CP3MVP Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 A spin-off of my offense thread. who will be the top 5 defenses of 2021? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Letsch80 Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 (edited) Rams Ravens Steelers Football Team Dolphins Rams, Ravens and the Football team are solidified in their for me but I could easily see Tampa Bay, New Orleans, Buffalo and even Cleveland sneaking in as well. Edited May 6, 2021 by Letsch80 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MWil23 Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 (edited) In no particular order: Washington (plus playing the Giants and Eagles a combined 4 times will help) The Rams Tampa Bay (COULD potentially fall off in rankings due to the NFC South offensive skill firepower) Baltimore (See above. With some offenses in the AFC North, they could fall off on the rankings) Chicago I think that Miami takes a step back this year despite adding pieces. I think that they're a very well coached team, but I am not a believer there. Pittsburgh I have as a near miss on that Top 5 as well. I think that they lost some real talent in some places (EDGE, CB). I think Buffalo has a real chance to sneak into the Top 5 due to coaching, an elite secondary, a solid run defense, and we'll see if they can do anything on the EDGE spots this year...not to mention playing a very weak offensive schedule in their divsion. Edited May 6, 2021 by MWil23 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tk3 Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 9 minutes ago, Letsch80 said: Rams Ravens Steelers Football Team Dolphins All really good bets... I'll throw the Saints and Bucs into the mix also I lowkey think the Steelers defense will be on the field a LOT since I have no faith in their offense, which might have them taking a step back defensively But overall, I think most will agree on a similar handful of teams 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
August4th Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 Steelers lost too much on defense for me to say they are elite top 5. I think they'll still be good tho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MWil23 Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 2 minutes ago, Tk3 said: But overall, I think most will agree on a similar handful of teams IMO Washington and the Rams will be universally agreed upon, as will likely the Bucs and Ravens, albeit there are some solid offenses within these divisions who may sway the "official rankings" there. From there, I could see about 4-5 different teams competing for that final spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tk3 Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 1 minute ago, MWil23 said: In no particular order: Washington (plus playing the Giants and Eagles a combined 4 times will help) The Rams Tampa Bay (COULD potentially fall off in rankings due to the NFC South offensive skill firepower) Baltimore Chicago I think that Miami takes a step back this year despite adding pieces. I think that they're a very well coached team, but I am not a believer there. Pittsburgh I have as a near miss on that Top 5 as well. I think that they lost some real talent in some places (EDGE, CB). I think Buffalo has a real chance to sneak into the Top 5 due to coaching, an elite secondary, a solid run defense, and we'll see if they can do anything on the EDGE spots this year...not to mention playing a very weak offensive schedule in their divsion. Overall agree with this too. The perception of Miami's defense was bolstered by all the Howard interceptions/overall takeaways which probably regress towards the mean this season And I think you're off on Buffalo. We have some holes on defense. The entire defensive line has me concerned, and while our safety play is elite, we're missing a strong CB2. I don't think we will have a BAD defense by any means, but I think its unlikely that we are anywhere near the chat of "elite defenses" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MWil23 Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 1 minute ago, Tk3 said: Overall agree with this too. The perception of Miami's defense was bolstered by all the Howard interceptions/overall takeaways which probably regress towards the mean this season Schematically, there's a lot that I love in Miami. They also got to play a super weak schedule, the Ghost of Cam Newton, and the Jets last year. I don't think that their defensive roster is anything special, albeit we will see how Phillips and the kid from Oregon in that slot/push S role R2 do there. 1 minute ago, Tk3 said: And I think you're off on Buffalo. We have some holes on defense. The entire defensive line has me concerned, and while our safety play is elite, we're missing a strong CB2. I don't think we will have a BAD defense by any means, but I think its unlikely that we are anywhere near the chat of "elite defenses" I think that they're going to by nature be able to force teams into being one dimensional...and that CB#1 is good enough to take away about 1/2 the field, so your DC will have some creativity in how to figure out the other half with help from the S spots, mixing in looks, etc. Those EDGE spots are a major concern in getting after the quarterback, but I think they're a pretty stout Front 7 unit. Maybe that's just me/the games I happened to watch last year where they really looked good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Letsch80 Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 13 minutes ago, Tk3 said: All really good bets... I'll throw the Saints and Bucs into the mix also I lowkey think the Steelers defense will be on the field a LOT since I have no faith in their offense, which might have them taking a step back defensively But overall, I think most will agree on a similar handful of teams They were my first 2 out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackstar12 Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 (edited) I don’t know where they’ll rank overall but Colts DL could potentially be very good. Especially if Kwity Paye and Turray contribute. Edited May 6, 2021 by Blackstar12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soko Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 Hopes are high that NE cracks this list again with some new defensive additions and some luck on the injury report. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBLIII Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 DEN TB WFT NE BAL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Reed Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 (edited) I’m not sold on the Ravens being top 5 again this year tbh Our secondary is obviously unreal. And we have an incredible coordinator in Wink Martindale But our linebackers are just meh until proven otherwise and our defensive line, while really good, is pretty old. I could see that unit dealing with some injuries this year or at least fatigue I think they’re probably a better bet to finish in that 7-10 range Edited May 6, 2021 by Ray Reed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayLew52 Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 2 hours ago, Ray Reed said: I’m not sold on the Ravens being top 5 again this year tbh Our secondary is obviously unreal. And we have an incredible coordinator in Wink Martindale But our linebackers are just meh until proven otherwise and our defensive line, while really good, is pretty old. I could see that unit dealing with some injuries this year or at least fatigue I think they’re probably a better bet to finish in that 7-10 range I'm a bit more optimistic about the linebacker play than you. You can't accurately judge 2 rookie linebackers with no offseason programs and no preseason. Linebacker is the toughest position to acclimate to in the modern day NFL because of all of the responsibilities they have. I saw enough promise from both of them last year to convince me that with a full offseason they will be vastly improved. I'm also fully expecting a big breakout from Madibuke, he has serious promise and all the veteran guys gush over his potential. I'm sure they aren't done adding yet either, I'm hoping we can squeeze Justin Houston in under the cap. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AkronsWitness Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 (edited) 1) BAL- insane senconday and veterans upfront with breakout potential at LB. They will be preliminary top 5 every year until proven otherwise. 2) TB- watch the superbowl 3) NE- a ton of Covid guys coming back and they invested a ton in free agency/draft. Dont underestimate BB. Especially a mad BB with actual talent now 4) DEN- patrick surtain, kyle fuller and von miller added to a already really good group. Elite secondary to go with elite pass rushers. 2015 is back. 5) WFT- their front 7 is unfair and can win them 5 games as long as they get adequate secondary play left out: LAR - lost too much for me to put them in top 5. No Johnson, Hill, Brockers, ect make me skeptical they they will be able to be elite. They also dont have another draft pick for 17 years with the Stafford/Ramsey trades and contracts so them trending upwards anytime in the near future is hard to imagine. This is a defense on the way down, not up. prove it: CLE - one of the most talented defenses on paper that should make QBs lives hell. But its all on paper. I need to see it. I also question how good Joe Woods really is to be able to get a defense to play above their heads, not just perform great because natural talent. Edited May 7, 2021 by AkronsWitness 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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