With the right defensive coordinator and the addition of a No. It might work against the quarterbacks they faced, but life is about to get much more difficult with Aaron Rodgers, Lamar Jackson, Trevor Lawrence and Geno Smith on deck. Per our consensus rankings, the Buffalo Bills' loaded defensive unit is at the top. The team is also feeling the aftermath of horrendous drafts from Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden. This is puzzling since the Dolphins have a high-priced secondary, among other positions scattered on that side of the ball. Outside of Grady Jarrett and A.J. The turnaround from the New York Jets defense last season was incredible. The Vikings put the NFL on notice following three consecutive years of defensive domination. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. With Jamin Davis added in the 2021 NFL Draft, things are only looking up for this young defense. San Francisco ranks near the top of the NFL in nearly every major defensive category, but the offense has been near the bottom of the league in a number of areas, most notably points scored. -- Adam Teicher, Defensive efficiency: 69.1 The Vikings offense has been good so far this season. The biggest issue on defense is forcing takeaways. The defense has been much improved from a season ago, but this is the next step toward being the type of unit that defensive coordinator Dean Pees wants to have in Atlanta. Because DVOA measures scoring, defenses are better when they are negative. However, the Vikings are one of the best teams in the NFC because they find a way to get the job done, making plays when they need to. A variety of factors were included in these rankings, including returning personnel, how these defenses performed in recent. PFF has spent the best part of the NFL offseason been ranking players and position groups to give fans a better idea of where things stand. While the Saints defense is 16th in points per game, they are second to last in interceptions and takeaways. It. The Bears are the NFL's worst team against the run, having allowed 733 rushing yards through four games (183.3 yards per game), and are on pace to reach historically low marks. The defensive line was gassed after dominating all year and the Eagles RPO took full advantage. They converted each into a touchdown. Vikings Territory: Explained: Predictions and Analysis for Vikings-Lions. Cleveland needs to significantly improve at defensive tackle, while hoping Denzel Ward, Grant Delpit and Greg Newsome improve. The San Francisco 49ers defense played outstanding football all year. The Dallas defense may not be as polished as the 49ers since they do give up yards, but they step up when it counts. The Chiefs are much better against the run, but they employ one of the most vulnerable secondaries in the NFL. Once Brock Purdy went out and San Francisco trailed by two scores with a fourth-string quarterback, that was a wrap for this defense. The Minnesota Vikings sit at 9-2 going into week 13 and they are feeling really good about their chances down the stretch. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. So. -- Eric Woodyard, Defensive efficiency: 41.1 The Panthers give up the 14th-most points per game. While the Lions are 12th in the NFL with 15 takeaways, they are a bottom-seven unit in most statistical categories, including points, totals yards, passing yards, rushing yards, and touchdowns conceded. The Falcons are another team that we expected to struggle defensively. With studs like Brian Burns, Shaq Thompson, and Jaycee Horn on all three levels of the defense, this unit could emerge in 2023, especially if they end this season on a high note. All of the other teams ahead of them scored at least three, with the Dolphins and Cowboys scoring six and nine, respectively. Related: NFL teams that have never won a Super Bowl. Still, when you are allowing 18.8 points per game, you are going to be in every football game, especially when you are ranked in the top four in sacks and picks. The unit is a headache for all challengers. DVOA measures not just yardage, but yardage towards a first down: Five yards on third-and-4 are worth more than five yards on first-and-10 and much more than five yards on third-and-12. A variance of this magnitude will only get you so far in the postseason. Even that's a reach, as corners Darius Slay (forearm) and Avonte Maddox (right ankle) are expected back soon. With explosive offenses coming up, the D-line better healthy fast. Carter is projected to be among the top selections in the 2023 NFL Draft CBSSports.com . Mel Kiper takes another shot predicting the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, with elite QBs and defensive players highlighting the latest mock. Pro Bowl cornerback J.C. Jackson missed Weeks 1 and 3 after undergoing ankle surgery in August, and when he did give it a go in Week 2, he said he was playing at less than 100 percent. | 8th most accurate ranker in the FantasyPros ECR for sleepers (2020) Who threw the most touchdowns in the 1990s? Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. The Chiefs have taken the ball from their opponent just four times. XFL Week 3 preview: Can AJ McCarron, Battlehawks continue their fourth-quarter heroics? League rank: 29th. Here's the weird part: It's not because of the pass rush. League rank: 27th. With an Eagles team that runs the ball effectively in their division, the Cowboys have to get better. The Seahawks entered the season with question marks on both sides of the football. A healthy Adams would be making a difference as a run defender and a pass-rusher. They can look atrocious at times, but Kansas City always finds a way to tighten up in big spots and in the money months. Randy Oliver. The return of Dalvin Tomlinson presumably against the New York Jets will be a big addition to the run defense. The Ravens have lost two games this season in which they have led by 17 points or more because they can't stop teams late in games. They were fifth best in that category . This is another team that is ranked in the bottom eight in the most important defensive categories. The Tennessee Titans had the best run defense in the NFL this season, surrendering just 76.9 rush ypg and 3.4 yards per carry. Otherwise, their defense is not as bad as the numbers might suggest (25th in points per game allowed). 1 spot might be ambitious, but betting on Zimmer having a top-five defense is usually a smart decision. Most impressively, in a sign of things to come, the Lions averaged 3.1 sacks per game in those last seven games. Smith, who opted out of all other tests and interviews, put up 34 reps of 225 pounds. League rank: 2nd. Speaking of special teams, have we done much to improve in this area other than hire a new coordinator? The Washington Commanders became the first team in the NFL to deploy the franchise tag this offseason. -- DJ Bien-Aime, Updated NFL Power Rankings: 1-32 poll, plus the biggest issues for every team's defense, The future of the NFL combine: Is there really a chance it could end forever? The Giants are 19th in the NFL with a pass rush win rate of 41.2%. League rank: 13th. The Washington defense is a big reason why this team is in the postseason conversation in December. Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News. Usually these comments are made in one of the endless Kirk arguments to say he never had a good defense. Industry Clout: All betting content on TheGameDay.com is exclusively intended for audience members 21 years and older who are permitted to gamble in legal states. Related: Latest on Washington Commanders sale. Bet Tip: Bengals to Win AFC Championship (+600) at Caesars Sportsbook. They also had the lowest "gash-rate" in the NFL giving up a 10-yard run on just 7.5% of carries against them. Tagovailoa already has been ruled out for Week 5. League rank: 1st. The Philadelphia Eagles went all-in this year, building one of the most talented defenses in the NFL. The biggest issue on defense is injuries to the secondary. The Vikings are allowing the 11th-most points per game. While they allow their opponents into the red zone quite frequently, this defense is stingy as they come from inside 20 yards. J.J. Watt may be an elite player on the back end of his career, but he cant do it alone. It was 2nd worst in the league and we never read or talk about it. At safety, the team is set with Harison Smith and rookie Lewis. There are only three teams allowing more rushing yards after contact than the Packers. If Chase Young takes an expected step forward, the defense will be winning Washington a lot of games. Theyve allowed the second-fewest touchdowns while remaining stout in the red zone. This is another spot where I could have slotted other teams. Terrell took a step back in 2022 after a breakout season a year prior. Wonky (for example last year it had the Jets as having the best run defense of all time). Using DVOA once more, the Vikings rank 11th in "mid-zone" defense (plays between the opponents' 40-yard line and their 40-yard line) and 15th in "front zone" defense, (plays between . But they do need much more than what they've gotten thus far. JAX | KC | LV | LAC | LAR | MIA | MIN Leonard has been ruled out for Thursday night's game at Denver. Finding NFL ready defensive tackle is a tricky proposition for franchises and that's why its typically the . NFL 2022 Regular Season Overall Defense Entire League When EK54 got hurt, the young front 7 began to crumble at the touch of a feather. For a couple years in a row, the Vikings defense has allowed an average of 25.1 points against per game. Although, Carolina would be wise to upgrade at safety. It will have ramifications on a unit that ranked 22nd in pass rush win rate (37%) and ceded the 11th-highest average QB rating (92.7). League rank: 25th. The Vikings have a very balanced offense because of