ESPN Scouts: Ranking the Playoff Defenses

[WoodysGirl]

Cowboys, Packers share top spot
By Scouts Inc.

(Archive)
Updated: January 1, 2008

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Maybe the glamour offenses are in the AFC, but the best defenses appear to be in the NFC. A pair of NFC teams top Scouts Inc.'s rankings of the playoff defenses. Dallas, armed with the top linebackers, and Green Bay, which features one of the best DB units, are tied for the top spot.


Scouts Inc. ranked the 12 playoff teams by position on a scale of 1-12, with one being the best. After adding the points, here are the overall results, with lowest score being the best.

Also, you can read the individual position breakdowns here:

Defensive Line | Linebackers | Defensive backs | Special teams

Getting Defensive
Team DL LB DB Total
1. Dallas Cowboys 5 1 6 12
1. Green Bay Packers 6 4 2 12
3. San Diego Chargers 4 2 7 13
4. New England Patriots 2 8 4 14
5. Indianapolis Colts 11 6 1 18
5. Seattle Seahawks 8 5 5 18
7. Pittsburgh Steelers 9 3 8 20
8. Tennessee Titans 3 7 11 21
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 12 9 3 24
10. New York Giants 1 12 12 25
11. Jacksonville Jaguars 7 11 9 27
12. Washington Commanders 10 10 10 30


Cowboys DL #5
5. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys use an aggressive 3-4 scheme led by three physical defenders up front. This defensive line can be imposing because all the players weigh more than 300 pounds and DE Chris Canty uses his 6-7 frame to gain leverage versus the run and disrupt the passing game. All three frontline players use their hands well to disengage the ball against the run and get opponents off balance against the pass. Their sack numbers aren't impressive, but they are stout against the run, giving up 92.1 yards per game. Most opponents have to get their rushing yards on the outside, since the middle of this defense is rock-solid.
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs07/insider/news/story?id=3175027

Cowboys LB #1
1. Dallas Cowboys
DeMarcus Ware and Greg Ellis are prototypical 3-4 outside linebackers who come off the edge with premier speed and acceleration. Ware and Ellis have 14 and 12.5 sacks, respectively. On the inside, the Cowboys are led by Bradie James, who has a rare combination of athleticism, instincts and intelligence, and who led the team with 101 tackles during the regular season.
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs07/insider/news/story?id=3174956


Cowboys DBs #6
6. Dallas Cowboys
The addition of FS Ken Hamlin has been instrumental in the improvement of the Dallas pass defense. Hamlin has upgraded what was possibly the Cowboys' weakest position a year ago with a Pro Bowl-caliber performance. CB Terence Newman also ranks among the elite players at his position and is a special athlete. Anthony Henry is a fine second corner but sees a lot of action with Newman on the other side. SS Roy Williams is a liability in coverage but is a killer against the run and should stay near the line of scrimmage.
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs07/insider/news/story?id=3175197


Cowboys Special Teams #1
1. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys have one of the best kicking tandems in the NFL with punter Mat McBriar and kicker Nick Folk. McBriar's high, long punts enable the Dallas punt coverage unit to get downfield and make the tackle. Meanwhile, Folk is having a dream rookie season with solid field goal accuracy and exceptional distance on his kickoffs.
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs07/insider/news/story?id=3175347
Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN.com.

 

[Dough Boy]

That would be the #3 ranked Off and the #1 ranked Def. I guess Mr. Fix It finally fixed it. If I was walking this balanced team into the playoffs, I would smile just like Wade. When you take a step back, drop the agenda, and make an honest analysis of this team; we have a chance to bring home the sixth. The only thing that concerns me about this team is its youth. We are not a very exp. team. That is both good and bad. I'm hopefully that after last Sunday's stinker, I hope they prepare for battle. There is no doubt in mind that there is enough talent to bring it home.

 

[Future]

He couldn't have been more wrong about his special teams assessments

 

[Dough Boy]

He couldn't have been more wrong about his special teams assessments

How so?

 

[mitchell2254]

How so?

Nick Folk's kickoffs rarely get past the 10 yard line.

 

[Dough Boy]

Nick Folk's kickoffs rarely get past the 10 yard line.

Again, see the forest and not the tree. Our ST consist of:
1. Pro Bowl Punter (last year)
2. Pro Bowl Kicker (this year)
3. A top 10 KO return man

The areas we suffer:
1. KO coverage
2. Punt Return yardage.

Its easy to see why we are ranked so high. Just having two Pro Bowl Specalist is enough. How many teams can bring a Pro Bowl Punter and Kicker to the playoffs?

