NFL Power Rankings: Julius Peppers, Jared Allen, and 2010's 25 Best Pass Rushers

In the sport of football, the 4-3 defensive end or the 3-4 outside linebacker is the most important position on a defense.

They stop the run, can drop into pass coverage, but most importantly, they get to the quarterback.

The most important position on the defense would be the player who disrupts the most important position on the offense, of course: the quarterback.

These players have been a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks all season long.

Here are the 25 best pass rushers in the NFL this season ranked by sacks, and thanks to footballoutsiders.com, a few special statistics:

A "hurry" is when the rusher forces the quarterback out of the pocket or to throw early.  

Holding penalties the defender has drawn is self-explanatory.  

A "hit" on the quarterback is also quite obvious.  A hit negated by a penalty is included, but not sacks.

If you click on the link you can see that, unfortunately, the stats only show the top performers in the specific category, and the numbers only account for the first 10 weeks of the season.

25. Marcus Bernard

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 24: Marcus Bernard #58 of the Cleveland Browns in action against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on October 24, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Bernard has given the Browns the pass rush they've been lacking while more than doubling his sack total from last season.

Sacks: 7.5

QB Hits (As of Dec. 2): 8

24. Cliff Avril

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CINCINNATI - AUGUST 17: Cliff Avril #92 of the Detroit Lions jogs on the field during the NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on August 17, 2008 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Thanks to an upgrade at the other three defensive line positions, Avril is having his best season as a pro for the Lions.

Sacks: 8

QB Hurries (As of Dec. 2): 14.5

23. Charles Johnson

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 19: Charles Johnson #95 of the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 19, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

If it wasn't for a one-win season, Johnson would've easily made Panthers fans forget about losing Julius Peppers.

Sacks: 9.5

22. James Hall

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS, MO - DECEMBER 14: Seneca Wallace #15 of the Seattle Seahawks passes against James Hall #96 of the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on December 14, 2008 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Seahawks beat the Rams 23-20. (Photo by Dilip Vishwana

This 33 year old is putting up better numbers than he's had in six years for the up and coming Rams.

Sacks: 8.5

Flags Drawn (As of Dec. 2): 4

21. Chris Clemons

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - OCTOBER 17: Chris Clemons #91 of the Seattle Seahawks rushes against J'Marcus Webb #73 of the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 17, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Seahawks defeated the Bears 23-20. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

At 29, he just hit his prime getting double digit sacks for the first time (Yeah that rhymes).

Sacks: 10

20. Robert Mathis

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 07: Robert Mathis #98 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after a touchdown in the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints during Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo

Mathis is on his way to having another double digit sack season, just another season.

Sacks: 9.5

19. Justin Tuck

Nick Laham/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 19: Justin Tuck #91 of the New York Giants sacks Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles at New Meadowlands Stadium on December 19, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Tuck boasts about one fourth the production of a defense that ranks second in the league in sacks.

Sacks: 10

QB Hits (As of Dec. 2): 10

18. Osi Umenyiora

Al Bello/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 28: Osi Umenyiora #72 of the New York Giants in action against the Jacksonville Jaguars during their game on November 28, 2010 at The New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Osi produces an equally lethal rush opposite of Tuck, and on top of that, he leads the league in forced fumbles with eight strips.

Sacks: 10

QB Hits (As of Dec. 2): 10

17. Jared Allen

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 14: Jared Allen #69 of the Minnesota Vikings rushes past Brandon Manumaleuna #86 of the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 14, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Vikings 27-13. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Imag

Arguably the most talented pass rusher in the league is having an "off" year as his nose tackle Pat Williams' dominance has taken a dive.

Sacks: 9.5

QB Hits (As of Dec. 2): 12

16. Dwight Freeney

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 01: Matt Schaub #8 of Houston Texans fumbles the ball while being tackled by Dwight Freeney #93 of the Indianapolis Colts during the NFL game at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 1, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyon

The man who perfected the spin move is having a "down" year after 13.5 sacks last season.

Sacks: 8

QB Hurries (As of Dec. 2): 20

15. Julius Peppers

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 12: Julius Peppers #90 of the Chicago Bears rushes against the New England Patriots at Soldier Field on December 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Patriots defeated the Bears 36-7. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Surprisingly, Peppers' production this season may actually be worth the 91.5 million dollar contract the Bears gave him this past summer.

Sacks: 8

QB Hurries (As of Dec. 2): 15.5

QB Hits (As of Dec. 2): 14

14. Trent Cole

Al Bello/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 17: Trent Cole #58 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates a sack against Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 17, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Imag

Cole is arguably the best player on an Eagles defense that many think is Super Bowl bound.

