NFL Defense Rankings 2025/26: Season Recap and the Biggest Questions for Each Team

• Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter have a combined 27 sacks, 35 TFLs, and 6 FF

• Seattle led the NFL in scoring and third-down conversion rate 

• Chicago led the NFL with 33 takeaways

With Week 18 in the books, the 2025 NFL regular season has officially come to an end. We saw some great defensive play this season, as well as some former powerhouses regressing. Below, we’ll share a brief recap of each defense’s season and questions we have regarding their future.

We update our NFL Offense Rankings weekly, but here, it’s all about the backbone of every team: the defense.

Here are our rankings for all 32 NFL defenses.

Ranking All 32 NFL Defenses

32. Cincinnati Bengals

The only reason the Bengals' season stats aren’t worse is their play over the final three weeks of the season. They beat up on three bad teams who were also eliminated from playoff contention, holding each to 21 points or fewer. The biggest question now is what will happen with the disgruntled All-Pro pass rusher, who will be a free agent this Spring. The team will be desperate for his return to be competitive in 2026 and to keep Joe Burrow happy. 

31. Washington Commanders

The Commanders went from being an up-and-coming Super Bowl contender to a bottom-ten team in 2025. The defense played a significant role in that disappointment, allowing the most yards in the NFL. While rookie Trey Amos turned some heads before his injury, there isn’t much for Washington to build around. Questions will need to be answered about the pass rush, which Von Miller led with nine sacks. Injuries and age are hurting the position group, leaving Washington with a choice to rebuild in the draft or make one last effort with their veterans.

30. Dallas Cowboys

Dallas finished the season allowing the most points per game (30.1) in the league. Trading away Micah Parsons devastates the pass rush, and a turbulent season from Trevon Diggs was a blow to the secondary. With both All Pros now gone, Dallas will be forced to make some significant upgrades if they wants to compete in 2026. Will the Cowboys make the needed changes, or will we see another bizarre offseason from Jerry Jones? 

29. New York Jets

Then the Jets' defense had high expectations with Aaron Glenn taking over as head coach, but that didn’t happen. Instead, New York had one of its worst defensive seasons in recent memory. They allowed the second-most points per game (29.6 PPG) and forced only four turnovers, by far the lowest mark in the NFL. While we believe Glenn can improve the defense, it's clear they are light-years away from being competitive. With so many issues, we will see how much importance New York places on its defense this offseason. 

28. Tennessee Titans

It was a rough season for the Titans’ defense, despite an incredible campaign from Jeffery Simmons. He led the team with 11 sacks and ranked sixth in the league with 17 TFLs. The defensive tackle also had a 15% pass rush win rate, trailing only Chris Jones at the position. The good news is that the 28-year-old has two years remaining on his deal, meaning they can build around him this offseason. However, with the offense needing help as well, can the Titans do enough to boost this unit in 2026? 

27. Arizona Cardinals

We thought Arizona's defense was taking a step forward over the first five weeks, but that came to an abrupt end against the Colts. The defense has averaged 32.7 points allowed per game since Week 6, leading the team to a 1-11 record over its final 12 games. While we like the pieces they are developing in the secondary, the front seven will need help this offseason. The aging Calais Campbell (6.5 sacks, 9 TLFs) made a massive impact for the Cards this season, but is unlikely to replicate that in 2026, when he will be 40. Can the Cards do enough to boost the defensive line, or are they destined for another losing season?

26. Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders ranked 14th in yards allowed per game (317.8), but we don’t give the defense much credit for that. The Raiders’ offense was the worst in the league, averaging just 14.2 points and 245.2 yards per game. That left opponents with short fields against the Raiders' defense, who often turned that advantage into points. With the top overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, the biggest question now is what will happen with Maxx Crosby. The All-Pro pass rusher had 10.5 sacks and ranked second in the NFL with 28 TFLs. The star stormed out of the locker room after being told he’d be rested for the final two weeks, leaving questions about his future in Las Vegas. 

25. Miami Dolphins

Miami’s defense seemed to improve after trading away Jaelan Phillips. They won their next four games, with the defense allowing a combined 53 points. Unfortunately, the clock struck midnight in Week 15, ending any hope of making the playoffs. There are a ton of upgrades this defense will need over the summer, but it appears they found a star in rookie Kenneth Grant. The defensive tackle only posted two sacks, but also added 29 pressures and 23 hurries. Given the number of things the Dolphins need to fix, the only question we have for their offseason is where to start.

24. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts' defense did just enough to support the offense through the first eight weeks. However, an injury to Daniel Jones put more pressure on the unit, and they did not respond well. They ranked 23rd in yards per game (349.8) and ranked in the bottom half of the league in scoring (24.2 PPG). However, the season did have a silver lining with the breakout of Laiatu. The 2024 first-round pick took a big step forward, leading Indy with 8.5 sacks, 12 TFLs, 61 pressures, and 41 hurries. He also added three interceptions and forced a fumble. With the Colts’ offense looking solid, can they find a quick fix for the defense this year? 

23. New York Giants

The Giants' season stats rank toward the bottom of the league, but some of that can be attributed to devastating injuries to the offense. New York also closed out the season strong, allowing 17 or fewer points in their final three weeks. Fans have plenty of hope for the future for two reasons. One is Brian Burns, who had the second-most sacks (16.5) and third-most TFLs (22) in the NFL. The other is 2025 third overall pick Abdul Carter, who posted four sacks, seven TFLs, and a team-high 43 hurries. The only question we have about this team is if they can stay healthy, as it seems clear that the talent to be great is there. 

22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa had been hoping their defense would finally break out in 2025, but that wasn’t the case. They regressed in scoring and yardage, and their pass rush posted nine fewer sacks. While 26-year-old Yaya Diaby led the team with seven sacks, 13 TFLs, 62 pressures, and 43 hurries, he did so without much help. With the Bucs’ season now over, we’ll see if Tampa can make the most of the final year of Diaby’s contract by adding defensive help during the offseason. 

21. Baltimore Ravens

The once great Ravens’ defense may have delivered the most disappointing campaign of the season. They finished ranked 24th in yards allowed per game (354.5) and 18th in scoring (23.4 PPG), and collapsed in Week 18 to end any hope for an AFC North title. A big reason for the regression was the pass rush. Travis Jones led the team with five sacks, making him one of just two Ravens to post more than four sacks. Baltimore will face a slew of questions on both sides of the ball this offseason, but expect them to focus on improving their pass rush. 

20. Chicago Bears

The Bears won the NFC North, despite their defense ranking 29th in yards allowed per game (361.8). The reason they were able to overcome their inability to stop drives was their league-high 33 takeaways. Montez Sweat (10 sacks, 13 TFLs, six PD, and three FF) and Tremaine Edmunds (61 solo tackles, one sack, nine PD, and four INTs) led the way, making up for a lack of depth. While they will benefit from playing a banged-up Packers team in the Wild Card Round, questions remain about how far this turnover-dependent defense can go. 

19. Detroit Lions

The Detroit defense regressed significantly in 2025, ranking 22nd in defensive scoring (24.3) after finishing 7th (20.1) last year. They fell apart late in the season, allowing 27+ points in five of their final seven games. The only exceptions came in the final two games, after the Lions had already been eliminated from postseason contention. Fortunately, Aidan Hutchinson managed to stay healthy for all 17 games and set a new career-high with 14.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. Now, we’ll wait to see if Detroit can save its defense during the offseason. 

18. Atlanta Falcons

While the Falcons’ pass rush made a massive improvement in 2025, ranking second with 57 sacks, this unit still ranks towards the bottom half of the league. They were short on talent, but they made up for it with their defensive scheming. The good news is that rookie linebacker James Pearce Jr. lived up to the hype that made him a first-round pick. The NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year favorite led the team with 10.5 sacks while posting 10 TFLs, five PDs, and one FF. We’ll be watching closely to see if a new coach and some offseason upgrades can help build around Pearce in 2026. 

17. New Orleans Saints

While the Saints finished the season with just six wins, they gave fans much to be excited about. They found their future quarterback in the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate, and the defense was quietly one of the league's most reliable. They finished the season 9th in yards allowed per game (299.8) and 16th in scoring (22.5 PPG). A breakout campaign from Chase Young gave the unit a boost, setting career-highs with ten sacks, three fumble recoveries, and 11 TFLS. As things stand, the defense has a ton of aging veterans, raising questions about whether their success will carry over into 2026. 

16. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers' defense was far worse than anyone expected in 2025, and they almost blew the team’s AFC North title with a second-half collapse in Week 18. One of the bright spots from the season was the emergence of linebacker Nick Herbig, who had a career-high 7.5 sacks and 13 TFLs while leading all edge rushers in win rate (25%). His breakout campaign is a promising sign, but concerns around TJ Watt remain.  Injuries have taken a toll on the 31-year-old, leading many to wonder what the future holds for the Steelers’ defense.

