NFL · 2 hours ago

Ranking the 20 Best Defenses in the NFL Right Now

Joe Cervenka

Host · Writer

Have Your Say! Which Team has the Most Vicious Defense in the NFL?
D is for Debate: Who Has the NFL's Best Defense?

We've updated our top 20 NFL defenses after Week 4, but now it's your turn to debate the board!
- THE TOP DOG: Do Brian Flores' Minnesota Vikings (12.8 PPG, 16 sacks) hold the undisputed crown, or do you prefer Seattle's league-leading yardage defense?
- NEWCOMER IMPACT: Did the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (#4 total defense) or Cleveland Browns (12 sacks) make a more impressive entry into our top 20?
- MONDAY NIGHT STATEMENT: Can the Atlanta Falcons build on their league-leading run defense (#1 at 48.3 rushing YPG) to push into the top ten next week?
Drop your hot takes and defensive rankings in the comments!
Ranking the NFL's Best Defense Going into Week 5
Lockdown Land: Power Ranking the Top 20 NFL Defenses After Week 4

Four weeks of the 2026 NFL season are in the books, and September football has officially provided a clear picture of the league's dominant shutdown units. Digging into point suppression, total yardage allowed, pass-rush pressure rates, sack counts, and turnover margin, we expand our rankings to the top 20 NFL defenses right now.
20. Carolina Panthers (2-2)
The Carolina Panthers out-dueled Detroit 32-26 in Week 4. Carolina rounds out our expanded top 20, holding a +3 turnover differential (7 takeaways) and surrendering 230.8 passing yards per game alongside 8 sacks and 45 pressures.
19. Baltimore Ravens (3-1)
The Baltimore Ravens picked up a 24-18 win over Tennessee in Week 4. Baltimore allows 24.0 points per game and 315.3 total yards per game (215.3 passing yards allowed per game), generating 7 sacks and 5 takeaways (+3 turnover differential).
18. Cleveland Browns (3-1)
The Cleveland Browns jump onto the board following a dramatic 27-24 victory over Pittsburgh. Cleveland ties for fifth in the NFL with 12 sacks, surrendering 23.8 points per game (95 total points allowed) and 348.5 total yards per game.
17. Denver Broncos (2-2)
Vance Joseph's group fell 24-14 to San Francisco in Week 4. The Denver Broncos allow 23.5 points per game (94 total points allowed) and 375.0 total yards per game, accumulating 8 sacks, 4 interceptions, and 34 pressures.
16. Tennessee Titans (1-3)
Despite offensive struggles, the Tennessee Titans hold down a top-ten spot on pure defensive efficiency after a tight 24-18 battle with Baltimore. Tennessee surrenders 20.8 points per game (83 total points allowed) and 332.5 total yards per game, backed by 8 sacks and 209.8 passing yards allowed per game.
15. Atlanta Falcons (2-2)
The Atlanta Falcons blew past New Orleans 45-24 on Monday Night Football. Atlanta fields the undisputed #1 run defense in football, surrendering a microscopic 48.3 rushing yards per game and 313.0 total yards per game (23.0 points per game allowed), alongside 7 sacks and 48 pressures.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2)
The Pittsburgh Steelers suffered a 27-24 drop to Cleveland on Thursday night. Pittsburgh gives up 21.8 points per game (87 total points allowed) and 322.3 total yards per game, getting 10 sacks and 8 takeaways (+2 turnover differential) out of T.J. Watt and company.
13. Cincinnati Bengals (2-2)
The Cincinnati Bengals dropped a 22-17 battle to Jacksonville, but Al Golden’s front four remains extremely active. Cincinnati ties for third in the NFL with 14 sacks and holds a 27.6% pressure rate (45 pressures), giving up 21.3 points per game.
12. New York Jets (1-3)
Gang Green took a 23-12 loss to Chicago, but their per-down metrics remain strong. The New York Jets yield 21.0 points per game and 316.8 total yards per game, holding opposing passers to 193.3 passing yards per game with 9 sacks on the season.
11. Las Vegas Raiders (3-1)
Rob Leonard’s defense took a 30-27 loss to Kansas City, but their backfield pressure remains elite. The Las Vegas Raiders tie for fifth in the NFL with 12 sacks and hold a 35.6% pressure rate (52 pressures). Las Vegas allows 21.0 points per game while pacing the league with 9 takeaways (+3 turnover differential).
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-3)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers crash the rankings thanks to elite run prevention despite a tight 17-14 loss to Green Bay. Tampa Bay holds the NFL's #4 total defense (282.8 yards allowed per game) and #2 run defense (78.5 rushing yards allowed per game), giving up 24.0 points per game with 6 sacks.
9. Los Angeles Rams (2-2)
The Los Angeles Rams rallied to defeat Philadelphia 24-20 on Sunday, proving their underlying metrics are legit. The Rams hold the NFL's #2 total defense (247.5 yards allowed per game) and #2 pass defense (145.5 passing yards allowed per game), giving up 20.8 points per game with 7 sacks.
8. New York Giants (3-1)
Big Blue enters the top ten after holding Arizona to a 36-24 victory. The New York Giants yield 19.8 points per game (79 total points allowed) and 314.3 total yards per game. John Harbaugh’s defense thrives on timely plays, racking up 8 takeaways (+3 turnover differential).
7. New England Patriots (2-2)
Mike Vrabel’s defense delivered a clutch 29-26 victory over Buffalo in Week 4. The New England Patriots rank sixth in total defense, surrendering 293.8 total yards per game and 19.3 points per game. Backed by 8 sacks and 189.8 passing yards allowed per game, New England's discipline keeps them firmly in the top tier.
6. Kansas City Chiefs (4-0)
Steve Spagnuolo’s defense stayed undefeated with a 30-27 division win over Las Vegas in Week 4. The Kansas City Chiefs allow 19.3 points per game (77 total points allowed) and 317.8 total yards per game, holding opponents to 225.0 passing yards per game while forcing 7 takeaways (+5 turnover differential).
5. Seattle Seahawks (3-1)
The Seattle Seahawks locked down the Chargers 30-23 in Week 4 while maintaining the NFL's #1 total defense (246.8 yards allowed per game) and #1 pass defense (144.8 passing yards allowed per game). Yielding 18.3 points per game, Seattle's "Darkside" secondary features 11 sacks, 8 takeaways, and a 30.9% pressure rate.
4. Chicago Bears (3-1)
Ben Johnson's squad proved their defense is the real deal by grounding the Jets 23-12 in Week 4. The Chicago Bears rank fourth in scoring defense at 16.3 points per game (65 total points allowed) and third in total defense at 282.3 yards per game. Chicago's pass rush is terrorizing pockets with 10 sacks and a 35.3% pressure rate.
3. San Francisco 49ers (4-0)
The San Francisco 49ers stay undefeated after holding off Denver 24-14 in Week 4. San Francisco ranks third in scoring defense, yielding 16.0 points per game (64 total points allowed) and 308.8 total yards per game. Generating a 23.9% pressure rate alongside 6 sacks, Fred Warner and this physical front seven continue to dictate terms.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1)
Despite a tight 22-17 loss to Cincinnati in Week 4, the Jacksonville Jaguars remain an elite defensive force, standing second overall by yielding just 13.3 points per game (53 total points allowed). Backed by 10 sacks, 38 pressures, and 8 takeaways (+6 turnover differential), Liam Coen’s unit allows an impressive 74.3 rushing yards per game.
1. Minnesota Vikings (4-0)
Brian Flores' defense takes over the #1 overall spot after suffocating Miami 15-10 in Week 4. The Minnesota Vikings lead the entire major sports league landscape in scoring defense, surrendering a microscopic 12.8 points per game (51 total points allowed). Minnesota also leads all 32 teams in both sacks (16) and pressure rate (39.0%), generating 60 total pressures and holding opposing passers to a stingy 194.8 passing yards per game and a 67.6 passer rating.
Have Your Say! Which Team has the Most Vicious Defense in the NFL?
D is for Debate: Who Has the NFL's Best Defense?

