Rating the defensive pass ratings

I'm heading down to Dallas later today to cover the Cowboys for the week. Before I head for the airport, I thought we could take a closer look at the eight remaining playoff teams and their ability or inability to contain the opposition's passing game.

Total yards doesn't seem to me like a good barometer, so let's try the passer rating, which basically tells you how efficient the passing was in the game.

Here are the eight teams, where they ranked during the regular season and other highlights or lowlights. It helps explain why the Jets are a serious threat and why, as you know, the Vikings might have to win a shootout:

Team Opp. rating League rank

Jets 58.8 1

The Jets allowed only eight touchdown passes and a 51.7 completion. Percentage. Awesome.

Saints 68.6 3

Ravens 71.9 6

The Ravens intercepted 22 passes, second most among the playoff teams still alive.

Cardinals 76.4 10

The Cardinals gave up 22 touchdown passes, the third highest among the playoff teams still alive.

Colts 80.6 12

Cowboys 83.5 16

The Cowboys had only 11 interceptions, tied for the lowest among the teams still alive.

Chargers 84.2 17

The Chargers gave up 23 touchdown passes, the third highest among the teams still alive.

Vikings 92.5 27

However ....