NFL · 17 minutes ago

Ranking the 15 Best Defenses in the NFL Right Now

Joe Cervenka

Host · Writer

Have Your Say! Which Team has the Best Defense in the NFL?
Get in on the Debate on Defense

We've power-ranked our top 15 NFL defenses after Week 2, but now it's your turn to weigh in!
- THE TOP DOG: Did the San Francisco 49ers prove they have the best defense in the league, or were you more impressed by the Seattle Seahawks.
- STATEMENT WINS: Which defense, the Cincinnati Bengals or New England Patriots, made the biggest statement in Week 2
- BOUNCE-BACK POTENTIAL: Will the Arizona Cardinals look more like their Week 1 version this weekend?
Drop your hot takes and defensive rankings in the comments!
NFL's Top Defenses Going into Week 3
Lockdown Land: Power Ranking the Top 15 NFL Defenses After Week 2

Two weeks of the 2026 NFL season are in the books, and while early-season noise is starting to settle, defensive dominance is becoming crystal clear. With a two-game sample size, we are auditing point suppression, third-down locks, pressure rates, and opponent quality to expand our rankings.

Here is the updated power ranking of the top 15 NFL defenses right now following Week 2 action.
15. Houston Texans (0-2)
Let's be real—Houston lands at No. 15 mostly on reputation after a rough 0-2 start. Surrendering 28.0 points per game (338.0 total yards per game) and scoring just six points in a 20-6 loss to Cincinnati, the Texans have struggled with communication upfront. However, with Will Anderson Jr. and elite individual talent across all three levels, this defense has way too much upside to stay grounded for long once they click.
14. Arizona Cardinals (1-1)
Arizona took a hit in their 31-7 loss to Seattle, but their Week 1 effort against the Chargers keeps them in the top 15. Giving up 22.5 points per game and 324.5 total yards per game, the Cardinals have shown flashes of high-level third-down efficiency when their secondary is healthy.
13. Baltimore Ravens (1-1)
Despite an unexpected 24-17 loss to the Saints, Baltimore’s defense continues to display elite per-down efficiency. The Ravens allow just 274.5 total yards per game (6th in NFL) and 191.0 passing yards per game. Once they clean up late-game execution, this front seven will return to its usual dominant form.
12. Denver Broncos (1-1)
Vance Joseph's unit answered the call in Week 2, locking down Jacksonville for a 20-13 victory. The Broncos held Trevor Lawrence in check, bringing their passing defense down to a stingy 172.5 yards allowed per game (330.0 total yards per game). With an aggressive front seven generating 4 sacks and tight boundary coverage, Denver is climbing back up the board.
11. Green Bay Packers (1-1)
Green Bay crashes the list after pulling out a gritty 20-17 overtime win against the Jets. The Packers rank fifth in total defense, allowing 262.0 total yards per game (175.0 passing yards, 87.0 rushing yards). Backed by 7 sacks and a 31.6% pressure rate, Jonathan Gannon's group is playing fast and physical football.
10. Kansas City Chiefs (2-0)
Kansas City survived an unexpected 33-30 overtime shootout against Indianapolis, but Spags' defense still ranks among the league's best overall units. The Chiefs allow 252.5 total yards per game (3rd in NFL), giving up just 162.5 passing yards per game. They'll look to tighten up third-down coverage heading into Week 3.
9. Cincinnati Bengals (2-0)
Al Golden’s defense leaps into the top ten after completely stifling C.J. Stroud in a 20-6 road victory over Houston. The Bengals have surrendered zero passing touchdowns through two weeks, holding opponents to 16.5 points per game while tying for the NFL lead with 8 sacks. Their front four is wreaking havoc without needing to blitz heavy.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1)
Jacksonville dropped a close 20-13 decision to Denver in Week 2, but the underlying metrics remain stellar. The Jaguars allow just 15.0 points per game (30 total points allowed), getting 5 sacks and a 29.5% pressure rate out of their pass rush. They remain one of the hardest teams in the AFC to score on inside the red zone.
7. Los Angeles Rams (1-1)
