NFL defenses in week 11, for the most part, schooled the opposing offenses as they helped secure victories for their teams. There were also some other units that played hooky, and just couldn’t stop opposing offenses from running all over them.
Here is where all 32 NFL Teams’ defenses look after week 11 games:
Arizona Cardinals: C+ (Last week C)
The Cardinals’ defense had a very productive day as they intercepted three of CJ Strouds’ passes on the afternoon despite the 16-21 week 11 loss. Krys Barnes had three tackles, two pass deflections, and an interception returned for 46 yards, Antonio Hamilton had five tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception, and Jalen Thompson had eight tackles, a sack, a pass deflection, and an interception. The Cardinals’ defense also had four sacks on the day despite the loss. If the Cardinals continue to play close and efficient with other opponents, some of those games down the stretch can result in wins for the Red Birds. Only time will tell how the Cardinals will do from here on out.
Atlanta Falcons: Bye Week (Last week C)
The Falcons’ defense can be average at best but can help the team secure wins in a wide-open NFC South against competition like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints.
Baltimore Ravens: B- (Last week B-)
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The Ravens’ defense may not have gotten any interceptions in their Thursday night 34-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, but they made things tough for Joe Burrow and Jake Browning. Patrick Queen had 11 tackles on the night while Marcus Williams had seven tackles and two pass deflections, and the rest of the defense had five sacks. The Ravens’ defense continues to be elite and fierce against their opponents and may be one of the main reasons this team could go far in the playoffs!
Buffalo Bills: B+ (Last week C)
The Bills’ defense smothered the Jets’ offense in their 32-6 week 11 showdown. Tyrel Dodson had seven tackles and a sack, Leonard Floyd had four tackles, and 2.5 sacks, and Rasul Douglas had four tackles, three pass deflections, a fumble recovery, and two interceptions against both Zach Wilson and Tim Boyle. The defense had six sacks in the early evening and truly shined against their division rivals. They showed the league they’re back and ready to dominate more opposing offenses for the remainder of the season.
Carolina Panthers: F (Last week D+)
The Panthers’ defense couldn’t stop Dak Prescott and the Cowboys in their week 11 10-33 loss. The team couldn’t even get any sacks or interceptions but did have eight pass deflections. Frankie Luvu had eight tackles and two pass deflections and Troy Hill had eight tackles and three pass deflections. It was a disastrous performance from the struggling Panthers’ defense. It will take a major change in strategy to see improvement for the remainder of the season.
Chicago Bears: B- (Last week C+)
The Bears may have lost 26-31 from behind in their week 11 matchup with the Detroit Lions but the Bears defense made some very serious noise against the Lions’ offense. T.J. Edwards had nine tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception returned for 10 yards, Tyrique Stevenson had four tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception returned for five yards, and Tremaine Edmunds had eight tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception. The Bears’ defense also had two sacks against Jared Goff and was menacing against a very strong offensive unit in the Lions.
Cincinnati Bengals: D+ (Last week C+)
The Bengals’ defense had a somewhat quiet night against their divisional opponent, the Baltimore Ravens. Jordan Battle led the team with 12 tackles while Mike Hilton had five tackles and a sack, and Logan Wilson had nine tackles. The Bengals’ defense did have three sacks against Lamar Jackson and two pass deflections but no interceptions. It’s not a good sign when a defense can’t get interceptions in a football game. The Bengals have to put this loss behind them and move on to their next challenge.
Cleveland Browns: C (Last week B)
The Browns’ defense played a good game but did not secure any interceptions against Kenny Pickett and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Grant Deipit had seven tackles, Ogbo Okoronkwo had five tackles and a sack, and Myles Garrett had two tackles and two sacks. The Browns defense may continue to carry the Browns to wins like they did in week 11, but there will come a point where the defense isn’t enough to secure the victory for Cleveland.
Dallas Cowboys: A (Last week B)
The Cowboys’ defense dominated Bryce Young and the woeful Carolina Panthers’ offense. Markquese Bell had 10 tackles on the day while Micah Parson had six tackles and 2.5 sacks, DeMarcus Lawrence had three tackles and a sack, and DaRon Bland had five tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception returned for a 30-yard touchdown. The Cowboys’ defense overall had seven sacks on the afternoon and two pass deflections as they cruised to an easy victory.
Denver Broncos: C+ (Last week C+)
The Broncos’ defense did okay to help the team secure the 21-20 victory on Sunday Night Football. Alex Singleton had 16 tackles, Josey Jewell had six tackles and a fumble recovery, and Ja’Quan McMillian had two tackles, a fumble recovery, a pass deflection, and an interception returned for nine yards. The Broncos’ defense has been a complete surprise so far this season, as they continue to steal the show in Denver, against opposing offenses.
Detroit Lions: C+ (Last week C)
The Lions’ defense played an alright game against their division rivals, the Chicago Bears, in a 31-26 week 11 win. Alex Azalone had 15 tackles, Aidan Hutchinson had six tackles and a sack, and Alim McNeill had two tackles and a sack. The Lions’ defense did not get any interceptions from Justin Fields, but did have two pass deflections. That ranks as a better than nothing scenario, but it is certainly not good enough, as an overall strategy, when it comes to slowing down an opposing offense from crossing the end-zone.
