2023 NFL Team Defense Rankings: Ranking the Top Defenses in the NFL Heading Into Week 6
2023 NFL Team Defense Rankings: Ranking the Top Defenses in the NFL Heading Into Week 6
We've got another week of the NFL upon us.
With that said, I'm back with another edition of the NFL defensive team power rankings for Week 6.
Let's get right to it!
NFL Defensive Team Rankings Heading Into Week 6
32. Denver Broncos
The Broncos have allowed 450.6 yards per game this season. That's 46 more than the next team on the list.
31. Chicago Bears
Chicago isn't bad against the run, but the Bears have allowed 286 yards passing per game this season. They've also earned just seven sacks.
30. Arizona Cardinals
Arizona has a pass rush with 15 sacks. But that's about all they're good for.
29. New York Giants
New York has given up 151.4 yards per game on the ground. They've also added just five sacks in the entire season.
28. Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles has allowed 404 yards per game this season, including nearly 300 yards per game in the air. The pass rush is reliable, with 16 sacks. But 26 points allowed per game won't cut it.
27. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams haven't allowed a high amount of points per game. They're also not giving up a ton of yards. However, the Rams are terrible in the secondary and continue to miss a lot of tackles. It'll all catch up to them.
26. Cincinnati Bengals
No, 350.2 yards per game on defense isn't good. The Bengals need to figure out how to stop the run.
25. Carolina Panthers
The 14 sacks stack up with the rest of the pass rushes in the NFL. But the 140.8 yards rushing per game doesn't.
24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay is solid in the passing game. Meanwhile, they've only allowed 94.8 yards in the run game. That's not sustainable for this Tampa Bay run defense.
The Buccaneers playing the Lions in Week 5? May want to stay away from that matchup. Or, make sure you're hammering Lions offensive props now at DraftKings before they go off!
23. Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis has allowed 23 points per game despite adding 15 sacks this season. The defense is missing a lot of tackles and has struggled in the secondary.
22. Tennessee Titans
The Titans are an average defense, except for their run defense. When the season ends, Tennessee will see triple-digits in yards per game in that category.
21. Houston Texans
The Texans have looked great in the secondary, but those missed tackles will haunt them.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars have only allowed 81.6 yards per game on the ground this season. But I don't think that lasts. Still, the secondary has played well.
19. Washington Commanders
Giving up 40 points to the Bears won't help in the rankings.
18. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs will be fine in the passing game, But the run defense has some issues that need to be fixed.
17. New England Patriots
New England has only allowed 298.4 yards per game. However, teams have still added over 26 points per game.
16. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have a solid secondary, but the pass rush has been ineffective.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have allowed 389.4 yards per game. But the 17 sacks prove that the pass rush is at least adequate.
14. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are great against the run. But they've also allowed 247.6 yards per game in the air. The secondary isn't all that fantastic.
13. Green Bay Packers
The Packers have held teams to 194.4 yards per game in the air. Yet, they've still allowed more than three touchdowns per game.
12. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders have allowed only 197.2 yards per game in the air and 22.8 points per game.
11. Seattle Seahawks
Seattle has allowed 367.5 yards per game, with 280 coming in the air. The secondary has not looked good, but upfront, the Seahawks are incredible on the line of scrimmage.
10. Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta has been good at converting on tackles. That's helped them hold teams under 300 yards per game.
9. Buffalo Bills
Buffalo has held teams to 16 points per game. That'll typically work with Josh Allen under center on offense.
8. Cleveland Browns
The Browns have earned 12 sacks and have one of the best pass rushes in the NFL. They've also allowed only 196.8 yards per game, with 125 yards in the air. However, the missed tackles are really bad!
7. Detroit Lions
Teams have earned only 68.4 yards rushing per game against the Lions this season.
6. New York Jets
Thanks to an amazing secondary, the Jets are 6th on this list.
5. Miami Dolphins
If the Dolphins stopped missing tackles, they'd be in the Top 5.
4. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys have allowed 123.4 yards on the ground per game. The run defense needs to be better. However, they've still allowed only 16.6 points per game.
3. New Orleans Saints
The Saints are above average in every area on defense. They've also held teams to 15.2 yards per game this season. Opponents have had a QBR of 66.1 against the Saints.
2. Baltimore Ravens
Like the Saints, the Ravens have no weak spots in the defense. They've held teams to 266.4 yards per game and just 15 points per game while earning 18 sacks.
1. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are the best team in the NFL. The defense just made Dak Prescott look silly.
NFL Odds
Jason grew up an avid sports fan. His passion for sports writing grew in high school and he developed a blog that was strictly for New York Sports. From his work, you will quickly realize that he loves looking at games from an analytical and numbers perspective and hopes to provide you with that same perspective in his articles.