUARY 17: Wide receiver Vincent Jackson #83 of the San Diego Chargers goes up for a catch against Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets during AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Qualcomm Stadium on January 17, 2010 in San Diego, California.

This one is almost a no-brainer.

The Jets were unquestionable the best defense in the league last year. 

With the addition of Antonio Cromartie and first-round pick Kyle Wilson to a secondary that already boasts the top corner in the league, Darrelle Revis, this defense should be even tougher.

Adding veteran, Jason Taylor to the corp of linebackers doesn’t hurt either.