Week five had some great defensive performances from some of the leagues’ best defenses, as they helped secure wins for their teams, while some NFL teams battled through adversity and secured the victory.
However, some defenses tired out and lost their steam, resulting in losses at home or on the road. Even though it’s been five weeks, there’s still a lot more football to be played, and some teams can turn things around come week six.
After week five, here are the grades for all 32 NFL teams’ defenses.
Which NFL teams have the highest grades on defense after week 5 of games?
Arizona Cardinals: B+
The Cardinals’ defense played very well in their 24-23 comeback victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Budda Baker had 12 tackles; Mack Wilson Sr. had six tackles, a pass deflection, an interception, and a fumble recovery; Kyzir White had four tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception; and Krys Barnes and Naquan Jones both had three tackles and a sack each. The 49ers imploded as the Cardinals’ defense took advantage. This made it easy work for the offense to secure the win, in the second half.
Atlanta Falcons: C+
The Falcons’ defense played a decent game in their 36-30 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jessie Bates III had eight tackles, David Onyemata had two tackles and a sack, and Kaden Ellis had seven tackles and a fumble recovery. The Falcons’ defense may not have gotten any interceptions against Baker Mayfield, even though they helped the team secure a well-needed win at home, as the team gets set for their week six road trip against the Carolina Panthers.
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Baltimore Ravens: B+
The Ravens’ defense had a very strong game against their divisional rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals, in a thrilling 41-38 overtime victory. Roquan Smith had 15 tackles, Kyle Hamilton had four tackles, a sack, and a pass deflection, Nnamdi Maubuike had four tackles and a sack, Tavis Robinson had three tackles and a sack, and Marlon Humphrey had two tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception. The Ravens’ defense played well, as they kept the Bengals’ run game out of the end zone and played a very consistent battle with the Bengals’ offense all game long.
Buffalo Bills: C
The Bills’ defense had a decent afternoon, even though the team’s comeback attempt failed in their 20-23 loss to the Houston Texans. Dorian Williams had 12 tackles, Terrell Bernard had five tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception, and Dawuane Smoot had a tackle and the team’s only sack. The Bills’ defense played well in the second half of the game but needed cornerback Taron Johnson, who has missed his fourth straight game, as he recovers from a forearm injury.
Carolina Panthers: F
The Panthers’ defense fell flat, as they gave up huge plays in their 10-36 loss against the Chicago Bears. Trevin Wallace had 15 tackles, Charles Harris had three tackles and the team’s only sack in the afternoon, and Jaycee Horn had six tackles and a pass deflection. The Panthers’ defense couldn’t stop Caleb Williams, who played a great game, and D’Andre Swift, who also had a great game on the ground. The Panthers’ defense needs to improve, getting their defensive executions in week six when they welcome the Atlanta Falcons to town.
Chicago Bears: B+
The Bears’ defense played very strong, as they crushed the Carolina Panthers 36-10. Kevin Byard III had six tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception, and Kyler Gordon had five tackles and 0.5 sacks. Andrew Billings had two tackles and a sack, DeMarcus Walker had two tackles and 0.5 sacks, Gervon Dexter Sr. had two tackles and a sack, and Austin Booker had a tackle and a sack. The Bears’ defense made quick work of the Panthers’ offense and made things painful for Andy Dalton and company.
Cincinnati Bengals: B-
The Bengals’ defense had a good afternoon despite losing a tough and thrilling 38-41 overtime battle to the Baltimore Ravens. Sam Hubbard had nine tackles and a sack, Cam Taylor-Britt had six tackles and two pass deflections, and Germaine Pratt had nine tackles and a fumble recovery. The Bengals’ defense also earned a safety as they tackled Derrick Henry in the end zone, but the overtime loss stung at the end, as the Ravens took advantage of the missed kick.
