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by The four teams vying to reach Super Bowl XLV all have dynamic, stingy defenses.
The Steelers gave up the fewest points in the NFL during the regular season, and the Packers (second fewest), Bears (fourth) and Jets (sixth) weren’t far behind.
Clifton Brown breaks down what makes the defenses of the four remaining playoff teams so ferocious.
A look at these four very different but very effective defenses heading into conference championship weekend:
Bears vs. Packers
What the Bears’ defense does: The Bears’ cover-2 scheme under Lovie Smith has two important principles: 1) Deny the big play, and 2) Create turnovers. The Bears had 35 takeaways during the regular season, tied for third most in the NFL. Smith coaches defensive players to strip the ball at every opportunity—something he re-emphasized after the Bears didn’t force a turnover against the Seahawks last weekend.
"Not pleased with the amount of takeaways we’ve gotten lately, but that’s about the only thing I can complain about," Smith said.
The Packers’ potent offense managed three total touchdowns in two games against the Bears—a 20-17 Chicago victory in Week 3 and a 10-3 Green Bay victory in Week 17. Bears linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs make it difficult for opponents to run. Pass rushers Julius Peppers and Israel Idonije make it dangerous for quarterbacks when they drop back.
How the Packers can attack it: The battle between red-hot Aaron Rodgers and the Bears’ defense will be fascinating. Rodgers has been the best quarterback in the playoffs—six touchdowns, no interceptions and a 77.8 completion percentage. Look for Rodgers to take a few shots downfield early, testing the Bears’ secondary deep.
The Packers would love to run, but that will a tough challenge against the Bears. If Rodgers has to throw 40 times or more, the offensive line will have to protect him and hope Rodgers can lead them to an NFC title.
What the Packers’ defense does: Green Bay’s 3-4 scheme features versatile players who can wreak havoc, starting with linebacker Clay Matthews, who has 16 1/2 sacks this season (including three in two playoff games). While Matthews brings pressure, cornerback Charles Woodson morphs into various roles as a cover man, pass rusher and run-stopper—and he does all of them well.
Having never won a Super Bowl in his brilliant career, Woodson sounds particularly dialed in this week. "For every player in the NFL, these are the moments you play for," Woodson said.
Meanwhile, cornerback Tramon Williams has emerged as a postseason star with three interceptions.
How the Bears can attack it: The arm strength of Jay Cutler can be both a blessing and a curse, and it will test the Packers’ offense. He can complete deep passes and throw into tight spaces, but Cutler also threw more interceptions (16) than any quarterback left in the playoffs.
Cutler’s mobility is underrated, and with a Super Bowl berth on the line, he will be willing to run to pick up crucial first downs.
Asked if this matchup will come down to the play of the quarterbacks, Cutler said, "It’s too hard to say that."
But as Cutler goes in this game, so go the Bears.
Jets vs. Steelers
What the Jets’ defense does: Rex Ryan’s creative blitzing and coverage schemes make the Jets both unpredictable and effective. The Jets throttled Patriots quarterback Tom Brady by taking away his favorite short passing routes, leaving him at the mercy of the pass rush.
"They’re a really good defense, point blank," Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. "It’s a lot of confusion. It starts with Coach Ryan. He’s a mastermind at what he does. The Jets beat the best two quarterbacks in the game at their place. I don’t know how I’m going to do it. I mean, they’re good."
How the Steelers can attack it: Look for Roethlisberger to attack the Jets wherever cornerback Darrelle Revis isn’t. Roethlisberger’s ability to extend plays is a dimension neither Brady nor Peyton Manning has. Wide receivers Hines Ward, Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown believe they can win one-on-one matchups against the Jets’ other corners. Tight end Heath Miller, who didn’t play in a December loss to the Jets, could be huge.
What the Steelers’ defense does: The Steelers stop the run and punish quarterbacks with a variety of blitzes featuring versatile linebackers like James Harrison, who had three sacks against the Ravens last week. The Steelers are determined to hit Mark Sanchez more than they did in December, when star safety Troy Polamalu didn’t play.
"That is going to be the key to this game—getting pressure on (Sanchez)," Steelers linebacker James Farrior said.
How the Jets can attack it: The Jets hope to run with LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene, and if they are successful, they will be difficult to beat. How Sanchez plays, especially if he is forced to throw a lot, will be a major key.
He must avoid the big mistake against a ferocious defense, and he must throw accurately enough to take advantage of quality targets such as Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards, Jerricho Cotchery and Dustin Keller. The Jets believe Sanchez, a second-year playerk, is ready for this. We’re about to find out.
