Top NFL Defense For The 2021 Playoffs
The old cliche says offenses win games, and defenses win championships. That might not be entirely true in 2021, but the defensive side still needs to contribute in a big way to win the Super Bowl.
Last season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense came out of nowhere to lead the team to the top of the NFL while defeating Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, and Patrick Mahomes, along the way.
This article will search for this year’s Bucs’ defense, meaning the next elite defensive side that could significantly impact the 2021-2022 NFL playoffs.
Top 5 NFL Defenses That Will Make It To The Playoffs
Most rankings are made from worst to best to keep the audience engaged. I’m not going to that. I will give you what you came for right from the start. So, let’s do this.
- Cleveland Browns
Few people saw this coming, but the Cleveland Browns’ defense is no joke. The front office invested in the secondary while adding top players in the front 7 to make this unit scary.
DE Jadeveon Clowney is not what he used to be, but as a second pass rusher behind the force of nature that is Myles Garrett, the duo is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.
The Browns drafted LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah in the first round of the 2021 draft, and he has been a fantastic addition. His speed and awareness make the middle of the defense a secure spot.
Cleveland is a loaded team on both sides of the ball. The Browns offense boasts the majority of their payroll, but the defensive side has nothing to envy in terms of talent. They are growing and can become the best defensive unit when playoffs time arrives.
- Los Angeles Chargers
When the Chargers hired head coach Brandon Staley, they looked for an intelligent coach with defensive skills. Staley did an excellent job with the Rams’ defense in 2020, and he’s doing the same with the Chargers.
Los Angeles has a top-five defense defending the pass while allowing fewer than 19 points per game. The entire unit has benefited from the return of S Derwin James, who is a certified playmaker in the secondary.
I can see the Chargers reaching the playoffs and having a good enough defense to make a deep run.
- Arizona Cardinals
I’m sure you don’t think about the Cardinals as a good defensive side, but defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has done a good job with this unit.
The Cardinals are a top ten defense in points allowed, and despite not doing anything exceptional, they have a bend but don’t break mindset.
The addition of veteran JJ Watt has helped them put together a scary defensive line that can attack opposing QB. When teams double Watt, DEChandler Jones gets loose.
Another thing going their way is their offense is one of the top rates in the NFL. This means the Cardinals’ defense will have the advantage of playing with the lead most of the time. It allows them to take more chances in their aggressive approach.
- Carolina Panthers
I don’t know if the Panthers will reach the playoffs, but if they do, their defense will have a lot to do with it.
Carolina has a young defense with solid but mostly unknown players. However, they added CB Stephon Gilmore via trade in the middle of the year to help the secondary.
Gilmore’s best years might be behind him, but he can still ball out in big games. His arrival will allow Carolina’s defense to double good wide receivers while he deals with the top option. It makes the unit even more flexible and dangerous.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
If you check out the stats so far, you won’t find a team with a more significant gap between the run defense and the pass defense than with the current Super Bowl champs.
You can’t run on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but most teams put a lot of passing yards on them, and I mean a lot.
The Bucs do have the excuse that their secondary is full of injuries right now, and it might not be that way when the playoffs arrive.
If Tampa Bay is healthy when the postseason starts, you know that defense can rise to the task at hand.
Best Betting Options for NFL
Finding the top NFL defenses is helpful when you make predictions during the playoffs, especially if you are an NFL betting enthusiast.
If you have never bet, adding some cash during the playoffs takes the experience differently.
To start betting on the 2021 NFL season, you need a reliable sportsbook. We recommend BetUS as the top sports betting site to place bets on football. They have different bonuses during the season, and they are trustworthy from top to bottom.
I also like MyBookie as an option. MB has become one of the best in the business because they give players a lot of promotions, endless betting markets, and competitive odds.
Lastly, Sportsbetting.ag is another good option to start your betting career. They have excellent software, lots of betting options for NFL, and larger betting limits than other sites. Their site is simple and cuts right to the point.
Wrapping It Up
The old cliche might still be alive after the performance of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020. But, unquestionably, playing defense in the current NFL day and age is harder than ever. There is no shutting down the offenses anymore.
However, if your defense can steal possessions from time to time, forcing turnovers or sacks on third down, then it might be good enough to make a run at the Super Bowl.
The teams that win in the playoffs need to score points and have a good enough defense. Keep an eye on the five teams I gave you. Those are stellar defenses that can be even better in January when it matters the most.
Having a good enough defense could be the difference between an early playoffs exit and Super Bowl run for the ages.
Authors Bio
Alonzo is a Sports Betting Analyst who has covered a few Super Bowls and a couple of World Cups for different media outlets. He analyzes NCAA College Football and NFL games for SafestBettingSites, but don’t be surprised if you read his musings on other sports. He’s a gaming analyst looking for winners every weekend. He’s the new guy in town “trying to make a dollar out of 15 cents”.