Sacks: 9

QB Hurries (As of Dec. 2): 20.5

13. Lamar Woodley

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 28: LaMarr Woodley #56 of the Pittsburgh Steelers plays against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium at Ralph Wilson Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. Pittsburgh won 19-16 in overtime. (Photo by Ric

Another big name pass rusher having a slightly less productive season, which is surprising because it's a contract year for Woodley.

Sacks: 8.5

QB Hurries (As of Dec. 2): 22

12. Mario Williams

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

HOUSTON - OCTOBER 10: Mario Williams #90 of the Houston Texans in action during the game against the New York Giants at Reliant Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Reggie Bush is fighting with the NCAA, Vince Young is fighting with Jeff Fisher, and Mario Williams is fighting for a Pro Bowl spot: nice pick Houston.

Sacks: 8.5

QB Hurries (As of Dec. 2): 22.5

QB Hits (As of Dec. 2): 10

11. Brian Orakpo

Greg Fiume/Getty Images

LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 21: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens throws a pass during the preseason game as he is hit by Brian Orakpo #98 of the Washington Redskins at FedExField on August 21, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images

This freak hasn't been able to replicate his rookie numbers, but he's been held back, key word: held.

Sacks: 8.5

QB Hurries (As of Dec. 2): 17

Flags Drawn (As of Dec. 2): 7

10. Chris Long

Elsa/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - AUGUST 26: Chris Long #72 of the St. Louis Rams looks on from the sideline against the New England Patriots on August 26, 2010 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Long can brush off the "bust" label now as he leads the league in quarterback hurries and no one comes close.

Sacks: 7.5 

QB Hurries (As of Dec. 2): 33

QB Hits (As of Dec. 2): 10

9. Shaun Phillips

Harry How/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 24: Shaun Phillips #95 of the San Diego Chargers during warm up against the New England Patriots at Qualcomm Stadium on October 24, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

With no Shawne Merriman to steal his sacks, he's produced more sacks then he's had in years.

Sacks: 11

8. Jasin Babin

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 21: Jason Babin #93 of the Tennessee Titans reacts after sacking quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins during the first half at LP Field on November 21, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Grant Halverson/

Back from the dead, yet another career resurrected by defensive line coach Jim Washburn, Babin has more sacks this season than he's had in the past five years. 

Sacks: 12

QB Hurries (As of Dec. 2): 12

QB Hits (As of Dec. 2): 12

7. Tamba Hali

Harry How/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 12: Tamba Hali #91 of the Kansas City Chiefs waits at the line of scrimmage against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 12, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

After having a solid season every other year, Hali has truly broke out shattering his career high in sacks.

Sacks: 11

QB Hurries (As of Dec. 2): 18

QB Hits (As of Dec. 2): 10

6. Terrell Suggs

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 21: Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after a defensive play against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Even though it seems like he's always been this dominant, it's actually Suggs' first double digit sack season since 2004.

Sacks: 11

QB Hurries (As of Dec. 2): 16.5

5. DeMarcus Ware

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 21: Quarterback Shaun Hill #14 of the Detroit Lions scrambles with the ball under pressure by Demarcus Ware #94 of the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys beat the Lions 35-19.

Ware may never get 20 sacks again, but he'll be one of the top pass rushers in the NFL until he retires.

Sacks: 11.5

QB Hurries (As of Dec. 2): 15.5

4. John Abraham

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 28: Chauncey Davis #92 and John Abraham #55 of the Atlanta Falcons sack quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers at Georgia Dome on November 28, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

After having the worst statistical season of his career in 2009, he's back at top leading a Falcons team who has the best record in the NFC.

Sacks: 12

QB Hurries (As of Dec. 2): 18.5

3. James Harrison

Geoff Burke/Getty Images

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Linebacker James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on while playing against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter of the game at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. Pittsburgh won

He may not be in the top five in the league in sacks, but looking at the big picture: hurries, flags, and hits, he deserves to jump players with higher sack totals.

Sacks: 10

QB Hurries (As of Dec. 2): 16.5

Flags Drawn (As of Dec. 2): 6

QB Hits (As of Dec. 2): 8

2. Clay Matthews

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 05: Troy Smith #1 of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 5, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the 49ers 34-16. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Ge

Matthews came out of the gate looking like the MVP of the league, but has since "slowed down."

Sacks: 12.5

QB Hurries (As of Dec. 2): 14.5

QB Hits (As of Dec. 2): 10

1. Cameron Wake

Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

MIAMI - OCTOBER 4: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots is hit as he passes by Cameron Wake #91 of the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Field on October 4, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

The former CFL star has turned into an NFL star as he has flawlessly replaced Jason Taylor while leading the league in sacks.

Sacks: 14

QB Hurries (As of Dec. 2): 23

Flags Drawn (As of Dec. 2): 7

QB Hits (As of Dec. 2): 10

David Daniels is an NFL Featured Columnist and Writing Intern at Bleacher Report and a Syndicated Writer. Follow him at One Yard Short.com or on Twitter.