2022 NFL Team Defense Rankings: Ranking the Top Defenses in the NFL Heading Into Week 14

2022 NFL Team Defense Rankings: Ranking the Top Defenses in the NFL Heading Into Week 14

As the cold weather sets in and offenses morph into run-centric schemes to control the clock and battle the blustery conditions, defense is thrust into the spotlight. Granted, it's always ideal to have a lockdown defensive unit, but there will be moments throughout the regular season schedule where even the best defenses fall into a lull. That appears to be the exact scenario for the San Francisco 49ers, who were trounced by Atlanta and Kansas City a few weeks back. Since then, Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, and Deommodore Lenoir have been playing lights out, forcing turnovers and holding opposing offenses under 20 points for five consecutive games.

Other defenses are stepping up and playing great collectively, while other units struggle to contain and surrender massive production. Whether it's Detroit showing up and stuffing the high-flying Jacksonville offense or the Eagles shutting down Derrick Henry and the Titans running game, there were plenty of noteworthy performances to take away from Week 13. Porous defenses like Minnesota and Seattle nearly cost their team a win, while more dominant performances from the 49ers, Cowboys, and Bengals have allowed the overall perception of these teams to grow in a positive direction.

Where do the top defenses in the league reside? Matt MacKay returns with his latest top ten NFL defensive power rankings heading into Week 14 of the 2022 NFL season.

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Best NFL Defense Rankings After Week 13

1. San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco remains atop my defensive power rankings after a dominant showing in Week 14. The 49ers forced four turnovers, logged three sacks, and kept the Dolphins from converting all seven third-down attempts. Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, and Talanoa Hufanga are swarming behind the defensive line of scrimmage, holding opponents to 17 or fewer points in five consecutive games played. Their next opponent will be Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at home in Week 14, who have struggled to maintain consistency on offense.

2. Dallas Cowboys

Dan Quinn continues to get the most out of Dallas's defense personnel. The Cowboys forced five turnovers, which led to a scoop-and-score for safety Malik Hooker to ice the game in the fourth quarter against the Colts on Sunday Night Football. Dallas leads the league in sacks with 48, ranks third in quarterback hits (90), and second in TFLs (73) this season. The Cowboys defense has held its last three opponents to 20 or fewer points, allowing the offense to dictate the game's pace with a run-centric approach.

3. Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati's defense showed up in the biggest game of the season at home against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs' high-flying offense in Week 13. The Bengals held Kansas City under 300 passing yards and only one touchdown through the air while forcing a fumble that played a huge part in their win. Vonn Bell, Germaine Pratt, Trey Hendrickson, and Jessie Bates III stand out on one of the league's most underrated and under-appreciated defensive units.

4. Philadelphia Eagles

It was a bit concerning watching Philadelphia's defense surrender so much production to mediocre offenses leading up to Week 13, but they showed up to play against the Tennessee Titans. The Eagles' defense held Derrick Henry to 30 rushing yards while holding the passing game to 122 total yards after an early first-quarter touchdown. Philadelphia allows just 5.3 yards per reception and 14 total receiving touchdowns, which both rank inside the top ten. Thanks to its high-caliber offense, Darius Slay will continue to lead a talented defense that doesn't always need to stifle opponents.

5. Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills had a couple of their starters back on defense against New England, which significantly impacted the game's outcome. Tre'Davious White, Tremaine Edmunds, and Jordan Poyer all contributed with big hits and ball-hawking reads against a stale Patriots offense, showing just how dangerous Buffalo can be when both sides of the line of scrimmage are healthy. The Bills have still managed to allow the fifth-fewest points through 13 weeks at 209 while allowing only eight rushing touchdowns. 13 interceptions is also the third-highest amongst all 32 secondaries in the league, so opponents should be weary moving forward.

6. Denver Broncos

We still need to credit Denver's defense despite failing to carry the Broncos to much-needed wins. The lack of offense has been glaringly bad, but Pat Surtain and the rest of Denver's defense have held opposing offenses to a league-low nine receiving touchdowns. The completion percentage is fairly high, considering how few touchdowns Denver has surrendered, but they are forcing teams to dink and dunk with 5.4 yards per attempt. They are not as good against the run, but the Broncos have still held teams to seven total rushing touchdowns, leading to the defense allowing only 204 points this season. It's too bad that they cannot lock offenses down in the biggest moments, losing on huge plays during the past couple of weeks.

7. New York Jets

The New York Jets didn't get a win in Week 13, but the secondary played as expected against a talented Minnesota passing attack. Sauce Gardner and company held Kirk Cousins under 180 passing yards and only one touchdown, which happened late in the fourth quarter. The run defense allowed two touchdowns, which proved to be too much, but the Jets still can lock down the passing attack entering a road rematch against Buffalo.

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay's defense has not been its best version lately, but the Buccaneers have held two of its previous three opponents under 20 points. Cleveland churned out nearly 200 yards on the ground, which led to an eventual overtime loss on the road in Week 12, but the Bucs have an opportunity to avenge their loss with a big divisional win against New Orleans at home on Monday night. The Bucs have the eighth-most sacks with 36 while also ranking eighth in TFLs and 12th in quarterback hits. The best statistic working in favor of Tampa Bay is only allowing 203 points this season, which is second lowest only behind San Francisco. As long as the turnovers start to flow, the Bucs will stay in the defensive top ten.

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9. Detroit Lions

Don't look now, but the Detroit Lions are making noise on defense. Rookie edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez have been huge assets for the Lions, but cornerback Jeff Okudah and the rest of the veteran players have stepped up. It's a unit that has held opponents under 20 points in three of its last five games while steadily forcing turnovers. It's a stark contrast to earlier in the season, and with a playoff berth hanging in the balance, Detroit's defense is not a unit to be trifled with.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers

The return of DPOY T.J. Watt has revived the burst and explosiveness for Pittsburgh's defense. The Steelers have won three of its past four games while giving Cincinnati quite a run in Week 11, relying on a good blend of pressure and forced turnovers to win low-scoring contests. Pittsburgh is ranked fourth in rushing touchdowns allowed (6) and 4.1 YPC, but they are ranked 32nd in TFLs and 23rd in sacks. The Steelers have held three of its previous four opponents under 200 passing yards, which bodes well entering Week 14 against a Lamar Jackson-less Ravens offense.