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As the regular season enters its home straight, there is renewed focus on NFL defenses. After all, as good as an offense might be in the NFL, defense is what often saves the day. In our methodology, the way we measure the best defenses is with the help of the points they let up in every game. For NFL defenses, that is the most vital component after all. If a team is able to limit rushing and passing, but falls short in the redzone, then it is not of much use. Here's a look at the top five NFL defenses entering Week 12 of the 2021 NFL season.
Holding their own: the top NFL defenses ahead of Week 12
#5- Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers defense had an off day last week as they shipped in 34 points to the Minnesota Vikings. This caused their points per game allowed to inflate to 19.5, which is dead last on this list, but is still respectable as it is below 20.
The game against the Vikings could be considered an aberration, as the Packers had certainly held their own among NFL defenses in the weeks prior. They had allowed only 10, 21, 13 and no points in the previous four weeks, which included tough assignments against the Arizona Cardinals, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Seattle Seahawks.
Coming up against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 12, they certainly face one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL. But their general ability against strong opposition this season makes us think that they will be able to overcome last week's inability and rise in the rankings in our top NFL defenses come the end of Week 12.
#4 - Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals defense was somewhere back to its usual form as one of the best NFL defenses last week after shipping in 34 points against the Carolina Panthers the week before that. They let in only 13 points against the Seattle Seahawks last week.
Their 113.8 yards per game in rushing allowed is the worst of all the top five NFL defenses on this list, but overall they are doing a good job in limiting opponents to just 18.4 points per game. Their passing defense, which allows only 204 yards per game, is an important component of that. They do have a bye week in Week 12, so they will not feature on gameday, but they will still retain a place in our rankings based on their exploits coming into Week 12.
Top 3 NFL defenses entering Week 12
#3 - Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos had a bye last week, so they will enter the list of the top NFL defenses with the same numbers as last week, and even after the other teams played over the last weekend, their record continues to be impressive.
They have given up 18.3 points per game, which is enough to qualify them as one of the top three NFL defenses in our rankings. It should be noted at this point that neither in the rushing defense nor in the passing defense are they exactly setting the NFL alight, but in the hard currency of points being allowed per game, they are right at the top.
With a tricky assignment coming up against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Denver Broncos should look to improve both aspects of their game, that is allowing 110.1 rushing yards and 218.1 passing yards per game, respectively.
#2 - Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills were ranked at the top of our NFL defenses last week, and the reason they have fallen down a place is because of a one-man army named Jonathan Taylor. Jonathan Taylor scored five touchdowns and had over 200 yards from scrimmage in the Indianapolis Colts' 41-15 win against the Buffalo Bills. Their current points per game allowed is 17.6.
But Buffalo will be hoping that Jonathan Taylor's performance is something that will not be replicated every week, and we all agree that it is a safe assumption to make. Even after their disastrous performance last week, the Bills are allowing only 101.9 yards per game in rushing. Their passing defense remains solid, allowing just 181.8 yards per game.
#1 - New England Patriots
Jumping to the top of the rankings are the New England Patriots, whose 16.1 points per game are the best among all NFL defenses. They have not allowed any team to score in double digits in the last three games, limiting the Carolina Panthers to 6 points, the Cleveland Browns to 7 points and shutting out the woeful Atlanta Falcons.
Their run defense allows only 101.7 yards per game, which is the best on this list of NFL defenses. There is scope for improvement in the passing defense, which is allowing 211.5 yards per game when they take on the Tennessee Titans this week.
