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We are nearly halfway through the regular season and some NFL defenses are lording over other offenses. While offenses make the highlight reel more often, it is the grind that NFL defenses do that wins teams championships. We look at the best NFL defenses after Week 7 and going into Week 8.
Top NFL defenses heading into Week 8 of 2021
#5 - Cincinnati Bengals
The 5-2 Cincinnati Bengals are ruling over the AFC at the moment. Part of the reason why they have been so good is their defense, which has given up just 18.3 points per game, which is the fifth lowest in the league. If there were any doubts about their defense before, them holding the Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson to just 17 points confirmed their credentials as a legitimate top NFL defense.
Their main strength has been their defense against the rush. Opposing offenses have only had 94 yards per game in rushing. Their defense against passing has ably supplemented that, allowing 245.9 yards per game, which many not be absolutely top-class, but has been sufficient to keep the opposition in check.
#4 - Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are not in the best of form right now and have a 3-4 losing record in 2021. But much of the blame for that can be laid on their offense, because their defense has been one of the best in the NFL over the intervening period.
This is despite the fact that they were absolutely terrible against the Cleveland Browns and fans will be hoping it is an aberration and not a permanent marker of their ability because if they continue playing like that, they will be out of the top 5 NFL defenses very soon. That they still feature as one of the best is because of their performances in the weeks before and we are willing to consider that run of form as the norm going into Week 8.
They have given up, on average, just 18.1 points per game. They have a fine balance between how well their rushing defense has held up and how well they have played against the pass.
In rushing, they have also allowed less than 100 yards per game, standing at 99.3 yards on average. Their pass defense has allowed less than 225 yards per game and stands at 224.1 yards per game.
Also Check Out: Complete NFL Week 8 TV Schedule
The Top 3 NFL Defenses heading into Week 8
#3 - New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints have a 4-2 record on the back of their defensive performances throughout the season, and their output ranks them third amongst the best NFL defenses and the best in the redzone.
The pass defense has not been as good as it can be, allowing more than 250 yards per game. But where their defense has really held its own is while stopping the opposition from rushing. They have only allowed 80.8 yards per game. That is the third-best among NFL defenses after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Cleveland Browns. Thanks to that they have only allowed 16.8 points per game.
#2 - Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are the last remaining perfect team in the NFL with a 7-0 record, but they face their biggest challenge this season coming up against the 6-1 Green Bay Packers.
What should give them hope is not only their much vaunted offense being led by MVP frontrunner Kyler Murray, but their defense, which is proving up to the task by limiting opposition offenses. They come second on our list of the best NFL defenses by giving up just 16.3 yards per game, tied for best in first place.
Weaknesses, if any, lie in the rush defense which allows 115.7 yards per game and it is an area that they should certainly look to improve. But at the moment, that is being ably compensated by a great pass defense that is allowing just 201 yards per game.
#1 - Buffalo Bills
Sitting pretty at the top of our ranking of NFL defenses is the Buffalo Bills. Much like the Cardinals, the focus has been on the offense and Josh Allen with the Bills. But their defense has been amazing throughout the 2021 season.
They have given up the joint fewest points per game with just 16.3 per game. They have a great combination of pass defense and rush defense. Their pass defense has limited the opposition to just 180.5 yards per game, the best amongst NFL defenses. Their rush defense has also contributed more than ably by limiting opposing offenses to just 89.7 yards per game.
So as we enter Week 8 of the NFL season, we see all the top defenses contributing to their team's fortune and making their teams legitimate contenders. The only exception is the Denver Broncos, whose offense is not good enough to build on the platform their defense is giving them.
