With the exception of a few spare parts, most NFL rosters have been set—and we have a much better idea of what to expect from these teams heading into the start of the regular season.
There is some carryover from last year’s NFL season, with top defenses like the Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets returning a number of key pieces, but that is not to say that there hasn’t been some serious shake-up around the league.
So… Let’s get into it—and rank all 32 NFL defenses based on what we expect out of them this upcoming season from worst to first!
Which teams had the best defense after week two of the NFL season?
32. Los Angeles Rams (Last Week #21)
Week 2 was about as bad as it gets for the Rams. Los Angeles’s defense had no answers for Kyler Murray and the Cardinals’ explosive attack, as they poured 41 points and well over 400 yards of offense on them.
31. Carolina Panthers (Last Week #32)
Every week, it seems to get worse for the Panthers, as their defense got shredded for 219 yards on the ground and an effortless 26 points.
30. Dallas Cowboys (Last Week #2)
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The Dallas defense got exposed this week. Derek Carr and the Saints marched all over them to the tune of 432 yards and 44 points.
29. New York Giants (Last Week #30)
The Giants defense did not look great on Sunday. Washington was able to move the ball way too easily, and New York was really just bailed out by boneheaded Washington penalties.
28. Tennessee Titans (Last Week #18)
The Titans’ defense was their own worst enemy against New York on Sunday, with the main culprit being Jeffery Simmons. The two-time Pro Bowler made a huge mistake with a roughing-the-passer penalty that extended a Jets drive and led to a touchdown, and the Titans faltered down the stretch to Rodgers and co.
27. Washington Commanders (Last Week #31)
The Commanders’ defense had a solid day, bending but not breaking when it mattered most. Heck, if Malik Nabers wasn’t on the Giants, they might’ve completely shut them out!
Also Read: Grading All 32 NFL Teams Defenses After Week 1 Games Of The 2024 Season
26. Jacksonville Jaguars (Last Week #27)
Week 2 in the NFL was a solid showing overall for the Jaguars defense. Granted, it came against a sputtering Browns offense, but they held them to 18 points, which should’ve been enough to win.
25. Miami Dolphins (Last Week #9)
Granted, their offense put them in quite a few unenviable positions, but Miami did not look great this week on defense. They had no answer to James Cook, who scored three touchdowns, and Buffalo dog-walked them for 31 points.
24. Detroit Lions (Last Week #25)
Aidan Hutchinson and the Lions D got off to a hot start in Week 2. He notched three sacks in the first quarter and five on the day. The defense held pretty well all day, but not well enough, as surrendering a couple of big plays allowed Tampa to narrowly edge them out 20-16 during their NFL game.
23. Seattle Seahawks (Last Week #24)
The Seahawks’ defense pulled it together nicely against an admittedly weak Patriots offense in Week 2. They sacked Jacoby Brissett three times and held New England off, winning the game in overtime 23-20.
22. Arizona Cardinals (Last Week #28)
The Cardinals’ defense set the tone early, making life difficult for Matthew Stafford and the Rams early and often. Dennis Gardeck did his best Aaron Donald impression against the future Hall-of-Famer’s old team and was a one-man wrecking crew, racking up three sacks and constantly pressuring Stafford. Arizona held Stafford and co. to just 10 points in a thorough beatdown.
21. New York Jets (Last Week #17)
While the Jets’ defense looked troublesome in Week 1 of the NFL season and got off to a slow start this past week against the Titans, they really pulled it together in the second half. Will McDonald was a wrecking ball, drilling Will Levis for three sacks, and the D was able to snag a couple of key turnovers to turn the tide after halftime.
20. Philadelphia Eagles (Last Week #15)
Monday Night Football was a mixed bag for the Eagles defense. They performed well most of the night but ultimately caved to the pressure the Falcons put on them when it mattered most.
19. Indianapolis Colts (Last Week #13)
Week 2 was a tough showing for the Colts on defense, as they got absolutely bullied by a Jordan Love-less Packers team. Indy’s run defense got gashed all game to the tune of 261 yards. Ouch!
18. Cincinnati Bengals (Last Week #14)
Even with Joe Burrow’s crew struggling to light up the scoreboard, the Bengals’ defense has kept them in games. Akeem Davis-Gaither had a big interception this week to set up a touchdown early, and Trey Hendrickson gave Mahomes and the Chiefs all they could handle. If the offense can round into form and take some pressure off this group, they could become one of the top defenses in the league this year.
