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 21. You can dive into our analysis of all 32 defenses after Week 16.
Many of the best NFL defenses this season struggled in Week 16. That’s to say that the Houston Texans defense giving up 3 touchdowns and 315 total yards at home to Las Vegas on Sunday comes with fortunate timing. The good news is that there are things from this game that DeMeco Ryans can use to clean things up before the playoffs start. Given the talent at every level and the numbers put up this season, Houston still has the unquestioned No. 1 defense in the NFL.
In Thursday’s win against Los Angeles, the Seattle Seahawks’ defense allowed more than 24 points to an opponent for the first time since Week 5, and it marked the first time since Week 10 that an opponent eclipsed 300 total yards. Tip your cap to the Rams’ offense; Puka Nacua and Matthew Stafford balled out. The Seahawks’ defense will rebound in Week 17 against the Panthers, shutting down the run and making it a long Sunday for Bryce Young.
The breakout season continued on Saturday for Jordan Davis, who now has career highs in sacks and tackles for loss. It gets even better for the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense in Week 17, as standout defender Jalen Carter is poised to rejoin the team. That is an All-Pro talent being added back to a unit that has allowed just 15.5 points, 16.9 first downs, and 286.5 total yards per game with a 66.5 QB rating and a 37 percent third-down conversion rate over the last eight contests. What will be key for Philadelphia in Week 17 against the Bills—an area where it has struggled—is stopping the downhill rushing attack.
In-game adjustments can make all the difference. The Los Angeles Chargers’ defense allowed 17 points, 215 total yards, and a 7.2 yards-per-play average in its first three drives to the Cowboys on Sunday in the first half. After that, the Cowboys’ offense put up just 125 total yards and averaged just 20.8 yards per drive on its final six possessions and was shut out. Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter is doing insane work with this unit for the second consecutive year, and you can bet he will create some havoc for C.J. Stroud in Week 17, especially given the Texans’ offensive line issues and struggles running the football.
Brian Flores did not completely get to terrorize rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, with...
