Ranking the defenses in the playoffs

[cmoney23]

Here are my rankings of the best defenses in the playoffs

1. Philly
2. Buffalo
3. San Fran
4. Cinnci
5. Chargers
6. Ravens
7. Dallas Cowboys
8. Bucs
9. Jags
10. Giants
11. KC
12. Seattle
13. Miami
14. Minnesota

 

[Portnoy1]

CHARGERS? Wow okay. I’m surprised San Fran ain’t one

 

[cmoney23]

CHARGERS? Wow okay. I’m surprised San Fran ain’t one

Earlier in the year the Chargers were struggling against the run and situationally. But they have really come on in December.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

The Cowboys allow fewer points per game than all but three of the teams ranked ahead of them.

 

[shabazz]

Niners are #1. Most complete and crazy tough in both trenches.

im not sure which Cowboys defense will show up though

 

[CowboyRoy]

Here are my rankings of the best defenses in the playoffs

1. Philly
2. Buffalo
3. San Fran
4. Cinnci
5. Chargers
6. Ravens
7. Dallas Cowboys
8. Bucs
9. Jags
10. Giants
11. KC
12. Seattle
13. Miami
14. Minnesota

Again completely worthless.

 

[Aerolithe_Lion]

The Cowboys allow fewer points per game than all but three of the teams ranked ahead of them.

It’s a tough argument because many things play in. Philadelphia allowed a bunch of pick 6’s, fumble returns, and special teams returns that directly resulted in points that had little to do with their defensive prowess but affected points allowed.

Conversely, Dallas wasn’t even top 10 in yards allowed, the traditional way to rank defenses. But then Dallas had a lot of turnovers that are as good as preventing an 80 yard drive. DVOA is probably the best stat for this as it includes everything and mixes it all together:

1. buf
2. Sf
3. Philly
4. KC
5. Cincy
6. Dallas

 

[Zman5]

Defensive ranking based on Points Per Play 2022. Playoffs teams in red.

Rank	Team	2022	Last 3	Home	Away
1	San Francisco	0.270	0.362	0.253	0.287
2	Buffalo	0.287	0.361	0.269	0.302
3	NY Jets	0.289	0.257	0.306	0.274
4	Baltimore	0.301	0.257	0.284	0.316
5	Dallas	0.311	0.371	0.301	0.322
6	Jacksonville	0.316	0.113	0.299	0.328
7	New England	0.318	0.380	0.274	0.358
8	New Orleans	0.321	0.169	0.328	0.314
9	Philadelphia	0.321	0.378	0.307	0.336
10	Cincinnati	0.323	0.288	0.305	0.336
11	Tennessee	0.326	0.359	0.311	0.340
12	Denver	0.333	0.561	0.297	0.363
13	Tampa Bay	0.334	0.347	0.363	0.307
14	Kansas City	0.338	0.228	0.307	0.364
15	Pittsburgh	0.338	0.231	0.303	0.369
16	Carolina	0.339	0.313	0.306	0.375
17	Washington	0.344	0.394	0.317	0.376
18	NY Giants	0.344	0.296	0.350	0.338
19	Atlanta	0.357	0.305	0.335	0.382
20	Seattle	0.359	0.260	0.302	0.422
21	Cleveland	0.366	0.291	0.341	0.388
22	LA Rams	0.366	0.332	0.400	0.333
23	Miami	0.367	0.314	0.248	0.470
24	Houston	0.370	0.404	0.390	0.352
25	Green Bay	0.374	0.352	0.363	0.384
26	Minnesota	0.382	0.441	0.374	0.391
27	LA Chargers	0.383	0.275	0.389	0.378
28	Las Vegas	0.388	0.440	0.414	0.365
29	Indianapolis	0.391	0.469	0.363	0.414
30	Detroit	0.397	0.366	0.392	0.402
31	Arizona	0.418	0.385	0.421	0.415
32	Chicago	0.444	0.528	0.408	0.485

 

[Aven8]

That’s the worst list I’ve seen.

 

[pitt33]

San Francisco a clear cut #1.

I expect them to get to the NFC title game with a rookie under center.

That’s how good that defense is.

 

[Chuck 54]

How could you have the TB defense ranked lower than ours?
They won 8 games in which they averaged 19 points per game, and they averaged only 18 points across all 17 games. Their defense is the only reason they are in the playoffs.

How many games would the Cowboys have won averaging 18 points per game?

 

[Portnoy1]

San Francisco a clear cut #1.

I expect them to get to the NFC title game with a rookie under center.

That’s how good that defense is.

Head coach/ Playcaller ain’t half bad either

 

[gimmesix]

How could you have the TB defense ranked lower than ours?
They won 8 games in which they averaged 19 points per game, and they averaged only 18 points across all 17 games. Their defense is the only reason they are in the playoffs.

How many games would the Cowboys have won averaging 18 points per game?

Based on the results of our games? 7. However, it's hard to know if the defense wouldn't have given up more in games where the offense scored less than they did.

 

[Mr_437]

To have Philly number proves this is a poor ranking, and SF should be #1 on all rankings.