Defense is the name of the game in the NFL, and by Week 9, every team’s true colors will start to show. You see who’s rock-solid on the goal line and who can’t stop a nosebleed.
Let’s take a look around the league and power rank every team’s defense.
Which teams had the top defense in the NFL after week 9?
32. Las Vegas Raiders: (Last Week #28)
The Raiders’ defense got gouged by the Bengals on Sunday to the tune of 41 points in another back-breaking loss.
31. New Orleans Saints: (Last Week #26)
Once again, crucial penalties, such as Demario Davis’ pass interference, extended Carolina’s final drive and ultimately cost them the game. The defense’s failure to shut down the Panthers in the closing minutes underscored a season-long struggle to close out games.
30. Dallas Cowboys: (Last Week #30)
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The unit that was once among the league’s best has struggled mightily, allowing 27 points and giving up costly penalties and blown coverages that kept Atlanta’s drives alive and allowed them to put points on the board.
29. Seattle Seahawks: (Last Week #27)
Seattle’s defense started off well but faltered as the game progressed. Riq Woolen and the secondary were caught off-guard in overtime, unable to stop Robinson’s game-winning touchdown, as the Seahawks squandered an effort in which they allowed just 3 points in the first half.
28. Jacksonville Jaguars: (Last Week #29)
Travon Walker’s 35-yard fumble return touchdown swung momentum, giving the Jaguars a shot at a second-half comeback, but they couldn’t get over the hump and fall again.
27. Miami Dolphins: (Last Week #22)
While they kept Buffalo’s offense in check early, forcing field goals in the red zone, they let Allen take over in the second half, as penalties and big plays did them in.
Also Read: Ranking All 32 NFL Teams’ Defenses From WORST To FIRST After Week 8 Of The 2024 Season
26. Tennessee Titans: (Last Week #32)
This was the best the Titans defense has looked in some time, as it consistently pressured rookie Drake Maye, racking up four sacks and forcing three crucial turnovers. Arden Key and Jeffery Simmons both came up big, with Simmons recovering a game-changing fumble late in the game.
25. Denver Broncos: (Last Week #9)
Denver’s usually stout defense struggled to keep up with Baltimore’s fast-paced offense, surrendering over 40 points for the first time this season.
24. Carolina Panthers: (Last Week #31)
Jadeveon Clowney’s second-down sack late in the game was a momentum shifter, putting Derek Carr and the Saints’ offense under pressure on their final drive, as the Panthers had one of their best games in recent memory.
23. Cleveland Browns: (Last Week #17)
Myles Garrett was a one-man wrecking crew, racking up three sacks in a four-play stretch that showcased his elite talent, but the rest of the unit left much to be desired on this afternoon.
22. New England Patriots: (Last Week #21)
This unit has shown resilience, but they need to find a way to close games if New England is going to have a respectable finish to this season.
21. New York Giants: (Last Week #18)
New York struggled to contain Daniels, especially in the air, as he connected with McLaurin and Zaccheaus for big plays, which allowed the Commanders to total 27 points and secure the win.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: (Last Week #16)
The Bucs defense came into Monday Night Football, allowing 26.6 points per game, which is far from where Todd Bowles wants them to be. Needless to say, Patrick Mahomes and co. were a tough matchup.
19. Cincinnati Bengals: (Last Week #23)
Trey Hendrickson was an absolute monster, racking up four sacks and seven quarterback hits, single-handedly turning up the pressure and keeping the Raiders off balance, though, it is still concerning that the Bengals D can only seem to pull its weight against weak competition.
18. Atlanta Falcons: (Last Week #24)
The Falcons defense came to play, led by NFL linebacker Kaeden Ellis, who seemed to be everywhere on the field. Atlanta made things challenging for Dak and Co. throughout the game.
