NFL Power Rankings Week 6: Rating The NFC Defenses
Week 6 of the NFL season is on the horizon and before we kick off Sunday afternoon, let us take a closer look at all 16 NFC defenses.
Some make their teams, while some hold them back, find out who reigns supreme.
And let us not forget everyone's favorite sports saying, "Defense wins championships."
No. 16) Arizona Cardinals
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The Cardinals (3-2) have a winning record, but it's not because of their defense. Arizona has allowed more touchdowns than any other NFC team through five weeks (14).
They also rank dead last in scoring defense, allowing over 27 points a game (27.6).
Still think their not the worst defense in the conference? They rank 15th in total yards allowed (382.0).
I rest my case.
No. 15) Detroit Lions
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The Lions (1-4) finally broke through last week, after losing four close games, they opened up the proverbial can on the St. Louis Rams.
However their defense hasn't been so tough, with the exception of the blowout last week.
Detroit has allowed 13 touchdowns, ranks 14th in scoring defense (22.4), and 13th in total yards allowed (368.6).
Oh my.
No. 14) Carolina Panthers
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It's no surprise the Panthers (0-5) don't top the list of best NFC defenses after their first five games of the season.
Carolina's stoppers have been mediocre all year. They rank 13th in scoring defense (22.0), have allowed 11 touchdowns, and over 19 first downs a game (19.2).
Maybe Julius Peppers is that good.
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No. 13) San Francisco 49ers
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Perhaps no team has had worse luck through five weeks than the San Francisco 49ers (0-5). They could easily be 3-2, the problem is their not.
San Francisco ranks 15th in the conference in scoring defense (26.0), and has allowed a massive amount of touchdowns (12).
Look out though because they could still win the NFC West.
No. 12) Washington Redskins
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Washington (3-2), a lot like Arizona, has a winning record in spite of their defense. The Redskins rank dead last in the NFC in total yards allowed (410.2), and no other team in the conference allows over 400.
Washington's scoring defense has masked many of their defensive flaws, they rank 5th (18.4).
Their defense hasn't been broken yet however, they have only allowed 9 touchdowns in five weeks.
No. 11) Seattle Seahawks
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The Seahawks (2-2) are roughly middle-of-the-pack defensively. They are tied for 6th in scoring defense (19.2), but rank 14th in the NFC in total yards allowed (374.8).
They did well to hold San Diego's offense to only 20 points in week 3, but their inconsistency is why they rank 11th on the list.
No. 10) Dallas Cowboys
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Who would of thought after five weeks we would see the Dallas Cowboys (1-3) defense look as beaten and mediocre as it has.
Dallas ranks 12th in scoring defense (21.8), and has allowed 18 first downs a game. But because they rank 4th in total yards allowed (304.8), and have only allowed 8 touchdowns in four games, they still make the top 10.
They won't be here for long if they give up 34 points this week.
No. 9) St. Louis Rams
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St. Louis (2-3) has been rather decent defensively so far this season. They have only allowed 7 touchdowns in five games, and are tied for 6th with Seattle in scoring defense (19.2).
Unfortunately they rank 12th in the conference in total yards allowed (342.0).
Remember they play in the NFC West, don't count them out.
No. 8) Philadelphia Eagles
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The Eagles' (3-2) defense has been hanging on by a thread through five weeks. They have allowed 12 touchdowns so far and rank 11th in scoring defense (20.6).
However they rank 9th in total yards allowed (318.2), and their bend but don't break ways drop them at the 9 spot on the list.
No. 7) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Tampa Bay (3-1) is one of this seasons' young surprises, and that's enough to give their defense the edge.
Their defense has been average, but taking its winning record into account, and their 9 interceptions, the 9 touchdowns allowed in four games, and 9th ranked scoring defense (20.0) don't seem so bad.
Give them their moment in the sun this week, because it might not last.
No. 6) New Orleans Saints
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The Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints (3-2) come in at number 6 on the list. Even though the Cardinals scored 30 points against them last Sunday, they did so without scoring a single rushing or receiving touchdown.
New Orleans 9 touchdowns allowed and 10th ranked scoring defense (20.4), are overshadowed by their 5th ranked defense in total yards allowed (306.4).
They have ways to go to repeat as champions and need to force some turnovers of their own.
No. 5) Green Bay Packers
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Though Green Bay (3-2) has suffered some massive losses on both sides of the ball, they still break the top 5.
The Packers have only allowed 7 touchdowns in five games, rank 4th in the NFC in scoring defense (17.8), and have intercepted the opposing quarterback 6 times so far.
However they have given up a lot of yards (317.2), ranks 8th in the NFC, and have too many key players injured (Barnett, Pickett, Harris, Bigby, etc).
No. 4) New York Giants
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There is no doubt that the Giants (3-2) have turned things around in the past two weeks. Largely with the help of two dominating performances by its defense.
They rank 1st in the NFC in total yards allowed (244.6), and 1st in yards per play (4.1).
However their scoring defense is 8th in the conference (19.6), so they take the 4 spot.
No. 3) Minnesota Vikings
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So it may be a little surprising to see the Vikings (1-3) at number 3 on the list, but let there be no confusion about their defense.
Minnesota has only allowed 5 touchdowns in four games, ranks 3rd in scoring defense (16.8), and trails only the Giants in the NFC in total yards allowed (289.2).
If Brett Favre doesn't throw a pick six with two minutes to play, the Vikings defense might get some much deserved credit.
No. 2) Atlanta Falcons
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Atlanta (4-1) is leading the NFC South division in large part to its defense. The Falcons rank 1st in the NFC in scoring defense (14.0), and 6th in the conference in total yards allowed (310.0).
It also helps that their defense is ranked 1st in the NFL in interceptions (10).
Watch out for the dirty birds as the season wears on.
No. 1) Chicago Bears
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The Chicago Bears (4-1) are tied for the best record in the NFC with Atlanta and its no wonder why. Their defense has been lights out through five games.
The monsters of the midway have only allowed 7 touchdowns through five games, rank 2nd in the conference in scoring defense (14.8), and 3rd in total yards allowed (295.2).
But its their consistency on that side of the ball that puts them at the top of the list. Their 7 interceptions and 7 fumble recoveries so far show that.
It could change next week, but for now the Bears remain the NFC's best defense.
Patrick Clarke is a student at Towson University and a writing intern for Bleacher Report.
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