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 Monday, November 17. We’ve provided evaluations on NFL defenses for all 32 teams coming out of Week 11. On Tuesday, we’ll release our Week 12 fantasy defense rankings.
The Denver Broncos’ defense is the biggest reason they beat the Chiefs on Sunday. Kansas City went just 5-for-13 on third-down attempts (a 38.5 percent conversion rate) and had a 25 percent red-zone conversion rate, including an interception from Patrick Mahomes. All of this success, including limiting Mahomes to 249 net passing yards on nearly 50 dropbacks, came with All-Pro corner Pat Surtain II sidelined. The hope is that the best defense in the NFL returns after Denver’s Week 12 bye.
The Seattle Seahawks’ defense did just about everything in its power to try to win against the Rams. Los Angeles went scoreless in the second and third quarters, a result of its inability to convert third downs (2-for-11) against Seattle. Of the 21 points allowed by the Seahawks’ defense on Sunday, two of those touchdowns came on drives that started inside Seattle’s 25-yard line. It’s going to be much easier versus the Titans in Week 12. Count on Seattle devastating Tennessee’s offense, and a shutout is on the table.
This Los Angeles Rams defense just loves facing Sam Darnold. They didn’t sack the Seahawks quarterback on Sunday, but that’s not necessary when pressure forces him into 4 interceptions. Los Angeles did become a bit more ineffective in the fourth quarter, but that is reasonable given the defense spent 38 minutes on the field. What matters most are the 4 takeaways and stellar red-zone defense, which single-handedly won the game for the Rams. Facing the Buccaneers next week, it should be a bit of an easier matchup for the secondary.
The Houston Texans’ defense was as advertised on Sunday against Tennessee. For the fourth consecutive game, an opponent finished under 275 total yards versus Houston. Furthermore, teams are averaging just 4.4 yards per play against Houston in the last seven games, taking 16 sacks in that span. For the Texans to have any shot at beating the Bills on Thursday Night Football, this defense will need its best performance of the season. Fortunately, Houston’s corners have a huge advantage against Buffalo’s receiving corps, and this pass rush is capable of creating havoc.
Myles Garrett and the Cleveland Browns’ defense did it again; the effort just wasn’t quite enough against Baltimore. Garrett recorded five QB hits and four sacks on Lamar Jackson, the second...
