NFL Power Rankings Week 10: Rating the Top Defensive Performances
Week 10 is over and done with and that means it's time to rate the top defensive performances from the weekend that was.
The Packers and Giants won by a combined 72 points, which is somewhat alarming considering they only scored a combined 86 points.
For other teams, it was more than just putting up dominant defensive numbers, it was about slowing prolific offenses on their way to victory.
No. 6) Saints 34, Panthers 3
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The New Orleans Saints aren't the first team to dominate the Carolina Panthers this season, but what they did Sunday was pretty impressive, holding the Panthers to just a field goal in a 31 point victory.
New Orleans scored 34 unanswered points as they held the lowly Carolina offense to just 195 total yards, including just 68 passing yards.
No. 5) Eagles 26, Colts 24
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Though the Eagles gave up 24 points and only won by two points, their defensive effort against Peyton Manning and the Colts was certainly one of the week 10's best.
Philadelphia held Indianapolis to just 62 rushing yards forcing Manning to throw over 50 times. The result, two interceptions including a game-clinching one by Asante Samuel with just seconds remaining.
No. 4) Giants 41, Seahawks 7
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Taking into account who was playing quarterback for the Seahawks, this result seems a lot less shocking.
Still, no team should be trailing 41-0 in the third quarter at home. Unfortunately for Seahawks fans, this was the reality on Sunday when the New York Giants defense returned to Super Bowl champion stature, holding Seattle to a pitiful 162 total yards, including just 49 on the ground.
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No. 3) Packers 45, Cowboys 7
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The Packers blew out the Cowboys on Sunday night in similar fashion to the New York Giants, Green Bay was up 28-0 before intermission.
When it was all said and done, the Packer's defense was responsible for allowing only 39 rushing yards to the Cowboys, and the firing of Dallas head coach Wade Phillips the following day.
No. 2) Ravens 26, Dolphins 10
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The Ravens defense was nothing be spit upon on Sunday. Baltimore shutout Miami in the second half and held the talented Dolphin backfield to just 73 rushing yards.
That wasn't it though, the Raven's got back to their old ways of making big plays on defense by forcing three Chad Henne interceptions.
No. 1) Browns 34, Patriots 14
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In one of the season's biggest upsets so far, Peyton Hillis and the Browns ran all over the Patriots, and the Cleveland defense held firm allowing only two Tom Brady touchdowns in a 34-14 romping of New England.
The Patriots offense had been firing on all cylinders entering Sunday's game, but the Browns shut it down allowing just 68 rushing yards and holding New England to just 3-11 on third down.
Far and away the best defensive performance in Week 10.
Patrick Clarke is a student at Towson University and a writing intern for Bleacher Report.
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