USA Today Defense's Ranked - Check the Pats Ranking!

All 32 NFL teams' 2019 defenses, ranked

While it is early, this ranking list bodes well for this season. So much talent on defense if we stay healthy and the defensive playcalling continues to be aggressive.

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1. New England Patriots
This might be the best defense Bill Belichick has had to work with this decade. As good as the Pats were defensively a year ago, they should be better at every level in 2019. Michael Bennett and Chase Winovich will provide consistent pressure off the edge. Defensive tackles Lawrence Guy and Danny Shelton are unmovable in the run game. Dont’a Hightower, Kyle Van Noy and Ja’Wuan Bentley form a versatile linebacker group. The best secondary of 2018 got even better after New England took Joejuan Williams in the second round. On top of all that, you have Belichick pulling the strings.

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I agree, but always thought the prognostication before the season begins a tad premature, injuries are a large variable.

While this defense has the potential to be great, the blurb about Shelton being unmovable in the run game was a bit much. He was really good in the super bowl but let’s not go saying he was this unmovable force last season.

I think losing Clayborn and Trey Flowers were huge losses. Also Chung was elite at SS and has those legal issues. The defense looks promising but there are question marks.

Yeah, let's see if they can stop the run before we start clearing out a wing in Canton. The Steelers ran over the Pats last December, and they haven't added any beef or notable run stoppers. Everyone has bad days, and they sure stepped up against the Rams' running attack, but I'm not ready for the hype train yet (at least not until it's 3rd and 7).

pencilneckgeek said:

Yeah, let's see if they can stop the run before we start clearing out a wing in Canton. The Steelers ran over the Pats last December, and they haven't added any beef or notable run stoppers. Everyone has bad days, and they sure stepped up against the Rams' running attack, but I'm not ready for the hype train yet (at least not until it's 3rd and 7).

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Well, they DID add beef. But he either sucked, wasn’t a fit in the system, ended up in BB’s dog house, or some combination of the three. I agree with you, though, that the run defense is going to have to improve dramatically. Hopefully what we saw in the playoffs was more of how the Pats improved as opposed to who they were playing (two starting RBs injured, one suspended).

I don't buy it from a talent or DVOA standpoint however due to the weak QBs we face we could end up with the top scoring defense or at least top 3.

DropKickFlutie said:

I think losing Clayborn and Trey Flowers were huge losses. Also Chung was elite at SS and has those legal issues. The defense looks promising but there are question marks.

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agreed about Flowers, disagree about Chung who will play every game this year if healthy and disagree about Clayborn who was cut because he just was not that good.

DropKickFlutie said:

I think losing Clayborn and Trey Flowers were huge losses. Also Chung was elite at SS and has those legal issues. The defense looks promising but there are question marks.

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We added Bennet and Collins which should more than adequately replace the two we lost for half the cost.

DropKickFlutie said:

I think losing Clayborn and Trey Flowers were huge losses. Also Chung was elite at SS and has those legal issues. The defense looks promising but there are question marks.

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Clayborn was not a huge loss whatsoever.

Chung has not been suspended.

I think Flowers loss will be felt in the run D. Pass rush, no

SammyBlueCat said:

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It's nothing that hasn't been written here for the past several weeks as this defense has formed with all its upgrades over last year's very good edition.

Flowers was a big loss and I'm not sure Bennett completely replaces that. However, the secondary is now the deepest I can ever remember with 5 veteran cerebral guys who know the system and could be coaches right now, yet are at the top of their game. Mix in newcomers like Brooks and JoJuan.

The LBs/DE's????? Damn. These may be the best BB has had since the 80's Giants. OK, we already know what we have with Hightower, Van Noy, Roberts, Simon. But I am going to particularly watch Bentley. This kid could be a household name by the end of the year. Throw in Winovich (wouldn't it be funny if the highly touted Devin Bush is overshadowed by Mr. Shorn Locks this Sunday night?). Jamie Collins???? A Jamie Collins who now actually knows how to "Do His Job"???????? OK, this is now the football version of a Turducken.......

The DL looks good, not great. That's the only area that doesn't seem superlative going in (full disclosure: Yes, this is all from preseason viewpoint and preseason results do not guarantee future performance...yaddda yadda).

I know the original plan was for Schiano to be the DC and BB was thrown into it due to circumstances. But he must be salivating at this chance to dive in with this unit. The deepest, most Lamborghini unit he's had since the LT days.

Whatever possible early season stumbling we might understandably see on the offense (I'm particularly concerned about Center), should be more than offset by this defense. I'm excited for the Patriots to roll this baby out of the garage. .......now, of course, watch the Steelers hang a 30 burger on them

Ras-IR Dowling said:

While this defense has the potential to be great, the blurb about Shelton being unmovable in the run game was a bit much. He was really good in the super bowl but let’s not go saying he was this unmovable force last season.

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It was clearly written by someone with a moderate level of real knowledge. I like the patriots being number 1 but if you look at all of he rankings and comments this isn’t exactly a knowledgeable expert.

If the D allows even 1 point per game they should drop to #32. Being ranked #1 should mean 16 straight shut outs.

I've been telling my son since training camp that on paper this defense is the best the Pats have had since the early/mid 2000's. If limited injuries this team can win with a 55/45 run pass ratio.

Having said that they could also win throwing 75% of the time

SammyBlueCat said:

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Good Kitty!

DarrylS said:

I agree, but always thought the prognostication before the season begins a tad premature, injuries are a large variable.

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When should one prognosticate?

Asking for my psychic who needs clarification

I like our D alot this year but even I think we are more a #5 vs a #1.

Dagg said:

I like our D alot this year but even I think we are more a #5 vs a #1.

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Agreed. I think this defense will come in at about #10 DVOA but chances at a top 3 scoring defense are high.

robertweathers said:

Clayborn was not a huge loss whatsoever.

Chung has not been suspended.

I think Flowers loss will be felt in the run D. Pass rush, no

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I literally forgot about Claybourn's existence before Do Your Job reminded me.