The 15 Toughest Defenses in the NFL

There is nothing like a mean, stout, hard-nosed defense.

On this list, we celebrate those units, predicting which 15 defenses will be the toughest for offenses to deal with this season.

From those defenses that stuff the run, to those loaded in the secondary, and finally those that just like to smash people, we've got every type of defense covered here.

So get ready to celebrate the bashers, the ball-hawks and the big boys that stuff the line.

It's hitting season, baby!

15. Detroit Lions

Adding linebacker Stephen Tulloch and corner Eric Wright should improve this unit. Those moves paired with the addition of rookie defensive tackle Nick Fairly to an already stout defensive line boasting Ndamukong Suh, Kyle Vanden Bosch and Cliff Avril should make the Lions scary up front.

The Lions defense didn’t inspire fear in offenses last year, but I expect them to take a big leap forward and become a solid defense this season.

14. Miami Dolphins

Miami was efficient as a defense last year, allowing the sixth fewest yards and (309.3) and the 14^th fewest points (20.8) per game. They also finished tied for 10^th in sacks (39), though they suffered from an inability to create turnovers, finishing with a dismal 19.

Look for the Dolphins defense to improve in year two under defensive coordinator Mike Nolan.

13. Dallas Cowboys

With the talent they've assembled, there is no excuse for the Cowboys finishing 23^rd in yards allowed (351 YPG) and 31^st in points allowed (27.2) as they did last year. Look for Bob Ryan get this unit back to business.

With one of the league’s most dominant pass rushers in DeMarcus Ware, and two cornerbacks in Mike Jenkins and Terence Newman who need to return to the form that saw each make the Pro Bowl in 2009, the Cowboys should compete for a playoff spot this season.

With talented players filling in most of the defensive positions, anything less will be a failure.

12. Houston Texans

You know what Mario Williams is capable of. Brian Cushing has flashed brilliance in his young career.

There wasn’t much else to highlight on the Texans defense last year.

That should change this year, as stud middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans returns, the team is excited about rookie defensive lineman J.J. Watt, and the secondary is bolstered by the additions of highly sought-after cornerback Jonathan Joseph and a solid safety in Danieal Manning.

Plus, new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips should improve the defense by his presence alone (he is, after all, a far better defensive coordinator than coach.)

It’s about time the Texans met expectations and earned a playoff berth. If this defense plays up to its capabilities, they could do just that.

11. New Orleans Saints

Very quietly, the Saints play solid defense, as evidenced by the 306.2 yards (4^th best in the NFL) and the 19.2 points (7^th best) they allowed per game.

With the additions of Aubrayo Franklin (free agent) and Cameron Jordan (first round pick), the Saints should improve their defensive line. Jordan is expected to bolster the defensive end position, which only managed a woeful 10.5 sacks last season.

10. New York Giants

There is no question they can attack the quarterback, finishing fifth in the NFL last season with 46 sacks.

And generally, they were both solid against the run and pass last season. But they struggled against some of the better offenses in the league, giving up 38 points to the Colts, 27 and 38 points in two appearances against the Eagles, 35 and 33 points to the Cowboys, and 45 points in Week 16 against the Packers (with both teams fighting for a playoff berth).

For them to be considered an elite defense, they will have to be a bit more staunch against the better offenses they face.

9. San Diego Chargers

They gave up the least amount of yards in the NFL last year, and return studs Eric Weddle, Shaun Phillips and Luis Castillo to a talented unit.

They may not be an elite unit, but they are plenty solid.

8. Atlanta Falcons

Take a solid core of players that includes corner Dunta Robinson, linebacker Curtis Lofton and defensive end John Abraham and add another stud end, Ray Edwards.

Guess what?

The Falcons defense just got nastier.

And seeing as last year’s unit held teams to only 18 points per game (fifth best in the NFL), the Falcons should be considered a front-runner to represent the NFC in this year’s Super Bowl.

7. New England Patriots

The Patriots were proficient in turning the ball over last season, accumulating 38 turnovers.

But they were less than proficient in just about every other defensive aspect, and seriously bolstered their line, adding Shaun Ellis and Albert Haynesworth to a line that already boasts stud Vince Wilfork.

If Haynesworth plays up to his capabilities, his addition could have the sort of impact that Nnamdi Asomugha will have on the Eagles secondary. And with other promising youngsters such as Jerrod Mayo, the Patriots defense could return to the form that earned them dynasty status last decade.

6. Philadelphia Eagles

Nnamdi Asomugha. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Cullen Jenkins. Jason Babin.

The Eagles weren’t shy about adding playmakers on the defensive side of the ball, and Asomugha and Rodgers-Cromartie combine with Asante Samuel to form the best trio of cornerbacks in the NFL.

But the Eagles aren’t without question marks, namely at safety (will youngsters Nate Allen and Kurt Coleman play at a high level?) and at linebacker, where rookie Casey Matthews is currently starting.

With excellent pass rushers in Trent Cole, Babin and Jenkins, and ridiculous cornerback depth, the Eagles will be tough to throw against. But if they can’t stuff the run and force obvious passing situations, the “Dream Team” may have a few nightmares.

5. Chicago Bears

When you can trot out Julius Peppers, Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs, you have the foundation of a solid defense.

But the Bears are solid across the board in their front seven, and finished second against the run (90.1 YPG). Combined with their continued propensity to create turnovers (21 interceptions, 14 fumbles recovered last year), the Bears should continue to play tough defense in 2011.

4. Baltimore Ravens

 The names speak for themselves.

Ray Lewis. Ed Reed. Haloti Ngata. Terrell Suggs.

With that Core Four, the Ravens will always be nasty. Still, they are not without question marks, namely against the pass, finishing 21^st last year (224.9 yards per game).

Will Bernard Pollard or Tom Zbikowski win the strong safety position? Will rookie Jimmy Smith be able to step into a starting cornerback role?

Will they continue to stuff the run as they did last year (93.9 YPG)? With Ray Lewis stalking the line of scrimmage, I’d probably just throw the ball.

3. New York Jets

No, they didn’t land Nnamdi Asomugha. But Darrelle Revis and Antonio “Daycare” Cromartie still form one of the finest cornerback duos in the league.

Combine that pair with a solid linebacker corps led by Bart Scott, and bolstered by promising rookie defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson from Temple, and the Jets should be as nasty and tenacious as their coach, Rex Ryan.

If they can hold opponents to 19 points and 291.5 yards per game as they did last year, this unit should lead the Jets to the playoffs once more.

2. Green Bay Packers

The biggest loss for the Packers unit was defensive linemen Cullen Jenkins, who signed with the Eagles,

But the Packers will return a number of players who lost time last year, including defensive lineman Mike Neal (who will replace Jenkins), and strong safety Morgan Burnett.

Led by studs like Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson, the Packers should repeat last year’s dominant defensive performance, when they finished second in points per game (15), fifth in total yards allowed (309.1), tied for second in sacks (47), and second in interceptions (24).

1. Pittsburgh Steelers

Now matter how you slice it, Pittsburgh remains the most dominant defense in the NFL.

The squad that finished first against the run (62.8 YPG, 26.9 less YPG than the second team, Chicago), in points allowed (14.5 PPG) and sacks (48) returns all 11 of its starters from last year.

If this unit stays healthy, they will continue to strike fear in the hearts and minds of offensive coordinators everywhere.

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