Top 5 Defenses in '06

Prophet · 07-12-2006, 03:27 PM

Five Best Defenses Heading Into New Season

1. Panthers
2. Cowboys
3. Chargers
4. Steelers
5. Redskins

I'm hoping the Vikings will be in the top 10 by the end of the season.

**Top_Speed** · 07-12-2006, 03:55 PM

No Bears?? hmmm

**petrodemos** · 07-12-2006, 03:56 PM

my top 5 for 2006

Bears
Panthers
Ravens
Jaquars
Patriots

**PurplePeopleEaters** · 07-12-2006, 03:59 PM

1. Bears
2. Panthers
3. Redskins
4. Steelers
5. Cowboys

Prophet · 07-12-2006, 04:26 PM

I never take any of the rankings too seriously because they aren't really scrutinized by the journalists. There often isn't much of a difference between different seeds, but you can usually group them. Click here for some statistics to play with. Some journalists simply pick one category and say that a certain team is top-notch at rushing yds allowed or yds allowed or some other category. Others use one of many integrative formulas that come up with a magic number that ranks the defenses or whatever category they want to compare.

The bottom-line is that after even the most complicated formula integrates the statistics the teams can easily be broken into different categories, just like a grade distribution in a college course. It's often tough to distinguish between the #1-#10 seeds, for example, but there is often a significant difference between the studs, scrubs, and mediocres.

I know I'm not enlightening anyone on this procedure, but I was bored and felt like typing something that was one notch above the typical mind-numbing posts that I like to make during the offseason.

**petrodemos** · 07-12-2006, 04:58 PM

what are you talking about? this is great speculation for us to input our top 5 defenses, make some arguments and wait for preseason to start. its just like every other thread till pre-season.

im quite surprised the bears werent in the top 5 for sure, regardless of yards allowed or point allowed. iv heard that the bears are coming back with the exact same roster as last year, making arguments they have not improved their defense, but untill they start to suck, i cant see why they wont continue to be a great defense.

**JDogg926** · 07-12-2006, 05:41 PM

Didn't the Panthers, Chargers, and Steelers all lose a couple key defensive guys???

**V-Unit** · 07-12-2006, 05:45 PM

"Prophet" wrote:

Five Best Defenses Heading Into New Season

1. Panthers
2. Cowboys
3. Chargers
4. Steelers
5. Redskins

I'm hoping the Vikings will be in the top 10 by the end of the season.

We play the Redskins and Panthers, not to mention the Bears twice. Should be tough. We also play the Steelers and Cowboys in preaseason. Looks like we better having some good offensive schemes or expect a bunch of low scoring games!

**stjmnsota** · 07-13-2006, 09:17 PM

Other than new coaching, schemes and players, the Vikes defense should greatly improve this year. Especially because there really aren't that many great offenses out there.

But, if the Vikes are going to be playing against top five defenses, they will need to have a top 10 defense to compete. IMO. I do predict that the Vikes offense will be top 10 this year, but with weak defenses not enough anymore.

**Displaced_Viking** · 07-13-2006, 09:25 PM

The Panthers D-line is amazing in my opinion, especially Julius Peppers. From what I've seen in the past few years, their D-line is constantly putting pressure on the QB and getting penetration on running plays. It also allows Carolina to drop more linebackers into coverage.

What really worries me is Peppers lining up on the right and all our strength on the left side of the O-line. I'll be interested to see how we deal with it in Week 2. Hopefully, better than last season in Charlotte...