2022 NFL Team Defense Rankings: Ranking the Top Defenses in the NFL Heading Into Week 8

2022 NFL Team Defense Rankings: Ranking the Top Defenses in the NFL Heading Into Week 8

The NFL has been driven by the offense for the last few years, especially with rule changes and emphasis on protecting quarterbacks. That has not had a huge bearing on the quality of defense we're seeing every week. Through 13 games played in Week 7, there were three that featured neither team scoring 20 points. Even high-flying offenses built to score quickly, like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, were held to three points by Carolina's defense.

Parity is everywhere in the NFL right now. A lot of that has to do with defensive coordinators scheming up coverages and disguising blitz packages to confuse opposing quarterbacks and offensive linemen during their signal-calling pre-snap. Yes, there are plenty of bad offenses too. That doesn't take away from the excellent quality of defense that has been forcing games to hit under the point total line more often than going over.

Here's a look at the latest top ten NFL defensive power rankings heading into the eighth week of the 2022 season.

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Best NFL Defense Rankings After Week 7

1. Dallas Cowboys

It's not fair to Buffalo to boot them out of the top spot in the defensive power rankings since they were on Bye, but Dallas reinforced just how good they are with Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs leading the way. DC Dan Quinn has done a remarkable job implementing his scheme with the Cowboys since joining Dallas in 2021. The Cowboys lead the league in sacks (29) and quarterback hits (56) while allowing a total of six receiving touchdowns through seven games. Detroit had the most potent offense in the league before being shut out 29-0 by New England in Week 5. Dallas caused similar issues in Week 7, holding the Lions to six points and not breaking in the red zone.

2. Buffalo Bills

Whether it's Von Miller, Jordan Poyer, or any other Buffalo Bills defender, it's imperative to recognize this unit as one of the best in the league. The Bills were on Bye in Week 7 but they have still allowed the fewest points scored per game (13.5) and the schedule has not been a cakewalk. Low-scoring wins over Baltimore and Kansas City prove just how valuable it is to sign a veteran edge rusher like Miller, who has been disrupting and wreaking havoc in nearly every single game for the Bills this season. The injured secondary was a concern entering the season but the Bills have hardly skipped a beat, which is a testament to head coach Sean McDermott.

3. Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati's defense is no longer off the radar. The Bengals' offense continues to steal the highlight reel with Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase, but the defense has allowed the third-fewest rushing touchdowns (three) and 43 quarterback hits, which ranks inside of the top ten. The secondary is their biggest strength, led by Vonn Bell, Chidobe Awuzie, and Jessie Bates III. It's a unit that has allowed six receiving touchdowns in seven games. Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard form a nice edge-rushing duo to disrupt opposing backfields, which is why the Bengals have held opponents below 20 points in four of its last five games.

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4. New England Patriots

Bill Belichick continues to dominate with his defensive scheme and game planning to shut down the top option on opposing offenses. The New England Patriots have had a whirlwind start to the 2022 season, losing quarterback Mac Jones and running back Damien Harris, while dominating the turnover battle on defense. The Patriots have arguably the best linebacking corps in the league with Matthew Judon and Ja'Whaun Bentley, while Jalen Mills, Devin McCourty, Kyle Dugger, and fourth-round rookie Jack Jones are playing exceptionally in the secondary. It's taken a few weeks, but the Patriots are back in prime form on the defensive side of the line of scrimmage, which should scare the rest of the NFL.

5. New York Giants

Wink Martindale's first year as the Giants' DC has exceeded every expectation. New York doesn't generate a ton of pressure, but the coverage is where they excel, limiting opposing quarterbacks to an average QBR of 84, which is ranked 11th-lowest in the league. This carries over into passing touchdowns, which is another metric the Giants' defense has dominated, surrendering seven total passing touchdowns against teams with Aaron Rodgers and Lamar Jackson. Big Blue came through on the final play against Jacksonville in Week 7, stuffing Christian Kirk at the goal line to prevent the tying score with only seconds left in the game. Rookie edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux deserves recognition, as does third-year safety Xavier McKinney and former Dallas linebacker Jaylon Smith.

6. Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia is loaded in its secondary, which is why the Eagles have recorded nine interceptions, tied for second-most in the league only behind Buffalo. Darius Slay, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and James Bradberry have been shutting opposing passing attacks down, while veteran defensive tackle Fletcher Cox is now getting help from others such as Haason Reddick and linebacker Kyzir White, who was signed by the Eagles this offseason. Only one team has thrown for over 210 yards against Philadelphia's defense this year, but the run defense has been a bit vulnerable against Arizona and Dallas.

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7. New York Jets

Using a top-four draft pick to acquire cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner has paid dividends for the New York Jets, who paired him up with cornerback D.J. Reed during free agency. Quinnen Williams is a game-wrecker on the defensive line, while veterans C.J. Mosley and Carl Lawson help guide the young Jets defense to success. As a result of going heavy on top defensive backs, the Jets have forced eight interceptions, 15 sacks, and a meager 76-average QBR. Rushing touchdowns have been their Achilles heel, but it's nice to see that opposing ball carriers are averaging 3.9 YPC. Miami, Green Bay, and Denver have all been held to 17 points or less during New York's four-game win streak.

8. Denver Broncos

The signing of Russell Wilson and the hiring of Nathaniel Hackett have both gone sideways through the first seven weeks of the season. Denver's defense is its saving grace. Bradley Chubb, Pat Surtain II, and Justin Simmons are a few of the elite players with league-wide name recognition, so it will be interesting to see if the Broncos hold onto all of them during the upcoming trade deadline. The Jets torched Denver's run defense in Week 7, which is the recipe for success against a stout secondary. Only Justin Herbert managed to surpass 220 passing yards against the Broncos this season, which mostly came from check downs to running backs. Denver will need to force more turnovers to stay competitive due to an anemic offense, but it has failed to do so in two of its previous four games.

9. Tennessee Titans

Tennessee's defense gets a bad wrap due to the number of receiving touchdowns (13) they have surrendered through six games. It's important to note that several of these were against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills during a 41-7 rout in Week 2. Since that poor outing, the Titans have held opponents to 17 or fewer points in three of four games. Its run defense is its strength, allowing only one rushing touchdown this season. Yes, the Titans have held run-centric offenses such as Las Vegas, Indianapolis, and Washington under 100 total rushing yards during the last four games. Bud Dupree and Jeffery Simmons highlight the talent within the front seven, which has allowed Tennessee to embark on a four-game winning streak entering Week 8 against Houston.

10. Seattle Seahawks

Head coach Pete Carroll was adamant about the Seahawks not being in a rebuilding year during the offseason. Of course, no one took his word seriously based on the personnel and lackluster showing in 2021. Two draft picks were spent on shoring up its secondary with rookie cornerbacks Coby Bryant and Tariq Woolen showcasing their talent often during the first two months of the regular season. Quandre Diggs is a talented veteran leading the young secondary, which has led to frequent turnovers. These are momentum-swinging plays that cannot be discredited. Seattle has forced two turnovers in six of its seven games, but the defense still gets gashed on the ground and through the air from time to time.