I don’t see any killer defense matchups for this weekend. I suppose the Patriots should be ranked No. 1, but I’m not crazy about them.

New England got a bunch of sacks, takeaways and touchdowns in the regular season, but most of them came in September and October. The Patriots had 31 sacks and 25 takeaways in their first eight games, with 6 TDs (including special teams). But just 16 sacks, 11 takeaways in their final eight, with one touchdown.

Stephon Gilmore (pictured) would get some votes for the defensive player of the league, but he sure got lit up by DeVante Parker on Sunday.

But there aren’t any juicy-looking defenses this week. If we take what each defense did in the regular season and average it against each offense, the Patriots come out No. 1.

The Vikings had 48 sacks and 17 interceptions in the regular season, 2nd-most in each category among teams playing this week. But they’re playing at New Orleans, which doesn’t tend to give up much. So strictly off the numbers, Minnesota projects to finish last in defensive production this week.

The most significant kick returner playing this week, I think, is Deonte Harris of the Saints. Only one other notable returner (Buffalo's Andre Roberts); he scored on kick and punt returns in 2018, for the Jets.

In the table below, scoring based on 6 points for touchdowns, 2 for takeaways and 1 for each sack.

DEFENSIVE AVERAGES (first-round games)
DefenseOppSckIntFumTDPts
New EnglandTenn.3.221.03.63.237.91
PhiladelphiaSea.2.84.53.72.287.03
Tennesseeat N.E.2.22.72.47.296.34
Seattleat Phil.2.03.75.97.136.22
Buffaloat Hou.2.91.88.53.086.22
New OrleansMinn.2.47.66.69.156.03
HoustonBuff.2.22.75.53.165.72
Minnesotaat N.O.2.28.72.50.105.34

—Ian Allan