17. Indianapolis Colts: (Last Week #14)
Indianapolis’s pressure was strong, particularly Grover Stewart, who forced a fumble that led to the only Colts touchdown, but eventually, the defense gassed out, as they were asked to do a little too much this week.
16. Arizona Cardinals: (Last Week #19)
This was the best we have seen the Cardinals defense look all NFL season, as they held Caleb Williams and the Bears to nine points.
15. New York Jets: (Last Week #25)
The Jets defense kept Houston’s offense in check all night, forcing C.J. Stroud into one of his toughest outings yet. They held him to a meager 11 completions on 30 attempts, and the secondary was relentless in coverage, making every yard hard to come by, earning the Jets a crucial win.
14. Chicago Bears: (Last Week #11)
Chicago’s defense couldn’t get it done this week against Kyler Murray and the Cards, allowing 29 points in the loss.
13. Minnesota Vikings: (Last Week #20)
Minnesota’s defense picked up the slack on Sunday Night Football, as the front four consistently pressured veteran NFL quarterback Joe Flacco, holding Indianapolis to just 92 yards in the first half and keeping them within reach until the offense finally got its act together.
12. Green Bay Packers: (Last Week #10)
Green Bay’s defense had its handful, with one of the league’s top offenses being in Detroit. The Packers D fought hard but couldn’t handle the immense pressure.
11. Buffalo Bills: (Last Week #7)
While they had trouble containing Tua Tagovailoa’s quick-passing game, they held up when it counted, forcing Miami to settle for field goals early and making key stops to get the W.
10. Baltimore Ravens: (Last Week #15)
Marlon Humphrey’s return brought added stability, and their streak of consecutive games with a sack hit 47, proving this defense is as relentless as ever. Baltimore absolutely ravaged Denver in this statement win.
9. Houston Texans: (Last Week #4)
Houston’s defense put up a valiant effort, managing to stymie Rodgers and the Jets’ offense for much of the first half. They limited the Jets to just seven points through three quarters, and they were consistently getting stops on third down but eventually ran out of gas late.
8. Washington Commanders: (Last Week #12)
Washington’s defense knows how to capitalize on other NFL team’s errors. They managed to stifle the Giants offense in key moments, making critical stops that secured the win.
7. Los Angeles Rams: (Last Week #13)
Kamren Kinchens was the star for the Rams, snagging two red-zone interceptions off Geno Smith, including a franchise-record 103-yard pick-six that swung the momentum for L.A.
6. Philadelphia Eagles: (Last Week #5)
The Philly D came through when it mattered most, capped by Nakobe Dean’s electrifying, game-sealing interception in the end zone.
5. San Francisco 49ers: (Last Week #6)
The 49ers’ defense remains formidable despite more being asked of them than in recent years. That said, 49ers fans will want to see that secondary tighten up if the expectation is that they will make a run at the Super Bowl again this year.
4. Detroit Lions: (Last Week #8)
Detroit’s defense came to play this week in brutal weather conditions during their last NFL outing. Kerby Joseph delivered the highlight play of the game with a 27-yard interception return for a touchdown, shifting the momentum just before halftime.
3. Kansas City Chiefs: (Last Week #3)
Thanks to relentless pressure from that front seven, the Chiefs defense has been one of the league’s best, allowing under 20 points per game, and they showed up in solid form this week against a banged-up Bucs team.
2. Los Angeles Chargers: (Last Week #2)
The Chargers defense came out swinging and made life miserable for Jameis Winston, holding the Browns to a meager 57 yards in the first half. They pressured him all game, sacking him six times and nabbing three interceptions.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers: (Last Week #1)
The bye week was well-deserved for a Steelers defense that has been carrying the load for Pittsburgh this season. With Watt leading the league in sacks and Fitzpatrick anchoring the secondary, Pittsburgh’s D is looking to come back from the break and continue being a nightmare for any opposing offense.
Also Read: Grading All 32 NFL Teams’ Defenses After Week 8 Games Of The 2024 Season