17. Atlanta Falcons (Last Week #19)
Very impressive bounce-back performance from the Falcons defense on Monday Night Football. The pass rush wasn’t overwhelming, but it was disruptive enough to force Hurts into some mistakes, and their ability to tighten up in crucial moments and make key stops was the difference in this game.
16. Houston Texans (Last Week #23)
The Texans’ defense looked like it was on a mission Sunday night to take advantage of a bad Bears offensive line. And with seven sacks, two clutch interceptions, and relentless pressure on Caleb Williams, it is safe to say mission accomplished. Will Anderson Jr. led the charge, racking up 1.5 sacks, and rookie Kamari Lassiter sealed the deal with a pick that had everyone buzzing.
15. Green Bay Packers (Last Week #26)
Green Bay’s defense was put to the test this weekend without Jordan Love under center, and, man, did they deliver. They were relentless and pressured Anthony Richardson effectively all game, holding the Colts to just 10 points.
14. Las Vegas Raiders (Last Week #22)
It is hard to put all, or really any, of the blame on the Broncos’ defense with the way that their offense played on Sunday, but they need to clean up the penalties. Patrick Surtain’s 37-yard defensive pass interference in the third quarter was devastating.
12. Baltimore Ravens (Last Week #11)
The Ravens’ defense started strong, limiting the Raiders to just six points in the first half and sacking Gardner Minshew five times during their recent clash in the NFL. Unfortunately for Baltimore, they came apart at the seams in the second half and were ultimately edged out by the Raiders in a shocking upset.
11. Buffalo Bills (Last Week #20)
The Bills’ defense came to Miami with a tough task at hand—shut down one of the most explosive offenses in the league, but they did that, and then some! Buffalo forced three turnovers and held Miami to just 10 points on their home turf!
10. Cleveland Browns (Last Week #29)
While it could be a product of facing a struggling Jaguars offense, the Browns’ defense looked scary on Sunday and maybe regaining form. They sacked Trevor Lawrence four times and held the Jags to just 13 points at home.
9. New England Patriots (Last Week #8)
The Patriots defense has looked surprisingly sound so far in 2024. They held up well against Geno Smith and the Seahawks for most of the afternoon before bowing out and losing the game in overtime.
8. Chicago Bears (Last Week #7)
The Bears’ defense did everything they could to keep them in the game, but when the offense can’t get out of neutral, it’s almost always going to be a fool’s errand. They did an exceptional job of getting after C.J. Stroud and making things challenging for the star quarterback, but the offense’s continued turnovers made the outcome somewhat inevitable.
7. San Francisco 49ers (Last Week #4)
The 49ers defense looked solid this week aside from the jailbreak that Sam Darnold and Justin Jefferson ran from their own three-yard line. Fred Warner stood alone as their top performer, making plays all over the field, including a sack, an interception, and nine tackles.
6. Kansas City Chiefs (Last Week #3)
Week 2 against the Bengals was full of highs and lows for the Chiefs D. They struggled to contain Mike Gesicki but did a really nice job locking down Ja’Marr Chase. The afternoon was highlighted by a scoop and score for Chamarri Conner, and the Chiefs were able to edge out the Bengals 26-25.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Last Week #12)
Despite being backed against the wall late in their NFL game, the Bucs’ defense rose to the occasion, stopping Detroit twice in the red zone to preserve what can only be described as a major statement win. The Tampa D gave Jared Goff a tough time all day, picking him off twice and announcing that they are for real!
4. Los Angeles Chargers (Last Week #10)
The Chargers’ defense was lights out on Sunday against an admittedly terrible Carolina side. They held the Panthers to a measly 159 total yards and three points and allowed just seven first downs on the afternoon.
3. Minnesota Vikings (Last Week #5)
Minnesota’s defense did the old Bill Belichick bend-but-don’t-break routine. They gave up 406 yards and let the 49ers march up and down the field, but when it came to crunch time, they made plays and ended up getting the win.
2. New Orleans Saints (Last Week #6)
Wow, what has gotten into the New Orleans Saints?! Dennis Allen’s defense absolutely manhandled Dak Prescott and the Cowboys on Sunday, holding them to just 19 points.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (Last Week #1)
Pittsburgh’s defense rose to the occasion again this week, forcing two interceptions and making life difficult for Bo Nix in the red zone and really all afternoon. The Steelers D stepped up in critical moments, especially on third downs, and looks like one of the best units in the league.
Also Read: Ranking All 32 NFL Teams’ Defenses For The 2024 Season From WORST To FIRST