Allstar
Bona fide
Defensive Power Rankings: Texans, Niners elite
By Gregg Rosenthal
Around The League editor
We thought about updating our revolutionary tiered Around the League Power Rankings this week, and then we realized it would look exactly like it did two weeks ago.
So let's try something a little different. We present our Preseason Defensive Power Rankings. The list was created by answering a simple question: What depth chart, defensive coach and scheme would we want as a general manager? Talent and 2012 potential matters more here than the final 2011 rankings.
Top shelf: Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Bulls on Parade in Houston have the best combination of young talent and scheme in the NFL, even without Mario Williams. San Francisco's front seven rivals Houston. Baltimore isn't nearly as old as you think, while Pittsburgh still has a surplus of linebacker talent and great continuity under Dick Lebeau.
Anything less than a top-10 ranking in points allowed would be a huge disappointment for these teams. Their defenses can win games on their own.