NFL Playoff Predictions: Projecting the Top Postseason Defenses

While Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Drew Brees typically steal the NFL headlines with dominant offensive displays, defense is slowly becoming overlooked in the mindsets of NFL fans. 

The days of winning a Super Bowl with a top defense and Trent Dilfer are probably gone, but there are still plenty of championship-level defenses in the NFL right now. And wouldn't you know it, but the majority of those top defenses belong to teams that will likely make the playoffs in 2011.

Let's run down the top projected defenses for the 2011 NFL playoffs. 

5. Chicago Bears

The numbers don't jump off the page at you, but the Bears defense is starting to pick up steam over the past five games. 

During their current five-game winning streak, Chicago has allowed just 85 points (18.5/game) and is getting the turnovers and sacks that has made this such a tough defense over so many years. 

This unit will be expected to continue to play well over the last six games, especially since Jay Cutler will likely miss the rest of the regular season.

If Chicago gets to the playoffs, it will be on the back of the defense.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers

Remember when all we heard to start the season was how old and slow the Steelers defense was?

You don't heart those same chirps any longer. 

Look at the numbers. Pittsburgh is fourth in points allowed (17.9/game), second in total yards (280.1/game), third in passing yards (183.2/game) and sixth in rushing yards (96.9/game).

The only things missing here for the Steelers are takeaways (they've intercepted just four passes in 2011) and sacks, where Pittsburgh ranks 10th in the NFL with 23.

This is still a top defense and one that can get the Steelers back to the Super Bowl.     

3. Houston Texans

What a difference a year makes for the Houston Texans. 

Just a season after putting together one of the worst passing defenses in recent NFL history, the Texans are one of the most complete defenses in the entire league. 

Houston is ranked first in total defense (269.7 yards/game), second in points (16.6/game) and passing yards (178.4/game), and fourth in rushing yards (91.3/game). The Texans are also sixth in sacks and fourth in interceptions in 2011.

Like Chicago, Houston will be leaning on their defense down the stretch with Matt Schaub on the sidelines.

If they continue playing as well as they have, the Texans should cruise into the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.  

2. Baltimore Ravens

I hesitated to put the Ravens ahead of the Texans here, but Baltimore has Hall of Fame-caliber players at every level of their defense that puts them a hair above Houston. 

Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs and Haloti Ngata make up a core of defenders that can rival any defense in the NFL right now. Those four have plenty of playoff experience, too. 

The numbers for the Ravens defense aren't bad, either.

Baltimore is fourth in total defense (304.5/game), third in points allowed (17.6/game) and fifth in rushing defense (93.2/game). They've been the driving force of the AFC's No. 1 seed so far in 2011.  

1. San Francisco 49ers

Finally, we get to the No. 1 projected playoff defense: The San Francisco 49ers. 

A bunch of no-name guys around Patrick Willis and Justin Smith have made a big name for themselves in 2011.

Guys like Carlos Rogers, NaVarro Bowman, Chris Culliver, Dashon Goldson and a bevy of other guys have transformed the 49ers from a good defense a year ago into the NFL's best this season. 

The 49ers are No. 1 in the NFL in points (14.5/game) and rushing yards (73.9/game). They lead the league in takeaways with 26 (15 interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries) and have the NFL's best turnover differential (+17).  

Say what you want about these no-name superstars, but the 49ers should be the NFL's top defense heading into postseason play.