2023 NFL Team Defense Rankings: Ranking the Top Defenses in the NFL Heading Into Week 2
Defense dominated some NFL Week 1 games last week. Jason Radowitz is here with his NFL team defensive power rankings heading into Week 2 of the 2023 NFL season. Where does your team lie on the rankings? Read on to find out.
Jason Radowitz - September 14, 2023, 11:30 AM EDT
7 min2023 NFL Team Defense Rankings: Ranking the Top Defenses in the NFL Heading Into Week 2
We're only through Week 1 of the NFL season.
Some defenses played against worse competition. But the rankings will all even out in the end.
Here's a look at the defensive team rankings heading into Week 2.
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NFL Defensive Team Rankings Heading Into Week 2
32. Chicago Bears
Jordan Love made the Chicago Bears' defense look like the worst defense in the NFL last week.
Maybe it's because it is.
31. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts hung in there against the Jaguars through three quarters. We'll give them that.
30. Arizona Cardinals
Wait until the Cardinals play the top offenses in the league. Just wait. That secondary will get demolished.
29. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders might be better than 29. We'll wait and see. They held the Broncos to 16 points and just 261 yards. If we get more consistency, they'll move up even more.
28. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars faced a rookie quarterback, Anthony Richardson, in Week 1. Let's see them compete against better offenses before we make our judgment.
27. Minnesota Vikings
Baker Mayfield wasn't expected to push the Buccaneers to a victory over the Buccaneers in Week 1. The Vikings looked solid in the secondary and didn't miss many tackles. But they'll need to improve in other areas before moving up the rankings.
26. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams were terrific on offense last weekend. Not defense. The pass rush was the only thing I can even say nice things about.
25. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were terrific in coverage. But hold off. They faced Bryce Young in his first game. We'll see if Atlanta can repeat that type of performance shortly.
24. Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City was horrendous last week against the Lions. Chris Jones in the middle of the defensive line should help. But this defense could be bad enough to keep the Chiefs away from the Super Bowl this year.
23. Seattle Seahawks
Everyone was so high on the Seahawks' secondary. But they were terrible against the Rams last weekend.
22. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers allowed over 500 yards of offense from the Dolphins. That's not ideal.
21. New York Giants
The Giants fell apart more because of the offense's struggles. But the defense still has a lot of areas to improve this season.
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20. Houston Texans
DeMeco Ryans will change this Houston defense fast. The secondary looked good against the Ravens. The run defense didn't. But I've got hope.
19. Detroit Lions
The Lions lucked out on many dropped passes last week against the Chiefs. They also missed a ton of tackles. But the run defense was solid, and the pass rush was effective to start the season.
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers rarely missed tackles against the Vikings. That ultimately helped them earn a win against the Vikings. The run defense was solid, and the pass rush got there sometimes. We'll see if the coverage can at least play average throughout the season. But I was surprised by Tampa Bay in Week 1.
17. Carolina Panthers
Carolina was scared to tackle in Week 1. That negated all of their great pass-rushing. The run defense also isn't tremendous. If the Panthers start to execute their tackles and convert on tackles for loss, they'll be above the top 15.
16. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins just have to be somewhat good with the amount of offense they have on their side. Miami's run defense was terrible. The pass rush was also ineffective, and they allowed 34 points to the Chargers. However, I still think Miami's in the middle of the defensive rankings for now.
15. Tennessee Titans
The Titans dominated against the run last weekend versus the Saints. The pass rush also has a lot of potential. If Ryan Tannehill can limit turnovers and give this defense more field to work with, the Titans will be a solid defense this season.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers easily have one of the best pass rushes in the NFL. However, the run defense must improve, and the secondary can play better.
13. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals did whatever they could against the Browns last weekend. They were on the field for much of the game because the offense couldn't do anything. They'll be fine once the Bengals get some breaks on the sidelines.
12. Denver Broncos
The Broncos will need to dominate defensively this season. The offense won't help very much. In Week 1, the Broncos looked solid against the run. But they missed tackles and looked average in the passing game.
11. New Orleans Saints
On the other hand, the Saints looked solid in the passing game. The pass rush got to the Titans and allowed the secondary to earn three interceptions.
10. Green Bay Packers
I know the Packers only played the Bears. But they were lights out. Sometimes, it's hard to prepare for a guy like Justin Fields, but the Packers were ready to go.
9. Washington Commanders
The Commanders are a balanced defense that will dominate throughout the season. The run defense is terrific, and the coverage looked good against the Cardinals. But they're at nine because they faced the Cardinals. Let's see them against other teams before making crazy movements.
8. Buffalo Bills
The Bills were terrible against the run and lost to a Jets team that played Zach Wilson. I still think the run defense will surely go up, and I thought the secondary was good enough in Week 1.
7. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens will be hard to score on this season. The run defense and secondary look great. They were disciplined tackling and looked good rushing the passer. They played against the Texans, so we'll be mindful of that. But I was impressed.
6. Philadelphia Eagles
I'm concerned with the Eagles' secondary. James Bradberry has already been listed as out for Week 2. But the run defense will take the Eagles far.
5. New England Patriots
The Patriots' defense almost gave themselves a chance at upsetting the Eagles at home last weekend. The Eagles earned over 29 points per game last year. But they didn't even earn four touchdowns the previous weekend against the Patriots.
4. Cleveland Browns
Was it Joe Burrow not being prepared for the Browns defense? I think it was the Browns' defense. The pass rush was sensational, and the secondary played well enough to throw Burrow out of his rhythm.
3. Dallas Cowboys
Dallas has the best pass rush in the NFL. Don't ask any questions.
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2. New York Jets
The Jets forced Josh Allen into making some of the worst mistakes possible. That led to the Jets win against the Bills on Monday Night. Maybe this team is like the 1980s Bears.
1. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers aren't elite at anything. They're just way above average in everything. It's hard to find ways to beat this defense. San Francisco forced so many three-and-outs against the Steelers last weekend. That will become a theme all season long.
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