Week 13 saw some great defenses go to work against strong opponents while other defenses faltered back down to reality as every NFL team tries to make a push for the playoffs and have a chance to compete for the Super Bowl.
Here is where all 32 NFL Teams’ defenses stand after week 13 games:
Arizona Cardinals: C- (Last week D-)
The Cardinals’ defense hasn’t been the best defensive unit in the league but they did help the Red Birds secure a 24-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Josh Woods had 11 tackles, Budda Baker had eight tackles, and Dante Stills had two tackles and a fumble recovery. The Cardinals’ defense also had no sacks or interceptions in the win. However, winning in upset fashion is all that matters for a team that has been woeful all season long.
Atlanta Falcons: C (Last week C-)
The Falcons’ defense played in a sloppy and freezing environment as they defeated the New York Jets 13-8. Jessie Bates III had seven tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception while Bud Dupree had seven tackles and two sacks, and Richie Grant had two tackles and a sack. The Falcons’ defense played only fair while Jessie Bates III played his heart out in the team’s week 13 victory. This win is what they needed to potentially secure a wide-open NFC South crown from the likes of the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in the season’s remaining weeks.
Baltimore Ravens: Bye Week (Last week B+)
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The Raven’s defense is still an elite unit that can hold their own and cause mayhem to any opposing offense they square against. They need to keep playing like they have and more as the season winds down for the playoffs.
Buffalo Bills: Bye Week (Last week C+)
The Bill’s defense needs to step up slightly if they want to make it to the playoffs and help the team win out for the remainder of the season.
Carolina Panthers: D (Last week D-)
The Panthers’ defense played slightly better than they did in their previous week as they had one sack and one interception against Baker Mayfield despite losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 18-21. Marquis Haynes Sr. had seven tackles and the team’s only sack while Xavier Woods had three tackles, a pass deflection, and the Panthers’ only interception. Despite good plays from Woods and Haynes Sr., it wasn’t enough as the Panthers added another painful loss to their schedule.
Chicago Bears: Bye Week (Last week C+)
The Bear’s defense played good against the Minnesota Vikings in week 12 but need to keep playing like that in their remaining weeks of the season if they want to secure more wins for the team if they don’t want to lose out.
Cincinnati Bengals: C+ (Last week D+)
The Bengals’ defense played well in their 34-31 overtime victory despite not getting any interceptions or fumble recoveries. Germanine Pratt had 12 tackles, Jordan Battle had seven tackles and a sack, Sam Hubbard had three tackles, and a sack, Trey Hendrickson had a tackle and a sack, and Joseph Ossai had a tackle and a sack. It was a good day for the Bengals although they need to force more turnovers in their remaining games if they want to claw out a playoff spot from their AFC North rivals Cleveland Browns or Pittsburgh Steelers who currently hold Wildcard spots.
Cleveland Browns: D (Last week C-)
The Browns defense couldn’t get a sack or interception against Matthew Stafford in their 19-36 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Juan Thornhill had seven tackles and Martin Emerson Jr. had seven tackles and a pass deflection. The Browns defense is a great unit but had one of their off days in Los Angeles with no sacks, interceptions or fumble recoveries to show for it in the loss. They need to step back up in their remaining weeks if they want to continue holding on to their playoff spot.
Dallas Cowboys: B (Last week A)
The Cowboys’ defense had a great game against a more physical Seattle Seahawks team in a 41-35 victory. Markquese Bell had eight tackles, DaRon Bland had six tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception, and Johnathan Hankins had four tackles and a sack against DeeJay Dallas. The Cowboys’ defense is a great unit, especially with the rise of second-year cornerback DaRon Bland, who continues to be a force in the Dallas’ secondary.
Denver Broncos: C (Last week C+)
The Broncos’ defense did what they could to stop the Houston Texans but ultimately fell short in a 17-22 loss on the road. Alex Singleton had 12 tackles and a sack, P.J. Locke had eight tackles and a sack, Zach Allen had six tackles and 0.5 sacks, and Baron Browning had two tackles and 0.5 sacks. The Broncos also did not have any interceptions or fumble recoveries in the loss. It’s a tough pill to swallow after sustaining a five-game winning streak and starting the season 1-5. The Broncos will surely turn things around.
Detroit Lions: B (Last week F)
The Lions defense reawakened for their week 13, 33-28 win over the New Orleans Saints. Jack Campbell had nine tackles, Romeo Okwara had two tackles and a sack, Bruce Irvin had a tackle and a sack, Brian Branch had seven tackles, a pass deflection and an interception, and Josh Paschal had a fumble recovery. The Lions’ aggressive defense came back to life, pounced on the Saints, for a majority of the game and secured the victory, as they inch closer to locking up the NFC North crown.
