NFL Defense Rankings 2025: Eagles Finish 2024 Season as NFL’s Top Defense

You’ve heard it before: offense gets the glory, and defense wins championships. 

The NFL in 2024 might be skewed to favor offenses, but defense still reigns supreme. The top three Super Bowl favorites allowed the fewest points per game a year ago and are expected to be highly competitive on that side of the ball again.

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. Carolina Panthers

The Panthers managed to end their season with a win, but it came no thanks to the defense. The unit was torched by Atlanta, allowing 38 points on 537 yards. The game showed why we have had Carolina at the bottom of our rankings all season, giving the organization little to build on during the offseason. 

31. Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis had a chance to win the AFC South this season, but their defense held them back. The unit was beaten up by five subpar offenses to close the season, ending any hope of overtaking a struggling Texans team. While the offense needs to improve, this defense will need to be far better if Indy wants to compete next season. 

30. New England Patriots

The Pats defense closed the season with a strong showing against the Bills in Week 18. They took advantage of Josh Allen being on the bench, allowing 16 points on 259 yards. While the result doesn’t mean much for either team, it does give Pats fans some hope for the future of this defense. We’ll see if New England opts to boost the unit through the 2025 NFL Draft. 

29. New York Jets

The Jets managed to contain Tyler Huntley and the Miami passing attack in their final game of the season. However, they had no solutions for De’Von Achane in the backfield. The running back rushed 11 times for 121 yards (11.0 YPC) and a touchdown. The Jets have ranked in the top ten in YPC all season but were unable to find their groove against Achane in Week 18.

28. New York Giants

The Giants’ defense could not stop the Eagles’ second-string offense in Week 18. They surrendered 20 points on 303 yards in the loss to their NFC East rival. If there is a silver lining from the loss, its that New York stopped Philly on 11 of their 14 third-down attempts. The effort was led by 24-year-old Kayvon Thibodeaux, who had 1.5 sacks and three QB hits. 

27. Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta’s defense appeared to be turning things around to close the season, but that wasn’t the case on Sunday. The Falcons needed a win against the lowly Panthers, but the defense could not get it done. Carolina’s offense had one of its best games, scoring 44 points on 425 yards. There are a lot of ugly defensive stats from this game, but the worst was the Falcons allowing the Panthers to score a touchdown on five of their six red zone trips. 

26. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jags’ defense ended their season on a sour note. They were devastated by Jonathan Taylor in Week 18. The running back rushed 34 times for 177 yards (5.2 YPC) and a touchdown. As Jacksonville searches for a new head coach, we’ll see what happens to this unit in the offseason after a heartbreaking 2024 campaign. 

25. Tennessee Titans

The Titans’ defense was better than many expected this season. They finished the season ranked second in yards allowed per game (311.2), though they allowed the third-most points (27.1). Unfortunately, the unit had a rough end to their season against the Texans. While they held the passing game in check, Dameon Pierce rushed 19 times for 176 yards (9.3 YPC).

24. New Orleans Saints

The Saints' defense was beaten up by the Bucs in their final game of the season. They allowed 27 points on 395 yards, with Tampa averaging an impressive 6.2 yards per play. New Orleans was especially bad on this down, allowing the Bucs to convert ten of their 16 attempts. It was an ugly ending to an ugly season for this once-great defense. 

23. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys ended their season by being beaten up by Marcus Mariota and the Commanders. The backup quarterback took over about halfway through the game and completed 15 of his 18 passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns. Dallas also struggled to stop the run, allowing 113 yards on 18 carries (6.3 YPC). 

22. Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders defense has been playing better down the stretch, but that wasn’t the case against the Chargers on Sunday. The unit allowed 34 points on 473 yards at home, ending a disaster of a season for Las Vegas. This defense will need a lot of help during the offseason if the Raiders want a chance to make the playoffs next season. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati defense saved their best for last this season. They went to Pittsburgh and held the Steelers to 17 points on 193 yards in an important game for both teams. The Steelers managed just 3.3 yards per play, helping the Bengals dominate the time of possession by 16 minutes. Trey Hendrickson led the effort with 3.5 sacks, three TFLs, and five QB hits. 

