Offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships.
That adage still holds up in the modern NFL, as the Philadelphia Eagles’ dominant defense proved by overwhelming the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 59.
We’ve seen that trend continue into the first half of the 2025-26 NFL season.
Teams like the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks sit atop their respective divisions, thanks in large part to their defenses. In contrast, others with explosive offenses, such as the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys, have struggled due to their inability to slow their opponents.
Below, I’ll dig into my midseason NFL defense power rankings of all 32 teams.
NFL Defense Power Rankings
| Rank | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Houston Texans |
| 2 | Cleveland Browns |
| 3 | Los Angeles Rams |
| 4 | Seattle Seahawks |
| 5 | Denver Broncos |
| 6 | Kansas City Chiefs |
| 7 | New England Patriots |
| 8 | Atlanta Falcons |
| 9 | Green Bay Packers |
| 10 | Indianapolis Colts |
| 11 | Los Angeles Chargers |
| 12 | Minnesota Vikings |
| 13 | San Francisco 49ers |
| 14 | Arizona Cardinals |
| 15 | Carolina Panthers |
| 16 | Buffalo Bills |
| 17 | Detroit Lions |
| 18 | Baltimore Ravens |
| 19 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| 20 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 21 | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| 22 | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 23 | Washington Commanders |
| 24 | New Orleans Saints |
| 25 | Las Vegas Raiders |
| 26 | Miami Dolphins |
| 27 | Chicago Bears |
| 28 | New York Giants |
| 29 | New York Jets |
| 30 | Tennessee Titans |
| 31 | Dallas Cowboys |
| 32 | Cincinnati Bengals |
NFL Defense Power Rankings 32-21
32. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals haven’t held an opponent under 27 points since Week 1.
31. Dallas Cowboys
Dallas is the only other defense in the league that surrenders more than 30 points per game.
30. Tennessee Titans
Standout defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons is hurt, so Tennessee’s already struggling unit has taken a step back in recent weeks.
29. New York Jets
The Jets dealt their two best defensive players, Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams, at the NFL trade deadline, so it’s hard to expect much from them moving forward.
Don’t expect New York to veer far from the bottom of our NFL Power Rankings.
28. New York Giants
Shane Bowen’s unit has often come under scrutiny this season, especially after allowing 33 fourth-quarter points against the Broncos.
27. Chicago Bears
No one is getting Dennis Allen’s unit confused with the ‘85 Bears.
26. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins cut bait with pass-rusher Jaelen Phillips at the trade deadline, weakening what was already an underwhelming unit.
25. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders’ defense feels like Maxx Crosby and a bunch of other dudes.
24. New Orleans Saints
I love that Cameron Jordan and Demario Davis are still balling, but this unit needs an injection of youth.
23. Washington Commanders
Offseason additions haven’t helped the Commanders’ defense, which lost corner Marshon Lattimore to a torn ACL last week.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have surrendered the most passing yards per game (278.3) in the NFL by a wide margin.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars have the fewest sacks in the league (10), but their league-average pressure rate suggests that positive regression is on the way.
NFL Defense Power Rankings 20-11
20. Philadelphia Eagles
Perhaps acquiring Jaelen Phillips at the trade deadline will improve this Philadelphia defense, which has performed well below the standards it set last year.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Todd Bowles’ defense has performed well against bad offenses, but struggled against tougher tests.
18. Baltimore Ravens
Zach Orr’s unit has turned things around in recent weeks, and getting some guys healthy has certainly helped.
17. Detroit Lions
The return of pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson has provided a boost to this unit, but the Lions still struggle in pass coverage.
16. Buffalo Bills
The Bills allow the second-fewest passing yards (169.9) but surrender the fifth-most rushing yards (141.4) per game.
15. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have made significant strides after allowing the most points in the NFL last season.
14. Arizona Cardinals
Cardinals rookie corner Will Johnson looks like one of the steals of the 2025 NFL Draft.
13. San Francisco 49ers
Injuries to Nick Bosa and Fred Warner have ripped the heart out of this defense, but somehow, returning DC Robert Saleh has managed to keep things together.
12. Minnesota Vikings
Vikings DC Brian Flores is one of the best in the business, but his unit has been hamstrung by injuries at times this campaign.
11. Los Angeles Chargers
Jesse Minter’s unit isn’t dominant, but it’s well-schooled and consistently solid.
NFL Defense Power Rankings 10-1
10. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have been stellar against the run but woeful against the pass. The addition of Sauce Gardner should help.
9. Green Bay Packers
Micah Parsons is the betting favorite in the latest Defensive Player of the Year odds, and his presence has added a new element to Jeff Hafley’s unit.
8. Atlanta Falcons
The early returns from new Atlanta DC, Jeff Ulbrich, have been sensational, as Atlanta leads the NFL in passing yards allowed per game (158.1).
7. New England Patriots
The Patriots surrender the fewest rushing yards per game (75.4) and are holding opposing offenses under 19 points per contest.
6. Kansas City Chiefs
Steve Spagnuolo’s unit is consistently one of the best in the NFL each season.
5. Denver Broncos
The Broncos have a league-high 40 sacks in nine games. Nik Bonitto leads the team with eight.
4. Seattle Seahawks
Head coach Mike Macdonald is leaving his imprint on this defense, which has been stellar, albeit against below-average offenses.
3. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams have held four of their eight opponents to 10 points or fewer.
2. Cleveland Browns
Myles Garrett and this defense deserve so much credit for keeping the Browns in games, especially since Cleveland ranks near the bottom of my NFL offense power rankings.
1. Houston Texans
There’s no denying Houston this top spot, as the Texans lead the league in total yards allowed (267.4) and points allowed (15.1) per game.