their star players. They are scoring slightly less than the 25.0 PPG than they did last year, but they are playing better defense and consistency is more important than overall points. The 49ers defense has stepped up in a big way under second-year defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans. Dont get me wrong, this is still one of the best defenses in the NFL, allowing the fourth-fewest points. He is also the co-creator of the FF Faceoff (Faceoff Sports Network) and the FF Faceoff Mental Health Podathon partnered with the Hayden Hurst Foundation. The Saints didn't have much of a pass rush to speak of to start the season, but they did get after Kirk Cousins on Sunday, finishing with three sacks. It also hasnt helped that Cook has looked like he has lost that next-level gear that has made him such a dynamic back, Nov 24, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin OConnell celebrates the win after the game against the New England Patriots at U.S. Bank Stadium. Our power panel -- a group of more than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities -- evaluated how teams are stacking up through four weeks and named a new No. Terrell, the Falcons have some work to do when it comes to bringing in more talent to improve this unit. The Vikings rushing offense graded higher at 79.4, but they ranked 21st in the NFL. Before Jared Allen joined the Vikings in 2008 and donned the number 69 jersey, Doug Sutherland played 10 years on the defensive line in Minnesota with the same number.. Sutherland joined the . 2006 Minnesota Vikings (6-10) 3 of 10 The 2006 Vikings were led by 38-year-old quarterback Brad Johnson, a journeyman on the last leg of his career in Minnesota. -- Jeff Legwold, Defensive efficiency: 39.5 We paired each response with the team's defensive efficiency rating and where that stacks up in the league. Defensive efficiency: 39.6 League rank: 27th. They are 27th against the run, 25th in pass defense, and 25th in points allowed, and 27th in total yards allowed. Still very sound against the run, the Steelers are 27th in passing yards and 30th in passing touchdowns conceded. The path to the 2023 NFL Draft will cross a major checkpoint with the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine taking place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis from February 28 to March 6. That's exactly when it mattered. Robby Stanley and Joe Rexrode take a look at what the AFC as a whole will look like this season. The Steelers ranked second in D/ST scores last year. While they are still one of the leagues best, the Patriots struggle at times defending the pass. They've allowed 34 first downs on the ground, the third most in the NFL. Overall, this unit likely tops out as a top-12 defense. They ranked behind only the Atlanta Falcons and Baltimore Ravens. Let's overreact to NFL Week 4: Cooper Rush as Cowboys starter? Even if Aaron Donald returns to his elite form and linebacker Bobby Wagner plays at an All-Pro level again, there are too many voids at cornerback, edge rusher and safety for Los Angeles to maintain a top-15 defense next season. They were only behind the Los Angeles Rams. However, when it comes to stopping the run, the Packers fail to show up. T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, Alex Highsmith and Minkah Fitzpatrick are the reason why Pittsburgh has one of the best NFL defenses in 2023. The biggest issue on defense is stopping the run. -- Jenna Laine, Defensive efficiency: 52.3 5. . The reality is this: they are dealing with injuries and dont have the players to run the scheme being installed by Ed Donatell yet to begin with. 1 in our NFL defense rankings next season. They have the personnel to do so. But there's little to pick apart. Not only can the 49ers stop the run, but they are just as frugal against the pass. Players and coaches have talked about the need to communicate more from the get-go, and not just as the game progresses. Cornerbacks D.J. Sign up for the Vikings Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning, The PFF grades reflect Sunday's game very well. The Saints are sixth in red zone touchdowns allowed and fourth in red zone touchdown rate. Theres an opportunity for the Carolina Panthers to have one of the best NFL defenses in 2022. Jones has occupied double-teams and affected the passer, but for Crosby to remain effective, the Raiders would love for Jones, who signed a three-year, $51 million free agent deal with Las Vegas this spring, to start getting home, too. Top free agents: Daniel Jones (QB), Saquon Barkley (RB), Julian Love (S) While Jones is a candidate to be franchise tagged, he's still one of the the top quarterbacks on the . League rank: 32nd. Reed Jr. standing out in coverage vs No. Are the DVOA percentages flipped from a positive/negative standpoint? Outside of rookie Roger McCreary, all of the Titans' primary cornerbacks have been beat for explosive