Green Bay Packers: C- (Last week C)
The Packers defense played decently against Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers. Jonathan Owens had eight tackles while Rashan Gray had two tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery, and Karl Brooks had a tackle and a sack. The Packers did not have any interceptions but did have five pass deflections, on the afternoon in Lambeau Field. It was an average performance by the Packers’ defense. They must catch more interceptions and get more sacks against opposing quarterbacks for the challenges ahead.
Houston Texans: B- (Last week B+)
The Texans’ defense played well against the Arizona Cardinals in a tight 21-16 victory. Blake Cashman had 19 tackles, a sack, and a pass deflection, Derek Stingley Jr. had six tackles, two pass deflections, and an interception on the day, and Steven Nelson had three tackles and the game-ending pass deflection which prevented the Red Birds from securing a comeback over Houston. The Texans’ defense is young and so far, has great playmakers that can carry this team to the Divisional Round of the playoffs- if they continue playing strong.
Indianapolis Colts: Bye Week (Last week C+)
The Colts defense needs to play well against opposing offenses if they want to be in the playoff hunt but Shaquille Leonard needs to step up once the Colts return to action from their bye week.
Jacksonville Jaguars: B- (Last week D-)
The Jaguars’ defense played a strong first half until the Tennessee Titans scored two touchdowns in the second half but the Jaguars’ offense helped secure the win for Jacksonville. Devin Lloyd had 11 tackles, Foyesade Oluokun had six tackles, 0.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery, Andre Cisco had five tackles and 0.5 sacks, Travon Walker had four tackles, 0.5 sacks, and one pass deflection, and Josh Allen had three tackles and 0.5 sacks. It was a rebound performance for the Jaguars as they kept Derrick Henry from going anywhere by holding him to 38 rushing yards on the day. To opposing offenses going up against the Jaguars- be careful.
Kansas City Chiefs: B- (Last week Bye Week)
The Chiefs’ defense truly played well despite losing to the Philadelphia Eagles 17-21. Chris Jones had five tackles and two sacks, Trent McDuffle had four tackles, two sacks, and a pass deflection, George Kalaftis had three tackles, and a sack, and L’Jarius Snead had three tackles, two pass deflections, and an interception. Despite the Chiefs’ efforts on defense, they couldn’t defeat the red-hot Philadelphia Eagles who got the victory over Andy Reid and company.
Las Vegas Raiders: D+ (Last week B-)
The Raiders’ defense didn’t have a good game in their week 11 visit to South Beach against the Miami Dolphins. Robert Spillane had 13 tackles and a pass deflection while Maxx Crosby had six tackles, a sack, and a pass deflection, and Isaiah Pola-Mao had seven tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception. The Raiders couldn’t stop the speed of Tyreek Hill and Tua Tagovailoa for a majority of the game. They did whatever they could with one sack from Crosby and an interception from Isaiah Pola-Mao respectively. The team needs to turn things around very soon if they want to continue to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot.
Los Angeles Chargers: C (Last week D+)
The Chargers defense played similarly to the Green Bay Packers’ defense in their week 11 matchup but unlike their opponents, the Packers, the Chargers came up short and lost in Lambeau Field 20-23. Kenneth Murray Jr. led the Chargers with 10 tackles, Khalil Mack had eight tackles, two sacks, and a pass deflection, and Sebastian Joseph-Day had three tackles and a sack. The Chargers defense also had five pass deflections but did not intercept Jordan Love at all. They will sack another teams’ quarterback in the coming weeks but this loss isn’t a good look for head coach Brandon Staley.
Los Angeles Rams: C- (Last week Bye Week)
The Rams’ defense played somewhat decent against the Seattle Seahawks in the teams’ 17-16 victory. Ernest Jones had 12 tackles and 0.5 sacks while Jonah Williams had four tackles and a sack, Troy Reader had two tackles and 0.5 sacks, and Derion Kendrick had three tackles, three pass deflections, and one interception against Drew Lock. The Rams’ defense still has some good playmakers but needs to perform a lot better and faster for the coming weeks for the remainder of the season.
Miami Dolphins: B+ (Last week Bye Week)
After resting in week 10, the Dolphins’ defense re-emerged and caused pain and suffering to Aidan O’Connell and the visiting Las Vegas Raiders. Xavien Howard had seven tackles and a pass deflection, Jaelen Philips had six tackles, two sacks, a pass deflection, and an interception returned for five yards, and Jalen Ramsey had one tackle, two pass deflections, and two interceptions (one of them being the game-ending interception) as the Dolphins cruised to 20-13 victory over the Silver and Black. With Jalen Ramsey in the lineup, this Dolphins’ defensive unit can be scary, and possibly go far for the rest of the season and potentially in the playoffs.
Minnesota Vikings: D+ (Last week B+)
The Vikings’ defense was pretty quiet in their 20-21 loss to the Denver Broncos but still had some good plays. Ivan Pace Jr. had nine tackles while D.J. Wonnum had four tackles and a sack, and Danielle Hunter had three tackles and a sack. The Vikings did not get an interception from Russell Wilson but did all that they could despite the razor-thin loss.