Also Read: Ranking All 32 NFL Teams’ Defenses For The 2024 Season From WORST To FIRST
Cleveland Browns: C-
The Browns’ defense played fair despite the team getting dropped 13-34 against the Washington Commanders. Winston Reid had eight tackles and 0.5 sacks, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah had five tackles, a sack, a pass deflection, and an interception, and Za’Darius Smith had three tackles and a sack. The Browns had three sacks in the game and a fumble recovery from Martin Emerson Jr. However, the Browns’ offense needs to step it up and put points on the board, which would make things easier for the defense for their future NFL games. The Browns continue their road trip with a week six matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Dallas Cowboys: B+
The Cowboys’ defense had a decent night as they stunned the Pittsburgh Steelers 20-17. Eric Kendricks had 10 tackles and a pass deflection, Chauncy Golston had five tackles and 0.5 sacks, Tyrus Wheat had three tackles and 0.5 sacks, Linvaul Joseph had two tackles and a sack, and Jourdan Lewis had a tackle, a pass deflection, and a fumble recovery. A great night for the Cowboys’ defense, as they made things rough for the Steelers’ rushing and passing attack all night long.
Denver Broncos: A-
The Broncos’ defense made things miserable for the Las Vegas Raiders in their 31-18 win at home. Zach Allen had seven tackles and a sack, Jonathan Cooper had two tackles and a sack, Nik Bonitto had a tackle and a sack, Riley Moss had four tackles, two pass deflections, and an interception, and Patrick Surtain II had three tackles, two pass deflections, and an interception returned for a 100-yard pick-six. Surtain II was the MVP of the defense, as his pick-six was one of the reasons why Gardner Minshew was benched for Aidan O’Connell, even though the interception happened in the second quarter. Don’t sleep on the Broncos’ defense this 2024 NFL season.
Detroit Lions: Bye Week
The Lions’ defensive line was ranked as the second-best unit in the NFL in week four per Pro Football Focus. The rest of the defense played well against the Seattle Seahawks in week four, as they have a very tough road trip in week six against the Dallas Cowboys.
Green Bay Packers: B+
The Packers’ defense shined in their very close and competitive 24-19 win on the road against the Los Angeles Rams. Evan Williams had 10 tackles and two pass deflections, Xavier McKinney had three tackles, two pass deflections, an interception returned for 28 yards, and a fumble recovery, and Karl Brooks had one tackle and 1.5 sacks. The Packers’ defense had three sacks, and McKinney had an impressive performance. He consistently made things tough for the struggling Rams’ offense.
Houston Texans: C
The Texans’ defense may not have gotten any interceptions against the Buffalo Bills, as they helped the team secure the 23-20 win. Azeez Al-Shaair had eight tackles and two pass deflections, Khalil Davis had two tackles and a sack, and Derek Stingley Jr. had seven tackles and a pass deflection. The Texans’ defense played well against the Bills’ passing attack, as they held them to a combined 131 yards all game. However, it would be nice to see the Texans’ defense put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks moving forward.
Indianapolis Colts: D
The Colts’ defense had a tough afternoon, as they failed to sack Trevor Lawrence and lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars 34-37. Zaire Franklin had 10 tackles and a pass deflection, Nick Cross had five tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception, and Chris Lammons had two tackles and a fumble recovery. The Colts defense also surrendered 497 yards to the Jaguars, as they spoiled the amazing performances of Joe Flacco and Alec Pierce on offense and gave the Jaguars their first win of the 2024 NFL season.
Jacksonville Jaguars: C+
The Jaguars’ defense played a good game and helped the team earn their first win of the 2024 season in a 37-34 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Antonio Johnson had 11 tackles, Travon Walker had five tackles, three sacks, and a pass deflection, and Josh Hines-Allen had three tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery. The Colts’ defense played well against a red-hot Colts offense. Hopefully, the Jaguars can build upon this win moving forward.
