NFL · 35 minutes ago

Ranking Every NFL Defense Right Now: All 32 Teams Ranked Going into Week 10

Joe Cervenka

Host · Writer

You Tell Us! Who has the Best Defense in the NFL?
Sound Off on the Great D Debate

With the updated defensive power rankings locked in heading into Week 10, the debates across the league are heating up:
- THE NO. 1 DEBATE: Does Brian Flores' Minnesota Vikings unit still deserve the top spot after surrendering 23 points on Monday Night Football, or should Aden Durde and the Seattle Seahawks take the crown with their league-leading 244.2 total yards allowed per game?
- TURNOVER REGRESSION: Can Todd Bowles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sustain a top-six ranking by riding an NFL-best 21 takeaways, or will their coverage inconsistencies eventually catch up to them?
- ROCK BOTTOM IN VEGAS: Is Rob Leonard's Las Vegas Raiders defense completely beyond repair after giving up 20 passing touchdowns and 29.8 points per game through nine weeks?
Drop your hot takes and top-five defensive rankings in the comments!
Ranking Every NFL Defense Going Into Week 10
Week 9 reshuffled the defensive hierarchy across the NFL.

Between the Buffalo Bills suffocating the league's top-scoring defense on Monday Night Football, the Seattle Seahawks putting on a total yardage masterclass, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers riding an absolute turnover tidal wave, coordinators are leaning heavily into their identities as November knockout football begins.

With massive changes inside the top ten, we are breaking down all 32 NFL defenses based on total yards allowed, scoring resistance, pass rush production, and situational dominance heading into Week 10.

