Week 14 saw some great defenses play well and made some serious noise against fierce opponents while other defenses took a step back as their opponents ran all over them as if they couldn’t stop a nose bleed. Other defenses woke up from out of nowhere and made secured some upset wins over their opponents as they hope to be a playoff spoiler for teams on the hunt for a secure playoff spot.
Here is where all 32 NFL Teams’ defenses look after week 14 games:
Arizona Cardinals: Bye Week (Last week C-)
Even with Budda Baker, the Cardinals’ defense has been quite a mess for the most part this season. If they lose out, they need to draft someone who can help them on the defensive side of the ball although they also have problems on the offensive side of the ball that also needs to be addressed in the draft.
Atlanta Falcons: D+ (Last week C)
The Falcons’ defense played a fair and productive game but couldn’t secure the win as they fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a tough 25-29 divisional loss. Kaden Elliss had 10 tackles, Jessie Bates III had nine tackles and a pass deflection, and Kentavius Street had three tackles and the Falcons’ only sack on the afternoon. Unfortunately, the Falcons did not have any interceptions, on the day, even though they did everything they could against their division rivals with four weeks remaining in the regular season.
Baltimore Ravens: B- (Last week Bye Week)
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The Ravens’ defense played well against the Los Angeles Rams in an intense battle that resulted in overtime as they escaped with a 37-31 victory. Roquan Smith had 10 tackles, Justin Madiubuike had seven tackles and a sack, Travis Jones had two tackles and a sack, and Kyle Hamilton had seven tackles but left the game early with a knee injury. Losing Kyle Hamilton hurts but the Ravens’ defense. They continue to trek march forward, as they once again showed the league why they’re one of the NFL’s best defensive units, after an intense neck-and-neck game with the Rams.
Buffalo Bills: C (Last week Bye Week)
The Bills’ defense played an average game as they helped the team secure the 20-17 victory over the defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs in week 14. Taron Johnson had nine tackles and a pass deflection, Ed Oliver had three tackles, 0.5 sacks, and a pass deflection, Greg Rousseau had two tackles, 0.5 sacks, and a pass deflection, and AJ Epenesa had the Bill’s only interception on the afternoon. It may not have been the best defensive performance by the Bills, but they got the win, which is all that matters.
Carolina Panthers: D- (Last week D)
The Panthers’ defense was a bit of a mess against the New Orleans Saints as they lost 6-28. Derrick Brown had 10 tackles, a pass deflection, and the team’s only interception returned for two yards, Jayce Horn had seven tackles and a pass deflection, and Frankie Luvu had four tackles and a sack. The Panthers defense hasn’t been able to step up against opposing offenses, but with four weeks left in the regular season, they can potentially be a playoff spoiler against teams on the hunt, if the remaining battles fall in their favor.
Chicago Bears: B (Last week Bye Week)
The Bears’ defense had a very productive afternoon as they defeated the Detroit Lions 28-13 in an intense divisional battle. Jaylon Johnson and Tremaine Edmunds both had interceptions and T.J. Edwards had a fumble recovery. Montrez Sweat had five tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery, Justin Jones had five tackles and 1.5 sacks, and Yannick Ngakoue had three tackles and a sack. The Bears had a very strong showing against the Lions, as they played spoiler, against a playoff-caliber team.
Cincinnati Bengals: B- (Last week C+)
The Bengals’ defense played very well in their week 14 34-14 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Germaine Pratt had 10 tackles and 0.5 sacks, DJ Ivey had a tackle, a pass deflection, and a fumble recovery, Trey Hendrickson had two tackles, two sacks, and a pass deflection, and BJ Hill had two tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception. It was a very good afternoon for the Bengals’ defense, as they pounced their way to victory and continued their hunt for a wildcard spot.
Cleveland Browns: B (Last week D)
The Browns’ defense played very well against a playoff contender in the Jacksonville Jaguars as they defeated them 31-27. Grant Delpit had six tackles and a sack, Maurice Hurst II had four tackles and a sack, Ogbo Okoronkwo had two tackles and a sack, and Za’Darius Smith had a tackle, a pass deflection, and a sack. Anthony Walker Jr. had a fumble recovery, Martin Emerson Jr. had two interceptions, and Greg Newsome II had an interception. The Browns’ defense continues to play well and can potentially make some serious noise against opposing offenses, if they secure a playoff spot.
