Fansided

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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Dec 15, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive end Robert Quinn (94) celebrates after causing and recovering a fumble by New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (not pictured) during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams defeated the Saints 27-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 15, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive end Robert Quinn (94) celebrates after causing and recovering a fumble by New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (not pictured) during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams defeated the Saints 27-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 7: St. Louis Rams

There may not be a better single defensive unit than the Rams defensive line. The thought of facing Robert Quinn, Chris Long, Michael Brockers, and Aaron Donald should give opposing offensive lines nightmares. If you only look at St. Louis’ linebackers and defensive backs you certainly don’t see a top ten defense. Those units would likely be described as average at best. So this ranking is entirely based on the potential dominance of their defensive line.

I recently ranked the NFL’s top ten pass rushers for FanSided and put Robert Quinn at the top of the list. I’m not sure the average NFL fan realizes just how dominant he was last season. Don’t be surprised if he challenges the single season sack record sometime in the near future. Chris Long and Michael Brockers are good players too and if Aaron Donald can be half as disruptive in the NFL as he was in college the Rams defensive line will single-handedly make them one of the better defenses in football.

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