Here is the definitive ranking of every NFL defense for the 2026 season.
32. Las Vegas Raiders
- Defensive Coordinator: Rob Leonard
- Total Defense: No. 32 (385.4 YPG) | Scoring Defense: No. 32 (29.8 PPG)
- Key Metric: 20 passing touchdowns allowed
Rob Leonard’s defense hit rock bottom in a 38-17 obliteration by the 49ers. The Raiders are dead last in total defense (385.4 YPG) and dead last in scoring defense (29.8 PPG). Having surrendered a league-worst 20 passing touchdowns, this is officially the worst stop unit in professional football.
31. Los Angeles Chargers
- Defensive Coordinator: Chris O'Leary
- Total Defense: No. 18 (343.3 YPG) | Scoring Defense: No. 29 (27.4 PPG)
- Key Metric: Only 13 sacks on a 21.3% pressure rate
The Chargers were absolutely scorched by C.J. Stroud in a 44-22 blowout loss. Chris O'Leary’s defense lacks any meaningful pass rush (13 sacks), resulting in a secondary that constantly busts assignments and gives up 27.4 points per game.
30. Tennessee Titans
- Defensive Coordinator: Gus Bradley
- Total Defense: No. 30 (382.4 YPG) | Scoring Defense: No. 24 (T-25.0 PPG)
- Key Metric: 258.3 passing yards allowed per game
Gus Bradley’s defense had Week 9 off, giving them an extra week to figure out how to stop the pass. Tennessee ranks 30th in total defense, bleeding a staggering 258.3 passing yards per contest while generating very little resistance downfield.
28. Carolina Panthers
- Interim Defensive Coordinator: Todd Wash
- Total Defense: No. 19 (344.9 YPG) | Scoring Defense: No. 29 (27.4 PPG)
- Key Metric: Only 12 sacks (T-31st in NFL)
Todd Wash’s defense hung tough against Denver in a 26-21 loss, but the Panthers generate absolutely zero pass rush. Tying for last in the NFL with just 12 sacks, Carolina leaves its secondary stranded on an island, leading to 27.4 points surrendered per week.
29. Arizona Cardinals
- Defensive Coordinator: Nick Rallis
- Total Defense: No. 16 (337.3 YPG) | Scoring Defense: No. 30 (28.3 PPG)
- Key Metric: 20.0% pressure rate and 19 sacks
Nick Rallis’s defense did its job by holding Seattle to 17 points, but this unit has been getting destroyed all season. Arizona ranks 30th in scoring defense (28.3 PPG) and routinely gets pushed around in the trenches.
27. Indianapolis Colts
- Defensive Coordinator: Lou Anarumo
- Total Defense: No. 24 (361.8 YPG) | Scoring Defense: No. 29 (27.7 PPG)
- Key Metric: 137.0 rushing yards allowed per game
Lou Anarumo’s defense completely collapsed in the fourth quarter against Dallas, blowing a lead in a 27-23 loss. Indianapolis cannot stop the run (137.0 YPG) and routinely gets gashed for massive chunk plays, resulting in 27.7 points allowed per game.
26. Washington Commanders
- Defensive Coordinator: Daronte Jones
- Total Defense: No. 18 (342.3 YPG) | Scoring Defense: No. 24 (T-25.0 PPG)
- Key Metric: +7 turnover differential
Daronte Jones.’s defense held the Rams to 20 points in a loss, and the Commanders force a solid amount of takeaways (+7 differential). Unfortunately, they bleed yardage (342.3 YPG) and struggle mightily to disrupt opposing quarterbacks consistently.
25. Dallas Cowboys
- Defensive Coordinator: Christian Parker
- Total Defense: No. 27 (372.7 YPG) | Scoring Defense: No. 27 (26.2 PPG)
- Key Metric: 25.0% pressure rate but only 17 sacks
Dallas surrendered 23 points to the Colts, needing Dak Prescott to bail them out for a win. Christian Parker’s defense is completely broken, ranking 27th in both total yardage (372.7 YPG) and scoring defense (26.2 PPG).
24. Baltimore Ravens
- Defensive Coordinator: Anthony Weaver
- Total Defense: No. 14 (329.7 YPG) | Scoring Defense: No. 27 (26.2 PPG)
- Key Metric: 17 sacks and a 20.0% pressure rate
Anthony Weaver’s defense completely collapsed in a 33-10 home loss to Jacksonville. Despite respectable yardage numbers (329.7 YPG allowed), Baltimore sits 27th in scoring defense and routinely breaks down when backed against their own end zone.
23. Philadelphia Eagles
- Defensive Coordinator: Vic Fangio
- Total Defense: No. 21 (353.4 YPG) | Scoring Defense: No. 20 (24.6 PPG)
- Key Metric: Only 16 sacks on a 21.0% pressure rate
Vic Fangio’s defense held the Giants to 19 points in a sluggish Week 9 loss, but the Eagles consistently struggle to get off the field. With a toothless pass rush (16 sacks) and a secondary that yields 353.4 total yards per game, Philadelphia cannot generate impact plays.
22. New Orleans Saints
- Defensive Coordinator: Brandon Staley
- Total Defense: No. 26 (370.5 YPG) | Scoring Defense: No. 28 (27.0 PPG)
- Key Metric: 23 sacks
Brandon Staley’s defense stepped up in overtime to secure a 23-22 win over Cleveland. However, the Saints remain a massive liability on a down-to-down basis, ranking 26th in total defense and giving up a brutal 27.0 points per game.
21. Detroit Lions
- Defensive Coordinator: Kelvin Sheppard
- Total Defense: No. 22 (355.0 YPG) | Scoring Defense: No. 17 (23.6 PPG)
- Key Metric: 27 sacks (3rd in NFL)
