NFL Power Rankings: Taking a Look at Teams Who Win with Defense

Winning with defense is something we don't see very much any more at any level of football. And thanks to the pass-happy offensive movement, playing tough, hard-nosed football is looked down upon.

That being said, the following three teams have been winning this season thanks to a defense that really helps their offense, as all have a scoring offense that doesn't rank higher than 14th in the league.

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3)

The Steelers may have lost the season series to the Ravens, but Pittsburgh is still in prime position to make the postseason.

Currently their defense only allows 18 points per game (fifth in the NFL), but their offense only manages 21.8 (19th in the league). It's clear that Pittsburgh is still thriving on defense. The scary thing is that they're not even fully healthy yet.

Once fully loaded, we'll see how great The Steel Curtain is in 2011. And you know they will be once January rolls around.

Cincinnati Bengals (6-2)

The Bengals scoring offense ranks 14th in the league, averaging 24.4 points per game. However, dig a little deeper and we see that four of Cincinnati's 21 touchdowns have come from the defense or special teams.

In turn, it's no surprise that Cincy ranks in the Top 10 against the rush and the pass, as well as only allowing 17.5 points per game (4th in the league). We will know more about who these Bengals really are in the coming weeks as they play the Steelers twice, Baltimore, and the Houston Texans.

Cincinnati is a team counting on a lot of young players to really step up in crunch time. That said, so far they've answered the call and are in the playoff hunt.

Atlanta Falcons (5-3)

Yes your eyes do not deceive you, the Atlanta Falcons are winning thanks to an improving defense. Sure a team like San Francisco is dominating defensively, but their offense also scores 25.8 points per game (8th).

As for Atlanta, their defense only allows 21.2 points per game (ranked No. 12), but the offense only scores 23.6 points per game (ranked No. 15). When it comes down to it, rush and pass defensive rankings are important, but not nearly as important as limiting your opponents' points.

The Falcons haven't given up more than 17 points in their last three games (all wins), and held the mighty Packers to just 25 points in their Week 5 loss to Green Bay.

Atlanta isn't getting any recognition defensively because they're not known as a sound defensive team. That said, all is changing in Georgia, so watch out for the Dirty Birds in the postseason.

Week 10 NFL Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank)

1. Green Bay Packers (8-0) (LW 1)	17. Philadelphia Eagles (3-5) (LW 15)
2. Baltimore Ravens (6-2) (LW 3)	18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4) (LW 19)
3. San Francisco 49ers (7-1) (LW 4)	19. Tennessee Titans (4-4) (LW 21)
4. New York Giants (6-2) (LW 6)	20. Oakland Raiders (4-4) (LW 18)
5. Houston Texans (6-3) (LW 7)	21. Kansas City Chiefs (4-4) (LW 16)
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) (LW 2)	22. Minnesota Vikings (2-6) (LW 22)
7. New Orleans Saints (6-3) (LW 10)	23. Carolina Panthers (2-6) (LW 23)
8. New England Patriots (5-3) (LW 5)	24. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6) (LW 26)
9. Detroit Lions (6-2) (LW 9)	25. Denver Broncos (3-5) (LW 30)
10. Chicago Bears (5-3) (LW 12)	26. Washington Redskins (3-5) (LW 25)
11. Cincinnati Bengals (6-2) (LW 11)	27. Arizona Cardinals (2-6) (LW 29)
12. New York Jets (5-3) (LW 13)	28. Cleveland Browns (3-5) (LW 24)
13. Buffalo Bills (5-3) (LW 8)	29. Seattle Seahawks (2-6) (LW 28)
14. Atlanta Falcons (5-3) (LW 14)	30. Miami Dolphins (1-7) (LW 32)
15. Dallas Cowboys (4-4) (LW 20)	31. St. Louis Rams (1-7) (LW 27)
16. San Diego Chargers (4-4) (LW 17)	32. Indianapolis Colts (0-9) (LW 31)

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report. 

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