NFL Power Rankings: Looking at Teams Winning on Defense

If you're a fan of the dark side, then this is for you. Teams winning on defense is a beautiful thing these days at any level of football, mainly because no one likes to tackle and hit nearly as much as they used to.

Plus, with all the fines in the NFL, it's no wonder that playing sound, physical defense has been looked down upon. Nonetheless, some teams have still been winning thanks to playing well when not possessing the rock.

Here are six teams that have been winning on defense.

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)

As if you can make any defensive football list without including the Steelers, Pittsburgh's basically been winning on defense since the 1970s. And 2011 is no exception.

Only twice has the Pittsburgh offense scored over 30 points, and the defense has only allowed over 30 one time (Week 1 at Baltimore). Since then, the Steel Curtain has held up, allowing no more than 23 points (again to Baltimore). They rank No. 3 and No. 6 against the pass and rush, respectively.

Perhaps the Sunday night game against the Chiefs was the best evidence, because even after Troy Polamalu went out, they held on for a 13-9 road win. Now include how they shut down Tom Brady, Wes Welker, and the New England Patriots (17 points), and the Steelers remain a defensive team.

Sure, they've lost twice to Baltimore, but the Ravens haven't beaten Pittsburgh in January. And that's when it counts the most.

Denver Broncos (6-5)

Early in the year, the Broncos offense just couldn't move the ball or score points. Obviously, once Tim Tebow took over they began to win, but we're not giving enough credit to the Orange Crush defense.

Since Tebow took over, Denver is 5-1 and currently riding a four-game win streak. However, the defense has only allowed over 20 points one time during this four-game stretch (Oakland), and in four of the last six games (all wins) the D held the opponent to just an average of 12.75 points per game.

So when your offense averaging around 16-17 points per game, it definitely helps when the defense does its part. Rookie linebacker Von Miller ranks No. 3 in the NFL with 10.5 sacks, but he also has 58 tackles, three forced fumbles, and four pass deflections.

As you can see, putting him opposite fellow sack-master Elvis Dumervil (5.5 sacks) and it's no wonder the Broncos have had a lot of success this past month. All this being said, we'll find out how truly great the Orange Crush is when the New England Patriots offense comes to the Mile High City in mid-December.

San Francisco 49ers (9-2)

It's not the defense's fault that the San Francisco offense could only muster up six points on the road against Baltimore. Putting up a lot of points on a consistent basis has been a problem all season long for the 49ers offense, but the defense has stood its ground.

The 49ers rank No. 1 in rush defense, and although they're just No. 21 against the pass, much of that has come late in games when they've already built a two- or three-score lead. That said, it does need to improve, especially when they play teams like New Orleans, Dallas, Atlanta and Green Bay in the postseason.

But with four divisional games left, San Francisco does have time to buff out the rough spots and perfect their pass rush and rush defense, too.

We'll obviously know a lot more as to how great this San Francisco defense is come January, but there's no denying that they've been a significant contributor to the 49ers 9-2 record right now.

Houston Texans (8-3)

Despite being plagued by injuries, the Texans have won because of defense. Not since mid-October at Baltimore has Houston allowed more than 15 points in a game, and during their five-game win streak, the Texans have allowed an average of just 11 points per game.

That's damn impressive because Houston does not have a pass offense to rely on as a safety net like in previous years. And prior to all the injuries, the defense held opponents under 15 points on three other occasions (one of them being Pittsburgh, and out-playing the Steel Curtain).

Houston has pulled a 180-degree defensive turnaround from 2010, and they rank No. 2 against the pass and No. 4 against the rush. With games left against Atlanta, Cincinnati and Carolina, they will be tested.

However, don't be surprised if Houston makes a deep postseason run because their defense is the real deal.

Atlanta Falcons (7-4)

Although the Atlanta Falcons are more known for offense, the defense has contributed just as much, if not more, this season.

We don't hear a lot about the Dirty Birds defense because they force a lot more punts than cause turnovers. And with decent special teams, the offense is in solid position to quickly score.

That said, only twice have the Falcons allowed 30-plus points this season (Weeks 1 and 2), and they held the mighty Saints to just 26 points. In five of their last six games (all of which were wins besides the loss to Saints), Atlanta's defense has allowed an average of just 14.2 points.

Not bad for a defense that started off so slowly, and they also held Green Bay to the Packers' second-lowest total on their year (25 points). Despite losing both games, holding the Packers and Saints to under 30 points is quite an accomplishment.

Baltimore Ravens (8-3)

The Ravens have been winning on defense simply because they don't give up yards. Currently Baltimore ranks No. 5 and No. 3 against the pass and rush, and they also lead the NFL with 38 sacks.

In addition to the sacks, Baltimore ranks No. 2 in forced fumbles (16) and fumble recoveries (10), so getting pressure on the quarterback doesn't result in just lost yardage for the opposing offense.

That being said, they are susceptible to giving up points, because although they haven yet to allow anyone over 30, the Ravens haven't consistently held opponents to under 20 points either.

Nonetheless, with games coming up against Cleveland (twice), Indianapolis, San Diego and Cincinnati, the Ravens will improve on what's already a solid defense. Come playoff time, they may have the best defense in the league against the pass and rush.

Week 13 NFL Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank)

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

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