As the 2024 NFL season barrels past Week 13, the story of this year’s defenses has been just as captivating as the highlight-reel plays happening on offense.
Who’s playing like a Super Bowl contender? Who’s barely hanging on? Let’s dive in and rank the teams from worst to first.
Which NFL teams have the highest grades on defense after week 13?
32. Cincinnati Bengals: (Last Week #28)
Another tough week for the Bengals defense. When you allow 414 yards passing and fail to force any turnovers, you’re not giving Joe Burrow a chance, regardless of how well they play.
31. San Francisco 49ers: (Last Week #25)
The 49ers defense had no answers for star NFL quarterback Josh Allen and the Bills, particularly on the ground, where Buffalo racked up 220 yards and three scores.
30. New York Jets: (Last Week #30)
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The Jets defense started hot, forcing fumbles and holding Seattle to just seven points in the first half, but unraveled after the intermission in no small part thanks to a slew of penalties.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars: (Last Week #32)
Jacksonville had serious issues stopping the run this week, but all things considered, this was one of the better defensive showings we’ve seen from them this year.
28. Las Vegas Raiders: (Last Week #31)
Maxx Crosby was relentless, and the secondary made life difficult for Kansas City’s receivers, but the offense let them down.
27. Cleveland Browns: (Last Week #27)
While Myles Garrett is an obvious star, the Browns’ defense has been rather inconsistent in the 2024 NFL season, and Monday Night got ugly as they surrendered 41 points.
Also Read: Ranking All 32 NFL Teams’ Defenses From WORST To FIRST After Week 12 Of The 2024 Season
26. Tennessee Titans: (Last Week #17)
The Titans defense was overwhelmed early, giving up 28 points in less than 20 minutes. Roger McCreary’s injury didn’t help, but even before that, they had no answers for Jayden or Brian Robinson Jr.
25. New England Patriots: (Last Week #26)
New England’s defense brought it this week, as Jabrill Peppers was a force with nine tackles, and Sean Murphy-Bunting’s forced fumble set the tone early. Unfortunately, just a little too much was asked of them throughout the contest.
24. New Orleans Saints: (Last Week #22)
New Orleans played great defensively to start this one, shutting the Rams out in the first half, but stumbled in the second half, surrendering 21 points and, ultimately, the game.
23. New York Giants: (Last Week #20)
Dexter Lawrence’s elbow injury was a gut punch to an already struggling unit. For New York, it was another chapter in a season full of defensive letdowns.
22. Atlanta Falcons: (Last Week #29)
The Falcons’ defense did its part in Week 13, sacking star NFL quarterback Justin Herbert five times and holding the Chargers’ offense to just field goals. Unfortunately, the offense didn’t hold up its end of the bargain.
21. Miami Dolphins: (Last Week #18)
Miami’s defense couldn’t handle Green Bay’s early onslaught in their recent outing in the NFL, and it cost them. They fought back in the second half, but there were simply too many mistakes.
20. Dallas Cowboys: (Last Week #23)
With six sacks and a big pick-six, this was the Dallas Cowboys defense that we’ve been waiting to see for weeks now.
19. Carolina Panthers: (Last Week #21)
The Panthers’ defense did everything they could to keep this game close, but the overtime letdown by the offense pushed them past their breaking point.
18. Chicago Bears: (Last Week #16)
Giving up four scoring drives to open the game is no recipe for success, especially against an elite offense. That said, the Bears D deserves some credit for tightening up in the second half.
17. Indianapolis Colts: (Last Week #19)
All things considered, it was a solid showing from the Colts defense this week. The biggest moment came with Julian Blackmon’s interception in the red zone, which was the definition of clutch, flipping momentum when it seemed New England was ready to take control.
16. Los Angeles Rams: (Last Week #14)
Despite New Orleans moving the ball effectively, the Rams forced field goals in the red zone and stepped up in crunch time to get a critical win to keep pace in the NFC West.
15. Baltimore Ravens: (Last Week #13)
Baltimore’s defense performed admirably in the first half, but ultimately, the pressure of Philly’s hard-nosed rushing attack was too much in their NFL contest.
14. Washington Commanders: (Last Week #24)
Washington didn’t just stop Tennessee—they dominated them, forcing turnovers and making life miserable for the Titans all game long.
13. Arizona Cardinals: (Last Week #8)
Sean Murphy-Bunting’s forced fumble and Roy Lopez’s recovery were highlights, but the unit couldn’t hold on in the fourth quarter, as the Vikings broke through and stole the W.
12. Houston Texans: (Last Week #12)
Week 13 was a gut check for the Texans defense. While not flashy, the unit’s physicality and composure in the final moments sealed a crucial victory.
11. Seattle Seahawks: (Last Week #15)
This unit bent early but held New York scoreless in the second half, showcasing their resilience and big-play ability with Leonard Williams’ massive 92-yard pick-six.
10. Denver Broncos: (Last Week #11)
Denver’s defense has been good but not great this 2024 NFL season. There is still some work to do to get them to true contender status, based on the way Jameis carved them up at points on Monday Night.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: (Last Week #9)
It was touch and go for the Bucs’ defense at points on Sunday, but they righted all their wrongs with the forced fumble on Chuba Hubbard to set up the overtime win.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers: (Last Week #3)
Pittsburgh struggled to contain Burrow and the Bengals’ weapons, but they made enough impact plays to swing the game. It’s AFC North football, and Pittsburgh found a way to make life just difficult enough for their rival and get a big win.
7. Kansas City Chiefs: (Last Week #10)
The Chiefs’ defense showed its strength in key moments, with Chris Jones finally breaking a seven-game sack drought to deliver two crucial takedowns as Kansas City eked out another stunning win in their recent NFL contest.
6. Minnesota Vikings: (Last Week #7)
Despite losing Stephon Gilmore to injury, the unit found ways to make stops when it mattered most, namely Shaquill Griffin’s game-sealing interception.
5. Green Bay Packers: (Last Week #5)
Rashan Gary’s stop at the goal line was a statement moment that stifled Miami’s late rally. This unit is built on depth and physicality, and it’s paying off in a big way as they shut down the Dolphins.
4. Los Angeles Chargers: (Last Week #6)
This was a statement of performance from a unit that was peaking at the right time. They tormented Kirk Cousins all afternoon, intercepting him four times in the win.
3. Buffalo Bills: (Last Week #4)
The Bills D came to play on Sunday night as they bullied the 49ers’ shorthanded offense in the snow at home, holding them to 10 points and under 100 yards passing.
2. Detroit Lions: (Last Week #1)
While this NFL team’s offense has made most of the headlines, Detroit’s defense has done some serious heavy lifting of its own as the Lions move to an 11-1 start with the win over the Bears on Thanksgiving.
1. Philadelphia Eagles: (Last Week #2)
The Eagles defense was as advertised on Sunday, shutting down Derrick Henry and keeping Lamar Jackson in check for most of the game, as they secured a statement win over the Ravens.
Also Read: Grading All 32 NFL Teams’ Defenses After Week 12 Games Of The 2024 Season
