2024 NFL Playoffs: Worst to first defenses sees Eagles, Steelers & Bucs looking to disprove 'Defense Wins Championships' mantra

With Wild Card Weekend arriving in the 2023 NFL season, the attention is mostly on the league's best offenses, but defenses are often decisive in the playoffs.

As the old saying goes, "Offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships." That quote from Bear Bryant is set to be tested this winter, and looking at the stats, multiple teams will be hoping that it isn't correct this season.

Let's take a quick look at the playoff picture entering Wild Card Weekend.

AFC

1. Baltimore Ravens, 13-4 (Bye)
2. Buffalo Bills, 11-6 (vs. Steelers)
3. Kansas City Chiefs, 10-6 (vs. Dolphins)
4. Houston Texans, 10-7 (vs. Browns)
5. Cleveland Browns, 11-6 (@ Texans)
6. Miami Dolphins, 11-6 (@ Chiefs)
7. Pittsburgh Steelers, 10-7 (@ Bills)

NFC

1. San Francisco 49ers, 12-5 (Bye)
2. Dallas Cowboys, 12-5 (vs. Packers)
3. Detroit Lions, 12-5 (vs. Rams)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 9-8 (vs. Eagles)
5. Philadelphia Eagles, 11-5 (@ Buccaneers)
6. Los Angeles Rams, 10-7 (@ Lions)
7. Green Bay Packers, 9-8 (@ Cowboys)

With this in mind, let's look at the defenses of the league's best 14 teams, starting with the worst, based on yards allowed per game.

2024 NFL Playoffs Defenses: Worst to First

#14, Philadelphia Eagles, 11-5 (@ Buccaneers) - 356.1 YPG 51, TDs

Fletcher Cox of the Philadelphia Eagles

A lot has been said about the Philadelphia Eagles' slide toward the end of the 2023 NFL season, which is certainly a concern for fans.

Philadelphia ranks 26th in the NFL for yards allowed per game and enters their Wild Card matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a degree of panic. With 51 TDs conceded, the defense needs to step up.

There are some wild rumors that Nick Sirianni's job depends on winning this game, and it will be interesting to see if he can change the narrative in Florida this weekend.

#13 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Eagles) - 344.2 YPG, 34 TDs

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made the playoffs on the back of a solid season, but mostly due to being the best team in a weak NFC South. A 9-8 campaign means they will host the Eagles, who are under a lot of pressure too.

The playoffs' two leakiest teams in YPG face each other in what could be a beautiful mess of a Wild Card game. Expect TDs to rain down as the Bucs and Eagles have conceded 85 combined this season.

#12 Pittsburgh Steelers, 10-7 (@ Bills) - 342.1 YPG, 32 TDs

T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers squeaked into the playoffs, thanks to a Tennessee Titans win over the Jacksonville Jaguars and are an in-form team right now.

Having suffered two poor defeats to two of the worst teams in the NFL, the Steelers found some offense under Mason Rudolph and patched up their defense by bringing back Myles Jack.

A huge worry is the loss of superstar T.J. Watt, who is out for at least the next week but likely the season due to an MCL sprain. The Steelers are 1-10 without Watt in their lineup since he was drafted and will have to fight hard in the Buffalo tundra if they are to make that 2-10 (snow and high winds forecast).

#11 Los Angeles Rams, 10-7 (@ Lions) - 337.9 YPG, 41 TDs

The LA Rams got their stars back to full health at the right time and became a force to be reckoned with down the stretch. They are as tough an opponent as anyone in the Wild Card but tend to concede touchdowns.

With Aaron Donald leading the defense and being double-teamed (or tripled) on every snap, someone else needs to break through for the Rams. With the Lions-Rams a much-discussed game where Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff face their old teams, defensive pressure will be key in determining the winner.

#10 Detroit Lions, 12-5 (vs. Rams) - 336.1 YPG, 46 TDs

Jack Campbell of the Detroit Lions

On the other side of the matchup, the Detroit Lions were looking elite at defense in stages this season. They went through a rough patch and conceded a lot of points between mid-November and Christmas but seem to have gotten back on track.

With a confident LA Rams coming to Detroit, the Lions will need to hold fast and shut down both Stafford's passing game and Kyren Williams' rushing to stop this one from becoming a shootout.

#9 Green Bay Packers (@ Cowboys) - 335.1 YPG, 37 TDs

The Green Bay Packers managed their win-and-in scenario against the Chicago Bears but have been up-and-down all season. Jordan Love has wobbled but stayed afloat in his first season as a starting QB, but their defense has suffered a host of injuries.

