DVOA: -0.3-23rd. Oct 2, 2022; London, United Kingdom; New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray (28) scores a touchdown on a 1-yard run in the third quarter as Minnesota Vikings cornerback Tay Gowan (31) defends during an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. 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. All of the other teams ahead of them scored at least three, with the Dolphins and Cowboys scoring six and nine, respectively. He'll need to work on his route-running and consistency in the NFL. -- Nick Wagoner, Defensive efficiency: 51.0 In the second half, Baltimore has given up an NFL-worst 1,019 yards while allowing 67 points. The Jags have five picks in the first four rounds in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft. 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. Smith, who opted out of all other tests and interviews, put up 34 reps of 225 pounds. Lunchbreak: Stats Show Vikings Defense Incorporating 'Bend-Don't-Break When youre not getting pressure, opposing signal-callers will pick you apart. Here you go: 2008 was a legit D. Great DL, Good LBs, Better secondary than 2009 because that creep Sharper was still on the team. A team loaded with defensive talent, it has not lived up to form. The Vikings rank in the bottom eight of almost every defensive category. However, they are 14th in third-down rate, giving opposing offense more opportunities to take advantage of the injuries on the back end. Green Bays secondary has done its part. Tennessees defense is a big reason why. Looking ahead to 2023, the combo of Christian Wilkins and Jaelan Phillips will be phenomenal. The Chicago Bears had the worst defense in the NFL this season. The Vikings coverage grade feels a little big closer than normal, as they finished with a grade of 71.8, good for 18th in the NFL. For a couple years in a row, the Vikings defense has allowed an average of 25.1 points against per game. -- Brooke Pryor, Defensive efficiency: 36.3 However, when it comes to stopping the run, the Packers fail to show up. NFL Defense Power Rankings 2022 | Ranking All 32 Team Defenses This would be a bottom-feeding team in the NFC if Smith didnt bail out this defense as much as he has. Meanwhile, the Panthers' offense has looked like . 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. The defense lead the Vikings to a road playoff win vs the Saints. Indianapolis Colts @ JAX 7. Although you can run all over them the Texans are ranked dead last in rushing attempts and yards and rank 25th in rushing TDs allowed they are stingy against the pass. The Vikings were viewed in excellent fashion by PFF in run defense, finishing second in the NFL with a grade of 85.4. 2022 Minnesota Vikings: How each unit ranked by PFF grades Schedule Teams AFC East Bills Dolphins Jets Patriots AFC North Bengals Browns Ravens Steelers AFC South Colts Jaguars Texans Titans AFC. League rank: 32nd. While they are 7-5, nobody expected them to be where they are entering Week 14. A lot of analysts believe that the Vikings are not what their record says they are. Under the tag, Payne is projected to make roughly $18.9 million fully guaranteed for the 2023 season. 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. They have the 2017 team as the only one that ranks with the Purple People Eaters. Fantasy Football Defense Rankings for Week 18 | 1-10 1. But the unit ranks among the worst in the league this season in this regard, forcing just three turnovers through four games. Fantasy Defense Tiers 2022: D/ST rankings, sleepers, fantasy - NFL On the Cowboys' opening drive, one pass went for 31 yards while the other five plays managed a combined 9 yards. Stats courtesy Football Outsiders, Pro Football Reference, ESPN, and Pro Football Focus. The Chargers had a bunch of talent on defense last year, but the outfit was undermined by glaring holes at . Power Ranking Every NFL Defense After the 2021 Draft This is puzzling since the Dolphins have a high-priced secondary, among other positions scattered on that side of the ball. Ranking 25th in third-down percentage, 28th in rushing yards, and 26th in passing touchdowns allowed, this team has a lot of work to do in the offseason. That's led to New Orleans' defense being afforded favorable field position, with their opponents ranking 24th, 28th, 30th, and 30th in average starting field position over the last four. If the 49ers' defense can stay reasonably healthy, they don't need an offensive juggernaut to be a contender. The Philadelphia Eagles went all-in this year, building one of the most talented defenses in the NFL. League rank: 28. With Jamin Davis added in the 2021 NFL Draft, things are only looking up for this young defense. 4. Reed and rookie Sauce Gardner are holding up nicely on the outside, but they're giving up too many chunk plays in the middle of the field. The Cardinals werent any better at stopping the run, allowing the 10th-highest yards per carry (4.5). At safety, the team is set with Harison Smith and rookie Lewis. Rushing Leader: Derrick Henry, 2027 Yds. They've allowed 34 first downs on the ground, the third most in the NFL. Ranking the top 20 NFL defenses ahead of Week 17 of the 2021 season. A defense that led the NFL in ESPN's pass rush win rate (52%), allowed the third-lowest average QB rating (81.6) and ceded the lowest adjusted net yards per pass attempt (4.4) in the NFL.. 5. Ranking NFL's top 10 defenses for 2021: Hail to the Football Team, with That ranked right ahead of the Cincinnati Bengals at 79.4. 