There is an old saying that "defense wins championships", which is hard to argue considering five of the six teams on this list are in first place in their division. The rankings below are based what the defenses have shown throughout the entire season. With the NFL entering Week 15 and only three games left in the regular season, there is a clearer picture of who the best defenses in the league have been. Below are the six best defenses in the NFL, and if you disagree, give me your top six on Twitter @MitchellRenz365.
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6.) New England Patriots
For the Patriots, it isn't how you start, but how you finish. The first four games of the season, the Patriots allowed 32 points per game and since Week 5, they haven't allowed more than 17 points in a single game. On the season the Patriots have allowed an average of 18.1 points per game, which is the fourth-lowest total in the NFL. The Patriots will look to continue their success against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football.
5.) Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens have surrendered on average 18.9 points per game this season, which is the fifth-lowest in the NFL. They have shut out three teams, which is the most in the NFL. Not only are they preventing points, they are forcing turnovers - their 29 forced turnovers are the second most in the league. The turnovers come from their ability to pressure the quarterback as they have 36 sacks this season, tied for the seventh most in the NFL.
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The Eagles have one of the deepest defensive lines in the league, which is why they are able to get after the quarterback and force turnovers. They have 35 sacks this season, which is tied for the ninth most in the league, and have forced 24 turnovers, which is tied for the third most in the NFL. Not only are they forcing turnovers, but they are converting those turnovers into touchdowns. The Eagles are tied for the league lead with four defensive touchdowns.
3.) Pittsburgh Steelers
After 13 games the Steelers are 11-2 and sitting atop of the AFC not because of their offense, but because of the defense. The Steelers defense is allowing 19.3 points per game, which is the seventh-best in the league. The Steelers have traditionally been one of the best teams at getting after the quarterback and that trend has continued, as they have 41 sacks this season, which is the second most in the NFL.
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The argument could be made that the Vikings are the best defense in the NFL at home, but their inconsistency on the road is why they aren't number one on the list. No one has scored more than 20 points against the Vikings at home, which highlights how dominant they have been there. They haven't had a lot of sacks or turnovers this season, but they are holding teams in the red zone and preventing them from scoring - which is the mark of a great defense.
1.) Jacksonville Jaguars
The best defense in the NFL right now is the Jaguars and I don't know if you can argue it. There is a reason they are nicknamed "Sacksonville" - they lead the NFL in sacks with 47, six more than the next closest team. They have forced the most turnovers in the NFL with 30, which they have turned into the most defensive touchdowns with four. That's not all, as they have also allowed the least amount of points against them with 202 (or an average of 15.5 points a game).
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Mitchell Renz is the Senior Writer & On-Air Host at Chat Sports check out his article archive and live videos on Chat Sports Facebook page. Please follow him on Twitter @MitchellRenz365.
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