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The Steelers gave up the fewest points in the NFL during the regular season, and the Packers (second fewest), Bears (fourth) and Jets (sixth) weren’t far behind.
Clifton Brown breaks down what makes the defenses of the four remaining playoff teams so ferocious.
A look at these four very different but very effective defenses heading into conference championship weekend:
Bears vs. Packers
What the Bears’ defense does: The Bears’ cover-2 scheme under Lovie Smith has two important principles: 1) Deny the big play, and 2) Create turnovers. The Bears had 35 takeaways during the regular season, tied for third most in the NFL. Smith coaches defensive players to strip the ball at every opportunity—something he re-emphasized after the Bears didn’t force a turnover against the Seahawks last weekend.
"Not pleased with the amount of takeaways we’ve gotten lately, but that’s about the only thing I can complain about," Smith said.
The Packers’ potent offense managed three total touchdowns in two games against the Bears—a 20-17 Chicago victory in Week 3 and a 10-3 Green Bay victory in Week 17. Bears linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs make it difficult for opponents to run. Pass rushers Julius Peppers and Israel Idonije make it dangerous for quarterbacks when they drop back.
How the Packers can attack it: The battle between red-hot Aaron Rodgers and the Bears’ defense will be fascinating. Rodgers has been the best quarterback in the playoffs—six touchdowns, no interceptions and a 77.8 completion percentage. Look for Rodgers to take a few shots downfield early, testing the Bears’ secondary deep.
The Packers would love to run, but that will a tough challenge against the Bears. If Rodgers has to throw 40 times or more, the offensive line will have to protect him and hope Rodgers can lead them to an NFC title.
What the Packers’ defense does: Green Bay’s 3-4 scheme features versatile players who can wreak havoc, starting with linebacker Clay Matthews, who has 16 1/2 sacks this season (including three in two playoff games). While Matthews brings pressure, cornerback Charles Woodson morphs into various roles as a cover man, pass rusher and run-stopper—and he does all of them well.
Having never won a Super Bowl in his brilliant career, Woodson sounds particularly dialed in this week. "For every player in the NFL, these are the moments you play for," Woodson said.
Meanwhile, cornerback Tramon Williams has emerged as a postseason star with three interceptions.
How the Bears can attack it: The arm strength of Jay Cutler can be both a blessing and a curse, and it will test the Packers’ offense. He can complete deep passes and throw into tight spaces, but Cutler also threw more interceptions (16) than any quarterback left in the playoffs.
Cutler’s mobility is underrated, and with a Super Bowl berth on the line, he will be willing to run to pick up crucial first downs.
Asked if this matchup will come down to the play of the quarterbacks, Cutler said, "It’s too hard to say that."
But as Cutler goes in this game, so go the Bears.
Jets vs. Steelers
What the Jets’ defense does: Rex Ryan’s creative blitzing and coverage schemes make the Jets both unpredictable and effective. The Jets throttled Patriots quarterback Tom Brady by taking away his favorite short passing routes, leaving him at the mercy of the pass rush.
"They’re a really good defense, point blank," Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. "It’s a lot of confusion. It starts with Coach Ryan. He’s a mastermind at what he does. The Jets beat the best two quarterbacks in the game at their place. I don’t know how I’m going to do it. I mean, they’re good."
How the Steelers can attack it: Look for Roethlisberger to attack the Jets wherever cornerback Darrelle Revis isn’t. Roethlisberger’s ability to extend plays is a dimension neither Brady nor Peyton Manning has. Wide receivers Hines Ward, Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown believe they can win one-on-one matchups against the Jets’ other corners. Tight end Heath Miller, who didn’t play in a December loss to the Jets, could be huge.
What the Steelers’ defense does: The Steelers stop the run and punish quarterbacks with a variety of blitzes featuring versatile linebackers like James Harrison, who had three sacks against the Ravens last week. The Steelers are determined to hit Mark Sanchez more than they did in December, when star safety Troy Polamalu didn’t play.
"That is going to be the key to this game—getting pressure on (Sanchez)," Steelers linebacker James Farrior said.
How the Jets can attack it: The Jets hope to run with LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene, and if they are successful, they will be difficult to beat. How Sanchez plays, especially if he is forced to throw a lot, will be a major key.
He must avoid the big mistake against a ferocious defense, and he must throw accurately enough to take advantage of quality targets such as Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards, Jerricho Cotchery and Dustin Keller. The Jets believe Sanchez, a second-year playerk, is ready for this. We’re about to find out.
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