Top Five NFL Defensive Lines

Several teams made moves in the off-season to improve their defenses, and one team is sure to have one of the league's top new defensive lines. But rest assured that the new boss is the same as the last boss when it comes to the NFL's top defensive lines.

1. Minnesota Vikings: It's difficult to deny the Vikes the top spot. After all, they held opponents to a league-best 77 rushing yards per game and also forced 11 fumbles. That's not bad. Minnesota, though, also allowed 21 points per game. It doesn't make much sense given that the defensive line had a penchant for sacking the quarterback. Defensive end Jared Allen had 14.5 sacks in 2008, and tackle Kevin Williams added 8.5 sacks.

2. Washington Redskins: In 2008, the Tennesse Titans held opponents to just 14.6 points per game and the sixth-fewest rushing average. That, however, was with big tackle Albert Haynesworth in the mix. Big Al left in the off-season for Washington, and he's not alone. The Redskins also signed Reynaldo Wynn from the Giants and re-signed Phillip Daniels. Washington allowed just 95 rushing yards per game in 2008. The Redskins also forced eight fumbles and allowed just 18.5 points per game. There's reason to believe they'll be tops in all three categories in 2009.

3. Pittsburg Steelers: Pittsburg's defense allowed just 80 rushing yards per game in 2008. That's impressive, and all of the starters are back from 2009. Sure, they're all 30 or older. But that's not a bad sign. After all, poor linemen rarely make it to age 30 before their careers come to a close. The Steelers allowed a league-low 13.9 points per game in 2008. The linebackers provide a big plus. That's particularly true for James Harrison, who had 16 sacks and 101 tackles last season. Defensive end Aaron Smith added 60 tackles, including 5.5 sacks.

4. Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens allowed only 81 rushing yards per game in 2008. What's more telling, though, is that the team allowed only four rushing touchdowns. That's one every four weeks. Baltimore also allowed an average of just 15.2 points per game. Perhaps Ray Lewis is a bit past his prime, but there's no reason to think the Ravens will not be the league's top defense in 2009. Sure, Lewis and Terrell Suggs, who led the team with eight sacks last season, are linebackers. But sometimes a defensive line's play depends more on the help of the linebackers than anything else.

5. Philadelphia Eagles: Philly held opponents to an average of just 92 rushing yards per game in 2008. The Eagles also forced eight fumbles and allowed only seven rushing touchdowns. For comparison's sake, the Bears, who allowed only one yard more, on average, per game in 2008 gave up 16 rushing touchdowns. Trent Cole is a key. He had an incredible 77 tackles from his defensive end position last season. He also had nine sacks. Cole is just 26. So he's got some fresh legs. Fellow defensive end Darren Howard had 10 sacks in 2008. Chris Clemons saw limited playing time at defensive end in 2008, but he did have a pair of sacks in Week 17 against Dallas. He's just 27.