Defensive NFL players often rely on intimidation tactics to get into the heads of their opponents, catching them off guard and ultimately securing a win. So, with Halloween on the horizon (plus the New York Jets vs. Houston Texans game, which will be taking place on the 31st), we thought it would be fitting to rank the NFL teams with the scariest defenses!
To create our ranking, we analyzed statistics involving temperament, discipline, and players' physical statures. We then assessed these dimensions using four relevant metrics: defensive fines, the average number of points conceded per game, and the average height and weight of each defense.
These metrics were then rated on a ten-point scale, where a score of 10 signals the highest level of scariness. So, without further ado, let’s dive into our ranking!
The NFL’s Top Five Scariest Defenses
While numerous NFL teams made their way into our ranking, below, we’ll unearth the top five with the most frightening defenses.
1.Baltimore Ravens – 7.18 out of 10
The average weight of the team’s defense comes in at a staggering 259.6 lbs, and opponents can expect players with an average height of 74.8 inches. Both of these factors clearly contribute to their defense’s frightening reputation.
Additionally, the Ravens have conceded only 19.9 points per game over the past ten years (the lowest number on our list).
2.Pittsburgh Steelers – 6.86 out of 10
But it’s not only this; the statures of defensive players must surely contribute to their scare factor. Their defense's average weight is 255.7 lbs (just slightly less than the Ravens'), and we found an average height of 75.0 inches!
3.Green Bay Packers – 6.79 out of 10
At the midpoint, with a score of 6.79, we have the Green Bay Packers. The Packers have totaled 39 defensive fines over the past ten years, and the average number of points they’ve conceded stands at around 22.9 per game.
The defense's average weight is a whopping 260.7 lbs. In terms of height, opponents can expect players to stand an average of 75.2 inches tall. This physical presence and relentless on-field pressure make the Packers a nightmare for opposing teams.
4.Seattle Seahawks – 6.51 out of 10
In the penultimate spot, we have the Seattle Seahawks, who scored 6.51 in the final period. The Seahawks accumulated 34 fines and suspensions in the recorded period and conceded only 20.6 points (one of the lower figures in our ranking).
Players’ physical builds are also something to bear in mind when it comes to their intimidating edge on the field. For instance, the Seahawk’s defense has an average weight of 259.4 lbs and an average height of 75.0 inches!
5.Dallas Cowboys – 6.09 out of 10
Last but not least, we have the Dallas Cowboys, a team with a total score of 6.09. Over the years, the Cowboys have totaled 44 defensive fines and suspensions (the second-highest figure in our top five), and the average number of opponent points scored per game stands at 22.3.
The average weight of their defensive line is 256.6 lbs, and the median player height is around 75.1 inches. Factors like this contribute to the team’s defense successfully spooking its opponents.
So, there we have it: the top five NFL teams with the most intimidating defenses! From players with undeniably daunting builds to teams totaling a hefty number of fines and suspensions, various factors contribute to their intimidating reputations. And in a league where the margin between winning and losing is delicate, this edge can be make or break!
If you enjoyed diving into the above ranking, why not check out more of our expert NFL insights and betting analysis?
Read More – NFL Predictions
Methodology:
To identify the NFL’s scariest defenses over the last 10 years, the Action Network team analyzed a mix of scarily good stats, including temperament, discipline, and physical stature of each franchise in the league.
We assessed these dimensions using four relevant metrics, detailed below, with their assigned index weights. Each metric was rated on a 10-point scale, where a score of 10 denotes the highest level of scariness.
We calculated each team’s weighted average across all metrics to determine the overall ranking and summed these scores to produce a final indexed score.
- (3 points) Defensive Fines/Suspensions – The total number of fines and suspensions for defensive players over the last 10 years involved fighting, late hits, unsportsmanlike behavior, roughing the passer, and more.
- (3 points) Average Opponent Points per Game – The average number of points conceded per game over the last 10 years.
- (2 points) Average Weight of Defense (lbs) – The average weight of the franchise’s defense over the last 10 years.
- (2 points) Average Height of Defense (Inches) – The average height of the franchise’s defense over the last 10 years.
Data correct as of October 16, 2024.