New England Patriots: Bye Week (Last week D+)
When the 2023 season concludes, there needs to be some serious change for the Patriots’ defense if they want to return to championship form and be threatening against any offenses again which will take a lot of time to rebuild and retool.
New Orleans Saints: Bye Week (Last week D+)
The Saints need this bye week to rest and retool themselves for the competition that’s’ ahead of them if they want to win the NFC South crown.
New York Giants: C+ (Last week D-)
The Giants’ defense managed to play fairly well against the Washington Commanders. Darnay Holmes and Nick McCloud each had an interception against Sam Howell while Isaiah Simmons had four tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception returned for a 54-yard pick-six touchdown. Kayvon Thibodeau had five tackles, two sacks, and a pass deflection, and Dexter Lawrence II had four tackles, a sack, and two pass deflections. It was a good Sunday afternoon for the Giants’ defense as they sunk the Commanders in Landover, MD for a well-earned victory.
New York Jets: D- (Last week C)
The Jets’ defense struggled to contain the Bills’ speedy offense all game long in their 6-32 week 11 loss. Quincy Williams had 10 tackles while Quinnene Williams had six tackles and a sack, C.J. Mosley had four tackles, and Ashtyn Davis had an interception returned for 51 yards. It wasn’t a pretty sight for the Jets’ defense to lose a blowout, to a divisional rival. They have to move on quickly for their week 12 matchup against another divisional rival, the Miami Dolphins.
Philadelphia Eagles: C+ (Last week Bye Week)
The Eagles defense played fair and helped the team secure the victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Kevin Byard had eight tackles, two pass deflections, and an interception, Haason Reddick had four tackles and the Eagles’ only sack on the night, and Reed Blankenship had eight tackles. The Eagles continued their dominance as they beat the Chiefs 21-17 in a Super Bowl 57 team rematch.
Pittsburgh Steelers: D+ (Last week B)
The Steelers’ defense wasn’t as explosive as they were in their previous games in their 13-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns but did have some good individual performances. Elandon Roberts had 15 tackles while T.J. Watt had six tackles and the Steelers’ only sack on the afternoon, and Clandon Sullivan had two tackles, two pass deflections, and an interception on the day. Pittsburgh has a great unit but they didn’t play their best against a mediocre Cleveland Brown offense that does not have Deshaun Watson in the lineup. The defense will bounce back from this loss in the weeks to come.
San Francisco 49ers: A (Last week A)
The 49ers defense continued their dominance against opponents with a 27-14 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fred Warner had 12 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and two pass deflections, Ji’Ayir Brown had four tackles, three pass deflections, and an interception, Chase Young had two tackles and a sack, and Dre Greenlaw had eight tackles and 0.5 sacks. It was a dominant performance by the 49ers who continue to reign terror on opposing offenses who square up against them and who have yet to face them in the coming weeks.
Seattle Seahawks: D+ (Last week C+)
The Seahawks’ defense took a step back from their week 10 performance to fall just short of expectations in week 11. Quandre Diggs had 13 tackles while Devn Witherspoon had eight tackles the teams’ only sack, and a pass deflection, Bobby Wagner had 10 tackles, and Riq Woolen had three tackles, two pass deflections, and an interception on the afternoon. It was a stale performance for a strong defense that should pick itself back up in the coming weeks as the season continues.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: C (Last week B-)
The Bucs defense did whatever they could in their week 11 14-27 loss to the San Francisco 49ers to slow down Brock Purdy and company but couldn’t intercept a single pass from him. Antonie Winfield Jr. had 16 tackles while Lavonte David had seven tackles and a sack but left the game with a groin injury, and Yaya Diaby had four tackles and two sacks on the day. Losing Lavonte David for the afternoon hurts and hopefully, he’ll be back for the Bucs for their week 12 matchup and onward. The Bucs are still lucky that the NFC South is still wide open between them, the Saints, and the Falcons.
Tennessee Titans: D- (Last week D+)
The Titans’ defense didn’t do much of anything against the Jacksonville Jaguars as they lost 14-34 in week 11. Monty Rice had eight tackles while Terrell Edmunds had five tackles and a sack but the Titans’ defense did not have any pass deflections, fumble recoveries, or interceptions. It was a very silent day on the Titans’ defense as Trevor Lawrence and Calvin Ridley ran right passed them for the end-zone multiple times in the game. The Titans need to get themselves back on track before they end up finishing in last place in the AFC South.
Washington Commanders: C (Last week D+)
The Commanders’ defense may not have gotten an interception against Tommy DeVito all game but they did get nine sacks and five pass deflections against him. Jamin Davis had seven tackles and a sack, David Mayo had six tackles and two sacks, Jonathan Allen and KJ Henry both had four tackles and 1.5 sacks each, and Daron Payne had three tackles and a sack. The Commanders’ defense continues to play well, but couldn’t help the team secure the win overall against the divisional rival New York Giants.
