2023 NFL Team Defense Rankings: Ranking the Top Defenses in the NFL Heading Into Week 8
2023 NFL Defense Rankings as we head into Week 8 of the NFL season. We're almost halfway through the season. Which defenses are among the best in the league? Which need help? Jason Radowitz ranks all 32.
Jason Radowitz - October 26, 2023, 9:50 AM EDT
7 min2023 NFL Team Defense Rankings: Ranking the Top Defenses in the NFL Heading Into Week 8
We're almost halfway through the season. Now that we're through seven weeks, we've got serious concrete stats with big enough sample sizes to break down our defensive rankings as we head into Week 8.
Where do you agree and disagree? Let's discuss it!
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NFL Defensive Team Rankings Heading Into Week 8
32. Denver Broncos
The Broncos have allowed a team-high 424.7 yards per game this season on defense.
31. Arizona Cardinals
While the Cardinals have a reliable pass rush, the secondary and run defense has lagged behind.
30. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have allowed a league-high 29.7 points per game this season.
29. Chicago Bears
The Bears are below average at everything on the defensive end. They've also earned just ten sacks this season.
28. New York Giants
New York has earned just 11 sacks while giving up nearly 1,500 passing yards. They've also given up 135 yards rushing per game.
27. Cincinnati Bengals
Allowing 142.3 yards per game on the ground won't cut it.
26. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers have just four interceptions on the season.
25. New England Patriots
The Patriots are just as bad at earning takeaways, with five turnovers this year.
24. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams have earned only 12 sacks and five turnovers themselves this season.
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
While the Bucs are earning a high rate of turnovers, they've also allowed 342.5 yards per game. You get the best of both worlds.
22. Tennessee Titans
The Titans have just two interceptions this season.
21. Indianapolis Colts
Although the Colts have given up 26.1 points per game, the defense has earned 20 sacks with six interceptions and four fumble recoveries.
20. Houston Texans
Pass deflections and hurries are hard to come by for the Houston defense up front.
19. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have earned 12 turnovers this season to go along with 19 sacks. However, they've also allowed 383.5 yards per game.
18. Green Bay Packers
The Packers have stopped the passing game. But they've also allowed 143.7 yards per game in the run game.
17. Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota has forced ten fumbles and has picked up four, with two being for touchdowns. That's allowed them to move up the rankings a bit.
16. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are certainly better than last year's group. But they'll still need to get better at stopping the run.
15. Washington Commanders
The Commanders have given up 374.1 yards per game on the defense, with 25.1 points per game. But they've also added 23 sacks and 10 turnovers.
14. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders have allowed just 187.4 yards per game in the air this season. That's the good. The bad is that the Raiders don't have a single fumble recovery this year.
13. Detroit Lions
Detroit has held teams to 76.3 yards per game on the ground this season.
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12. Buffalo Bills
Buffalo's 25 sacks and 14 turnovers make them an above-average defense.
11. Cleveland Browns
Cleveland has held teams to 243 yards per game this season. It's a shame they can't get more hurries on the quarterback and earn more turnovers while adding more sacks.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars have eight interceptions, two interception touchdowns, and seven fumble recoveries. That'll help.
9. Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia has earned ten forced fumbles. They've picked up six of them and have 24 sacks on the season.
8. Atlanta Falcons
Teams have earned only 190.1 yards per game in the air this season. They've also earned under 100 yards rushing against the Falcons.
7. Seattle Seahawks
Opponents have scored below 20 points against the Seahawks this season. They've also added 23 sacks and multiple interception touchdowns this season.
6. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have 24 sacks and have allowed 233 yards per game in the air this year. They've earned the second-most sack yards in the NFL.
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5. New Orleans Saints
The Saints have earned 12 turnovers and have kept teams below 200 yards passing and under 100 yards rushing.
4. New York Jets
The Jets need to put more pressure on the quarterback. But with 13 turnovers, the Jets are one of the more balanced defenses in the NFL.
3. Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore has allowed 13.6 points per game this season. They've also added 29 sacks for 238 sack yards.
2. Dallas Cowboys
Dallas has earned 14 takeaways and has kept teams to 177 yards passing per game this year.
1. San Francisco 49ers
Although the 49ers have struggled more recently, San Francisco still has one of the best pass rushes in the NFL. They've also grabbed a league-high 11 interceptions.
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