From Cowboys to Chiefs … ranking the remaining NFL playoff teams' defenses

For this ranking of the final eight defenses still in action, eight categories were used: Points allowed, yards allowed per game, yards allowed per play, third-down percentage, red-zone percentage, sacks per pass attempt, yards allowed per rush and takeaways.

Teams were ranked one through eight in each category. The fewer the cumulative points, the higher the overall ranking.

Here's one through eight:

Cumulative points: 26

Best stat: Tied for first among final eight teams in fewest points allowed (20.3/sixth in NFL overall).

Worst stat: Last in third-down percentage (42.29/ 27th in NFL).

Concern vs. Rams: Is Todd Gurley's knee back to full strength? The last time he was healthy, he averaged 5.7 yards with two TDs on 23 carries in a win at Detroit on Dec. 2. Dallas counters with the league's fourth-best average in yards allowed per rush (3.78).

Cumulative point total: 30

Best stat: Second in red-zone defense (50.0/fifth in NFL).

Worst stat: Seventh in sacks per pass attempt (6.93/ 22nd in NFL).

Concern vs. Patriots: Don't let turnovers waste a good opportunity to fell a wobbly dynasty. New England has 11 more takeaways (28-17) and is plus-10 in turnover ratio compared to LA's plus-1.

Cumulative points: 31

Worst stat: Sixth in sacks per pass attempt (7.01/ 21st in NFL).

Concern vs. Chiefs: Can the Colts get enough pressure on probable MVP winner Patrick Mahomes? Pro Football Focus ranks Indy's pass rush tied for 26th.

Cumulative points: 34

Best stat: First in sacks per pass attempt (8.55/sixth in NFL).

Worst stat: Seventh in red-zone percentage (63.27/ 23rd in NFL).

Cumulative points: 37

Best stat: Tied for first in points allowed (20.3/ sixth in NFL).

Worst stat: Last in sacks per pass attempt (4.96/ 31st in NFL).

Concern vs. Chargers: Can the 31st-ranked pass rush move old man (Philip) Rivers off his spot? When Rivers isn't pressured, his passer rating is 115.1, according to PFF. When he's pressured, it's 83.8.

Cumulative points: 38

Worst stat: Last in takeaways (17/ 23rd in NFL).

Concern vs. Saints: Can the Eagles avoid a shootout with Drew Brees in his home stadium? The answer back on Nov. 18 was an emphatic 48-7 no. But the Eagles have allowed only 18.9 points per game since then. And they also rank first in the NFL in red-zone defense (44.64).

Cumulative points: 39

Best stat: First in takeaways (30/fifth in NFL).

Worst stat: Last in yards allowed per play (5.98/ 28th in NFL).

Cumulative points: 49

Best stat: Second in sacks per pass attempt (8.73/eighth in NFL).

Worst stat: Last in red-zone percentage (72.41/ 31st in NFL).