Fansided

NFL: Ranking the Top 5 Defenses on paper right now

By Robby Sabo

Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas (29) celebrates with cornerback Richard Sherman (25) during the third quarter New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas (29) celebrates with cornerback Richard Sherman (25) during the third quarter New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Sep 29, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Tamba Hali (91) celebrates after the Chiefs recovered a fumble during the second half against the New England Patriots at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Tamba Hali (91) celebrates after the Chiefs recovered a fumble during the second half against the New England Patriots at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Kansas City Chiefs

One of the more intimidating things for an NFL offense to deal with is a physical, in-your-face unit on defense.

What’s more challenging is when a sea of red is rabid enough to contend as the loudest group in sports attendance history. The Kansas City Chiefs defense and their fans at Arrowhead Stadium are the two parts to this nasty equation.

A top-10 defense in each of the last two seasons, the Chiefs finished as the second-best unit in points allowed (17.6 per game) last year. This, all despite not having major players in Eric Berry, Derrick Johnson and Mike DeVito.

Additionally, what slides them into the top five is the fact that they’re already a solid defense who is adding a potential difference maker at the corner in rookie Marcus Peters.

Selected No. 18 overall out of Washington University, Peters can immediately pay dividends for a front-seven that is still loaded. Tamba Hali (six sacks) and Justin Houston (22 sacks) rank among the best duos in the league along the edge.

The biggest factor will be the welcoming back of a plethora of injured impact players.

Berry missed 10 games while DeVito and Johnson each missed a whopping. Berry and Johnson are arguably their two best defenders. As of this moment Johnson and DeVito are back.

Led by linebackers guru Bob Sutton, the Chiefs have a wealth of additions coming back into the fold in 2015.

Next: Number 4

Home/Buffalo Bills