SN predicts 10 best defenses in '14

[TDs3nOut]

What do you not understand? Last year, NO had the defense that yielded the fourth fewest points in the league. Whoever wrote the Sporting News piece predicts that the Saints will give up the third fewest points this year. Feel free to read the article posted in the OP.

 

[TDs3nOut]

If NO and Denver are both top 5 defenses then the rest if th NFL better look out!

NO was fourth in points scored last year. They did manage to win a playoff game on the road. Just not quite good enough to win in Seattle.

 

[tnerb57]

I am surprised Denver made such a huge jump in the standings and I assumed Stl would have been a top 10 D.

I would have expected StL up there too. But I'm biased.

 

[Cave_Johnson]

The Sporting News published this piece in which it predicts the ten "most dominant" defenses this year:

Stingy and nasty: NFL's 10 most dominant defenses for 2014 - NFL - Sporting News

Here is the list, where the numbers in parentheses are where teams ranked last year in scoring defense:

1. Seattle (1)
2. Carolina (2)
3. NO (4)
4. SF (3)
5. Denver (22)
6. NE (10)
7. TB (20)
8. AZ (7)
9. Houston (20)
10. NYJ (19)

Seems reasonable to me that the top four teams from last year are expected to pretty much remain the same.

One interesting feature that jumps out is that the teams predicted to improve the most, other than TB, are all AFC teams. The NFL has often been called a copycat league. Last year it was pretty clear that the more physical brand of football was played in the NFC, so it will be interesting to see if the AFC this year narrows the "physicality" gap.

What do you think of this list? Teams that are overrated or underrated?

Interesting list. I'd change a few a probably drop the Jets in favor of the Rams.

1. Seattle
2. Carolina
3. San Fran
4. New Orleans
5. Arizona
6. Denver
7. St. Louis
8. New England
9. Houston
10. Tampa

 

[Otis B. Driftwood]

I'll step out on a limb...

32. Dallas




Call me optimistic.

 

[TDs3nOut]

I would have expected StL up there too. But I'm biased.

I was a little surprised to not see St. Louis on the list too. Of course, it's just a list of predictions. Pretty unlikely that the list is entirely correct!

 

[Arizona_Sting]

It's actually disrespectful to put Tampa Bay over Arizona. What the hell have they proven?

 

[TDs3nOut]

It's actually disrespectful to put Tampa Bay over Arizona. What the hell have they proven?

The Bucs clearly haven proven anything, since the AZ defense was much better last year than was the TB defense. Rather, the prediction that TB is much improved this year is based on the Bucs hiring new HC Lovie Smith, new DC Leslie Frazier, and the additions of FAs Michael Johnson and Altraun Verner.

 

[Arizona_Sting]

The Bucs clearly haven proven anything, since the AZ defense was much better last year than was the TB defense. Rather, the prediction that TB is much improved this year is based on the Bucs hiring new HC Lovie Smith, new DC Leslie Frazier, and the additions of FAs Michael Johnson and Altraun Verner.

The Cardinals defense has been good two years in a row now. The Bucs have a whole bunch of "ifs" to deal with. Could they be solid? Yes, but it's far from a sure thing. But ranking them over AZ's defense is just foolish.

 

[cdumler7]

People have to remember teams can turn things around in a hurry in the NFL. New Orleans went from 31st in scoring defense to top-5 in one year so to say they haven't proven anything is true but doesn't mean somebody can't have the opinion that they will improve that much in a year. With Tampa they hired a head coach and DC that are known for great defense wherever they go. They have earned respect for many years of success to warrant the idea they can turn this defense around in a hurry.

 

[Smart]

Doesn't seem too unlikely to me. A second year in Ryan's system and the acquisition of Byrd figure to improve NO. The Bowman injury and Justin Smith seemingly not the player he used to be figure to hurt SF.

Another year in Rob Ryan's system? Really? Here is Rob Ryan's yearly record as a DC before going to New Orleans:
5-11
4-12
2-14
4-12
5-11
5-11
5-11
8-8
8-8

That's a record of 46-98. Other than who his dad and brother are, why do people think he is a good DC?

 

[TDs3nOut]

Another year in Rob Ryan's system? Really? Here is Rob Ryan's yearly record as a DC before going to New Orleans:
5-11
4-12
2-14
4-12
5-11
5-11
5-11
8-8
8-8

That's a record of 46-98. Other than who his dad and brother are, why do people think he is a good DC?

Can't speak for everyone, but knocking about nine points per game off points given up in his first year in NO is at least strong presumptive evidence, isn't it? On the other hand, it doesn't really seem to make sense to judge a DC by his team's W/L record.

 

[Smart]

Can't speak for everyone, but knocking about nine points per game off points given up in his first year in NO is at least strong presumptive evidence, isn't it? On the other hand, it doesn't really seem to make sense to judge a DC by his team's W/L record.

So a ten year track record of wins is irrelevant but the fact that the worst defense in NFL history didn't do as bad when they got their Head Coach back and much better secondary personnel is the be-all, end-all? Okay, I guess.

 

[Rams4ever]

If Denver does have a top five D, they will be hard to beat....JMHO.

 

[TDs3nOut]

So a ten year track record of wins is irrelevant but the fact that the worst defense in NFL history didn't do as bad when they got their Head Coach back and much better secondary personnel is the be-all, end-all? Okay, I guess.

I'm not saying anything is the "be-all, end-all". I just don't think that it makes sense to judge a DC by his team's W/L record, since that obviously ignores how that team's offense and special teams played. I do know that Ryan fielded some poor defenses in both Oakland and Dallas, so it would probably make more sense to post how those defenses ranked than it does to post those team's W/L records, wouldn't it?

Further, I don't really know if Ryan is a good DC or not. The post of mine that you quoted was simply explaining the rationale for SN's prediction for the NO defense.

 

[Rvnight18]

per NFL.com the Bengals were top 4 not SF which was 5th.

NFL Stats: by Team Category

and the Browns were 9th

what ever..I don't know ?

I like to go by points seeing how that's what is on the scoreboard. Not total yardage. That puts 49ers third

 

[HaroldSeattle]

How sweet! A thread where Seahawks fans can just sit back and enjoy. OK maybe make a post or two to add to the fire.

 

[nebearsfan70]

How sweet! A thread where Seahawks fans can just sit back and enjoy. OK maybe make a post or two to add to the fire.

Maybe after FA next season you will be singing a different tune.

 

[Wolverine830872]

Maybe after FA next season you will be singing a different tune.

Possibly, but we just signed key guys to long term deals

 

[Caynine29]

I'm actually shocked by the absence of St. Louis here. But, I suppose everyone on it has their own legitimate shot, as well.