Struggling against the run and looking vulnerable against the pass, Green Bay has to step up if they hope to surprise the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys have looked dominant this season (mostly), so the Packers' defense will either have to play hard or Love will have to unlock one of the NFL's premier defenses often to paper over the cracks.

#8 Houston Texans, 10-7 (vs. Browns) - 330.7 YPG, 37 TDs

Much has been said of the Houston Texans this season, with the focus being on how C.J. Stroud has turned the team around. While that may be true, the Texans' defense has stepped up and played a major part in their revival.

The Texans placed fifth for pressure rate at 25.2 percent and recorded 46 sacks over the season, so expect them to get after Joe Flacco in the Wild Card. Their success at doing so will be a decisive factor in this one, as they face one of the best defenses in the league in the Cleveland Browns.

#7 Miami Dolphins (@ Chiefs) - 318.3 YPG, 48 TDs

While the Miami Dolphins are in the better half of this list, they have conceded 48 TDs this season, which shows the team's proclivity for high-scoring games. The Dolphins will be hoping a bitterly cold day in Kansas City will tighten up their defense, as the Chiefs are an enticing matchup.

The Dolphins have skidded to end the season. So, rather than hosting the Steelers, they travel to KC. Tyreek Hill will be calling on his entire team to back up a lot of his comments since leaving the Chiefs, and his return to Arrowhead is going to be a focal point for the cameras.

#6 Buffalo Bills, 11-6 (vs. Steelers) - 307.2 YPG, 34 TDs

The Buffalo Bills are one of the hottest teams in the NFL right now. While they will be playing in the wind and snow, their defense will be confident against the Steelers.

With one of the most underrated defenses in the NFL, the Bills are a well-balanced machine, and Mason Rudolph will have his work cut out for him here. Buffalo fans will be expecting a win, and many have the Bills as a Super Bowl dark horse this year.

#5 San Francisco 49ers, 12-5 (Bye) - 303.9 YPG, 31 TDs

You would be forgiven for thinking the 49ers would be closer to No. 1 on this list, but the numbers don't lie. However, their defense got a lot better down the stretch, largely thanks to landing Chase Young via Washington in a bargain trade.

With one of the best-performing defenses in the NFL, the 49ers also have arguably the best offense. The Niners have everything to prove amid high expectations and will look to nurse Christian McCaffrey to full health for the Divisional round after their Wild Card bye.

#4 Baltimore Ravens, 13-4 (Bye) - 301.4 YPG, 26 TDs

Marcus Williams of the Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens are one of the favorites to win it all, and their defense is a big reason as to why. Conceding only 26 TDs all season is a tremendous stat, and combined with Lamar Jackson at QB, the Ravens are a tough nut to crack.

Baltimore lost a close one in Week 18 to the Steelers, who seem to have the Ravens' number over the last few seasons, going 3-7 in their last 10 meetings. Week 18 was a close one, and if the Steelers make it through the Wild Card, a Ravens team playing their starters awaits. This would be a very different game indeed.

#3 Dallas Cowboys, 12-5 (vs. Packers) - 299.7 YPG, 36 TDs

The Dallas Cowboys have perhaps the most talked about defense in football, and there's a good reason for that. With 46 sacks, 25 turnovers and five pick-sixes, the Cowboys D is a game-changer.

They face a Packers side that has a proclivity for INTs this season (11 from Jordan Love) and will hope to put Green Bay to the sword. With a proclivity for playoff disasters, Dallas will look to put on a show of might and whether you love them or hate them, all eyes will be on them this weekend.

#2 Kansas City Chiefs, 10-6 (vs. Dolphins) - 289.8 YPG, 32 TDs

The Chiefs won their eighth AFC West title in a row, but this season, it was more thanks to their defense than Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. The Chiefs look a far cry from their former glory, what with their well-documented issues at WR, but their defense has papered over the cracks.

Given their 10-6 season, you might expect the Chiefs to be in high spirits, but that has not been the case for much of the campaign. Their defense deserves recognition. Allowing only 289.8 yards per game is a very good stat. and if they are to beat the Dolphins, it will likely be on the back of a good defensive display.

#1 Cleveland Browns, 11-6 (@ Texans) - 270.2 YPG, 44 TDs

Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns

While the return of Joe Flacco to the NFL and the playoffs may be the biggest storyline in Cleveland, their defense is the team's true power. Conceding only 270.2 YPG, the defense is as stingy as can be, but some poor games have seen them concede 44 TDs.

With Myles Garrett leading the pack, the Browns have recorded 49 sacks this season, and the Houston Texans will be looking to protect QB C.J. Stroud at all costs.

Their ability to do so will dictate this Wild Card game, which promises to be a true spectacle with a rookie superstar facing the 2013 Super Bowl MVP.