We've updated our top 20 NFL defenses after Week 4, but now it's your turn to debate the board!
- THE TOP DOG: Do Brian Flores' Minnesota Vikings (12.8 PPG, 16 sacks) hold the undisputed crown, or do you prefer Seattle's league-leading yardage defense?
- NEWCOMER IMPACT: Did the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (#4 total defense) or Cleveland Browns (12 sacks) make a more impressive entry into our top 20?
- MONDAY NIGHT STATEMENT: Can the Atlanta Falcons build on their league-leading run defense (#1 at 48.3 rushing YPG) to push into the top ten next week?
Drop your hot takes and defensive rankings in the comments!
Ranking the NFL's Best Defense Going into Week 5
Lockdown Land: Power Ranking the Top 20 NFL Defenses After Week 4

Four weeks of the 2026 NFL season are in the books, and September football has officially provided a clear picture of the league's dominant shutdown units. Digging into point suppression, total yardage allowed, pass-rush pressure rates, sack counts, and turnover margin, we expand our rankings to the top 20 NFL defenses right now.

Ranking the 20 Best Defenses in the NFL Right Now

D is for Debate: Who Has the NFL's Best Defense?

Lockdown Land: Power Ranking the Top 20 NFL Defenses After Week 4

D is for Debate: Who Has the NFL's Best Defense?

Lockdown Land: Power Ranking the Top 20 NFL Defenses After Week 4

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