Defense still does win championships, as we’ve seen the past couple of NFL seasons.
No matter how much the league turns toward offense as a whole, teams that feature dominant defensive units still have a chance to overcome the odds and win the big games.
Even teams with mediocre offenses can rise to the top on the back of a ferocious defense, as we’ve recently seen with the 2007 New York Giants and 2000 Baltimore Ravens.
So which teams will feature the most terrifying defenses in the 2015 season? From No. 5 to No. 1, here are the most fearsome defenses in the NFL.
5. Denver Broncos
Most fans think about the Broncos as a great offensive team, which isn’t false. However, without a strong running game and an aging quarterback, Denver will rely more on defense than people realize to win games this upcoming year.
Thankfully, this team is stacked with defensive firepower.
Though Terrance Knighton is gone, Denver’s front seven is still a dominant unit—especially when it comes to rushing the passer. Along with Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware, rookie Shane Ray should make an immediate impact as the third man in the rotation.
Where Denver really shines is in the defensive secondary. Aqib Talib, Chris Harris and TJ Ward are all top-10 players at their positions, and second-year man Bradley Roby is coming into his own as the team’s nickel back.
4. Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota’s defense isn’t on this list because of what it has done in the past. The Vikings are featured here because of what they will do in 2015. Head coach Mike Zimmer inherited a burgeoning group of young players last year that is only getting better under his tutelage.
Looking at the core group assembled, one must stand in awe at the talent general manager Rick Spielman has assembled. Shafrif Floyd, Anthony Barr, Harrison Smith, and Xavier Rhodes all have top-five potential at their respective positions (Smith is already there), and they are joined by rookies Eric Kendricks and Trae Waynes this season.
This team is built to take on the Green Bay Packers and other high-powered offenses, and under Zimmer’s guidance the Vikings will succeed.
3. New York Jets
New head coach Todd Bowles couldn’t have landed in a better spot. The former Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator inherited a dominant front seven, and his penchant for blitzing from all angles suits New York’s roster to perfection.
Even without Sheldon Richardson, who will miss four games due to suspension, the Jets feature the most formidable defensive front in the NFL. Stepping in for Richardson while he’s away is rookie Leonard Williams, who many believed was the top player at any position in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Safety Calvin Pryor should thrive under Bowles’ system. He’s one of the best blitzing safeties in the league and hits like a sledgehammer in the running game. And now with Darrelle Revis joining Antonio Cromartie on the corners, New York can relentlessly attack the line of scrimmage without worrying about getting burned on the back end.
2. Buffalo Bills
Buffalo’s defense is so good, this team might squeeze into the playoffs despite a quarterback-less offense.
Led by a front four that can downright dominate against the run and pass, the Bills should blossom defensively this season under Rex Ryan. Mario Williams and Jerry Hughes will provide the pressure off the edge while Marcell Dareus and Kyle Williams clog up the middle.
Cornerbacks Leodis McKelvin and Stephon Gilmore are perfectly suited to thrive in Ryan’s bump-and-run, man-to-man system, and former cornerback Aaron Williams will provide excellent range on the back end.
The Bills featured the No. 3-ranked pass defense a year ago, and they should be even better this year. In particular, look out for Hughes and Super Mario to blow up with huge statistical seasons.
1. Seattle Seahawks
No defense in the NFL strikes as much fear into opposing offenses than the one residing in the Pacific Northwest. The “Legion of Boom” has the ability to make even the best offenses look pedestrian, especially during the playoffs.
Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor are all top-three players at their positions. Seattle can throw just about anyone else into that secondary and make it work, based on Pete Carroll’s defensive formula.
Bobby Wagner is the best 4-3 inside linebacker in the league, and he leads a disciplined linebacking corps that is almost always maintains gap discipline. Up front, Michael Bennett—the most versatile defensive lineman in the NFC—is joined by Cliff Avril to provide pressure, while Brandon Mebane stuffs the middle.
Until the Seahawks stop shutting teams down every week, they will continue occupying the top spot in these rankings.
Photo Credit: AP/Elaine Thompson