Alright, here we go. Eight weeks into the season, and it’s time to separate the contenders from the pretenders on the defensive side of the ball. Some of these units are as locked in, and others, well… Not so much.
Let’s go through every NFL defense from worst to first!
Which teams had the best defense in the NFL after week 8?
32. Tennessee Titans: (Last Week #27)
Week 8 was as bad as it gets for the Titans’ defense, as it looks like the wheels have come off entirely. The Lions boat-raced them for 52 points.
31. Carolina Panthers: (Last Week #31)
Carolina’s defense struggled to contain Bo Nix, especially as Denver’s offense began spreading the ball around to multiple targets, allowing the Broncos to rack up 28 points and 400 yards of offense in the process.
30. Dallas Cowboys: (Last Week #32)
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The Dallas defense got absolutely gored on Sunday Night Football, as the 49ers physically dominated the game en route to a relatively easy win.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars: (Last Week #29)
Jacksonville’s defense struggled, especially in covering tight ends, as Tucker Kraft’s 67-yard play and touchdown underscored a season-long vulnerability. In total, they were gouged for 30 points and 422 yards of offense.
28. Las Vegas Raiders: (Last Week #26)
Granted, the Chiefs are a tough matchup, but Las Vegas’s defense couldn’t get off the field on crucial downs, allowing Kansas City to convert 12 of 16 third downs and hold the ball for nearly 10 minutes on one drive in the loss.
27. Seattle Seahawks: (Last Week #21)
Seattle’s D struggled to contain Allen and nearly bled out on two long Bills drives of over 90 yards. The frustration was palpable as tempers boiled over, with Derick Hall and Jarran Reed exchanging punches on the sideline.
Also Read: Ranking All 32 NFL Teams’ Defenses For The 2024 Season From WORST To FIRST
26. New Orleans Saints: (Last Week #30)
They managed to notch a safety off a botched Chargers snap, but the inability to pressure Herbert consistently or contain big plays left the Saint’s defense playing catch-up all game. It was an improvement, but not a significant one.
25. New York Jets: (Last Week #23)
New York’s once-fearsome defense looked shaky, especially in the final minutes, as the lowly Patriots marched down the field for the win with their starting quarterback knocked out.
24. Atlanta Falcons: (Last Week #24)
Atlanta’s defense was opportunistic and relentless all afternoon, forcing Baker Mayfield into two costly interceptions that swung the game in their way.
23. Cincinnati Bengals: (Last Week #19)
Tough afternoon for the Bengals defense. The Eagles made them look slow and tired, converting almost every time they needed to.
22. Miami Dolphins: (Last Week #17)
Miami’s defense started strong but faded as the game went on. They couldn’t contain Murray in the second half, with missed tackles and blown coverage haunting them late.
21. New England Patriots: (Last Week #28)
After getting called “soft” by their own coach, this was the response they needed. Maybe that was what they needed, as they finally looked like a squad that could stand tall under pressure.
20. Minnesota Vikings: (Last Week #16)
Minnesota’s defense struggled to keep up with the Rams’ reinvigorated passing attack, allowing four touchdowns, resulting in their second consecutive defeat.
19. Arizona Cardinals: (Last Week #20)
The Cardinals defense didn’t have a perfect day by any stretch, but they came up big when it counted. They kept Miami in check during crunch time and capitalized on some critical mistakes, like a safety off a high snap in the third quarter.
18. New York Giants: (Last Week #25)
New York’s defense has been frisky all season long, and that defensive line really gives them something to build around going forward.
17. Cleveland Browns: (Last Week #22)
Week 8 was a gritty performance from the Browns defense, which did a masterful job holding off Lamar Jackson down the stretch to secure a big divisional win.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: (Last Week #8)
Tampa Bay’s defense took a major step back this week, as they got shredded by an explosive Falcons offense.
15. Baltimore Ravens: (Last Week #14)
The Ravens’ defense looked in control early, but they let Winston and the Browns slip through their fingers when it mattered most. Kyle Hamilton’s dropped interception was a killer, a potential game-changer that could’ve prevented the Browns’ comeback.
14. Indianapolis Colts: (Last Week #18)
The Colt’s defense hung tough but ultimately couldn’t contain Joe Mixon and the Texans’ power running game. Dayo Odeyingbo’s 84-yard fumble return that was called back was nearly a game changer but ultimately will go down as a heartbreaker instead.
13. Los Angeles Rams: (Last Week #15)
The Rams defense had a solid night in a game where they absolutely needed to show up and get a W in their recent NFL game. Thanks to a crucial safety from Byron Young near the end, they held Minnesota to two field goals in the final three quarters and got the victory.
12. Washington Commanders: (Last Week #10)
Washington’s defense kept Chicago contained for most of the game, holding Caleb Williams to just 131 passing yards and limiting the Bears’ offense to 172 yards until the fourth quarter. They almost blew it but had their rookie quarterback to bail them out.
11. Chicago Bears: (Last Week #5)
This is a tough one because the Bears’ defense looked great against a tough Commanders offense for 99% of the game, but the meltdown on the final drive is enough to drop them on the list this week.
10. Green Bay Packers: (Last Week #4)
The Packers defense had some shaky moments, especially with Evan Engram slicing through coverage, but they managed to pull it together when they needed to.
9. Denver Broncos: (Last Week #7)
The Broncos defense was aggressive, keeping Bryce Young under pressure with two sacks and two interceptions. They allowed an early touchdown but quickly adjusted, shutting down the Panthers on nine consecutive drives.
8. Detroit Lions: (Last Week #11)
The Lions’ defense set the tone early and never let up, forcing four turnovers and giving Goff and the offense prime field position. They suffocated a struggling Titans offense, holding them to 14 points.
7. Buffalo Bills: (Last Week #12)
The Bills defense was dominant in Week 8, holding Seattle to just 1 yard rushing in the first half and smothering any comeback attempt. If they can keep this level, Buffalo could be scary come playoff time.
6. San Francisco 49ers: (Last Week #13)
The San Francisco 49ers defense played great for most of their matchup with Dallas in Week 8. The Cowboys made some noise late, but that was only once the game was well in hand.
5. Philadelphia Eagles: (Last Week #9)
This Eagles defense played like they had something to prove. Nakobe Dean scooping up that fumble from Gesicki late in the game was just the exclamation point in a statement game from the Philly defense.
4. Houston Texans: (Last Week #6)
Houston’s defense hung tough on Sunday, keeping the pressure on Anthony Richardson all game, sacking him five times and holding Indy to 20 points.
3. Kansas City Chiefs: (Last Week #1)
With a relentless pass rush, they sacked Gardner Minshew five times and limited the Raiders to a mere 33 yards rushing. Another impressive showing from the Chiefs D.
2. Los Angeles Chargers: (Last Week #3)
The Chargers defense is starting to take form under Jim Harbaugh and dominated this week, holding the Saints to only eight points and keeping them out of the red zone the entire game.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers: (Last Week #2)
The Steelers defense has been one of the best in the league all year, playing vintage Pittsburgh football regardless of the offense’s performance. Granted, playing the Giants helps, but still!
Also Read: Grading All 32 NFL Teams Defenses After Week 7 Games Of The 2024 Season
