2023 NFL Team Defense Rankings: Ranking the Top Defenses in the NFL Heading Into Week 9
A lot of defenses might catch a break this weekend. Jason Radowitz shares his 2023 NFL Defense Rankings as we head into Week 9 of the NFL season. Which defenses are among the best in the league? Which need help? Read on to find out.
Jason Radowitz - November 2, 2023, 10:10 AM EDT
7 min2023 NFL Team Defense Rankings: Ranking the Top Defenses in the NFL Heading Into Week 9
A lot of defenses might catch a break this weekend.
We've got many young players and new faces starting at quarterback this week.
Arizona will likely start Clayton Tune, while the Vikings will send out Jaren Hall at quarterback.
We've also got Tyler Heinicke starting, along with Tyson Bagent and many other less notable names.
We probably won't see many points on the scoreboard this weekend.
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NFL Defensive Team Rankings Heading Into Week 9
32. Denver Broncos
Denver has allowed 406 yards per game with 28.2 points per game. I know they stopped the Chiefs last weekend. But we're looking at the entire season. Denver's still the worst defense in the NFL.
31. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals are only behind the Denver Broncos for most rushing yards allowed this season. They've given up over 1,000 yards on the ground this season.
30. Chicago Bears
The Bears have already allowed nearly 2,100 yards passing this season. That's the second-worst in the NFL.
29. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers haven't allowed a ton of yards per game. But they've still given up 28.4 points per game.
28. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals have a solid pass rush. But that's about it for the defense.
27. Los Angeles Rams
Most teams have had a balanced attack against the Rams. After Dallas' 40+ point explosion, it's clear that the Rams are at the bottom of the defense rankings.
26. New York Giants
The Giants are improving. But again, I'm looking at a whole body of work. New York's allowed over 1,000 yards on the ground this season.
25. Tennessee Titans
The Titans have only allowed 20 points per game this year while allowing 339.4 yards per game. It'll all catch up to them.
24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The same can be said about the Buccaneers. The run defense has been dominant on paper, but teams will find their way eventually on the ground.
23. New England Patriots
New England's always a solid defense. But this year, the turnovers aren't coming. That's an issue.
22. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers have allowed 390.9 yards per game on the defense. But unlike the Patriots, they're forcing plenty of turnovers.
21. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have allowed 28.6 points per game while allowing nearly 2,000 yards in the passing game and almost 1,000 yards in the rushing game through eight weeks.
20. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs aren't allowing a ton of points or yards. But they're also not earning the big play. The Chiefs are -4 in turnover differential. With Patrick Mahomes under center, that should never happen.
19. Houston Texans
The Texans have allowed 18.3 points per game but have just nine takeaways this season.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have allowed the third-most yards per game this season. That's unlike recent Pittsburgh teams.
17. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders are solid against the pass. But they've also allowed over 1,100 yards on the ground this season.
16. Washington Commanders
The Commanders have allowed 28.5 points per game, with nearly 375 yards per game. The defensive line was impressive, but I feel the defense will struggle even more in the next few weeks.
15. Detroit Lions
The Lions are fantastic against the run. But not so much against the pass. They're still allowing 20.6 points per game despite earning 12 turnovers.
14. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are your average defense right now. They've held teams to 20.2 points per game but only 101.6 yards per game on the ground and 221.1 yards per game in the air. Average.
13. Green Bay Packers
The Packers could be better against the run. But the pass defense has done well this year.
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12. Buffalo Bills
Buffalo allowing 122 yards on the ground per game this season wasn't expected. However, they've also held teams to just 204.1 yards in the air per game. So that's good, at least.
11. Atlanta Falcons
Teams have earned under 300 yards against the Falcons this season.
10. Cleveland Browns
The Browns have allowed only 260 yards per game this season while allowing 19.9 points per game. The pass rush is lethal, but the rest of the defense must improve.
9. Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia is allowing more than three touchdowns per game this year. But they've also held teams to just 65.5 yards per game on the ground.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are almost just as good as the Eagles against the run and have allowed 19.5 points per game.
7. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks have also allowed under 20 points per game this season.
6. New Orleans Saints
The Saints have held their opponents to under 300 yards per game while allowing 19.2 points per game this year. New Orleans has also added 13 turnovers.
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5. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys have also earned 13 turnovers this season while holding teams to 287.4 yards per game.
4. Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore's held teams to 15.1 points per game. That leads the league. But the turnovers can be a bit higher.
3. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have had a tough schedule. I think they've played better than the stats show. The stats are also inflated because of how many more possessions there are in a game against the Dolphins. This is an elite defense that is more consistent than some would realize.
2. New York Jets
The Jets have held teams to 18.4 points per game, with 329.3 yards per game. They've been able to work with long fields on defense, and that has allowed them to keep the scoring down on defense.
1. San Francisco 49ers
Yes, I know the Niners have lost three straight. But that defense is still the best in the NFL. Now they've just added Chase Young to make things super crazy.
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