Detroit leaned on its defense to secure a 19-9 road win over Miami. Kelvin Sheppard’s group thrives on chaos, sitting third in the NFL with 27 sacks and a 25.7% pressure rate, making up for a secondary that bleeds passing yards (260.9 YPG).
20. Atlanta Falcons
- Defensive Coordinator: Jeff Ulbrich
- Total Defense: No. 19 (346.8 YPG) | Scoring Defense: No. 22 (24.8 PPG)
- Key Metric: 20 sacks on a 23.7% pressure rate
The Falcons were picked apart by Joe Burrow in a 34-17 loss in Madrid. Jeff Ulbrich’s unit generates solid pressure (20 sacks) but continually leaves the secondary exposed, resulting in a -8 turnover differential that routinely buries the offense.
19. Houston Texans
- Defensive Coordinator: Matt Burke
- Total Defense: No. 17 (338.6 YPG) | Scoring Defense: No. 18 (24.0 PPG)
- Key Metric: 29 sacks (T-1st in NFL)
Houston’s front seven terrorized the Chargers in a 44-22 shootout. Tying for the league lead with 29 sacks, the Texans cover up a leaky secondary (235.6 passing YPG allowed) by relentlessly pursuing the quarterback.
18. Cincinnati Bengals
- Defensive Coordinator: Al Golden
- Total Defense: No. 22 (354.9 YPG) | Scoring Defense: No. 14 (21.9 PPG)
- Key Metric: 25.3% pressure rate
Al Golden’s defense is built to play with a lead, which they did beautifully in a 34-17 blowout of Atlanta in Madrid. Ranking 22nd in total defense, the Bengals concede 354.9 yards per game but tighten up nicely in the red zone and generate pressure (25.3% rate) to end drives.
17. Los Angeles Rams
- Defensive Coordinator: Chris Shula
- Total Defense: No. 6 (302.4 YPG) | Scoring Defense: No. 8 (20.1 PPG)
- Key Metric: -4 turnover differential
Chris Shula’s defense completely shut down Washington in a 20-13 victory, elevating the Rams to sixth in total defense. However, an abysmal -4 turnover differential and 11 passing touchdowns allowed keep this unit from breaking into the top tiers.
16. Miami Dolphins
- Defensive Coordinator: Sean Duggan
- Total Defense: No. 13 (326.1 YPG) | Scoring Defense: No. 24 (T-25.0 PPG)
- Key Metric: Allowed only 19 points to Detroit
Sean Duggan’s defense played tough against a potent Detroit offense in a 19-9 loss. Ranking 13th in total defense, the Dolphins have limited opposing offenses in the open field, but a -3 turnover differential and red-zone struggles continue to hurt them on the scoreboard.
15. New England Patriots
- Defensive Coordinator: Zak Kuhr
- Total Defense: No. 14 (328.6 YPG) | Scoring Defense: No. 14 (23.0 PPG)
- Key Metric: 25 sacks (9th in NFL)
Giving up 45 points to Green Bay skewed New England’s scoring numbers, but this remains an aggressive front. Zak Kuhr’s defense has logged 25 sacks and a 22.4% pressure rate, keeping the Patriots competitive in the AFC Wild Card hunt.
14. Buffalo Bills
- Head Coach: Joe Brady | Defensive Coordinator: Jim Leonhard
- Total Defense: No. 14 (330.4 YPG) | Scoring Defense: No. 16 (23.4 PPG)
- Key Metric: 28.4% pressure rate
Jim Leonhard dialed up an absolute masterpiece on Monday Night Football, throttling the Vikings' explosive offense in a 23-6 victory. While the Bills give up some yardage (330.4 YPG), they pressure the quarterback at a 28.4% clip and play incredibly cohesive team defense.
13. New York Jets
- Defensive Coordinator: Brian Duker
- Total Defense: No. 12 (325.8 YPG) | Scoring Defense: No. 23 (24.8 PPG)
- Key Metric: 24.0% pressure rate
The Jets got run off the field in a 35-12 loss to Kansas City, but Brian Duker ’s scheme remains structurally sound between the 20s. Ranking 12th in total defense, New York struggles in the red zone and is hampered by an offense that repeatedly leaves them stranded in poor field position.
12. Cleveland Browns
- Defensive Coordinator: Mike Rutenberg
- Total Defense: No. 15 (331.6 YPG) | Scoring Defense: No. 13 (21.8 PPG)
- Key Metric: 26 sacks (T-4th in NFL)
Mike Rutenberg’s defense fought to the bitter end in a 23-22 overtime loss to New Orleans. Cleveland is a remarkably aggressive unit up front, tying for fourth in the NFL with 26 sacks while forcing offenses to earn every yard.
11. Denver Broncos
- Defensive Coordinator: Vance Joseph
- Total Defense: No. 22 (355.0 YPG) | Scoring Defense: No. 10 (20.7 PPG)
- Key Metric: 26 sacks and a +5 turnover differential
The Broncos bend heavily (355.0 total YPG allowed), but Vance Joseph’s group makes game-changing plays when it matters most. Coming off a 26-21 win over Carolina, Denver pairs a top-ten scoring defense with 26 sacks and a knack for generating critical turnovers.
10. New York Giants
- Head Coach: John Harbaugh | Defensive Coordinator: Dennard Wilson
- Total Defense: No. 5 (301.4 YPG) | Scoring Defense: No. 12 (21.5 PPG)
- Key Metric: 18.9% pressure rate with 16 sacks
Dennard Wilson’s defense controlled the line of scrimmage in a gritty 19-11 win over Philadelphia. The Giants boast a top-five total defense (301.4 YPG), leaning heavily on a stingy pass defense (177.8 YPG) that keeps everything in front of them.
9. Green Bay Packers
- Defensive Coordinator: Jonathan Gannon
- Total Defense: No. 11 (322.9 YPG) | Scoring Defense: No. 11 (21.2 PPG)