plays. -- Rich Cimini, Defensive efficiency: 59.0 While injuries have played a role, notably to T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick, a decline that began in last season has continued, with no signs of improvement. Bet Tip: Seahawks to Win NFC West (+320) at FanDuel Sportsbook. Stingy against both the run and the pass, young players like Sauce Gardner are stepping up in a big way and making an immediate impact. An intriguing element of that was it came despite just one defensive or return touchdown. Change is coming. This is on head coach Brandon Staley, who is/should be on the hot seat and on his way out of town. Next year, the defense will be able to not have to worry about a full install but rather tweaking things and bringing in more personnel. ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN The Vikings defense overall has had stretches of brilliance and others where you question literally everything. Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. The Vikings finished a paltry 19th in the league with a grade of 66.6. He'll likely end up with a good chunk of dough in free agency, but it's hard to believe . When you are allowing the second-fewest passing touchdowns in a passing league, you know you have some talent on the back end to build off of. https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/lists/vikings-offense-defense-kevin-oconnell-ed-donatell/. No longer the lights-out unit of the past few seasons, they can still get to the quarterback at a high rate. The biggest issue on defense is the 49ers' offense. Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. With both Patrick Peterson and Dalvin Tomlinson free agents, Minnesota needs to re-sign its starters and overhaul the cornerback room. The 2022 version of the Bill Belichick defense is one with flaws. The Vikings defense is fourth in interceptions and turnovers forced,, showing those all-important opportunistic tendencies that will come in handy come playoff time. You arent good. However, it is deserved. The 2022 Minnesota Vikings had a great overall season but it ended up finishing in a fashion that left them something to be desired with a loss to the New York Giants. However, because of injuries in the secondary, it has since become a handicap. Im struggling to think of any other seasons that stand out. DVOA: -0.5-13th, The Vikings rushing attack has been inconsistent this season but the big touchdown runs by Dalvin Cook have been a major factor in not seeing their rankings lower. The 27-year-old rushed for 1,173 yards and eight touchdowns on 264 carries last season, with another 39 catches for 295 yards and two scores on 56 targets, though his 4.4 yards per carry was a. Whether you are using the NFL team defense rankings for NFL player props, betting, fantasy, or just your own personal knowledge, we have you covered. There are also 15 teams this week that have a 2-2 record. If you are looking to make a wager on the NFL, perhaps on some defensive props, be sure to check out the best sportsbook promos. Teammate Glover Quin has performed like an elite safety for years and earned an . The Browns are only in the red in rushing touchdowns (29) and red zone attempts (29), showing the spots that need improvement. 1 wideouts. From the ruined ACL, Devin Bush is back to breathe new life. Moving off as many draft picks as the Rams have through the years is catching up to them, as is a mismanaged salary cap. Roquan Smith will make an immense impact going forward, making the Baltimore defense that much more difficult to run against. The updated rankings reflect that the Dallas Cowboys are surviving without Dak Prescott, who could return in Week 5, as they climb back up the list. 21+ and present in OH. Despite a rough start to the year, as well as the fact that Chase Young has yet to play a snap, Jack Del Rios unit has turned it around. However, since they score at a higher rate, a lot of that production is a result of garbage time and shootouts. The Chiefs' defensive rankings in four years with Patrick Mahomes as their quarterback: 24th, 14th, 18th, and 26th. And you cant blame Chicagos inability to stop the run on the Roquan Smith trade. The loss of Matt Eberflus has made an impact. Opponents posted a 92.7 QB rating with an 11-5 TD-INT ratio in the final eight games and Minnesota had one of the softest second-half schedules. Minnesota scored when Allen didnt handle the snap at the goal line and the Vikings recovered the ball in the end zone. League rank: 12th, The Rams have their best cornerback healthy (Jalen Ramsey) but have been dealing with several injuries in the secondary early in the season. I would put the Bears dead last, but they have been at least competent in defending the pass despite being awful in containing the run. Running back Dalvin Cook is a top 5 back in the league due to his speed, footwork, and pass catching ability. Vikings Patrick Peterson celebrates as