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 23, 2026.
- Minnesota Vikings
- Seattle Seahawks
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- San Francisco 49ers
- New England Patriots
- Denver Broncos
- Houston Texans
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Green Bay Packers
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Los Angeles Rams
- Atlanta Falcons
- Chicago Bears
- Baltimore Ravens
- New York Jets
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Cleveland Browns
- New York Giants
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Tennessee Titans
- Carolina Panthers
- Indianapolis Colts
- Washington Commanders
- Buffalo Bills
- Miami Dolphins
- New Orleans Saints
- Arizona Cardinals
- Dallas Cowboys
- Detroit Lions
The Minnesota Vikings take the top spot in our latest NFL defense power rankings, followed closely by the Seattle Seahawks. Both teams have been excellent at limiting opposing offenses, particularly through the air.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have been one of the biggest surprises, climbing to third thanks to a defense that has consistently kept opponents off the scoreboard. Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos move into the top six, with their pass rush continuing to make life difficult for opposing quarterbacks.
The Houston Texans also deserve recognition despite their disappointing record. Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter have formed one of the NFL’s most dangerous pass-rushing duos.
At the bottom, the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions continue to struggle. Both teams have allowed far too many explosive plays and haven’t shown enough improvement to justify moving up.
Risers
Here are three defenses that have exceeded expectations through the first six weeks of the 2026 NFL season.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville has been one of the NFL’s biggest defensive surprises, climbing to No. 3 in our rankings. The Jaguars are allowing just 14 points per game, the second-fewest in the league behind Minnesota. This unit has consistently kept opponents out of the end zone, helping Jacksonville start 4-1. While the pass defense has surrendered yardage, the Jaguars have made enough timely plays to establish themselves as a legitimate top-five defense.
Denver Broncos
Denver moves into the top six thanks to a defense that continues to make life difficult for opposing quarterbacks. The Broncos have been particularly effective at generating pressure, with Nik Bonitto leading the way. They held the Chargers to 17 points in Week 5 before limiting Seattle to 14 in Thursday night’s overtime victory. Even with injuries in the secondary, Denver has shown it can keep games competitive when its offense struggles.
Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota takes over the No. 1 spot in our latest rankings after an outstanding start under defensive coordinator Brian Flores. The Vikings are allowing an NFL-low 12.8 points per game, and they’ve been even better recently, surrendering just 10.5 per game over their last four contests. Minnesota continues to create problems for opposing quarterbacks with its aggressive defensive schemes, while preventing teams from sustaining drives. This has been the most complete defense in football so far.
Fallers
Here are three defenses that have fallen well short of expectations this season.
Dallas Cowboys
Dallas has been one of the league’s biggest defensive disappointments, falling to No. 31 in our rankings. The Cowboys have struggled to stop opposing passing attacks, while their inability to consistently generate pressure has exposed weaknesses in the secondary. Dallas is allowing more than 400 yards per game, making it difficult for the offense to overcome defensive mistakes. Until the Cowboys show meaningful improvement, it’s hard to justify moving them out of the bottom tier.
Detroit Lions
Detroit occupies the bottom spot in our rankings after a rough start defensively. The Lions have surrendered 29.6 points per game, with their secondary emerging as a major weakness. Opposing quarterbacks have consistently found success through the air, and Detroit has already allowed nearly 1,500 passing yards through five games. Injuries to important defensive backs haven’t helped, but the results speak for themselves. Even with an explosive offense, the Lions need significant defensive improvement.
Buffalo Bills
Buffalo has fallen all the way to No. 27, a significant disappointment for a team that entered the season with much higher defensive expectations. The Bills have struggled against both the run and pass, surrendering more than 400 yards per game and allowing opponents to sustain long scoring drives. Their inability to get consistent stops has placed additional pressure on Josh Allen and the offense. Based on what we’ve seen through five games, Buffalo belongs firmly in the bottom 10.
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.
