The Browns have been effective on defense, ranking best in the NFL with only passing yards allowed per game. Cleveland ranks 11th in run defense ( NFL top defenses: Fewest points allowed per game ; Baltimore Ravens () (last week: 1) ; San Francisco 49ers () (last week: 3) ; Kansas City. NFL defensive rankings ; Chicago Bears, 17 ; Arizona Cardinals, 17 ; Green Bay Top defense nfl 2024, 17 ; New York Giants, NFL free agency: Ranking top 25 defensive players, including Chiefs' Chris Jones, Jets' Bryce Huff · Dolphins OLB Andrew Van Ginkel ·
The Bills didn't have much of a test in the wild-card round because the Pittsburgh Steelers' offense has struggled for most of the season. But when looking at the overall landscape of Buffalo's defense since the the team's Week 13 bye, the unit should be getting much more attention for turning around the team's season and winning the AFC East.
Nevertheless, betting on Steve Spagnoulo in the playoffs is never a bad idea. Over the past six games, the Chiefs' defense hasn't given up more than 20 points and has made life difficult on some good offenses in Miami and Buffalo. Kansas City will have its hands full this weekend as they head to Buffalo to take on the Bills, who are playing some of their best ball of the season.
While C. DeMeco Ryans has prepared this young defense and has done an excellent job adjusting to opponents' offenses over the past month. While the Houston defense doesn't have the names or money invested in it that some of the other teams above it do, the Texans are one of the better-constructed and -coached defenses remaining.
Houston could make life difficult on Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore offense. One of the most impressive showings of wild-card weekend came from the Green Bay Packers ' defense. CB Jaire Alexander was banged up, but the Packers did an excellent job of being physical with the Dallas receivers. The Packers are riding high, coming off a big road win in the first round of the playoffs.
The Buccaneers dominated the Philadelphia Eagles this past weekend with pressure, something the Eagles have struggled with all season. Even after a strong outing against Philadelphia, the Buccaneers' defense will have a much stronger matchup this weekend against an offense that can attack you through the air or ground in multiple ways.
One of the few shocks of wild-card weekend was how well the Detroit Lions defended the Los Angeles Rams in the red zone. The unit gave up just 23 points in what many thought would be a high-scoring shootout, which helped the Lions to win their first playoff game since Even after a strong outing against the Rams, Detroit has a tough road ahead, especially on defense. Connor Livesay is an NFL Draft analyst whose deep-rooted passion for the game has positioned him as a prominent figure in the field of football analysis.
With a focus on the NFL and the NFL draft, he delivers year-round coverage and insights that have been well-respected by fans and professionals. Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores delivered one of the best single-season turnarounds in the NFL last year. Related: Best NFL coaches of all time.
Age is really starting to catch up to the New Orleans Saints. If the takeaways fourth-most in drop, you might start seeing more regression from a defense that allowed an The addition of defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen is monumental for the Jacksonville Jaguars defense, arguably one of the biggest moves in the NFL across the offseason.
The Chicago Bears kept All-Pro cornerback Jaylon Johnson from leaving, even on a deal that might prove a bit team-friendly a few years from now. Top defense nfl 2024 Matt Eberflus is also going to keep calling defensive plays, which matters because Chicago held its opponents to a TD-INT line, A defense that has a No. Related: NFL Draft quarterback rankings.
Related: Green Bay Packers mock draft From Weeks last season, opponents averaged just Maxx Crosby was dominant, leading a front that averaged nearly 3 sacks per contest. Now, the Raiders have added defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. Las Vegas already boasts the best defensive line combo in the NFL and this front seven can play at an elite level.
For now, what separates the Raiders from the other units atop our NFL defense rankings, is a questionable secondary with red flags at cornerback. Masked by a lifeless offense, an injury-depleted Patriots defense held its last eight opponents to Related: Best tight ends of all time. When Alex Highsmith, T. Watt and Cam Heyward are on the field together, the Pittsburgh Steelers pass rush is a daunting challenge for any opponent.
To make matters worse for offensive linemen, rookie Keeanue Benton blossomed as an interior pass rusher in Related: NFL stadium rankings. The San Francisco 49ers have been near the top of our NFL defense rankings, but the regression is undeniable. One thing that will certainly help, getting safety Tualanoa Hufanga back.
Related: Highest-paid NFL coaches. Now, edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. Plus, the secondary added more depth with Jeff Okudah. The Texans can have one of the best defenses in the NFL next season. Unfortunately, greatness comes at a cost. Baltimore lost play-calling savant Mike Macdonald, while defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson and defensive line coach Anthony Weaver also left the team.
All of those losses take a toll, especially in the first year. Related: Worst moves in NFL free agency While we have confidence that general manager Brett Veach can find replacements at cornerback, losing the dynamic duo of Sneed and Trent McDuffie is a blow for this secondary. Kansas City also lost linebacker Willie Gay Jr. The Chiefs should still have a top five NFL defense in , but losing depth and multiple starters will likely result in more inconsistency from a once-dominant unit.
Related: Best NFL dynasties ever. Stephon Gilmore and Dan Quinn are gone, but the Dallas Cowboys will welcome back top cornerback Trevon Diggs at the start of the season. However, this run defense has fallen short countless times and while a new system might change that, it could also mean growing pains as players get acclimated early in the season.
Plus, defensive tackle is still a weakness. Related: Highest-paid NFL players The Cleveland Browns brought the band back together. Cleveland had the best NFL defense in for a few months, holding opponents to a Related: NFL power rankings. Losing Bryce Huff is a blow for this pass rush, but Jermaine Johnson showed great improvement last season and the cornerback tandem of Sauce Gardner and D.
Reed means generating pressures is easier for the defensive front.