20. Arizona Cardinals

The Niners’ backup offense ran over Arizona's defense on Sunday. Josh Dobbs led San Francisco to score 24 points on 436 yards, though Arizona’s offense got the win. This Cardinals defense was better than we expected this season but struggled badly to get stops on third down. They allowed opponents to convert 43.8% of their third-down attempts, the fifth-worst mark in the league. 

19. San Francisco 49ers

The Niners' defense had one of its worst games of the season in Week 18. They allowed the Cardinals to score 47 points on 393 yards. The unit failed to register a sack or force a turnover while allowing Arizona to find the end zone on all four of their trips to the red zone. It was a fitting end for a Niners’ defense that allowed the fourth-most points per game (25.6) this season. 

18. Cleveland Browns

The Browns' defense ended their disappointing season with a dud on Saturday. They allowed Baltimore to score 35 points on 437 yards. The Ravens found the endzone on three of their four trips to the red zone, leading to a lopsided loss for the Browns. Expect this unit to get a significant overhaul during the offseason as Cleveland attempts to turn things around.

17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs’ defense stepped up to deliver a gem against the Saints in a must-win Week 18 matchup. They held New Orleans to 19 points, marking the fourth time they have held an opponent to under 20 points over their last five games. This isn’t a great defense, but they have been able to do enough to support their talented offense.

16. Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins’ defense laid an egg in a must-win game on Sunday. They allowed Aaron Rodgers to pass for four touchdowns, while the Jets’ backfield averaged an impressive 5.4 YPC. The Miami offense turning the ball over four times made the defense's job more difficult. As bad as things look for Miami heading into the offseason, it appears they have found a defensive superstar in Chop Robinson. 

15. Chicago Bears

Chicago turned in an impressive defensive effort in Week 18, but it came against a Packers team that benched several key players. That includes running back Josh Jacobs, who had 44 yards and a touchdown on six carries (7.3 YPC) before being pulled from the game. Emanuel Wilson also succeeded, but not enough to overcome Jordan Love being out of the game.

14. Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks defense finished the season strong against the Rams’ backups, but they are a big reason why Seattle’s season ended on Sunday. After posting a solid season, the defense allowed the Packers and Vikings to score 27+ points in back-to-back games. That ended their lead in the NFC West, ultimately leading to another missed postseason. 

13. Los Angeles Rams

The Rams' defense wasn’t great in a meaningless Week 18 game against the Seahawks, but there is a lot to like about this unit. They had held opponents to single-digit point totals in three consecutive games before the loss, showing how high this defense’s ceiling is. Rookies Braden Fiske and Jared Verse have been leading this unit, combining for 12.5 sacks and 21 TFLs.

12. Washington Commanders

The Commanders' defense didn’t look great against the Cowboys on Sunday, but they did enough to win. That was mainly due to their ability to make stops in the red zone, preventing Dallas from scoring a touchdown in five of their six trips. That helped overcome the 15-minute difference in time of possession and seal a critical Week 18 win for Washington. 

11. Green Bay Packers

The Packers defense stood tall in their Week 18 loss to the Bears. They allowed 17 points on 224 yards, holding Chicago to just 3.9 yards per play. Unfortunately, the effort was undone by the unit’s inability to make a stop on third down, where Chicago converted 50% of their attempts. We’ll see if the Packers’ defense can handle the Eagles this weekend without Jaire Alexander, who will miss the playoffs with a knee injury. 

10. Detroit Lions

The Lions' defense delivered one of their most impressive efforts of the season in Week 18. They dominated a great Vikings team, allowing just nine points on 262 yards. Their success came from the unit’s ability to stand tall in big situations. Detroit stopped ten of Minnesota’s 13 third-down attempts and all three on fourth. The Vikings managed to average just 4.2 yards per play.

9. Houston Texans

Houston’s defense has been carrying this team all season, but things started to come apart at the end of the season. The Texans were beaten up by the Chiefs and Ravens, which is a bad sign for the team’s chances in the playoffs. While they finished the season strong against the Titans, they will face a far more challenging test as they welcome the Chargers to town on Saturday. 

8. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens' defense dominated a banged-up Browns team to seal the AFC North title in Week 18. They surrendered just 10 points on 230 yards in the win, allowing a measly 4.2 yards per play. After worrying that this unit was falling apart in the middle of the season, they have held opponents to under 20 points in four consecutive games. 

7. Buffalo Bills

The Bills’ defense remains one of the league's top ten. While they rank in the bottom half of the league in yards allowed, the unit makes up for it by having the highest turnover differential in football (+24). The biggest test this defense will face in the playoffs is likely the Chiefs, whom they held to 21 points on 259 yards back in November. 

6. Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers defense has been one of the best defenses in football all season. They allowed the fewest points per game (17.7) and finished in the top five in third-down percentage (35.7) and turnover differential (+12). A soft schedule has boosted those numbers, but there is no question that this is a top-ten defense.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh’s defense showed up to play against the Bengals in Week 18, but their offense undid the effort. That seems to be the theme for the Steelers, who have struggled to find offensive production in the season's final stretch. While the defense was good enough to carry the team for much of the season, they are running out of steam as they head into the playoffs. 

4. Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings dropped a spot in our rankings after getting rolled by the Lions in a game they needed to win. The defense allowed 31 points on 394 yards in the loss, which cost them the NFC North and the top playoff seed. The biggest issue came against the run, with Jahmyr Gibbs rushing 23 times for 139 yards (6.0 YPC) and three touchdowns.

3. Denver Broncos

The Broncos defense has been one of the best surprises of the season. The unit needed to deliver a big performance against the Chiefs’ backups in order to secure a playoff spot, and that’s precisely what they did. Denver shut Kansas City’s B-team out, allowing just 98 yards of offense. The unit finished the season allowing the third-least points per game (18.3).

2. Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs’ defense struggled in the middle of the season but closed it out strong. They held opponents to less than 20 points in five straight games to close the season, not counting when they rested their starters in Week 18. We still have questions about this unit’s ability to stop great offenses like the Bills, but their 2024 results speak for themselves. 

1. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles finish the season as our top defense in the NFL. They allowed the fewest yards per game (278.4) and the second-fewest points (17.8). Philly has also been one of the best third-down defenses in football, allowing opponents to convert just 35.6% of their attempts. Expect this defense to lead the way during the Eagles’ postseason run.

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Top Five NFL Passing Defenses

5. Houston Texans

The Texans are allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete just 58.8% of their passes this season, which is the best mark in the NFL. 

4. Washington Commanders

The Commanders' pass defense finished the season ranked third in passing yards per game (189.5). They also rank fourth in completion percentage at 61.9%.

3. Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs' pass defense was lit up in Week 18, but that was due to the team resting many starters. This remains an elite unit that could help the Chiefs to Super Bowl LIX.

2. Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings were beaten up by the Lions in Week 18, but their pass defense played well. They intercepted Jared Goff twice, limiting him to 231 yards. 

1. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles finish the season as our top pass defense. They led the NFL in passing yards allowed per game (174.2), while ranking in the top ten in passer rating (82.5) and touchdowns (22).

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Top Five NFL Rushing Defenses

5. Minnesota Vikings

This is a good run defense, but they drop a couple of spots after being shredded by Jahmyr Gibbs in Week 18. The Lions’ top back rushed 23 times for 139 yards and three touchdowns.

4. Detroit Lions

The Lions' run defense has been strong this season, but they were bailed out from a bad effort on Sunday night. Aaron Jones and Cam Akers both had success as Minnesota rushed 19 times for 120 yards (6.3 YPC). 

3. Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs were lit up by the Broncos last week, but that was due to resting their starters ahead of the playoffs. Expect the unit to return to form in the postseason.

2. Denver Broncos

The Broncos remain ranked second after shutting down a Chiefs backfield without its top two running backs. Denver has allowed the third-fewest touchdowns on the ground this season.

1. Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore’s run defense was the best in the league, and it wasn’t really close. Their league-leading 80.1 rushing yards allowed per game was over 13 yards less than the next closest team.

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NFL Defense Rankings 2025