Bills quarterback Josh Allen walks off the field. Following J.J. Watts retirement, almost the entire Arizona Cardinals defense needs to be addressed. However, Washington allowed the fourth-most passing touchdowns because corner is a glaring issue that must be addressed via free agency and the 2023 NFL Draft. Plus they had NFL 1980s All Decade safety Joey Browner and Carl Lee as the best cover CB the Vikings had outside of maybe Rhodes. Labeled as a top-five defense heading into the 2022 season, the Green Bay Packers didnt play like it until late in the year. They're losing one-on-one matchups and committing too many penalties on the back end, where they're playing three young corners plus a backup at safety in Josh Jones because of the serious knee injury Adams suffered in the opener. Pro Football Reference's Simple Ranking System (SRS and then OSRS and DSRS for offense and defense) is another metric to compare different teams that are decades apart. They did a better job of it in 2019 but still came up short when it mattered. Jaycee Horn is an ascending No. The Eagles are first in sacks (16), tied for first in takeaways (10), third in yards allowed (277.3 per game) and 10th in points allowed (17.8). This season, Baltimore defenders are making it too easy with missed assignments and no consistent pass rush. Lets dive into our 2023 NFL defense rankings after Super Bowl LVII, evaluating every single defense and where they stand heading into the offseason. Press J to jump to the feed. The Jaguars have to figure out what went wrong because they face Dameon Pierce, Jonathan Taylor and Saquon Barkley the next three weeks. CAR 3. CBSSports.com 247Sports MaxPreps We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. While they are worse on offense, their defense has not been able to carry them. However, this was to be expected in the wake of the loss of Don Martindale to the Giants. 1 receivers helps everyone else on this unit. When you can hold the Chiefs to 24 points, you know you are doing something right. Not only are the Packers allowing nearly 5 yards per rush, but they're having troubling bringing runners down. Offense Defense 1 Bills 35.1% 2 49ers 27.5% 3 Eagles 25.2% 4 Chiefs 23.0% 5 Bengals 18.1% View Overall DVOA However, Seattle allowed 150.2 rush ypg, 21 rushing touchdowns and it ranked 28th in ESPNs pass-rush win rate (34%). This is a testament to Lovie Smith. Check out the 2020 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics including AFC and NFC results and standings on Pro-football-reference.com. Our special teams was atrocious in 2020 (2nd worst in the NFL). The Las Vegas Raiders defense fell well short of expectations under play-caller Patrick Graham. Only the 49ers, Rams and New England Patriots ranked ahead of them. in 89 Doleman had 21 and Millard was NFL Defensive Player of the Year with 18 sacks out of the DT spot. Teams have still been able to run on the Buccaneers, something that was an afterthought under Todd Bowles, but theyre a bit more difficult to throw on, allowing the fifth-fewest passing yards in the NFL. The offense has been so bad with three-and-outs and turnovers that the defense continues to be forced back on the field. Responsible Gaming: Many sportsbooks offer ways to encourage responsible gaming, including the establishment of limits to deposits, spending, and time dedicated to betting. Mosley. Despite having a great season from punter Ryan Wright and PFFs number one long snapper in Andrew DePaola, the Vikings finished a paltry 21st in special teams with a grade of 76.0. However, a tight salary cap means losing at least two impact defenders and that will have significant ramifications on the Bills defense. -- Kevin Seifert, Defensive efficiency: 76.1 Lynn, the son of former Los Angeles Chargers coach Anthony Lynn, has spent eight years as an NFL assistant after a three-time All-Big Ten playing career at Penn State. The Seattle Seahawks struck gold with rookie cornerbacks Tariq Woolen and Cody Bryant, who look like long-term starters. Positive is good for an offense and negative is good for a D. DVOA for defense is sadly shit. Ranking 15th in points per game allowed, the Indy defense is still a middle-of-the-pack unit, but they have been slashed and gashed by superior offenses. They are also 31st in plays, showing they cant get off the field. They finished with a grade of 74.5, good enough for third in the NFL. Joe Rexrode weighs in on who he thinks will miss out on the playoffs this year. If you cant hang with any of the leagues elite then I dont care what the stats say. As they have over the past few years, the Vikings were a good run-blocking team. With TreDavious White finally back in the fold, the Bills defense will be just fine in January when they need it to step up most. Team Att Cmp Cmp % Yds/Att Yds TD INT 1st 1st% Sck; Buccaneers . Here are the PFF grades for each unit and how they rank against the rest of the NFL.