Kansas City Chiefs: A-
Perhaps the de facto identity of the Chiefs comes in the form of their defense as they defeated the New Orleans Saints 26-13. Nick Bolton had 11 tackles, Bryon Cook had two tackles, two pass deflections, and an interception, and Tershawn Wharton had three tackles and a sack. The Chiefs’ defense also shut down the Saints’ rushing attack and held them to 46 combined yards all game. Steve Spagnuolos is one of the best defensive coordinators whose defense continues to impress each week.
Las Vegas Raiders: D
The Raiders’ defense managed to get a couple of sacks, but it wasn’t enough as the team imploded in their 18-34 loss against the Denver Broncos on the road. Christian Wilkins had five tackles and a sack, Maxx Crosby had three tackles and two sacks, and Robert Spillane had 10 tackles. Despite Crosby’s excellent performance, the Raiders’ offense struggled as Gardner Minshew threw two interceptions and was benched for Aidan O’Connell for the remainder of the game.
Los Angeles Chargers: Bye Week
The Chargers’ defense has a lot of talented veterans in their unit, but they need to rebound quickly as they hit the road for the desert and square off against the Arizona Cardinals in week six.
Los Angeles Rams: C-
The Rams’ defense lost a tough and close 19-24 battle at home to the Green Bay Packers. Kobie Turner had six tackles, two sacks, and a pass deflection; Jaylen McCollough had a pass deflection and an interception returned for a four-yard pick-six, and Kareem Curl had eight tackles and a pass deflection. It was a decent afternoon for the Rams’ defense, but the Rams’ offensive struggles piled on in their home meltdown in the end.
Miami Dolphins: D
The Dolphins’ defense played a very sloppy game, even though the team won 15-10 on the road against the New England Patriots. Marcus Maye had nine tackles and a pass deflection, Jaylen Ramsey had five tackles and two pass deflections, Emmanuel Ogbah had four tackles and a sack, and Zach Sieler had a tackle and a sack. A rough day for the Dolphins, but they emerged victorious on the road, even though it wasn’t pretty.
Minnesota Vikings: B+
The Vikings’ defense played a very fierce and competitive battle, as they defeated the New York Jets 23-17 in London. Harrison Smith had six tackles and a sack, Andrew Van Ginkel had a tackle, a pass deflection, and an interception returned for a 63-yard pick-six, Ivan Pace Jr. had six tackles and a sack, and Stephon Gilmore had six tackles, two pass deflections, and the game-ending interception. A strong performance by the Vikings’ defense, as they also held the Jets’ rushing attack to 36 yards all game and returned home for their week six bye week.
New England Patriots: D
The Patriots’ defense played slightly better than the Dolphins’ defense in their 10-15 loss at home. Christian Gonazlez had six tackles, two pass deflections, and an interception returned for two yards. Jaquelin Roy had four tackles and a sack, Joshua Uche had two tackles and a sack, and Isiah Bolden had a fumble recovery. The Patriots had three sacks overall but need to turn things around, especially on defense and fast if they want to earn their second win of the 2024 NFL season.
New Orleans Saints: C-
The Saints’ defense had a decent night at Arrowhead Stadium, even though they came up short in their 13-26 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Khalen Saunders had seven tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception returned for 37 yards, Bryan Bresee had four tackles and a sack, and Chase Young had three tackles and a sack. The Saints’ defense went up against a potent Chiefs offense and had problems slowing down their pass and rush attack for the majority of the night during their recent clash in the NFL.
New York Giants: B+
The Giants’ defense continues to improve, as they stunned the Seattle Seahawks 29-20. Dexter Lawrence II had four tackles and three sacks, D.J. Davidson had two tackles and two sacks, Brian Burns had a tackle and a sack, Kayvon Thibodeaux had two tackles and 0.5 sacks, Rakeen Nunez-Roches had three tackles and 0.5 sacks, and Bryce Ford-Wheaton had a blocked kick and returned it for a 60-yard touchdown. A great afternoon for the Giants’ defense, as they made things very difficult for the Seahawks’ rushing attack and sacked Geno Smith seven times. Don’t sleep on this Giants’ defense!
