2023 NFL Team Defense Rankings: Ranking the Top Defenses in the NFL Heading Into Week 16
NFL Week 15 was full of thrilling performances. Jason Radowitz shares his NFL Team Defense rankings entering Week 16. Read on to see where your team lies on the list.
Jason Radowitz - December 21, 2023, 9:30 AM EST
5 min2023 NFL Team Defense Rankings: Ranking the Top Defenses in the NFL Heading Into Week 16
The top spot in the NFL Team Defense Rankings hasn't changed. But a lot has moved around in the middle of it all.
Take a look at the rankings as we head into Week 16 of the NFL season.
Looking for player projections and game projections for Week 15? Click here!
NFL Defensive Team Rankings Heading Into Week 16
32. Washington Commanders
The Commanders have allowed 27.6 points per game while giving up 384.5 yards.
31. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals have just 32 sacks this season, allowing 26 points per game.
30. Denver Broncos
Denver improved for a while, but after allowing 42 points last week, they're back in the 30 spot.
29. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers couldn't get stops against the Las Vegas Raiders' offense last week.
28. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals have allowed 382.4 yards per game on defense this year.
27. Tennessee Titans
How do the Titans only have four interceptions in the entire year?
26. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams only have eight interceptions with their below-average secondary.
25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay has allowed over 20 points per game with nearly 360 yards per game. However, the Buccaneers have won three straight. They're improving.
24. Carolina Panthers
Carolina's 20 sacks are the worst in the NFL.
23. New England Patriots
Having only nine interceptions for a New England team that typically dominates defensively is really bad.
22. Chicago Bears
The Bears have earned 18 interceptions this season! They're moving on up the rankings!
21. Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis has done some great things. However, the Colts have also allowed 23.8 points per game this season.
20. Detroit Lions
The Lions stepped up last week against the Broncos. But can they stack up big performances? They haven't so far this season.
19. Houston Texans
The Texans are one of the best teams at hurrying the quarterback. But they're not stacking up sacks like the other top teams in the NFL.
18. New York Giants
The Giants have 21 turnovers this season but only 24 sacks.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars did their part in the first half against the Ravens last week. But eventually, the Jaguars allowed some big plays from the Ravens and couldn't pull out the win.
16. Green Bay Packers
The Packers are giving the defensive coordinator three more games to prove that he should be the defensive coordinator of this team moving forward.
15. Seattle Seahawks
Seattle's performance against Philadelphia was good enough to get the Seahawks the win. Seattle sat some of their notable names on defense to get the job done.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh's defense has improved but has still allowed nearly 347 yards per game defensively this season.
13. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders stepped up against Ethan Stick and the Chargers. But they won't always get dealt the worst quarterback in the NFL every week.
12. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are a bit overrated. They're stacked up front but have only added six interceptions and have given up nearly 350 yards per game.
11. Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City has allowed only 16.6 points per game. But the Chiefs also only have eight interceptions.
10. Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta's defense allowed nine points to the Panthers in a loss. The defense isn't the problem in Atlanta.
9. Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota has been one of the more impressive defenses this season, holding teams to 18.4 points per game. If only Kirk Cousins were still around.
8. New Orleans Saints
New Orleans has allowed only 17.9 points per game and has 14 interceptions this season.
7. Cleveland Browns
The Browns have struggled a little more recently. But they've given up only 18.6 points per game with just 261.1 yards per game.
6. Dallas Cowboys
Dallas performs better at home. They've earned six touchdowns as a unit to lead the NFL.
5. Buffalo Bills
The Bills have stacked up 45 sacks with 24 turnovers.
4. New York Jets
New York has allowed only 170.4 yards passing per game this season.
3. Miami Dolphins
Miami's defense has improved throughout the season, adding 22 turnovers with 48 sacks.
2. Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore was the first team to reach 50 sacks on the season.
1. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers lead the NFL with 19 interceptions.
NFL Odds