Talk about a Monday Night Football bounce-back! The Rams bounced back from their Week 1 trip to Australia by dismantling the Giants 28-6. Aaron Donald anchored an interior line that held Big Blue to a pair of field goals, bringing the Rams' season averages to 16.5 points per game and 280.5 total yards per game. With the eventual return of Myles Garrett looming, this group has top-three upside.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1)
Even after a tough 20-3 defensive duel loss to New England, Steel City's defense remains top-tier. The Steelers give up just 16.5 points per game (33 total points allowed) and 154.5 passing yards per game (4th in NFL). With 7 sacks and 3 interceptions through two weeks, T.J. Watt and this front seven continue to deliver game-changing plays.
5. Las Vegas Raiders (2-0)
Las Vegas stays undefeated behind an absurdly aggressive pass rush, smothering the Chargers 26-14 in Week 2. The Raiders lead the entire NFL in both sacks (8) and pressure rate (45.6%), constantly harassing quarterbacks. Allowing just 13.5 points per game (284.5 total yards per game), Patrick Graham’s group is playing with mean-streak energy.
4. New York Jets (1-1)
Despite falling in a 20-17 overtime heartbreaker to Green Bay, Gang Green’s defense remains a statistical juggernaut. The Jets lead the entire NFL in total defense, allowing an absurd 197.0 total yards per game (131.5 passing yards, 65.5 rushing yards). Yielding just 15.0 points per game, this unit makes moving the chains a grueling chore for 60-plus minutes.
3. San Francisco 49ers (2-0)
San Francisco handled their return from Australia in style, cruising past Miami 35-13 in Week 2. The 49ers rank third in scoring defense, allowing just 10.0 points per game (20 total points allowed) and 287.0 total yards per game. Their front seven generates a 31.6% pressure rate, consistently suffocating high-octane passing attacks before they can get off the ground.
2. New England Patriots (1-1)
Mike Vrabel’s crew put the entire league on notice in Week 2, traveling into Steel City and pummeling Aaron Rodgers in a 20-3 victory. The Patriots boast the NFL's stingiest scoring defense at 8.0 points per game (16 total points allowed) while holding opponents to just 260.0 total yards per game (4th in NFL). Generating 6 sacks and allowing an opponent scoring frequency of just 18.2%, New England's defense is playing at a championship level.
1. Seattle Seahawks (2-0)
The defending champions take over the #1 spot after an absolute masterpiece in Week 2, crushing division-rival Arizona 31-7. Seattle's "Darkside" defense leads the entire NFL in scoring defense, surrendering a ridiculous 8.5 points per game (17 total points allowed) and ranking second in total defense (214.0 yards per game). Throw in a league-leading 4 interceptions and a stingy 124.5 passing yards allowed per game, and Seattle looks completely untouchable.
Have Your Say! Which Team has the Best Defense in the NFL?
Get in on the Debate on Defense

We've power-ranked our top 15 NFL defenses after Week 2, but now it's your turn to weigh in!
- THE TOP DOG: Did the San Francisco 49ers prove they have the best defense in the league, or were you more impressed by the Seattle Seahawks.
- STATEMENT WINS: Which defense, the Cincinnati Bengals or New England Patriots, made the biggest statement in Week 2
- BOUNCE-BACK POTENTIAL: Will the Arizona Cardinals look more like their Week 1 version this weekend?
Drop your hot takes and defensive rankings in the comments!
NFL's Top Defenses Going into Week 3
Lockdown Land: Power Ranking the Top 15 NFL Defenses After Week 2

Two weeks of the 2026 NFL season are in the books, and while early-season noise is starting to settle, defensive dominance is becoming crystal clear. With a two-game sample size, we are auditing point suppression, third-down locks, pressure rates, and opponent quality to expand our rankings.

Here is the updated power ranking of the top 15 NFL defenses right now following Week 2 action.

Ranking the 15 Best Defenses in the NFL Right Now

Get in on the Debate on Defense

Lockdown Land: Power Ranking the Top 15 NFL Defenses After Week 2

Get in on the Debate on Defense

Lockdown Land: Power Ranking the Top 15 NFL Defenses After Week 2

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