New York Jets: C+
The one saving grace for the Jets came in the form of their defense, even though the team lost 17-23. Jamien Sherwood had 12 tackles, Isaiah Oliver had six tackles and a sack, Quincy Williams had six tackles and a fumble recovery, Michael Clemons had two tackles and a sack, Will McDonald IV had two tackles and a sack, Leonard Taylor III had a tackle and a sack, and Brandin Echols had an interception. A strong defensive performance by the Jets’ defense, as the pass rush, kept the Vikings’ run game in check but came up short in the end.
Philadelphia Eagles: Bye Week
The Eagles’ defense needs to regroup after dropping a painful loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week four of the 2024 NFL season. The pass rush is effective, but the secondary needs to improve come week six when the Cleveland Browns come to town.
Pittsburgh Steelers: B-
Even though the Steelers’ offense had its struggles for the majority of the night, the Steelers’ defense managed to put up a fight against the Dallas Cowboys despite losing 17-20. Minkah Fitzpatrick had 10 tackles and a pass deflection. T.J. Watt had eight tackles and 1.5 sacks; Nick Herbig had five tackles, 0.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery; Joey Porter Jr. had four tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception returned for 16 yards, and Donte Jackson had four tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception returned for two yards. Watt continues to be the face of the Steelers defense, but his efforts weren’t enough, as the Cowboys’ offense found a way to win the game.
San Francisco 49ers: C
The 49ers’ defense played well at home, but the teams’ offense imploded, as they lost a painful 23-24 battle against the Arizona Cardinals. Fred Warner had 12 tackles, Leonard Floyd had five tackles and a sack, and Nick Bosa had four tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception returned for 30 yards. Despite the efforts from Nick Bosa and Leonard Floyd, it wasn’t enough, as the 49ers’ offense needs to turn things around quickly if they want to regain control of the NFC West.
Seattle Seahawks: C
The Seahawks’ defense had a decent afternoon but couldn’t stop the New York Giants as they lost 20-29. Jerome Baker had 14 tackles and a sack, Tyrel Dodson had nine tackles and a sack, Derrick Hall had six tackles and a sack, and Rayshawn Jenkins had five tackles and a fumble recovery. The Seahawks’ defense is normally the team’s identity, but the unit failed to stop Daniel Jones from throwing for 257 yards and two touchdowns against no interceptions. The Seahawks will rebound from this loss as they get prepared for their week six matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: B
The Bucs’ defense played a very competitive battle against the Atlanta Falcons but came up short in their 30-36 overtime loss. Lavonte David had eight tackles, two pass deflections, and an interception returned for seven yards. Logan Hall had two tackles and two sacks, Vita Vea had two tackles and a sack, and Anthony Nelson had a tackle and a sack. A strong night for the Bucs’ defense despite the overtime loss. The Bucs’ defense now has to get prepared for their week six road trip against the New Orleans Saints.
Tennessee Titans: Bye Week
The Titans’ defense has been a mixed bag throughout the 2024 season. They’ve shown good moments as they helped the team win against the Miami Dolphins in week four, but the Titans defense hasn’t done enough to force turnovers, and injuries are piling up with Chidobe Awuzie on injured reserve with an elbow injury. The Titans are going to need all hands on deck when the Indianapolis Colts come to town in week six.
Washington Commanders: B+
The Commanders’ defense had a great afternoon as they defeated the Cleveland Browns 34-13. Frankie Luvu had seven tackles, 2.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery. Bobby Wagner had six tackles and 1.5 sacks, Jonathan Allen had four tackles and a sack, Dorance Armstrong had three tackles and a sack, and Dante Fowler Jr. had a tackle and a sack. Besides having seven sacks against Deshaun Watson, the Commanders also held the Browns’ rushing attack to a combined 104 yards all game. The Commanders defense has a strong test in front of them in week six when they play the Baltimore Ravens on the road.
Also Read: Ranking All 32 NFL Teams’ Defenses From WORST To FIRST After Week 4 Of The 2024 Season
