2023 NFL Team Defense Rankings: Ranking the Top Defenses in the NFL Heading Into the Divisional Playoffs
After the Wild Card Weekend, the defensive rankings have shifted a little bit. Which team's defense is going to carry them past the Divisional Playoff? Jason Radowitz breaks down the best of the remaining teams.
Jason Radowitz - January 18, 2024, 9:50 AM EST
5 min2023 NFL Team Defense Rankings: Ranking the Top Defenses in the NFL Heading Into the Divisional Playoffs
After the Wild Card Weekend, the defensive rankings have shifted a little bit. Some of the top defenses throughout the year looked really bad last week, including the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys.
Where do those teams sit in the rankings heading into the Divisional Playoffs?
NFL Defensive Team Rankings Heading Into Divisional Playoffs
32. Washington Commanders
31. Arizona Cardinals
30. Denver Broncos
29. Los Angeles Chargers
28. Cincinnati Bengals
27. Tennessee Titans
26. Carolina Panthers
25. Indianapolis Colts
24. New York Giants
23. New England Patriots
22. Atlanta Falcons
21. Chicago Bears
20. New Orleans Saints
19. Jacksonville Jaguars
18. Seattle Seahawks
17. Minnesota Vikings
16. Las Vegas Raiders
15. New York Jets
Playoff Pretenders
14. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles allowed points in every quarter against the Buccaneers last weekend. Even the Panthers shut the Buccaneers to under ten points in Week 18.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers ran out of gas without T.J. Watt on the defensive line.
12. Dallas Cowboys
Dallas couldn't stop a nosebleed when it mattered the most. The Packers obliterated that defense in the Wild Card Round.
11. Cleveland Browns
The score of the Browns-Texans game wasn't all because of the defense. Houston's defensive unit added two touchdowns. But the Browns still struggled to get many stops against Houston. It was an excellent season for Cleveland defensively, but they died down towards the year's second half.
10. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams held the Lions to just three points in the second half, but that wasn't enough to win.
9. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins were put in a horrible spot, playing in the freezing cold against Kansas City. They were doomed from the start. However, the Dolphins played really well defensively towards the end of the season if you take away that one game against Baltimore.
Playoff Contenders
8. Green Bay Packers
Despite being up by more than 30 points, the Packers almost made their game against the Cowboys interesting because they couldn't get stops in the hurry-up Cowboys offense.
7. Detroit Lions
Detroit is terrific upfront. However, the secondary isn't all that great. Still, the defense played exceptionally well against the Rams in the second half, ultimately leading the Lions to victory.
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are forcing the Eagles to point fingers after making them look silly all night in Tampa Bay.
5. Houston Texans
Houston's two defensive touchdowns won't go unnoticed. Joe Flacco was throwing many interceptions, but the Texans capitalized on them the most.
4. Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City's defense is the real reason why the Chiefs are in the position they're in. That's usually not the case. It's traditionally flipped.
3. Buffalo Bills
The Bills are favored over the Chiefs on Sunday. Oddsmakers like the Bills defense to outshine the Chiefs' defense. I agree.
2. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers got to rest up and prepare for the Packers. If the Niners hold the Packers to 21 or fewer points, it'll be an incredible defensive outing on Saturday.
1. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens lead the league in sacks and have 18 interceptions on the season. They'll likely force C.J. Stroud into some big mistakes, which he hasn't really made this year outside of one game against the Jets.
NFL Odds
