2021 NFL Defense Power Rankings: 32-31

Introducing a new series featuring NFL defense power rankings:

In a league driven by offenses more than ever, the adage “defense wins championships” might seem more out-of-date than ever. However, this perception causes the impact of NFL defenses to be underrated when it comes to a team’s Super Bowl prospects.

Do we think Tampa Bay wins last year’s Super Bowl if not for the #1 rushing defense and top-10 scoring defense? Anyone who watched the 2021 Super Bowl can attest that Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul had as much to do with Tampa Bay’s victory in that game as Tom Brady did. 

Finally, I am attempting to predict how the team’s defense will perform statistically, not according to any other metric. I understand that the numbers never tell the whole story, but there has to be an objective endgame to critique any worthwhile prediction. As a result, don’t be surprised when you read analysis further below pertaining to offenses, as a good defense is a good offense (this adage is not so out-of-date) and vice-versa, as the next two teams will soon discover…

#32. Houston Texans

In what should come as a surprise to absolutely no one except the most hardcore of Texans fans, Houston slots in as worst in my NFL defense power rankings going into the 2021 season. Houston was a bottom-six team in 2020 in the defensive categories of points allowed, yards allowed, QB rating, 3rd down %, Time of Possession… I can go on. They finished dead last in rushing defense. Okay, I’m done.

Let’s start with the good: Zach Cunningham is an unheralded tackle machine from his inside linebacker post, and S Justin Reid had a career year last season. 

That’s not much good, I know.

It’s not all bad news for Texans fans! In the offseason they added CB Desmond King.

He’s okay, I guess… oh, and LB Christian Kirksey! Can’t forget about him…  

The Houston defense’s best internal move of the offseason was most likely re-signing CB Vernon Hargreaves III, who is nobody’s idea of an ideal starter, but does provide depth at a position where it is increasingly valuable, and the signing of King allows him to slide back into a role that he is more comfortable in. That is to say, a role that does not include tackling Dalvin Cook, as seen on this play:

2021 outlook:

The Texans’ defense was bad last year, and looks to be even worse in 2021. In the draft, they didn’t select a defensive player until the 5th round.

To make matters worse, Houston cut JJ Watt, didn’t re-sign Will Fuller, and Deshaun Watson requested a trade before facing now 22 lawsuits, so it’s anybody’s guess what his future holds. Speaking of future-holding, media pundits are already playing Nostradamus, predicting who the Texans will select with the #1 overall pick in 2022. 

Of course, it won’t be the Texans defenders’ fault when poor Davis Mills throws 2 pick-sixes some week targeting the likes of Jordan Akins and Randall Cobb. For the purposes of looking at which teams will finish at the bottom of the barrel in 2021 defensive statistical categories, these factors do have to be taken into account, though. After all, they were worst in the NFL last year in Time of Possession, and that was with Deshaun Watson. Yikes. 

There is a good reason why Houston is the most popular mocking destination for Spencer Rattler/ Sam Howell next year; their team sucks. In good ol’ Texas fashion, I’ll promise to eat my hat if the Texans do anything but this year. Let’s move on. 

#31. Detroit Lions

When considering which team to list at #31, I noticed that the Lions were the only other team in this range with an undeniable downgrade at QB from last year. As a Seahawks fan, I watch division rival Rams very closely, and, as many do, I predict the drop-off from Matt Stafford to Jared Goff will be stark now that the latter is removed from the safe confines of a Sean McVay offense.

Of course, the fact the 2020 Lions finished last in the league in both points and yards allowed certainly didn’t hurt their consideration for the distinction of second-worst defense in my 2021 rankings.

The 2020 Lions defense was not entirely devoid of talent; Romeo Okwara had a career year with 10 sacks, but was the only prominent DL on the roster once Trey Flowers went down for the year. LB Jamie Collins is fine, but the Lions never truly replaced DeAndre Levy when he retired 5 years ago.

FS Tracy Walker is also a serviceable player, but received no support in the secondary from 2020 3rd overall pick Jeff Okudah, who was downright awful, his rookie campaign. The Lions desperately need Okudah to step up in his sophomore season. Overall, Detroit is missing both standout players at cornerstone positions as well as depth at all three levels.

The Lions front office is clearly aware of the dire straits the roster is in. Both fortunately and unfortunately for Detroit fans, their team is ripping the foundation out of the team and rebuilding from the inside-out. They drafted lineman with their first 3 picks in the spring. Heck, even their 5th pick, former USC WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, is known for his blocking prowess.

New coach Dan Campbell’s fingerprints are all clearly over this rebuild (read: smashmouth football). This should be a helpful formula to stabilize their defense, even if Campbell isn’t the long-term option as coach. Detroit’s defense has been consistently soft for many, many seasons.

Rookie DT’s Levi Onwuzurike and Alim McNeil will fortify a position group that was regularly taken to task last season, as Detroit was gashed mercilessly on the ground (28th in the NFL) last season. CB Quinton Dunbar did not pan out as the starting CB Seattle hoped he would last season, but if healthy, will be an improvement at the back end for the Lions. ILB Alex Anzalone played quality snaps for the Saints last season and should continue to do so for the Lions this season. 

2021 Outlook:

After removing every notable passing game piece not named TJ Hockenson, and if we’re being really generous, Quintez Cephus, the Lions offense will surely get worse before it gets better. As mentioned in regards to the Texans, with a projected increase in time spent on the field comes a projected increase in points and yards allowed this season.

Detroit’s defensive efficiency may be slightly better than 2020 yet still perform statistically worse given their anticipated offensive regression. As such, the Lions are the choice for #31 in my NFL defense power rankings. They are simply too devoid of talent to expect any more.