best nfl defense

browns should top the list

Browns should be in the top Tier 1 of NFL defenses.   "Best" is a broad term.  What constitutes "best" ?  Last year the Browns were not even the top ranked defensive efficiency team in their own Division (Ravens), coming in #2 overall just behind the Division rival.  

Browns Defense was very impressive last year, return basically their entire defensive roster and have some room for improvement.  So they are a great candidate to finish atop the "rankings" / top 3-5 defense in the League.  

Two things that stand out to me:

1.  the list of QB's they faced last year was a joke.  They will not have that same luxury this season.  Burrow is healthy (as of now) and they have a tougher schedule QB wise for sure. 

2.  RedZone Defense.  Anyone remember their Road playoff game vs. Texans ??   That was their MO ALL SEASON on the Road.  Worst RZ defense in the league at giving up Tuddies.  Fixing this would be a big improvement for their middle of the road 21st ranked scoring defense.... 

Tier 1 Defense for sure.  Along with other familiar candidates such as Baltimore, SF, Jets....watch out for Steelers as dark horse candidate to finish up top.  Dallas see's a bit of a drop off with Quinn departing I'm guessing, Bears were top 5 or so 2nd half of the season.  Always that surprise team as well.... 

CLV has a decent DEF, but here are the points allowed in their 9 road games last season:

26, 38, 24, 31, 29, 36, 22, 31, 45

That 45 points allowed was at HOU; that playoff game could only be described as a "disaster."

CLV's DEF gave up an average of 31.3 points last season.  Including the playoffs, last year NFL home teams averaged 23.5 points; CLV held only one home team below that mark.

I am a CLV fan but this overrated DEF, combined with the uncertainties of how well DeShaun Watson will play and how long he can remain healthy lead me to believe that CLV might not make the playoffs this upcoming season.

I'm seeing the Colts defense surprising some people this year. That d line should terrorize the afc south. And with a healthy Grover Stewart at DT, they will better stop the run.

If you know me, you know I'm from Chicago. And I say this without any bias whatsoever, the Bears D will be a top 3 unit if not better.

They have all the pieces in the secondary to be the best unit in football. Which includes 3 cornerbacks who could start for any team, thus making the Nickel package a strength. 

Pair this with maybe the top LB unit as well? TJ Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds are exceptional in coverage, and are the 2 LB's still on the field in the Nickel. 

It will be a tough go for teams looking to throw the ball against the Bears this year.

Lastly, if we're speaking about defense, the Raiders nation has a lot to cheer for this year I suspect. 

Last season in CHI's last 6 games they gave up an average of just 15.5 points.  They certainly finished strong.

@kcblitzkrieg

 Dan Quinn going to the Commanders is a move that I’m watching closely. He’s had some success at every team he joins and has a quality resume. I think Washington will have an improved defense this season. This is a move that could possibly flip the script in the NFC East. 

@undermysac

 When the Colts released Darius Leonard I was dumbfounded. He was one of the nastiest linebackers in the league and the leader of that team on defense. But when you noticed how the Colts replaced him and watched that unit thrive you knew that those guys can make stops and create turnovers with anyone they put out there. 

no one has mentioned ne pat sthey are in the top 5 in nfl its there offense that makes them look bad

Their defense was only good when they played at home...road defense was trash

@Wizerguy

 yes true

another team that i think deserves to be mentioned are the ny jets. they got playmakers all over the field but sauce gardner is the all pro and he locks it down in the secondary