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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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Aug 15, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Junior Galette (93) and defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) celebrate after a sack during first half of a preseason game against the Tennessee Titans at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 15, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Junior Galette (93) and defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) celebrate after a sack during first half of a preseason game against the Tennessee Titans at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4: New Orleans Saints

Confession, I thought the New Orleans Saints defense was going to be an absolute train wreck last season. I could not have been more wrong. New coordinator Rob Ryan turned them into a relentless attacking defense reminiscent of when Greg Williams was there for their Super Bowl run. The Saints finished the season ranked fourth in points per game, yards per game, and sacks so it only seems appropriate that they should land at number four on this list as well.

The Saints are lead by an emerging star on the defensive line in Cameron Jordan. They also had a breakout pass rusher last season in Junior Galette. The Saints relied on their front seven at times last year but invested in bolstering their secondary this offseason. Adding Champ Bailey gives them a great leader and mentor for younger players and by adding Jarius Byrd to Kenny Vaccaro they now have one of the best safety tandems in the NFL. That improved secondary should only make New Orleans more difficult to deal with this season. Look for them to continue their aggressive success in 2014.

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