Sportsnaut
Our weekly NFL defense rankings examine every unit across the league to determine the best defenses in the NFL. With the preseason wrapped up, let’s dive into our evaluations for the worst and best NFL defenses this season. We’ll update our NFL defense rankings, with analysis on all 32 teams, every Sunday night each week.
Our NFL defense rankings are updated as of Sunday, December 14. You can dive into our analysis of all 32 defenses after Week 15. We’ll provide updates after Sunday Night Football and Monday Night Football, with our Week 16 fantasy defense rankings out on Tuesday.
The Houston Texans defense, like so many of its peers across the league, had no answer for Trey McBride. He contributed 57 percent of the Cardinals’ passing yardage on Sunday, with Houston shutting everyone else down. Even with Arizona clearing the 300-yard mark, which is rare for an offense facing the Texans, it still averaged just 4.9 yards per play and went 5-for-12 on third down with 2 turnovers. This remains the best defense in football, and it will be on full display in Week 16 versus Las Vegas.
A 44-year-old quarterback against the Seattle Seahawks defense went about as you’d expect. Philip Rivers finished with 118 net passing yards on 27 attempts, and the Seahawks run defense bottled up Jonathan Taylor (3.5 yards per carry). It all resulted in Indianapolis averaging just 3.7 yards per play with 215 total yards on 10 drives (21.5 yards per drive). With the Rams missing Davante Adams (hamstring) on Thursday, the Seahawks defense could hold Los Angeles under 20 points on Thursday Night Football.
After struggling in the first half versus the Packers, this Denver Broncos defense locked it down in the final two quarters. Following a 71-yard touchdown drive by Green Bay to open the third quarter, Denver surrendered just 55 total yards, with 2 interceptions and two turnovers on downs, over the final six drives by Green Bay. We’re very excited to see this unit against a red-hot Jaguars offense in Week 16, with a keen eye focusing on the Jaguars’ passing game against this outstanding defense.
The Philadelphia Eagles defense did precisely what you’d expect against Kenny Pickett and the Raiders offense. In the last two weeks, Vic Fangio has enjoyed facing by far the two worst offensive lines in football, resulting in 11 sacks and 4 takeaways. Pointing that out isn’t to suggest this isn’t an outstanding defense; the performances just require context. Fortunately for Fangio, Marcus Mariota and the Commanders offensive line pose no threat in Week 16.
The Lions offense went to work early against the Los Angeles Rams defense, putting up 24 points with 261 total yards on its first five drives. It was a different game after that, as the Rams defense surrendered just 10 points and 118 total...
