New York Jets- Last year, the Jets defense was an absolute stopper. The Jets allowed just 14.8 points per game, best in the league. They also allowed the least amount of total and passing yards per game. There’s no doubt that this is one of the most feared defenses in the league. It’s a big relief that Darrelle Revis is officially signed and he will return to a much improved secondary. Newly acquired Antonio Cromartie and draft pick Kyle Wilson give the Jets great depth at corner. David Harris totaled 127 tackles last year and he should easily top 100 again this season. The Jets should be able to keep opponents out of the end zone just as often this year as last.
Green Bay Packers- With so much hype around Aaron Rodgers and the offense, the Packers defense is often overlooked. The Packers defense allowed just 18.6 points per game last year and held the opponents to 284.4 yards per game, good for second best in the league. They also led the league with 30 interceptions and boosted the best run defense in the league.. They have the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in Charles Woodson and Clay Matthews is a great young linebacker in the making and should have a breakout type of season. The Packers do have some injury concerns though, as Atari Bigby and Al Harris are sidelined. Still, after switching to a 3-4, the Packers are one of the league’s top defenses.
Dallas Cowboys- The Cowboys had the second best scoring defense last year, allowing just 15.6 points per game. Jay Ratliff helps lead an excellent rush defense that ranked fourth overall last year. DeMarcus Ware has recorded 56.5 sacks over the last four years and is a legitimate contender for the Defensive Player of the Year award. The Cowboys do need to improve their pass defense, as they allowed 225.4 yards per game last year. Still, this team knows how to keep opponents out of the end zone, and that’s what matters most.
San Francisco 49ers- Patrick Willis is the leader on this top defensive squad and one of the best linebackers in football. In his first three seasons, Willis has recorded 174, 141, and 152 tackles. The 49ers held opponents to 17.6 points per game last year, and expect that number to be about the same this year. Aubrayo Franklin and Justin Smith lead what was the NFL’s sixth best run defense. Like the Cowboys, the 49ers need to improve their pass defense, which ranked 21st in the league a year ago.
Baltimore Ravens- This isn’t anything new. The Ravens have been one of the league’s top defenses for the past decade. The Ravens allowed 16.3 points per game and held opponents’ rushing attacks to 93.2 yards per game. Haloti Ngata and Kelly Gregg highlight what is perhaps the best defensive line in the league. The Ravens also have two of the league’s best linebackers in Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis. The secondary is the weakness, especially with the injury to Ed Reed. Age could also prove to be a factor in this veteran unit. Even so, this will still be one of the league’s elite defenses.
We mentioned in our article on the best offenses that weeks 1 and 2 offer great value on the Unders. I would personally look extra close in games involving these 5 teams the first couple weeks of the seasons and look to play Under as long as the number hasn’t been already beaten down by the sharps. As always for the top plays of the season get on board for Maddux’s best NFL picks of the week.