 

[mitchell2254]

Again, see the forest and not the tree. Our ST consist of:
1. Pro Bowl Punter (last year)
2. Pro Bowl Kicker (this year)
3. A top 10 KO return man

The areas we suffer:
1. KO coverage
2. Punt Return yardage.

Its easy to see why we are ranked so high. Just having two Pro Bowl Specalist is enough. How many teams can bring a Pro Bowl Punter and Kicker to the playoffs?

But he said the guys assessment was off. Which in fact is when he say Folk gets exceptional distance on KO's.

 

[Dough Boy]

But he said the guys assessment was off. Which in fact is when he say Folk gets exceptional distance on KO's.

I think that is by design. They are looking for hang time and will sacrifice distance. I think the coverage unit is the problem, not Folk. Folk has a strong leg, which is one of the reasons we drafted him. Remember back to preseason, Folks was going to be a KO specailst and Gramatta was going to be the place kicker. Folk didn't miss a kick in preaseason so they let Gramatta go.

 

[Skinsmaniac]

Skins 10th on Dline and 10th on linebackers? We must be doing it with smoke and mirrors I guess.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Skins 10th on Dline and 10th on linebackers? We must be doing it with smoke and mirrors I guess.

you are

 

[Skinsmaniac]

you are

Tell that to MBIII and JJ.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Tell that to MBIII and JJ.

lol, you stacked 8, sometimes, 9 men, in the box

your talent on D sucks, it's good because Greg Williams is putting them in a position to succeed

 

[Skinsmaniac]

lol, you stacked 8, sometimes, 9 men, in the box

your talent on D sucks, it's good because Greg Williams is putting them in a position to succeed

If we stacked 8 in the box, Romo and Witten should have been able to make some plays. Either you should be worried about them, or you need to give our front seven some credit.

 

[TheCount]

lol, you stacked 8, sometimes, 9 men, in the box

your talent on D sucks, it's good because Greg Williams is putting them in a position to succeed

I'm not so sure, our run blocking has been suspect all season. Another reason why I was a little worried about what we showed at Washington.

If we stacked 8 in the box, Romo and Witten should have been able to make some plays. Either you should be worried about them, or you need to give our front seven some credit.

They get some credit, sure. However, let's not pretend there weren't a bunch of dropped passes and a couple of poor throws from Romo, not to mention we were without T.O. who scored how many TD's and had how many yards the first game?

 

[Dough Boy]

If we stacked 8 in the box, Romo and Witten should have been able to make some plays. Either you should be worried about them, or you need to give our front seven some credit.

Be sure to come back after the game on Sat. Lets see how good your def in the Wildcard game.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

If we stacked 8 in the box, Romo and Witten should have been able to make some plays. Either you should be worried about them, or you need to give our front seven some credit.

I'm giving Greg Williams the credit, because when I look at your D, I see 3 good players and alot of spares

but you're too dumb to acknowledge when credit is given, it's ok, I forgive you

I'm not so sure, our run blocking has been suspect all season. Another reason why I was a little worried about what we showed at Washington.

it hasn't be that suspect, no threat of a passing game causes Ds to back of and concentrate on sending 8, 9 people, which is what Washington did

and no stink fan, Jason Witten, although great, isn't a passing game

 

[Green28]

Skins D ranked 8th overall, 4th against the run, and 11th in points - ALL better than DALLAS! Less than 1 yard separates their pass D.

How are they ranked last/12th among the playoff teams?

And they've been playing out of their minds for the last several weeks!

 

[Dough Boy]

Skins D ranked 8th overall, 4th against the run for the season. How are they ranked last/12th among the playoff teams?

And they've been playing out of their minds for the last several weeks!

Because 3 weeks don't make a season. Its like getting a 2.0 your first 2 years of college. Its almost impossible to graduate with a 3.0. Facts are facts. Your team showed up for half the season. For the first half of the season your team was garbage.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Because 3 weeks don't make a season. Its like getting a 2.0 your first 2 years of college. Its almost impossible to graduate with a 3.0. Facts are facts. Your team showed up for half the season. For the first half of the season your team was garbage.

an analogy that actually makes sense

good job, no seriously, that's the best analogy I have ever seen on here, whether because it was so good, or simply because the others before you were so horrible, I'm not sure lol

 

[Dough Boy]

an analogy that actually makes sense

good job, no seriously, that's the best analogy I have ever seen on here, whether because it was so good, or simply because the others before you were so horrible, I'm not sure lol

Your sig is nice! Nice work.