15. Green Bay Packers

The Packers' defense collapsed after losing Devante Wyatt and Micah Parsons. The absence of the former led the run defense to collapse, while the latter took away the team’s only reliable pass rusher. Their absence allowed teams to pick on the Green Bay secondary, which has been far worse than expected. While neither big man will return for the postseason, the team signed Pro Bowl corner Trevon Diggs two weeks ago. He was strong in his Week 18 debut, but can he help salvage the Packers’ postseason? 

14. Carolina Panthers 

The surprising NFC South champions didn’t generate much pressure or force turnovers, but still consistently kept Carolina in the game. That allowed them to go 8-9, which was good enough for the division title and a trip to the playoffs. Safety Tre’Von Moehrig provided a significant boost in his first season with the team, posting three sacks, 14 TFLs, and an interception. He helped cover for a weak defensive line, but can he do it in a playoff game against Matthre Stafford and the Rams?

13. San Francisco 49ers

One of the most impressive storylines from the 2025 season was the Niners’ defense. They lost Fred Warner and Nick Bosa to season-ending injuries early, but managed to remain strong and compete for the NFC West title. However, things came apart late, with the defense allowing the Titans, Colts, and Bears to score 24+ points in three of their final four games. While that is a concern heading into the postseason, the defense will be facing an Eagles offense that ranks in the bottom half of the league.

12. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles' defense regressed in a big way in 2026, struggling to shut down offensive drives. However, they have been successful at preventing points. They finish the season ranked 5th in defensive scoring (19.1 PPG) and 8th in red zone percentage (53.06%). 

11. Buffalo Bills

The Bills’ defense has only two modes: Elite and Porous. The boom-or-bust defense ranks 7th in yards allowed per game (293.1) while ranking 12th in scoring (21.5). Linebacker Greg Rousseau was great once again, finishing with a team-high seven sacks, 55 pressures, and 32 hurries. While the newly added Joey Bosa only contributed five sacks, he also has 47 pressures, 30 hurries, and a league-high five forced fumbles. Will they be able to lead the Bills to another strong defensive showing, or will they fall victim to a red-hot Jags’ offense on Sunday? 

10. Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs' defense took a step back in 2025, but still finished the season strong. With Kansas City missing the postseason, the focus now turns to improving this unit in 2026. One of the most significant issues the team will need to address is the pass rush, which finished in the bottom ten of the league with just 35 sacks. While Chris Jones led all defensive tackles with a pass rush win rate of 20%, he finished with fewer than eight sacks for the second consecutive season. The 31-year-old will need help up front next season, but we’ll see if the aging Chiefs have the ability to do so. 

9. Jacksonville Jaguars

 After a disappointing 5-4 start, this Jags defense locked in. They have allowed more than 20 points only once since November 16, which has led them to skyrocket up our rankings. One reason for the turnaround was Josh Hines-Allen, who managed just 0.5 sacks over the first seven weeks. The two-time Pro Bowl selection got hot after that, posting 7.5 sacks over the Jags’ final ten games. While we have questions about this unit’s chances in the playoffs, the biggest question revolves around the future of Hines-Allen, who finished with fewer than nine sacks for the second consecutive season.

8. Cleveland Browns

The Browns’ defense finished this season ranking 13th in scoring (22.3 PPG) despite ranking fourth in yards (283.6 YPG). That can be blamed on the Cleveland offense, which ranked in the bottom three of the league. The defense was led by a historic season from NFL Defensive Player of the Year favorite Myles Garrett, who led the league with 23 sacks and 33 TFLs. That earned him a massive contract that will keep him in Cleveland through 2030. Can the Browns build around him, or is the legendary pass rusher destined to be the lone bright spot for a broken franchise? 

7. New England Patriots

The Patriots didn’t spend big to improve their defense in the offseason, but that gamble paid off. The defense ranks in the top ten in yards (295.2 YPG) and scoring (18.8 PPG). We came away incredibly impressed with Marcus Jones. The cornerback was an All-Pro in his 2022 rookie season and should be so again in 2025 after finishing with two sacks, three interceptions, one pick-six, and two punt return TDs. As impressive as the defense has been, they benefited from a schedule lacking offensive powerhouses. We’ll find out how much that inflated the defense’s remarkable stats when we see the AFC East champions against the Chargers in the Wild Card Round. 

