Before we get to the finale of our six sets of football rankings, here are a few links:

-- For the complete football rankings that were published in last Sunday's editions, click here.

-- For Mark Podolski's 25 bold predictions for the season, click here.

-- For my breakdown of the most muddled backfield situations, click here.

-- Go here on Saturday for an audiocast by Podolski and I, in which we will discuss the benefit of using ESPN.com's mock drafts. I will also have a column for Saturday on the topic. That will also be posted in the Sports section at News-Herald.com.

On to the rankings of the top defenses and special teams ...

Rank, team Pts-Yds-TD-Sacks-TO
1. Steelers 13.9-237.2-3-51-29
2. Giants 18.4-292.0-2-42-22
3. Ravens 15.3-261.1-6-34-34
4. Titans 14.6-293.6-4-44-31
5. Vikings 20.8-292.4-4-45-25
6. Eagles 18.1-274.3-8-48-29
7. Chargers 21.7-349.9-5-28-24
8. Jets 22.3-329.4-6-41-30
9. Bears 21.9-334.7-6-28-32
10. Packers 23.8-334.3-9-27-28
11. Cowboys 22.8-294.3-2-59-22
12. Patriots 19.3-309.0-1-31-22
13. Panthers 20.6-331.2-2-37-25
14. Dolphins 19.9-329.0-2-40-30
15. Buccaneers 20.2-306.1-7-29-30
16. Cardinals 26.6-331.5-6-31-30
17. Colts 18.6-310.9-4-30-26
18. Jaguars 22.9-330.9-3-29-17
19. Raiders 24.3-360.9-6-32-24
20. Seahawks 24.5-378.0-4-35-20
21. Falcons 20.3-348.3-3-34-18
22. 49ers 23.8-326.0-4-30-18
23. Texans 24.6-336.6-3-25-22
24. Bills 21.4-326.1-5-24-22

KEY: Points and yards allowed are per-game averages. TD totals are defensive and special-team touchdowns. TO is turnovers forced. ... Statistics are from the 2008 season.

QUICK SLANTS

The Steelers led all teams by allowing 10 points or fewer in eight of 16 games. The Ravens and Eagles were next with seven. ... The Bears’ sack total dropped to 28 last season after a combined 81 in 2006 and '07. ... The Patriots had 31 sacks after recording a combined 91 the previous two years. ... The Cardinals were excellent in the TD department (a combined six on defense and special teams in 2008), but allowed at least 25 points in six games. ... The Jets’ defense allowed 25 points or more five times last season, and the 49ers and Texans both had eight such games.