NFL Power Rankings Week 8: Rating the Top 10 Defenses

"Defense wins championships" is a mantra you hear over and over in the world of sports. As much as it has become a cliché, it will always be true.

Although every great defensive team doesn't necessarily excel, you do need a great defense to excel.

Let's look at the top 10 defenses in the NFL so far this year.

This list will factor in part reputation, part statistical performance and part expected performance throughout the rest of the year.

10. Green Bay Packers

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GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 24: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings scrambles away from Frank Zombo #58 of the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 24, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Vikings 28-24. (Photo by Jim Prischin

The Packers have had some shaky defensive performances this year and have been decimated by injuries. However, they are among the league leaders with 22 sacks, led by Clay Matthews and his 8.5 sacks.

In addition, the Packers still boast All-Pros Charles Woodson and Nick Collins, who make the secondary always capable of a big play. Dom Capers will need to use his full arsenal of defenses for the rest of the year to make up for the injuries.

At the end of the day the Packers still have some great weapons that make the defense always dangerous.

9. Seattle Seahawks

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DENVER - SEPTEMBER 19: Defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer #95 of the Seattle Seahawks awaits the snap against the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on September 19, 2010 in Denver, Colorado The Broncos defeated the Seahawks 31-14.. (Photo by Dou

Pete Carroll has come into town and turned this team around in all facets of the game. Most impressive has been the stellar play of the Seahawks defense so far this season.

Veterans like Lofa Tatupu and Lawyer Milloy, along with young guns Aaron Curry and Earl Thomas, have helped the Hawks hold opponents to just 17.8 points per game so far this season.

Led by 5.5 sacks from Chris Clemons, the team has 19 total to put them among the league leaders.

If the team can continue to get carried by this defense, the Hawks may have a return to the playoffs in their future.

8. Kansas City Chiefs

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KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 24: The Jacksonville Jaguars line up against the Kansas City Chiefs during the game on October 24, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

The Kansas City Chiefs have had a resurgence this year predicated on their improved run game and especially a stellar defense.

They have given up just 18.7 points per game and just 538 running yards on the season. Leading tackler Derrick Johnson is finally looking like the first-round talent he always has been, and Tamba Hali has paced the defensive line with 5.5 sacks so far.

If the Chiefs can keep up this great all-around defensive effort, they too could make a return trip to the playoffs this season.

7. Baltimore Ravens

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BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 24: Ed Reed #20 of the Baltimore Ravens returns an interception against the Buffalo Bills at M&T Bank Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Bills 37-34. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

Although the defense looked susceptible this week against the Buffalo Bills, the Ravens remain one of the most feared defenses in the entire league.

Led by the intimidating presence of Ray Lewis, the Ravens have still only given up 18.4 points per game this season. Studs like Haloti Ngata and Terrell Suggs will make sure that the Ravens D remains feared throughout the league.

Most important, however, is the return of future Hall of Famer Ed Reed to the Ravens secondary. He has already made a couple of big plays in his first game back and will be a key contributor if this team is to make a Super Bowl run.

6. San Diego Chargers

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OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 10: Bruce Gradkowski #5 of the Oakland Raiders is hit by Shaun Phillips #95 of the San Diego Chargers at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 10, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Although the Chargers have gotten off to a slow start, the defense can hardly be blamed for that. They have given up the fewest yards in the league and are tied for the league lead with 25 sacks.

Shaun Phillips and Kevin Burnett have combined for 12 of those sacks and have given quarterbacks nightmares all year. The only way this D could improve is if they were able to get Shawne Merriman to somehow stay with the team.

It seems the Chargers will have to ride this defense until the offense can catch up if the team wants any hope of returning to the playoffs this season.

5. Chicago Bears

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CHICAGO - OCTOBER 24: Chris Cooley #47 of the Washington Redskins runs pursued by Julius Peppers #90 and Anthony Adams #95 of the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 24, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Redskins defeated the Bears 17-14. (Photo by Jo

As the offense has began to sink under Jay Cutler, the defense continues to try to emulate the great defenses of Bears history. They have given up the second fewest points per game in the league with just over 16.

Leading tackler Brian Urlacher is back and once again at the helm of this defensive unit. New addition Julius Peppers has been very effective and has drawn a lot of attention that has made the life of his teammates much easier.

As an example, the previously unheralded Israel Idonije leads the Bears with 4.5 sacks.

If this team wants to take hold of the NFC North, it will continue to have to ride its defense.

4. New York Giants

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 03: Justin Tuck #91 of the New York Giants sacks Caleb Hanie #12 of the Chicago Bear at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 3, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

The New York Giants are attempting to revitalize the positive feelings from their 2007 Super Bowl run, and it has all started with the improved play of the defense.

The Giants are third in the league with 24 sacks on the season. Osi Umenyiora has accounted for eight of those sacks, with Justin Tuck picking up four.

The Giants also have given up the second fewest passing yards per game, yielding just 177.9 per contest. This is obviously a result of heavy pressure on the QBs that is the staple of the Giants' success.

If people cannot figure out a way to protect their QBs going forward, the Giants could put themselves at the top of the NFC.

3. Tennessee Titans

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NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 24: Jeremy Maclin #18 of the Philadelphia Eagles is tackled by the Tennessee Titans defense at LP Field on October 24, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The Tennessee Titans knew a bounce-back season would center on another season of stellar defense under coach Jeff Fisher. So far the Titans have been outstanding on that side of the ball as they attempt to make another run at the playoffs.

They have given up just 16.7 points per game, putting them third in the NFL. They are also the league leaders in interceptions and are tied for the league lead in sacks.

Jason Babin and Dave Ball have each contributed six sacks, while Michael Griffin has led the Titans secondary with four interceptions.

The Titans hope continued play like this will catapult them past the Colts and Texans and into the playoffs.

2. New York Jets

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 19: Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets defends against Randy Moss #81 of the New England Patriots during their game on September 19, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al

Led by coach Rex Ryan and a slew of stars, the Jets continue to have one of the most feared defenses in the entire league. There is a long list of impressive names that this defense possesses, but to name them is unnecessary.

The strength of this defense is their cohesion and aggressiveness, both traits inherited from Coach Ryan. They have put this to use, yielding just 16.8 points per game. In addition, the Jets have only given up 540 rushing yards, good for fourth in the league.

The one name worth mentioning, however, is cornerback Darelle Revis. Now that Revis is healthy he gives the Jets perhaps the best defensive weapon in the league. If Revis can live up to the contract he held out for this preseason, there are no limits to how far the Jets can go this year.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers

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PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 02: Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers calls out signals during the preseason game against the Carolina Panthers on September 2, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Despite the immense talent of the other defenses on this list, the Pittsburgh Steelers were the clear No. 1 choice.

Since safety Troy Polamalu returned healthy this season, the Steelers have put on a legendary display of defense. They have given up just 82 points this season, making them the only team to not allow triple digits so far this year.

That number has left them giving up just 13.7 points per game and a grand total of 382 rushing yards on the season. Both of those numbers leave the Steelers as the league leaders in that category.

Now that Pro Bowl QB Ben Roethlisberger has returned from a suspension, the Steelers may have an offense to support this kind of legendary defense. It is certainly in the realm of possibility that the Steelers may return to the Super Bowl yet again this season.