6. Los Angeles Rams

The stats are deceiving for this loaded defense, which has been suffocating for much of the season. They are led by the trio of Jared Verse (7.5 sacks, 11 TFL, 3 FF, 2 KB), Byron Young (12 sacks, 12 TFLs, 1 FF), and Kobie Turner (7 sacks, 9 TFLs, 1 INT). However, things have been coming apart towards the end of the season, with the defense allowing 27+ points in three of their final four games. Those struggles, plus the 31 points Carolina scored on this defense earlier this season, have us wondering if the Rams' incredible season could come to an unceremonious end this weekend.

5. Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings' offense carries the majority of the blame for the team’s disappointing season. They led the league with 30 giveaways, putting their defense in tough spots throughout the season. That didn’t stop the Vikings from ranking third in yards allowed per game this season (282.6). This unit was especially sharp over their final five games, allowing an average of 10.4 points per game. With Minnesota’s season now over and defensive coordinator Brian Flores receiving interest from other teams, will this be the final season we see Minnesota field a top-five defense? 

4. Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers' defense had been an enigma for the first half of the season, but that changed after their Week 12 bye. They allowed an average of 17 points per game over their final six, holding each opponent under 21. One big reason for this defense’s success is the breakout of 23-year-old pass rusher Tuli Tuipulotu, who finished his third season with a team-high 13 sacks and 20 TFLs (4th in NFL). This red-hot unit will be tested this weekend as they head to New England. Can they cool off the electric Drake Maye, or will they become the quarterback’s next victim?  

3. Seattle Seahawks

Seattle led the league in two crucial categories: scoring (17.2 PPG) and third-down conversion rate (32.1%). That shows how this defense responds in big moments, preventing opponents from building momentum in most weeks. While they give up more yards than the other top five defenses, their ability to limit scoring makes up for it.  Over their final six games, Seattle allowed 17+ points only once, when the Rams scored 37. With a rematch with LA likely in the division round, will a week off help the defense get some revenge? 

2. Denver Broncos

The Broncos defense finished the season ranked second in yards (278.2) and third in scoring (18.3). The team’s league-high 68 sacks were 11 more than any other defense, led by Nick Bonitto, who finished with 15 and 14 TFLs. Four players recorded at least seven sacks in 2025, indicating the pressure is coming from multiple directions. While this defense was elite over the last two weeks, it struggled before that, allowing 25.8 points per game over the four weeks prior. Will that lead to a disappointing loss for the AFC’s top team, or can this defense stay hot in the postseason? 

1. Houston Texans

The Houston Texans were the best defense in football in 2025. They led the league in yards allowed per game (277.2) while finishing second in defensive scoring (18.3). This was a balanced and deep unit, but its success was primarily driven by the duo of Will Anderson Jr (12 sacks, 20 TFLs, 3 FF) and Danielle Hunter (15 sacks, 15 TFLS, 3 FF). However, the two stars will see their contracts run out after the 2026 season. Can the Texans capitalize on the talented pair to win Super Bowl LX, or will they stumble and double the pressure on 2026?

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Top Five NFL Passing Defenses

5. Houston Texans

The Texans ranked outside of the top five in passing yards allowed, but made up for it by posting the third-lowest opposing passer rating and third-most interceptions (19).

4. Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings' pass rush helped this pass defense dominate, ranking second in yards (158.5) and touchdowns (15).

3. Philadelphia Eagles

Philly’s defense was bad overall, but they were excellent against the pass, leading the league in completion percentage (56.8%) and touchdowns (14). 

2. Buffalo Bills

Buffalo’s defense has some holes, but its pass defense has been fantastic, leading the league with just 156.9 yards per game. 

1. Los Angeles Chargers

There were several pass defenses we considered for our top spot, but we gave it to the Chargers, who ranked fifth in yards allowed (179.9), third in touchdowns (16), and first in opposing passer rating (75.0).

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Top Five NFL Rushing Defenses

5. New England Patriots

The Pats' defense was excellent against the run this season, allowing the fourth-fewest rushing touchdowns.

4. Houston Texans

The Texans' defensive front doesn’t just specialize in pass rush; they also finished in the top five of the NFL against the run, allowing 93.7 yards and 4.0 YPC per game.

3. Denver Broncos

Running into Denver’s elite defensive front wasn’t wise in 2025, with the Broncos ranking second in yards per game (91.1) and YPC average (3.9).

2. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars' run defense has been suffocating all season, allowing the fewest rushing yards per game (85.6) in the league.

1. Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks finish in our stop spot thanks to leading the NFL in YPC (3.7) and allowing the second-fewest scores on the ground (9).

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NFL Defense Rankings 2025