Green Bay Packers: B+ (Last week B+)
The Packers’ defense played very well with the 27-19 win, under the lights, against the Kansas City Chiefs. Quay Walker had 13 tackles, Keisean Nixon had five tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception returned for two yards, and the rest of the defense had three sacks on the night. It was a very good night for the Cheese Heads as they look to take the second place, from the Minnesota Vikings, for in the NFC North, as well as hunt down a playoff spot before the season concludes.
Houston Texans: C+ (Last week C-)
The Texans’ defense played well and cooled down a red-hot Denver Broncos team with a 22-17 victory. Desmond King II had 10 tackles, Jimmie Ward had six tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception, and Derek Stinlgey Jr. had one tackle, four pass deflections, and two interceptions. The Texans also had three sacks against Russell Wilson in the victory with Will Anderson Jr. having two sacks on the afternoon. The Texans continue to reign terror against their opponents as they continue their hunt for a playoff spot.
Indianapolis Colts: B- (Last week B-)
The Colts’ defense played well against the Tennessee Titans and got some serious pressure against Will Levis with six sacks and two fumble recoveries despite no interceptions. Julian Blackmon had seven tackles and a fumble recovery, Samson Ebukam had six tackles and two sacks, and Segun Olubi had two tackles and a fumble recovery. The Colts’ defense showed the AFC South why they’re a wildcard contender with a lot gas in the tank, for a serious playoff run as the regular season continues.
Jacksonville Jaguars: B- (Last week C+)
The Jaguars defense played well but fell short to the Cincinnati Bengals in a 31-34 overtime loss on Monday Night Football. Foyeside Olukun had 13 tackles, Josh Allen had seven tackles, 1.5 sacks, a pass deflection, and an interception against Tyler Boyd, and Travon Walker had four tackles and 0.5 sacks. The Jags defense held their own against the Bengals despite the overtime loss and will certainly bounce back, as they earn more wins this season before the playoffs begin.
Kansas City Chiefs: D+ (Last week C)
The Chiefs’ defense played well, but couldn’t get the win in a 19-27 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football. Justin Reid had 10 tackles, Mike Danna had four tackles and a sack, and Charles Omenihu had three tackles and a sack. The Chiefs also had no interceptions, fumble recoveries, or pass deflections, all game. They need to improve after this loss, if they want to be competitive in the playoffs.
Las Vegas Raiders: Bye Week (Last week C-)
Other than Maxx Crosby, the Raider’s defense needs to step up more if they want to win more games as the season is officially in the fourth quarter where everyone is trying to make a push towards the playoffs.
Los Angeles Chargers: C- (Last week D+)
The Chargers’ defense may not have gotten an interception, but they did have a decent performance against the struggling New England Patriots as they won their week 13 matchup 6-0. Khalil Mack had five tackles and two sacks, Eric Kendricks had 10 tackles and a sack, Derwin James Jr. had nine tackles and a sack, and Tuli Tuipulotu had one tackle and a fumble recovery. The Chargers played well, but should’ve had at least one or two interceptions in this low-scoring match against the Patriots.
Los Angeles Rams: C (Last week C)
The Rams’ defense held their own as they defeated the Cleveland Browns 36-19. Ernest Jones had 15 tackles, Aaron Donald had five tackles and 0.5 sacks, Kobie Turner had five tackles and 1.5 sacks, and John Johnson III had six tackles, two pass deflections, and an interception returned for 42 yards. The Rams’ defense still has some great players that can make a serious impact against opposing offenses, but they need to put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Without that, they will struggle to get into the playoffs. If successful it will be their first return since they won Super Bowl 56 back in 2021.
Miami Dolphins: A- (Last week B+)
The Dolphins defense dominated the woeful Washington Commanders in a 45-15 win. David Long Jr. had eight tackles, Bradley Chubb had five tackles and 0.5 sacks, Zach Sieler had four tackles and 1.5 sacks, and Andrew Van Ginkel had five tackles, two pass deflections, and an interception returned for a 33-yard pick-six. It was a great performance for the Dolphins as they look to lock up the AFC East crown, as well as potentially the one-seed in the upcoming playoffs in the following weeks.
Minnesota Vikings: Bye Week (Last week D+)
The Vikings defense needs to step up and help the team escape their two-game losing streak and win out if they want to make it back to the playoffs.
New England Patriots: D- (Last week D+)
The Patriots’ defense not only couldn’t land a single sack against Justin Herbert but they also couldn’t intercept any of his passes. Jahlani Tavai and Ja’Whaun Bentley both had eight tackles while Jonathan Jones had six tackles and a pass deflection, and J.C. Jackson had four tackles and two pass deflections on the afternoon. It wasn’t the best performance by the Patriots’ defense, but not the worst. They managed to keep the Chargers out of the end-zone for a majority of the game- except giving up two field goals by the Chargers in the second quarter. Major changes need to come to New England if they want to be a force to be reckoned with, again.
