NFL Defense Rankings 2025: Chiefs Defense Getting Hot at the Right Time

You’ve heard it before: offense gets the glory, and defense wins championships. 

The NFL in 2024 might be skewed to favor offenses, but defense still reigns supreme. The top three Super Bowl favorites allowed the fewest points per game a year ago and are expected to be highly competitive on that side of the ball again.

We update our NFL Offense Rankings weekly, but here, it’s all about the backbone of every team: the defense.

Here are our rankings for all 32 NFL defenses.

Ranking All 32 NFL Defenses

32. Carolina Panthers

The Panthers managed to end their season with a win, but it came no thanks to the defense. The unit was torched by Atlanta, allowing 38 points on 537 yards. The game showed why we have had Carolina at the bottom of our rankings all season, giving the organization little to build on during the offseason. 

31. Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis had a chance to win the AFC South this season, but their defense held them back. The unit was beaten up by five subpar offenses to close the season, ending any hope of overtaking a struggling Texans team. While the offense needs to improve, this defense will need to be far better if Indy wants to compete next season. 

30. New England Patriots

The Pats defense closed the season with a strong showing against the Bills in Week 18. They took advantage of Josh Allen being on the bench, allowing 16 points on 259 yards. While the result doesn’t mean much for either team, it does give Pats fans some hope for the future of this defense. We’ll see if New England opts to boost the unit through the 2025 NFL Draft. 

29. New York Jets

The Jets managed to contain Tyler Huntley and the Miami passing attack in their final game of the season. However, they had no solutions for De’Von Achane in the backfield. The running back rushed 11 times for 121 yards (11.0 YPC) and a touchdown. The Jets have ranked in the top ten in YPC all season but were unable to find their groove against Achane in Week 18.

28. New York Giants

The Giants’ defense could not stop the Eagles’ second-string offense in Week 18. They surrendered 20 points on 303 yards in the loss to their NFC East rival. If there is a silver lining from the loss, its that New York stopped Philly on 11 of their 14 third-down attempts. The effort was led by 24-year-old Kayvon Thibodeaux, who had 1.5 sacks and three QB hits. 

27. Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta’s defense appeared to be turning things around to close the season, but that wasn’t the case on Sunday. The Falcons needed a win against the lowly Panthers, but the defense could not get it done. Carolina’s offense had one of its best games, scoring 44 points on 425 yards. There are a lot of ugly defensive stats from this game, but the worst was the Falcons allowing the Panthers to score a touchdown on five of their six red zone trips. 

26. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jags’ defense ended their season on a sour note. They were devastated by Jonathan Taylor in Week 18. The running back rushed 34 times for 177 yards (5.2 YPC) and a touchdown. As Jacksonville searches for a new head coach, we’ll see what happens to this unit in the offseason after a heartbreaking 2024 campaign. 

25. Tennessee Titans

The Titans’ defense was better than many expected this season. They finished the season ranked second in yards allowed per game (311.2), though they allowed the third-most points (27.1). Unfortunately, the unit had a rough end to their season against the Texans. While they held the passing game in check, Dameon Pierce rushed 19 times for 176 yards (9.3 YPC).

24. New Orleans Saints

The Saints' defense was beaten up by the Bucs in their final game of the season. They allowed 27 points on 395 yards, with Tampa averaging an impressive 6.2 yards per play. New Orleans was especially bad on this down, allowing the Bucs to convert ten of their 16 attempts. It was an ugly ending to an ugly season for this once-great defense. 

23. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys ended their season by being beaten up by Marcus Mariota and the Commanders. The backup quarterback took over about halfway through the game and completed 15 of his 18 passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns. Dallas also struggled to stop the run, allowing 113 yards on 18 carries (6.3 YPC). 

22. Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders defense has been playing better down the stretch, but that wasn’t the case against the Chargers on Sunday. The unit allowed 34 points on 473 yards at home, ending a disaster of a season for Las Vegas. This defense will need a lot of help during the offseason if the Raiders want a chance to make the playoffs next season. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati defense saved their best for last this season. They went to Pittsburgh and held the Steelers to 17 points on 193 yards in an important game for both teams. The Steelers managed just 3.3 yards per play, helping the Bengals dominate the time of possession by 16 minutes. Trey Hendrickson led the effort with 3.5 sacks, three TFLs, and five QB hits. 

