NFL Power Rankings: Looking at Teams Winning on Defense

Even though we love watching Aaron Rodgers shred secondaries each week, it's nice to see clubs flex their muscles on defense occasionally.

These three teams have frequently done that this season and it has played a major role in their 2011 success. 

San Francisco 49ers 

I'll start with statistics. The 49ers lead the NFL in run defense, allowing 73.2 yards per game. The next closest defense allows 86.8 per contest.

They allow 260 yards through the air, which isn't fantastic, but their 15.3 points surrendered per game is also the best in the league.

Add in their 23 sacks and 12 interceptions and you'll see why I think they're the best defense in football. 

Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman might be the best linebacker duo in the NFL, too. 

They won last week against the Giants without Frank Gore accumulating a single rushing yard. 

Nothing against Alex Smith, because he's been great this year, but San Fran's defense is winning them games this season and will at least get the the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs. 

Cincinnati Bengals 

We've all been raving over the rookie seasons Andy Dalton and A.J. Green have pieced together so far. They deserve the praise—they've been outstanding this season and have exceeded expectations—especially Dalton. 

However, the real key to the Bengals success in their first nine games has easily been their defense. 

More statistics: You know that team I said was behind the 49ers in run defense? Yeah, it's the Bengals. So much physicality up front.

Their 217.4 passing yards a game ranks them 10th in the NFL and they taken the quarterback down 25 times this season. 

Love the Samoans on their team. 

Pittsburgh Steelers 

Stunned to see them on this list. 

Not really. 

The Steelers have the 3rd ranked pass defense, (183.2 yards per game) the 7th ranked run defense (96.9 yards per game) and have the 4th ranked scoring defense. (17.9 points allowed per game) Dick LeBeau is still the defensive coordinator, so this is not surprising. 

Week 11 Power Rankings

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