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Pete Prisco

Power Rankings: How do you spell unbeaten? D-E-F-E-N-S-E

By | CBSSports.com Senior Writer

Updated Sept. 30

Take a look at the top three teams in the CBSSports.com Power Rankings. The New York Giants, Tennessee Titans and Buffalo Bills are all undefeated, the only three teams without a loss.

Power Rankings: How do you spell unbeaten? D-E-F-E-N-S-E - NFL - CBSSports.com News, Rumors, Scores, Stats, Fantasy Advice

They also have something else in common, which is why they are where they are -- it's called defense.

As much as I hate to admit it, since I am a connoisseur of offense, defense is ruling the NFL early on.

As we raced to anoint the Dallas Cowboys as the team to beat, we lost vision of their so-so defense. Buried under their high-scoring, fun-to-watch offense is the Cowboys' 20th-ranked scoring defense, which is giving up 22.2 points per game.

The top three teams in the rankings are all in the top 10 in scoring defense. The Titans are tops in the league with an average of 11.3 points allowed, followed by the Giants, who are tied for second with Baltimore at 14.3. The Bills are sixth at 15.8.

Those three are also in the top 10 in sacks, with the Titans tied for second with the Steelers at 15, the Giants have 13 in three games to tie for fourth with the Jets and the Bills have 10 to tie for 10th with three other teams.

Getting after the quarterback is a must in this NFL. The three top teams in our rankings show just how important.

Poll

Which unbeaten team has the best defense?

15%Bills
 
27%Giants
 
58%Titans
 

Total Votes: 48576

 

The Cowboys fell from the top spot to No. 5 by losing to the Washington Redskins. Washington, which has won three consecutive games, is a big mover in these rankings, jumping from 12th to fourth.

They're not like the top three teams. They are 15th in scoring defense and have just six sacks to rank tied for 23rd with three other teams.

The Redskins are making their move behind young quarterback Jason Campbell. He has developed into a capable passing threat that gives them a chance every week.

I love watching the Cowboys' offense, but even I know a 20th-ranked defense isn't good enough. If that defense doesn't improve, their perch in the top five won't last long.

The Power Rankings though Week 4:

Power Rankings
CurrentTeamPrevious
Giants1Giants · Trends8
With a young team, an elite quarterback and a coach who knows how to make these playoff runs, they will be a Super factor again.
Packers2Packers · Trends1
They have to do a better job on the defensive side of the ball in 2012. There was a major regress by a lot of defensive players in 2011.
Patriots3Patriots · Trends3
Bad drafting is starting to catch up with this team. It's time to fix that. And one has to ask: Has Tom Brady lost his postseason magic?
49ers449ers · Trends4
Alex Smith is a free agent, but don't expect him to go anywhere. But if the 49ers are going to stay a good team, they have to throw it better.
Ravens5Ravens · Trends5
This is a team getting up in years at some spots, which might mean the window is closing.
Saints6Saints · Trends2
Biggest offseason priority: Getting Drew Brees signed to a long-term deal. You can bet it will happen soon.
Steelers7Steelers · Trends6
They face a lot of uncertainty on the defensive side of the ball. What veterans won't be back? Who shouldn't be?
Texans8Texans · Trends10
If Matt Schaub comes back healthy, this could be the team to beat in the AFC next season. They have a tough decision on Mario Williams in free agency.
Falcons9Falcons · Trends7
They have two new coordinators, and that might be a good thing. Dirk Koetter will bring more down-the-field stuff to the offense.
Bengals10Bengals · Trends11
This is a young team on the rise. As the young players mature, especially Andy Dalton, they will be a Super contender.
Lions11Lions · Trends9
It's all about improving the defense and getting more out of the running game on offense. Cliff Avril is a priority free agent.
Cowboys12Cowboys · Trends13
We think they underachieve every year, but are they really as good as we think?
Broncos13Broncos · Trends12
The entire offseason will be devoted to making Tim Tebow a better passer. Good luck with that.
Eagles14Eagles · Trends14
The Eagles' big splash last year didn't pay any dividends. Now they have to regroup and try and get back to playoff football. If not, Andy Reid could be gone after the 2012 season.
Titans15Titans · Trends15
Jake Locker needs to be the starter in 2012. It's time to move forward.
Jets16Jets · Trends16
How do they fix that broken team? The locker room seems to be a mess. There is a lack of discipline.
Cardinals17Cardinals · Trends17
There is talk they will get into the Manning derby? If that's true, what's that say about Kevin Kolb?
Chargers18Chargers · Trends18
Was keeping Norv Turner the right move? Philip Rivers thinks so. But we know he has to win in 2012.
Raiders19Raiders · Trends19
Dennis Allen takes over the NFL's most dysfunctional franchise. Is Greg Knapp the right guy to lead that talented offense?
Seahawks20Seahawks · Trends20
Who will be the starting quarterback in 2012? Do they make a push for Matt Flynn?
Bears21Bears · Trends21
With Mike Martz out, and Mike Tice in, it appears they will move more to a running offense. Is that a good thing? Matt Forte is a top offseason priority.
Chiefs22Chiefs · Trends22
Romeo Crennel gets his second chance to be a head coach. Better sweep the office for bugs first.
Dolphins23Dolphins · Trends23
I like the hire of Joe Philbin, a bright offensive mind. Now they need to get him a quarterback. Peyton Manning?
Redskins24Redskins · Trends24
Here's another team that is expected to be in the Manning sweepstakes. They have to do something there.
Panthers25Panthers · Trends25
Cam Newton fixed the offense. Now it's time for the defense to be addressed this offseason.
Bills26Bills · Trends26
They are switching to a 4-3 front. That means they have to find some ends to help the pass rush.
Jaguars27Jaguars · Trends27
Mike Mularkey is the new coach, but the key will be how much of new owner Shad Kahn's money they are willing to spend in free agency.
Buccaneers28Buccaneers · Trends28
New coach Greg Schiano's first order of duty has to be to get Josh Freeman playing to his 2010 levels again.
Browns29Browns · Trends29
They have to decide if Colt McCoy is the long-term answer. He didn't look like it in 2011.
Vikings30Vikings · Trends30
They need to get better players around Christian Ponder. He needs weapons, especially with Adrian Peterson coming off a torn ACL.
Colts31Colts · Trends31
The Peyton Manning saga is getting old. The team needs to make a decision soon and move on. New coach Chuck Pagano has a lot of work to do.
Rams32Rams · Trends32
Jeff Fisher takes over a team with a lot of holes. They have to get Sam Bradford some weapons.
 
 
 
 
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