NFL Playoffs: 10 Most Exciting Defenders To Watch This Weekend
The NFL playoffs are down to four teams. And not surprisingly, they are four of the best defensive teams in the NFL.
The Steelers and Packers were one and two scoring defense, and sacks. Likewise, the Bears and Jets were fourth and sixth respectively in points allowed, ninth and third in yards allowed, respectively.
And while great defense is supposed to be a team effort, there are a handful flat out stars on each unit.
But whose the best?
Here are the top 10 defenders still remaining in this year's Final Four.
No. 10: Calvin Pace, LB, New York Jets
1 of 10
His fellow linebacker and future professional wrestler Bart Scott is a bigger name, but Pace has been the more consistent player this year.
After coming back from the broken right foot and subsequent surgery he has been all over the field: in his first week back, he recorded 1.5 sacks on Brett Favre and recorded one each of the last three weeks.
And last week he nabbed a sack/fumble of Tom Brady.
With the Steelers offensive line terribly suspect, especially on the edges, Pace could have a big day Sunday night in Heinz Field.
No. 9: Tramon Williams, CB, Green Bay Packers
2 of 10
Williams had a very good regular season, recording six picks and breaking up 20 passes. But in the postseason he has been phenomenal.
He ended the Eagles comeback bid in Philadelphia with an interception of Michael Vick.
And last week, his pick six of Matt Ryan just before halftime was the turning point of the game. (That was his second interception of Ryan in as many series).
Williams certainly benefits from having Charles Woodson on the other side of the field, but he has also taken advantage of every opportunity that's come his way.
Depending on which Jay Cutler shows up Sunday (Dr. Touchdown or Mr. Interception), Williams could make it three straight weeks with a critical interception.
No. 8: Tommie Harris, DT, Chicago Bears
3 of 10
The former first round pick from Oklahoma had a rough regular season: He recorded just one-half sack through the first 15 games and was benched in the middle of the season.
But somewhere along the way, he found his mojo.
He recorded a sack of Aaron Rodgers in Week 17, then nabbed two in the win over Seattle and put big hits on Matt Hasselbeck two other times.
The interior lineman for the Packers will have a tough task on Sunday.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
No. 7: Brian Urlacher, LB, Chicago Bears
4 of 10
After a year off with that wrist injury Urlacher has come back with a vengeance in 2010.
Nine times this year he posted eight or more tackles, he broke up ten passes, and was the main reason why the Bears finished the season first in the NFC in rush defense.
James Starks has suddenly become the reincarnation of Jim Taylor for the Packers (averaging 24 carries the past two weeks) so it will be up to Urlacher to limit those carries to minimal yards.
No. 6: Darrelle Revis, CB, New York Jets
5 of 10
Revis' regular season wasn't quite as good as it was in 2009, but against the NFL's two most decorated passers (Peyton Manning and Tom Brady) Revis has stepped up his game.
It's rather surprising that he didn't have a pick this year (including the playoffs) but quarterbacks tend to avoid him like the plague.
The Steelers might be interested in testing Revis' hamstring early and often with their speed demon Mike Wallace. If Revis is in fact healthy and Ben Roethlisberger is even slightly off target on the deep ball, Revis will make him pay.
No. 5: Julius Peppers, DE, Chicago Bears
6 of 10
In terms of sacks, Peppers has been somewhat quiet the last month of the season.
But you really don't measure Julius Peppers impact by his personal statistics.
He is a menace on the field and when teams over-account for him, it frees up players like Tommy Harris, Israel Idonije and Brian Urlacher to make plays in both the running game and through the pass rush.
Whether it's Chad Clifton or rookie Bryan Bulaga, Peppers will be their main focus.
No. 4: James Harrison, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
7 of 10
Harrison was absolutely dominant last Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens.
He sacked Joe Flacco three times, hit him two other times and batted down two of his passes. That was impressive, but the fact that he was held virtually every other play is more incredible.
D'Brickashaw Ferguson is perhaps the most athletic tackle in the NFL, but even he will have a difficult time with Harrison, who gets so low to the ground that he's almost unblockable. And if Wayne Hunter (a fill in for Damian Woody) is matched up with Harrison, it could be a long day for Mark Sanchez.
No. 3: Charles Woodson, CB, Green Bay Packers
8 of 10
Tramon Williams is emerging as a top notch corner, but he probably owes Woodson a cut of the contract extension he signed in late November.
Opposing quarterbacks know not to mess with Woodson, last season's Defensive Player of the Year: That's why he only recorded two interceptions and 13 pass break ups.
But it's Woodson's presence near the line of scrimmage that makes him so valuable to the Packers.
He is an excellent pass rusher when Dom Capers brings him off the edge and he has made several huge plays defending the run.
The Bears ball carriers will have a hard time getting past the second level with Woodson out there.
No. 2: Clay Matthews Jr., LB, Green Bay Packers
9 of 10
Recently named the Pro Football Writers Defensive Player of the Year, Matthews had an outstanding 2010. But he did tail off a little towards the end of the regular season.
After recording six sacks in the first two weeks, opponents obviously doubled (even tripled) him in the hopes of keeping him at bay. And as a result he had just three sacks in the final seven weeks.
But, like several of his teammates, Matthews was re-energized once the postseason began, nabbing three sacks in the two playoff wins.
Matthews made headlines with his sacks this year, but he is just as difficult to block in the running game and when he does drop into coverage, has a great capacity for breaking on the ball. Any time Jay Cutler takes a three step drop and cocks his arm, Matthews be looking for a pick.
No. 1: Troy Polamalu, S, Pittsburgh Steelers
10 of 10
There isn't a more disruptive defender in the NFL then Polamalu.
When Dick LeBeau calls Polamalu's number on a blitz, he at least gets in the passer's face, if he doesn't bring down the quarterback.
He is a very sure tackler, meaning running backs and receivers on screens usually come down when Polamalu is near.
On the goal line or in short yardage he has a remarkable ability to sniff out where the ball is headed.
And his skills when the ball is in the air (against Joe Flacco in the 2008 AFC Championship Game, for example) are better than any player in the NFL not named Ed Reed.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")