- Key Metric: 19 takeaways (2nd in NFL)
Jonathan Gannon’s defense surrendered 27 points to New England, but they forced enough mistakes to cruise to a 45-27 win. Green Bay creates massive splash plays, generating 19 takeaways and tying for fourth in the NFL with 26 sacks.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars
- Defensive Coordinator: Anthony Campanile
- Total Defense: No. 10 (318.3 YPG) | Scoring Defense: No. 2 (15.1 PPG)
- Key Metric: Second-best scoring defense (15.1 PPG)
Anthony Campanile’s squad put on a clinic in Week 9, crushing Baltimore 33-10. Jacksonville gives up yardage between the 20s, but they are an absolute wall in the red zone, holding opponents to just 15.1 points per game. Combined with a +9 turnover differential, the Jaguars play perfect complementary football.
7. Chicago Bears
- Defensive Coordinator: Dennis Allen
- Total Defense: No. 9 (310.9 YPG) | Scoring Defense: No. 9 (20.4 PPG)
- Key Metric: 26 sacks (T-4th in NFL)
The Bears defense did just enough in their 27-24 walk-off victory over Tampa Bay. Ranking inside the top ten in both total defense and scoring, Chicago gets after the quarterback with relentless aggression, racking up 26 sacks and a massive 27.0% pressure rate.
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Head Coach: Todd Bowles
- Total Defense: No. 4 (292.9 YPG) | Scoring Defense: No. 7 (19.8 PPG)
- Key Metric: NFL-leading 21 takeaways and 16 interceptions
Todd Bowles' unit gave up a walk-off field goal to Chicago in a 27-24 loss, but the Buccaneers are absolute turnover machines. Pacing the entire league with 21 total takeaways and a staggering 16 interceptions, Tampa Bay pairs elite ball-hawking with a top-five total defense (292.9 YPG).
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
- Head Coach: Mike McCarthy | Defensive Coordinator: Patrick Graham
- Total Defense: No. 7 (305.6 YPG) | Scoring Defense: No. 4 (T-18.0 PPG)
- Pass Defense: No. 4 (221.8 YPG) | Rush Defense: No. 3 (83.9 YPG)
- Key Metric: 26 sacks (T-4th in NFL)
Mike McCarthy has this defense playing classic, bruising Pittsburgh football. The Steelers allow just 18.0 points and 83.9 rushing yards per contest, forcing teams into obvious passing downs where T.J. Watt and company feast. Sitting tied for fourth in the NFL with 26 sacks, Pittsburgh’s pass rush single-handedly derails opposing game plans.
4. Kansas City Chiefs
- Defensive Coordinator: Steve Spagnuolo
- Total Defense: No. 8 (307.9 YPG) | Scoring Defense: No. 3 (17.9 PPG)
- Pass Defense: No. 29 (210.4 YPG) | Rush Defense: No. 7 (97.5 YPG)
- Key Metric: Third in scoring defense (17.9 PPG)
Steve Spagnuolo’s defense clamped down in a 35-12 handling of the Jets in Week 9. While Kansas City gives up a bit of passing yardage, they remain a top-three scoring defense (17.9 PPG) by tightening up in the red zone and completely erasing opposing rushing attacks (97.5 YPG). When the playoffs start, this is the unit that turns into a buzzsaw.
3. San Francisco 49ers
- Defensive Coordinator: Raheem Morris
- Total Defense: No. 3 (291.9 YPG) | Scoring Defense: No. 6 (19.5 PPG)
- Pass Defense: No. 28 (211.0 YPG) | Rush Defense: No. 2 (80.9 YPG)
- Key Metric: Second-best rushing defense in the NFL
The 49ers completely smothered the Raiders in a 38-17 blowout in Week 9, reasserting their physical dominance. Raheem Morris’s unit is incredibly stout against the run, conceding just 80.9 yards per game. With 72 total pressures and 15 sacks, the 49ers force teams into obvious passing situations and use their elite linebacking corps to clean up the mess.
2. Seattle Seahawks
- Defensive Coordinator: Aden Durde
- Total Defense: No. 1 (244.2 YPG) | Scoring Defense: No. 4 (T-18.0 PPG)
- Pass Defense: No. 13 (155.1 YPG) | Rush Defense: No. 4 (89.1 YPG)
- Key Metric: No. 1 total defense (244.2 yards allowed per game)
Mike Macdonald and Aden Durde have built an absolute brick wall in the Pacific Northwest. Seattle suffocated Arizona 17-3 in Week 9, reinforcing their status as the No. 1 total defense in the NFL. The Seahawks suffocate the run (89.1 YPG) and have allowed just 18.0 points per game, leaning on disciplined run fits and 21 sacks to dictate the tempo of every game.
1. Minnesota Vikings
- Defensive Coordinator: Brian Flores
- Total Defense: No. 2 (280.0 YPG) | Scoring Defense: No. 1 (14.5 PPG)
- Pass Defense: No. 1 (161.1 YPG) | Rush Defense: No. 15 (118.9 YPG)
- Key Metric: League-leading 34.6% pressure rate
Even after absorbing a bruising 23-6 Monday Night Football loss to the Buffalo Bills, the Vikings retain the top spot in our power rankings. Brian Flores is orchestrating a masterclass in pressure, blitzing at an incredible 67.6% rate—nearly double the next closest team—while leading the NFL with 29 sacks and a 34.6% pressure rate. They remain the hardest team in football to throw against (161.1 passing yards allowed) and pace the league by yielding just 14.5 points per contest.
You Tell Us! Who has the Best Defense in the NFL?
Sound Off on the Great D Debate

