Top Five NFL Defenses Through Week Two

Sep 15, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) reacts after a play against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

On Wednesday I gave you my Top Five NFL Offenses, and like I promised, I now bring you my Top Five NFL Defenses. We have some very familiar names in the top three, and maybe some surprises in the bottom two of this list. Some dominant performances against top flight teams and offenses, Super Bowl Champions, and even timely stops when your offense can’t move the ball to save their lives, I think we all know who that is, will get you on this list. So lets get right into this thing, and give you my reasoning for each team’s placement on this list.

1. Seattle Seahawks:

Who else? The Seahawks were the cream of the crop of last season, and they’re the exact same this year. They dismantled the 49ers offense which exploded against the Green Bay Packers, and also shut down the dynamic Cam Newton in week one. This team has only given up 10 total points and is also first against the pass, to go along with their three interceptions and five forced fumbles. It’s not surprising with the way this team has had playmakers step up, with guys like Dick Sherman, Earl Thomas, Bobby Wagner, KJ Wright, Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril etc., the list just goes on and on. The offense still isn’t clicking yet, but the defense has easily made up for that, and against the putrid Jacksonville Jaguars, I wouldn’t expect anything less from this gang of stars.

2. Kansas City Chiefs: 

NOTE: This is not including last night’s domination of the Eagles. This is solely the first two weeks.

The Kansas City Chiefs get the second spot on this list, after two impressive wins in the first two week. The first against the Jaguars where they did not give up a single offensive point, the Jaguars scored on a safety, destroying Blaine Gabbert in the process. I was at first a bit surprised to see the Chiefs be one of the 2-0 teams in the league, but when you look back on last year the Chiefs defense was fantasic and even managed to keep them in a number of game despite how terrible the offense was. This is also a group of rather youngs stars with guys like Dontari Poe, Justin Houston, Eric Berry, Brandon Flowers, and great veterans like Tamba Hali and Derrick Johnson. I wasn’t convinced with this team at the start of the season, but this defense has completely changed my thought process, they truly are one of the top 5 NFL defenses right now.

3. San Francisco 49ers:

The 49ers come in at the number three slot, even after they gave up 29 points to a still growing Seahawks offense, but this was less because they didn’t play well, and more because the offense couldn’t move the ball to save their lives, and kept giving the defense terrible field position. Justin and Aldon Smith, before his DUI, were tearing things up again, Bowman and Willis are still the best linebacking duo in the league, and even Namdi Asomugha has had a rebirth of sorts, playing good for the first time in years. This team still has some hole, I’m not too convinced about the secondary and the Smith DUI is a major blow depending on suspension time, but this is all around, a well disciplined and well coached defense, and even with some players missing, they will figure things out and still be a very good defense for the rest of the year.

4. Cleveland Browns:

Here is a surprise, the Browns are in the top five of anything! But jokes aside, the Browns defense has been on fire this year, while the offense can’t move the ball past midfield. Guys like Jabaal Sheard, Phil Taylor, first round pick of this year’s NFL Draft Barkevious Mingo, Joe Haden, Tashaun Gipson, TJ Ward have all stepped up to become major players on this defence, along with incumbents like Ahytba Rubin and D’Qwell Jackson and newcomers Paul Kruger and Desmond Bryant. This team is finally loaded with talent on the defensive side, and their production has showed in the first two games of the season. They held the Super Bowl Champions to only 14 points and were very game against the undefeated Miami Dolphins before the field position game killed them. Right now they’re ranked 12th against the pass, and a very nice fourth against the run. This is a young defense still with a lot of room to grow, but they have been very impressive thus far.

5. New England Patriots:

I’m sure you’re thinking, “What are you talking about Matt? The word ‘Patriots defense’ and ‘top five’ do not fit together in the same sentence!” Hold on just a moment, because the Patriots have been fantastic this year, and this defense that has been the butt of many jokes for so many years, has won both of the Patriots games for them. They managed to hold the Bills offense down on numerous late fourth quarter drives, and in the second game did the exact same to the Jets, with a number of interceptions sprinkled on top to cap things off. Guys like Chandler Jones, Alfonzo Dennard, Rob Ninkovich, Aqib Talib, Donta Hightower have all been stars in the first two games, and should continue to blossom as the season goes on. I can’t wait to see this team eventually click on all cylinders when the offense figures things out, and the defense is getting some timely stops and forcing turnovers. Watch out NFL, the Patriots finally have their top five NFL defense after being gone for so many years.

So there you guys have it, my Top Five NFL Defenses as of week two. What do you guys think? Is their anyone I snubbed? Did I overrate someone? Let me know in the comments down below. Make sure you give my Top Five NFL Offenses a read as well to complete you reading, and make sure to check back in two weeks from now, when I will be doing these lists again.

You can follow me on twitter @MattyWinPats for everything NFL and Patriots related.