Dallas Cowboys: B (Last week B)
The Cowboys’ defense played very well as they kept their opponents, the Philadelphia Eagles out of the endzone on offense all night long. Stephon Gilmore had nine tackles, Micah Parsons had two tackles and a sack, and DaRon Bland had five tackles. The Cowboys also had three fumble recoveries courtesy of Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson, and Damone Clark respectively. It was a solid night for the Cowboys’ defense even though they didn’t have any interceptions as they secured the win and first place in the NFC East.
Denver Broncos: B (Last week C)
The Broncos’ defense had a strong showcasing in their week 14 24-7 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers as they notched up six sacks against both Justin Herbert and Easton Stick. Alex Singleton had 14 tackles, a sack, and a pass deflection, Josey Jewel had nine tackles, a sack, a pass deflection, and a fumble recovery, and Jonathan Cooper had two tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception as the Broncos cruised to an easy victory over the struggling Chargers. All the Broncos’ defense has to do now, is continue playing aggressively and win out, if they want to potentially make the playoffs.
Detroit Lions: C- (Last week B)
The Lions’ defense was able to carry the Lions in a tough losing effort in their 13-28 loss to the Chicago Bears. John Cominsky had seven tackles and a sack, Aidan Hutchinson had two tackles and a sack, and Jalen Reed-Maybin had a tackle, a sack, and pass deflection. The Lions had four pass deflections but no interceptions or fumble recoveries as they need to put more pressure on their remaining opponents, if they want to win the NFC North.
Green Bay Packers: D- (Last week B+)
The Packers’ defense was almost nonexistent in their week 14 22-24 loss to the New York Giants on Monday Night Football. The team had no sacks or interceptions but they did have tow fumble recoveries. Darnell Savage had seven tackles, Rudy Ford had one tackle and a fumble recovery, and Carrington Valentine had four tackles and a fumble recovery. Not the greatest night for the Packers’ defense as the team is currently on the hunt for a playoff spot.
Houston Texans: C- (Last week C+)
The Texans’ defense had a tough time trying to stop the New York Jets offense in their 6-30 week 14 loss. Christian Harris had 10 tackles, Jonathan Greenard had six tackles, a pass deflection, and two sacks, Maliek Collins had four tackles and a sack, and Sheldon Rankins had two tackles and a sack. The Texans also didn’t have any interceptions, but they did have fumble recoveries from Adrian Amos and Khalil Davis. The Texans need to force more turnovers from their remaining opponents if they want to try and secure a playoff spot in the coming weeks.
Indianapolis Colts: D (Last week B-)
The Colts’ defense barely stopped the Cincinnati Bengals’ offense that ran all over them in their week 14 14-34 loss. Zaire Franklin had 14 tackles, DeForest Buckner had eight tackles and a pass deflection, and Ronnie Harrison Jr. had four tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception returned for a 36-yard pick-six in the second quarter. The Colts’ defense also couldn’t get any sacks against Jake Browning but the Harrison Jr. pick-six felt good for a team that had one slip-up as they continued to hunt and lock down a playoff spot of their own.
Jacksonville Jaguars: D+ (Last week B-)
The Jaguars’ defense had a tough time against the Cleveland Browns on the road as they lost on Sunday afternoon 27-31. Devin Lloyd had 11 tackles, Montaric Brown had seven tackles and a pass deflection, Darious Williams had two tackles, three pass deflections, and an interception returned for 11 yards, and Antonio Johnson had two tackles, a pass deflection, and the teams’ only sack. If the Jaguars continue to be in their losing slump, they can potentially kiss their chances of winning the AFC South goodbye but they can still turn things around with four weeks left in the regular season.