20. Arizona Cardinals

The Niners’ backup offense ran over Arizona's defense on Sunday. Josh Dobbs led San Francisco to score 24 points on 436 yards, though Arizona’s offense got the win. This Cardinals defense was better than we expected this season but struggled badly to get stops on third down. They allowed opponents to convert 43.8% of their third-down attempts, the fifth-worst mark in the league. 

19. San Francisco 49ers

The Niners' defense had one of its worst games of the season in Week 18. They allowed the Cardinals to score 47 points on 393 yards. The unit failed to register a sack or force a turnover while allowing Arizona to find the end zone on all four of their trips to the red zone. It was a fitting end for a Niners’ defense that allowed the fourth-most points per game (25.6) this season. 

18. Cleveland Browns

The Browns' defense ended their disappointing season with a dud on Saturday. They allowed Baltimore to score 35 points on 437 yards. The Ravens found the endzone on three of their four trips to the red zone, leading to a lopsided loss for the Browns. Expect this unit to get a significant overhaul during the offseason as Cleveland attempts to turn things around.

17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs’ defense played about as well as they could have against the Commanders. That was largely due to their ability to stop the run, holding Tampa to 82 yards on 33 carries (2.5 YPC). Unfortunately, a key fumble from the offense allowed Washington to score the go-ahead touchdown and end the Buccaneers season.

16. Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins’ defense laid an egg in a must-win game on Sunday. They allowed Aaron Rodgers to pass for four touchdowns, while the Jets’ backfield averaged an impressive 5.4 YPC. The Miami offense turning the ball over four times made the defense's job more difficult. As bad as things look for Miami heading into the offseason, it appears they have found a defensive superstar in Chop Robinson. 

15. Chicago Bears

Chicago turned in an impressive defensive effort in Week 18, but it came against a Packers team that benched several key players. That includes running back Josh Jacobs, who had 44 yards and a touchdown on six carries (7.3 YPC) before being pulled from the game. Emanuel Wilson also succeeded, but not enough to overcome Jordan Love being out of the game.

14. Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks defense finished the season strong against the Rams’ backups, but they are a big reason why Seattle’s season ended on Sunday. After posting a solid season, the defense allowed the Packers and Vikings to score 27+ points in back-to-back games. That ended their lead in the NFC West, ultimately leading to another missed postseason. 

13. Detroit Lions

Jayden Daniels and the Commanders in the Divisional Round punched the Lions' defense in the mouth. They allowed Washington’s offense to gain 481 yards and score 38 points, 28 of which came in the second quarter. The unit didn’t register a sack or a turnover, hitting Daniels twice. Detroit’s brief comeback ended when the defense allowed a 15-play, 70-yard touchdown drive that took almost nine minutes off the clock. Five turnovers by the Lions offense didn’t help, but this was an ugly defensive effort. 

12. Green Bay Packers

Green Bay’s defense played well enough to win in the Wild Card Round in Philadelphia. They surrendered just 290 yards and stopped the Eagles on nine of their 11 third-down attempts. Those stats are usually enough to get a win, but the offense failed to do much of anything. This was the best Packers’ defense we have seen in a few years now, but we’ll see how it changes during the offseason.

11. Washington Commanders

The Commanders’ defense wasn’t pretty in their stunning upset of the Lions on Saturday, but they made big plays when it mattered. Detroit’s potent offense scored 31 points on 521 yards, but the Commanders forced them into five turnovers. Washington scored 21 points off those turnovers, leading to a 14-point win. We’ll see if the unit can stay hot in the NFC Championship against Saquon Barkley and the Eagles.

10. Houston Texans

The Texans’ defense was fantastic in their two playoff games. The unit held the Chiefs and Chargers to fewer than 265 yards but lost to the former in the Divisional Round. The team’s season ended thanks partly to an 81-yard touchdown drive that followed a crucial touchdown from the Texans’ offense, ending any momentum the unit had gained. The defense tightened up after the drive, but the damage was done.

9. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens dominated the Steelers’ offense in the Wild Card Round, but a rough second quarter cost them in the Divisional Round. The Ravens allowed 21 points in the first half but tightened up to allow just six in the second. That gave Baltimore a chance to win, but a dropped two-point conversion ultimately decided the game in Buffalo’s favor. 

8. Los Angeles Rams

The LA defense helped pull off a stunning upset of the Vikings in the Wild Card Round. Their pass rush was incredible, finishing the game with nine sacks, 12 QB hits, and ten TFLs. The unit stayed hot against the Eagles in the Divisional Round, but the effort was undone by the run defense. Saquon Barkley rushed 26 times for 205 yards (7.9 YPC) and two touchdowns. Jalen Hurts also did damage with his legs, leading to 285 rushing yards for the Eagles.

7. Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers defense laid an egg against the Texans in the Wild Card Round. They had no answer for Houston’s run game, which finished with 168 yards (4.9 YPC) and a touchdown. LA also struggled against receiver Nico Collins, who pulled in seven of his eight catches for 122 yards and a touchdown. This defense has overperformed all season, but the clock struck midnight on this Cinderella story.

6. Denver Broncos

The Broncos' defense started their Wild Card Round loss to the Bills strong, allowing ten points in the first half. The strong effort helped overcome a rough outing from the offense, but things fell apart in the second half. The offense continued to sputter, constantly putting the defense on their heels. The unit broke down under pressure, leading to an ugly 31-7 loss that ended a strong season for the Broncos.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers

Injuries turned this unit from historically great to what we saw during the Steelers’ playoff loss. The defense allowed 28 points on 464 yards as the Ravens managed to do whatever they wanted. The worst damage came on the ground, where Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson led Baltimore to 299 yards and two touchdowns (6.0 YPC). Pittsburgh’s impressive pass rush wasn’t great, managing just one sack on one QB hit.

4. Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota was stunned by the Rams in the Wild Card Round, ending a fantastic season. The defense wasn’t awful, surrendering 292 yards and 20 points. They stood tall in a big moment, stopping eight of the Ram’ ten third-down conversion attempts. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to save the Vikings season. Now, the Vikings will need to see if they can hold on to defensive architect Brian Flores during the offseason.

3. Buffalo Bills

The Bills’ defense jumped up a few spots in our rankings thanks to their march to the AFC Championship game. They shut down the Broncos in the first round and were fantastic against the Ravens on Sunday. The latter victory was the most impressive, especially considering what the unit did to slow down Derek Henry. The big back averaged 5.3 YPC but was shut down for most of the first half. 

2. Kansas City Chiefs

Remember when we were worried about this Chiefs defense? They were in control of the team’s Divisional Round victory against the Texans. The game was decided at the line of scrimmage, which Kansas City dominated. The defense finished with eight sacks, 14 QB hits, and nine TFLs. It was a strong outing, but we’ll see if they can carry that momentum into the AFC Championship game against the Bills. 

1. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles defense dominated the Packers in the Wild Card Round. The unit looked more vulnerable against the Rams last weekend but made up for it by posting five sacks, six QB hits, and ten TFLs. Jalen Carter led the effort with two sacks and three QB hits, helping to secure a spot in the NFC Championship game. With their two rookie defensive backs thriving, we continue to have this defense atop our rankings.

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Top Five NFL Passing Defenses

5. Houston Texans

The Texans held Patrick Mahomes to 177 yards through the air, hitting him eight times. While a couple of big plays undid the effort, we believe this remains a top-five passing defense.

4. Washington Commanders

The Commanders’ pass defense was lights out in the Wild Card round and put forward a strong effort against the Lions on Saturday. While they allowed 313 yards, the unit forced three interceptions.

3. Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs' pass defense looked incredible against the Texans on Saturday. Their pass rush led the way, finishing with eight sacks and 14 QB hits. 

2. Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings’ pass rush was solid in their loss to the Rams. The most impressive effort came against Puka Nacua, who managed just 44 yards on five catches. 

1. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles rookie defensive backs continue to play at a high level. The playoffs have not been too big of a stage for the young stars, which is a promising sign for the team’s chances to win Super Bowl LIX.

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Top Five NFL Rushing Defenses

5. Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings stay in our second spot after allowing 90 rushing yards in their Wild Card Round loss to LA. It wasn’t overly impressive but was good enough to keep Kyren Williams from going off.

4. Detroit Lions

The Lions struggled to stop the Commanders on the ground in their stunning Divisional Round loss. The unit allowed 182 yards on 42 carries (4.3 YPC) and three touchdowns.

3. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles have the best front seven in football, and it showed against the Rams last weekend. While Kyren Williams had a strong game, his numbers are inflated by a 30-yard run. 

2. Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City’s pass defense was fantastic against CJ Stroud and the Texans last weekend. Their pass rush led the way with eight sacks and 14 QB hits.

1. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens' pass defense benefited from bad weather against Josh Allen and the Bills but still found themselves heading home with a loss.

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NFL Defense Rankings 2025