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The 10 best defensive teams in the NFL

By Lyle Graversen

Jan 19, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor (31) celebrates with linebacker Malcom Smith (53) and safety Earl Thomas (29) and cornerback Byron Maxwell (41) after intercepting a pass in the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers in the 2013 NFC Championship football game at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 23-17 to advance to Super Bowl XLVIII. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 19, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor (31) celebrates with linebacker Malcom Smith (53) and safety Earl Thomas (29) and cornerback Byron Maxwell (41) after intercepting a pass in the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers in the 2013 NFC Championship football game at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 23-17 to advance to Super Bowl XLVIII. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 11, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive end Bruce Irvin (51) celebrates a sack against the New York Jets during the third quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive end Bruce Irvin (51) celebrates a sack against the New York Jets during the third quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1: Seattle Seahawks

This one wasn’t too hard to see coming. The Seattle Seahawks finished 2013 ranked number one in yards allowed, points allowed, and turnovers created. When you are the best in the league in those three areas you are going to win a lot of ball games. The Seahawks proved that when they went on to win the Super Bowl, shutting down the most prolific offense in the history of the NFL along the way.

As I mentioned in the intro to this piece, Seattle is lead by the Legion of Boom and their secondary last season was one of the best of all time. While they did lose some important players in that secondary, the fact that they still have Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, and Kam Chancellor makes them a matchup nightmare for most offenses. While they may not have the standout individual players in their front seven, they have a deep rotation that they have used to perfection to keep guys fresh and productive.

While other teams may have a shot of overtaking this spot, the Seahawks have earned it for the time being and won’t give it up without a fight.

So there is the NFL’s top ten defenses. What do you think? Was there a team left off that you feel should be there? Would you do the order differently? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Thanks for reading.

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