NFL Defense Rankings

nfl defense rankings

One thing that’s always tough to judge is the quality of an NFL defense. There are a lot of variables involved and there’s no real way to predict a defense from week to week. However, there are some teams that consistently rank well and some that aren’t. Here’s a look at some of the best and worst defenses in the league.

The San Francisco 49ers continue to sit as the league’s top defense. While they’ve been decimated by injuries and suffered a major loss to Kyler Murray, they remain a formidable force. They still rank first in EPA/play, scoring defense, defensive success rate, and defensive yardage per game allowed. They can still go toe-to-toe with the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins.

Another surprising addition to the top tier is the Green Bay Packers. They drafted former Michigan edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson. He’s a building block for the defense. He could lead the league in rushing yards. He’ll be paired with Maxx Crosby, who broke out last season. Injuries to the defensive line and star pass rusher Harold Landry make the front seven less fearsome, but the Packers should be very good again once they’re healthy.

The Chicago Bears have been catching breaks on offense this season. They rank in the top third in points per game, DVOa against the pass, and sacks against the run. The team has also given up the fewest touchdowns this season. While they’ve had two games where they’ve scored more than 20 points, they’ve only allowed two opponents to score more than 30 points.

The Seattle Raiders are a pass-first defense. They’ve been ranked in the top-three in DVOA the past two years. The Raiders face a stacked AFC West. It will be a challenge for their new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham to keep up with the Raiders’ passing attack. The team has a shaky secondary. But it’s possible the offense can help offset a potential drop in the defense.

The Dallas Cowboys aren’t far behind in the ranks. They’ve got a dynamic front five and a stout middle. They’ve been a top-five defense in DVOA each of the last three seasons. They’re also ranked second in sacks. They should stay in the top ten power rankings for a while. They’re also a very aggressive, blitzing team.

The Los Angeles Rams haven’t quite re-entered the top tier. They fired former head coach Cory Littleton and defensive coordinator Eric Weddle, but they’ve added a new head coach. They hired Brandon Staley to be their defensive coordinator. It’s a risky move, but it may pay off. They’ve added several key players, including cornerback Ronald Darby and safety K’Wuan Williams. They’re also hoping for a pass rush from Azeez Ojulari.

The Minnesota Vikings may be in for a mediocre year. They have great edge rushers and a solid secondary, but the team has been plagued by injuries. The team’s defense has ranked around the league average the past two seasons, but they could surprise with a healthy, productive pass rush.