Kansas City Chiefs: C- (Last week D+)
The Chiefs’ defense had an average game as they did whatever they could to stop the Buffalo Bills but ended up losing 17-20. Mike Edwards had 11 tackles, Trent McDuffie had six tackles, a sack, and a pass deflection, and Charmarri Conner had three tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception. The Chiefs’ defense had three sacks on the afternoon but couldn’t secure the win at the very end. They will surely be back, and snap this losing skid, with four weeks left in the regular season.
Las Vegas Raiders: C- (Last week Bye Week)
The Raiders’ offense couldn’t do anything against the Minnesota Vikings but the defense did put a ton of pressure against the Vikings’ offense. Maxx Crosby had 10 tackles and two sacks, Robert Spillane had 10 tackles and a sack, Janarius Robinson had a tackle and a sack, and Tyree Wilson had four tackles and a sack. The Raiders truly pressured Joshua Dobbs by denying him a touchdown throw, all game long, but they didn’t have any interceptions or fumble recoveries in their 0-3 loss.
Los Angeles Chargers: C (Last week C-)
The Chargers’ defense played somewhat decent as they took on the Denver Broncos and lost 7-24. Kenneth Murray Jr. had 12 tackles and a sack, Michael Davis had four tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception, and Eric Kendricks had five tackles and a sack. The Chargers’ defense continues to play well but the offensive struggles and poor head coaching from Brandon Staley continue to hold them back from their true potential. They may just need to tank, for a higher draft pick that can help them out in the 2024 season and dispose of Staley for a new head coach.
Los Angeles Rams: B (Last week C)
The Rams’ defense played a tough and intense battle with the Baltimore Ravens but ended up losing 31-37 in overtime. Ernest Jones had 10 tackles, a sack, and a pass deflection, Byron Young had two tackles and a sack, and Ahkello Witherspoon had four tackles, a pass deflection, and the team’s only interception for 17 yards. The Rams’ defense played slightly better than the Ravens’ defense with their lone interception, but ultimately, couldn’t get the win over the Ravens in the neck-and-neck overtime loss.
Miami Dolphins: C- (Last week A-)
The Dolphins’ defense took a step back as they fell in shocking fashion to the Tennessee Titans on Monday Night Football. David Long Jr. had eight tackles, Christian Wilkins had five tackles and the team’s only sack, Bradley Chubb had five tackles, a pass deflection, and a fumble recovery, and Zach Sieler had four tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception returned for a five yard pick-six. The Dolphins’ defense is a good unit but needs to play more aggressive against the run and pick off more quarterback passes with four weeks to go in the regular season.
Minnesota Vikings: C- (Last week Bye Week)
The Vikings’ offense may not have played well and only scored three points via a field goal but the defense took Aidan O’Connell apart in their 3-0 victory. Ivan Pace Jr. had 13 tackles, a sack, a pass deflection, and an interception, D.J. Wonnum had five tackles and a sack, Harrison Phillips had four tackles and a sack, and Troy Dye had two tackles and a sack. The Vikings also had two fumble recoveries from Mehki Blackmon and Jay Ward as they shut out the Raiders’ offense- all game long.
New England Patriots: C (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 It was a good night for the Patriots’ defense as they slowed down the Pittsburgh Steelers in their 21-18 Thursday Night victory. Jahlani Tavai had 15 tackles, Kyle Duggar had seven tackles, 0.5 sacks, and a pass deflection, Christian Baremore had four tackles and 0.5 sacks, and Mack Wilson Sr. had three tackles, a sack, and a pass deflection. Jabrill Peppers had the only interception for the Patriots, as they clawed their way to victory over the Steelers. They look to play “playoff spoiler” for teams in the hunt for a coveted playoff spot. 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: C+ (Last week D+)
The Saints’ defense played a decent game and helped the team secure a 28-6 win over the struggling Carolina Panthers. Jordan Howden had 10 tackles, a sack, and a pass deflection, Demario Davis had eight tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a pass deflection, Nathan Shepherd had six tackles and 0.5 sacks, and Carl Granderson had five tackles and a sack. Pete Werner and D’Marco Jackson both had fumble recoveries and Jackson scored a defensive touchdown. The Saints’ defense won the battle with a beat down victory over the Panthers, and they need to win out if they want to clinch the NFC South championship and a potential playoff appearance.