New Orleans Saints: D+ (Last week D+)
The Saints’ defense played similarly to how they performed against the Atlanta Falcons in week 12, with this week 13, 28-33 loss against the Detroit Lions. Paulson Adebo had eight tackles and a pass deflection, Nephi Sewell had eight tackles, Zack Baun had two tackles, and the Saints’ only sack on the afternoon. The Saints’ defense must step up and rebound from their performance in weeks 12 and 13- if they want to compete for the NFC South crown.
New York Giants: Bye Week (Last week C-)
The Giant’s defense may have won in week 12 against the New England Patriots, but they need to step it up for the remainder of the season if they want to keep the team relevant.
New York Jets: D+ (Last week C-)
The Jets’ defense has strong and excellent playmakers, but they fell short in their wet and cold week 13, 8-13 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Tony Adams had nine tackles, Quincy Williams had eight tackles and a pass deflection, Quinton Jefferson had five tackles and 1.5 sacks, and Jermaine Johnson had four tackles and 1.5 sacks. The Jets’ defense also had no interceptions on the afternoon and lost defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey with a foot injury as the team tries to figure out their next move on how to secure another win for the season.
Philadelphia Eagles: D+ (Last week B-)
It was a tough evening for the Eagles’ defense as they fell to the San Francisco 49ers 19-42. Nicholas Morrow had eight tackles, Haason Reddick had three tackles and a sack, Fletcher Cox had two tackles and a sack, and Christian Elliss had six tackles and a pass deflection. It wasn’t an easy night for the Eagles’ defense as they were run over by the 49ers’ offense who struck gold in their week 13 loss.
Pittsburgh Steelers: D+ (Last week C+)
The Steelers’ defense which is usually one of the NFL’s best, did not secure an interception or fumble recovery in their 10-24 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. They did have two sacks against Kyler Murray. Mykal Walker had 10 tackles, Alex Highsmith had eight tackles and 1.5 sacks, and T.J. Watt had six tackles, 0.5 sacks, and a pass deflection. It was not the best afternoon for the Steelers, as they were defeated by the woeful Cardinals looking to scratch the barrel for any wins possible.
San Francisco 49ers: B (Last week A-)
The 49ers’ defense played very well in their 42-19 victory against the Eagles’ offense. Ji’Aiyre Brown had seven tackles, Javon Kinlaw had four tackles and two sacks, Charvarius Ward had five tackles and four pass deflections, and Kalia Davis had one tackle and a sack. Even though the 49ers’ defense didn’t get an interception, they made things tough for Hurts and the Eagles as they kept them from scoring over 20 points for the night.
Seattle Seahawks: B- (Last week D+)
The Seahawks’ defense had a bounce-back performance against the Dallas Cowboys but came short in their 35-41 loss in week 13. Bobby Wagner had 14 tackles while Jaran Reed had seven tackles and a sack, Leonard Williams had three tackles and a sack, and Darrell Taylor and Boye Mafe both had two tackles and a sack each. The Seahawks also had three pass deflections on the night but no interceptions against Dak Prescott. However, the Seahawks looked good and will eventually snap their small losing streak in the coming weeks.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: C+ (Last week C-)
The Bucs’ defense didn’t play their best game but they managed to make more noise against the woeful Carolina Panthers in their 21-18 win. Antonie Winfield Jr. had eight tackles, an interception, and a sack, J.J. Russell had seven tackles and a sack, and Yaya Diaby had six tackles and a sack. It was a good performance for the Bucs’ defense even though they are currently in second place in the NFC South and also in the hunt for a playoff spot which is further away than they realize.
Tennessee Titans: C- (Last week D+)
The Titans’ defense had an okay performance in their week 13 overtime battle against the Indianapolis Colts despite having no interceptions on the afternoon. Jack Gibbens had 13 tackles and a pass deflection, Azeez Al-Shaair had 12 tackles and a sack, and Elijah Molden had two tackles and a fumble recovery. The Titans had three sacks overall against Minshew and led in the first half before falling to the Colts in overtime which is something they need to overcome in their remaining games.
Washington Commanders: F (Last week D)
The Commanders’ defense had no answers against Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins in their 15-45 loss. Cody Barton had 11 tackles and Jamin Davis had eight tackles and a pass deflection but the Commanders couldn’t secure a sack or interception all afternoon long. It was a very painful loss for the Commanders as they look to put this loss behind them and focus on their next five games before their season ends.
