Offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships. That adage still holds up in the modern NFL, as seen with the success of the Seattle Seahawks this season. We’ve seen other teams carried by their defense as well, including the Houston Texans, who got to the AFC Divisional Round despite a vanilla offense and a struggling quarterback.
When making these rankings, I’m considering how each group performed last year, while also trying to project what they may look like this upcoming season. This is based on current personnel, coaching staff, free agent signings, draft picks, and more. That’s why teams that may lose their defensive coordinator may not be as high as you’d expect.
Below, I’ll dig into my NFL defense power rankings of all 32 teams. After reading, you’ll have an idea of which teams should have the best defenses heading into the 2026 NFL season. So, without further ado, let’s get right into it.
NFL Defense Power Rankings
NFL Defense power rankings are updated as of October 1, 2026.
- Seattle Seahawks
- Minnesota Vikings
- Los Angeles Rams
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- San Francisco 49ers
- Houston Texans
- Baltimore Ravens
- New England Patriots
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Denver Broncos
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Chicago Bears
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Cleveland Browns
- Atlanta Falcons
- Buffalo Bills
- New York Jets
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Dallas Cowboys
- Tennessee Titans
- Green Bay Packers
- Washington Commanders
- New York Giants
- New Orleans Saints
- Arizona Cardinals
- Indianapolis Colts
- Detroit Lions
- Carolina Panthers
- Miami Dolphins
Risers
Here are the three biggest risers so far.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville has been one of the biggest defensive surprises through three weeks. The Jaguars rank fourth in defensive EPA per play and have allowed just 19 total points, including a 35-6 win over New England. This unit entered the year with questions about whether its turnover production and pass rush were sustainable, but the early results have been much better than expected.
Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City’s defense has exceeded preseason expectations, especially against the pass. The Chiefs rank among the NFL’s best defenses in EPA allowed per pass, sitting at roughly -0.21 EPA per dropback, while also limiting opponents to only 5.4 yards per attempt. The pass rush hasn’t generated many sacks yet, but the secondary has helped Kansas City climb into the top tier.
Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota entered the season with a strong defensive reputation under Brian Flores, but the Vikings have been even better than expected. They are tied with Seattle for the NFL lead at roughly -0.21 defensive EPA per play and have allowed just 13.7 points per game. This isn’t simply turnover luck, either, as Minnesota has consistently prevented opponents from sustaining drives.
Risers
Here are the three biggest risers so far.
Dallas Cowboys
Dallas has been one of the league’s biggest defensive disappointments, ranking 32nd in defensive EPA per play at +0.14 through three games. The Cowboys have been especially poor against the pass, allowing +0.37 EPA per pass, while also giving up 539 rushing yards. The addition of Joey Porter Jr. should help the secondary, but based on the early results, Dallas still belongs well below where it was projected entering the season.
Detroit Lions
Detroit entered the year with expectations of taking another step defensively, but the early numbers have gone in the opposite direction. The Lions rank 30th in defensive EPA per play at +0.12 and have already allowed 979 passing yards and nine passing touchdowns. Until the secondary settles down, this defense looks more vulnerable than expected.
Carolina Panthers
Carolina’s underlying performance has actually been respectable, ranking 13th in defensive EPA per play at -0.06, but the outlook has changed because of injuries. Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson have landed on IR, while Nic Scourton is out for the season and Tershawn Wharton is also sidelined. With multiple important pieces missing at both cornerback and along the defensive line, the Panthers are a major faller in a forward-looking ranking despite their decent early efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some Frequently Asked Questions about NFL defenses.
What is the most important on defense?
The most important on defense is pass rush. If the group can’t get to the quarterback consistently, they’re going to have a tough time. The next best is pass coverage. It’s a passing league nowadays, so this means much more than run defense. This is why defenses like the Rams could be dominant with Myles Garrett in the fold.
Does defense win championships?
Yes, defense absolutely wins championships. Just look at how the Eagles completely shut down the Chiefs in the Super Bowl back in 2025.
Can you win a Super Bowl with a bad defense?
It’s certainly possible to win a Super Bowl with a bad defense, but it’s going to be difficult. Just look at Joe Burrow and the Bengals. They’ve missed the playoffs for two straight years because of this.
