2023 NFL Team Defense Rankings: Ranking the Top Defenses in the NFL Heading Into Week 7
2023 NFL Defense Rankings as we head into Week 7 of the NFL season. Six weeks of the NFL season are in the books. Which defenses are among the best in the league? Which need help? Jason Radowitz ranks all 32.
Jason Radowitz - October 19, 2023, 10:38 AM EDT
7 min2023 NFL Team Defense Rankings: Ranking the Top Defenses in the NFL Heading Into Week 7
Plenty of defenses shined last weekend in the NFL.
We watched the Browns hold the 49ers to 17 points while the Jets kept the Eagles to 14 points in multiple upset wins.
Where do those defenses stack as we head into Week 7 of the NFL season?
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NFL Defensive Team Rankings Heading Into Week 7
32. Denver Broncos
The Broncos are the worst defense in the NFL. They've already allowed over 1,000 yards in the passing and rushing game.
31. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals have a reliable pass rush. But that's about it. They've given up 5.7 yards per play this year.
30. Chicago Bears
The Bears secondary has allowed 13 passing touchdowns in six games this year.
29. New York Giants
New York can't get off the field. They've given up 47 first downs. The average team has allowed under 37 first downs.
28. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are actually solid upfront. But everything else has fallen apart for this defense, as they've allowed 5.7 yards per play this year.
27. Los Angeles Chargers
The secondary has allowed nearly 1,500 yards in the air in six games this season.
26. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are lucky they don't get penalized. The defense could be worse. But then again, it's hard to get penalized when you can't make tackles.
25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers have lucked out through six weeks. But the run defense isn't nearly as good as the box score suggests.
24. Indianapolis Colts
The 1,462 yards passing in six games isn't something to be happy about.
23. Tennessee Titans
The Titans have also allowed 1,422 yards passing this season. A once stout defense isn't so great anymore.
22. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams continue to miss tackles at a high rate. The secondary has also allowed plenty of big plays down the field. That needs to end for them to rise the rankings.
21. New England Patriots
The Patriots only have two interceptions this year.
20. Houston Texans
Houston's allowed 45 first downs and has had 43 penalties. They need to clean up the little things.
19. Washington Commanders
The Commanders have given up close to 1,500 yards passing and another 774 rushing. They've done well converting on tackles and probably aren't playing up to the level that they can right now.
18. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars continued to get penalized at a high rate. The secondary is terrific. But the rest of the defense needs to get better.
17. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs have looked much better defensively this year. But more turnovers would help them improve on this rankings list.
16. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are another team that isn't very disciplined. The pass rush is also non-existent at times.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers
While the Steelers have allowed over 1,200 yards passing and over 700 yards rushing, they've also added five interceptions and 11 total turnovers.
14. Green Bay Packers
Green Bay has held teams to under 1,000 yards passing. However, they've earned just six turnovers in five games.
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13. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders are one of two teams without a fumble recovery this season.
12. Seattle Seahawks
Seattle has allowed only 26 first downs and 1,684 yards total in five games this season. That's 4.9 yards per play.
11. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have also held their opponents to 4.9 yards per play this season.
10. Atlanta Falcons
Teams have averaged just 3.7 yards per carry against the Falcons this year
9. Cleveland Browns
The Browns have allowed a league-low 1,002 yards this season. But they've also earned just four takeaways this season.
8. Buffalo Bills
The Bills have allowed nearly 2,000 yards of offense. But they've earned 13 turnovers, so they're ahead of the Browns.
7. Detroit Lions
The Lions haven't been penalized at a high rate and continue to get off on third downs. That's critical for a winning team.
6. New Orleans Saints
Opponents have averaged under four yards per carry against the Saints. New Orleans has also added ten turnovers and has allowed just 4.6 yards per play this season.
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5. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are dominant against the run, allowing 4.1 yards per carry this season.
4. New York Jets
The Jets have added 13 turnovers in six games.
3. Baltimore Ravens
Through six games, teams have added just 1,565 yards against the Ravens, which is four yards per play. The Ravens are second in that category.
2. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys have one of the best pass rushes in the NFL. That's ed to 12 turnovers, including four fumbles.
1. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers aren't fantastic in the run game. But the pass rush and secondary make up for it. The 49ers have earned 11 turnovers, with ten being interceptions. That's the pass rush and secondary doing its thing.
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