New York Giants: C+ (Last week Bye Week)
The Giants’ defense played well coming off their bye week as they stunned the Green Bay Packers in East Rutherford, NJ 24-22 on Monday Night Football. Deonte Banks had 12 tackles and a pass deflection, Kayvon Thibodeaux had eight tackles, 0.5 sacks, and a pass deflection, Jason Pinnock had four tackles, two pass deflections, and an interception returned for 21 yards. It was a productive night for the Giants’ defense that can make some noise against teams that least expecting a loss as well as pull spoilers against teams looking to make the playoffs.
New York Jets: B- (Last week D+)
The Jets’ defense had a very good Sunday afternoon as they stunned the Houston Texans 30-6. Quincy Williams had five tackles and a pass deflection, C.J. Mosley had four tackles and a pass deflection, Quinnen Williams had two tackles and a sack, and Sauce Gardner had four tackles and two pass deflections. The rest of the Jets’ defense had five sacks (four of them against C.J. Stroud and one against Davis Mills) but no turnovers against the Texans in the beatdown victory. The Jets need to force opposing offenses to turn the ball over if they want to truly finish the season on a positive note.
Philadelphia Eagles: C- (Last week D+)
The Eagles’ defense did whatever they could to slow down the Dallas Cowboys but ultimately fell 13-33 in Sunday Night Football. Haason Reddick had three tackles and two sacks, Fletcher Cox had three tackles, a sack, and a pass deflection, and Jalen Carter had a tackle and a fumble recovery that scored the Eagle’s only touchdown of the night. A painful loss to the Cowboys but the Eagles still have time to take the division back, if the Cowboys lose a couple games in the four remaining weeks of the regular season.
Pittsburgh Steelers: C- (Last week D+)
The Steelers’ defense did whatever they could to stop the Patriots before losing 18-21. Cameron Heyward had six tackles and a sack, Elandon Roberts had six tackles, a sack, and a pass deflection, and Mykal Walker had a tackle, a pass deflection, and an interception. The Steelers’ defense also took a hit as T.J. Watt left the game with a concussion (Watt had five tackles on the night). The Steelers must find a way out of their two-game slump if they want to sneak into the playoffs.
San Francisco 49ers: A- (Last week B)
The 49ers’ defense played very hard against the Seattle Seahawks in a 28-16 divisional victory. Fred Warner had eight tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception, Nick Bosa had six tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a pass deflection, and Clein Ferrell had four tackles and a sack. The 49ers also had Ji’Ayir Brown snag an interception while the 49ers’ defense had four sacks in the afternoon as they cruised to a fair and respectable victory.
Seattle Seahawks: C+ (Last week B-)
The Seahawks’ defense played a good battle against the San Francisco 49ers despite losing 16-28. Julian Love had seven tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception, Riq Woolen had five tackles, and a fumble recovery, and Leonard Williams had four tackles, a sack, and a pass deflection. The Seahawks had three sacks altogether despite falling to the 49ers in a tough somewhat competitive divisional battle.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: B- (Last week C+)
The Buccaneers’ defense played a decent game against the Atlanta Falcons and came away with a 29-25 victory over their division rivals. Zyom McCollum had nine tackles and two pass deflections, Antonie Winfeld Jr. had eight tackles and a sack, Calijah Kancey had three tackles and a sack, and Carlton Davis had four tackles, three pass deflections, and an interception. It was business as usual, as the Bucs stole first place in the NFC South from the Falcons, for now, as they sailed to victory.
Tennessee Titans: C+ (Last week C-)
The Titans’ defense played decently to somewhat better in their week 14 victory on the road against the Miami Dolphins. Azeez Al-Shaair had 10 tackles, Harold Landry III had five tackles and three sacks, and TK McLendon Jr. had a fumble recovery. A good strong effort by the Titans’ defense who helped their team secure an upset victory over the Dolphins who are currently on the hunt for the one seed in the AFC playoffs.
Washington Commanders: Bye Week (Last week F)
The Commanders’ defense may have been humiliated by the Miami Dolphins in week 13 but they need to get back on track in week 14 if they want to be relevant again or lose out and help the franchise secure a strong draft pick.