With the updated defensive power rankings locked in heading into Week 10, the debates across the league are heating up:
- THE NO. 1 DEBATE: Does Brian Flores' Minnesota Vikings unit still deserve the top spot after surrendering 23 points on Monday Night Football, or should Aden Durde and the Seattle Seahawks take the crown with their league-leading 244.2 total yards allowed per game?
- TURNOVER REGRESSION: Can Todd Bowles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sustain a top-six ranking by riding an NFL-best 21 takeaways, or will their coverage inconsistencies eventually catch up to them?
- ROCK BOTTOM IN VEGAS: Is Rob Leonard's Las Vegas Raiders defense completely beyond repair after giving up 20 passing touchdowns and 29.8 points per game through nine weeks?
Drop your hot takes and top-five defensive rankings in the comments!
Ranking Every NFL Defense Going Into Week 10
Week 9 reshuffled the defensive hierarchy across the NFL.

Between the Buffalo Bills suffocating the league's top-scoring defense on Monday Night Football, the Seattle Seahawks putting on a total yardage masterclass, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers riding an absolute turnover tidal wave, coordinators are leaning heavily into their identities as November knockout football begins.

With massive changes inside the top ten, we are breaking down all 32 NFL defenses based on total yards allowed, scoring resistance, pass rush production, and situational dominance heading into Week 10.

Here is the definitive ranking of every NFL defense for the 2026 season.

Ranking Every NFL Defense Right Now: All 32 Teams Ranked Going into Week 10

Sound Off on the Great D Debate

Sound Off on the Great D Debate

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