2nd in Sacks 4th in Defensive 3rd Down % 10th Interceptions 11th in Forced Fumbles Recovered 10 potential bargains NFL teams should target in free agency Like I did with the Chargers earlier, I am deducting points from the Packers, a team that entered the year with a defense that looked like it was ready to take a step forward. They are 27th against the run, 25th in pass defense, and 25th in points allowed, and 27th in total yards allowed. 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. Football Power Index rankings ET. The Vikings ranked top-five again at fourth with a grade of 82.0. Cornerback Dane Jackson and safety Jordan Poyer have returned, but CB Christian Benford is still dealing with a right hand injury, S Micah Hyde (neck) is out for the season, DT Ed Oliver is recovering from a right ankle injury and CB Tre'Davious White continues to rehab a torn ACL in his left knee. SRS -- Simple Rating System: Team quality relative to average (0.0) as measured by SRS (Simple Rating System), SRS = Margin of Victory + Strength of Schedule = OSRS + DSRS, OSRS: Offensive SRS Team offense quality relative to average (0.0) as measured by SRS (Simple Rating System), DSRS: Defensive SRS Team defense quality relative to average (0.0) as measured by SRS (Simple Rating System), I definitely agree with the spirit of the post, but all I can think of when I recall the '98 season is, offense on field for 2 minutes: touchdown, defense on field for 10 minutes: exhausted, 4th quarter: No such thing as a 4-minute offense with Carter, Moss, Reed, and Smith, And intense stress when playing anyone that could finish off those 10 minute drives, There werent three better, I dont know the intricacies of defensive DVOA, but from a just pure output perspective Im questioning the value tbh. Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier. 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. 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 problem is the coverage, specifically the safeties and linebackers. The Panthers give up the 14th-most points per game. If they can tighten up the back end of the defense, they are can make a legit run at the Lombardi. The other shocking thing is our 2020 defense wasn't as bad as we all remember (although I think the 18th ranking is a bit high) I'm guessing Alvin Kamara deleted anything positive from our brains. The Falcons desperately need to find pass rushers this offseason. They also allow the most pass attempts and completions. The Bengals are 26th in sacks per dropback, according to ESPN Stats & Information research, and are tied for 22nd in total sacks. 1 team: Jump to a team: They were fifth best in that category . The turnaround from the New York Jets defense last season was incredible. They need to find a way to turn those drives into field goals to right the ship. If the Jets can figure it out on offense, this team could do some damage. -- Jeff Legwold, Defensive efficiency: 39.5 In the meantime, the Chiefs have made the most of their four turnovers. Coming from the Vic Fangio coaching tree, Evero oversaw one of the best pass defenses in the NFL last season. Patrick Surtain II is the best cornerback in the NFL and the ability to blanket No. Disputed loan at center of Commanders probe. Joe Rexrode weighs in on who he thinks will miss out on the playoffs this year. This is another spot where I could have slotted other teams. The biggest issue on defense is effectively rushing the passer. The Giants have a top-10 pass defense at the moment. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques, Defensive efficiency: 58.2 2022 Minnesota Vikings: How each unit ranked by PFF grades . Minnesota Vikings: Ranking the Top 10 Vikings Defensive Linemen Everything came together after leading the Vikings to a 13-3 record their most regular-season wins since Randy Moss ' 1998 rookie season and a defense that led the NFL in both points and yards allowed. Safety Lamarcus Joyner is coming off his best game (two interceptions), but the Jets need better coverage from S Jordan Whitehead and MLB C.J. If Paulson Adebo and Marshon Lattimore cant elevate their game in 2023, regression will come for this Saints defense. However, Houston doesnt have much standout talent on the defensive side right now with Derek Stingley Jr. a work in progress and Jalen Pitre still needs to iron out a lot of issues. So 3 years were ahead of 2017 by total number but one of those was ranked #4 within it's year. Look for the defense to be addressed. 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. Buffalo Bills vs. NYJ 2. They are also one of the worst defenses in the red zone (27th in red zone scoring percentage), thanks to giving up the sixth-most TDs on the ground. The Detroit Lions defense showed tangible progress late in the season. | 8th most accurate ranker in the FantasyPros ECR for sleepers (2020)
While Matt Eberflus is a defensive head coach, the Bears have shown very little improvement thus far. They also arent as good in the red zone as they have been in years past. You cant knock Les Snead for going all-in last season and winning it all, but the organization is now paying the price for it. ZaDarius Smith leads the league in pressures per PFF and Danielle Hunter is in the top 10. Furthermore, the Browns also have the fifth-fewest interceptions. 2023 NFL free agency: Ranking best free agent crops from every team as NFL Week 4 takeaways: 49ers roll, Raiders get a win, and everything we learned from wins by the Cowboys, Bills, Chiefs and Eagles. The Minnesota Vikings ended their disappointing 2021 campaign with an 8-9 record, missing the postseason altogether and firing their general manager and head coach. The Saints' defense has been good all year despite the offense's shortcomings and quarterback changes. The Chiefs' defensive rankings in four years with Patrick Mahomes as their quarterback: 24th, 14th, 18th, and 26th. This could be troublesome, however, in the playoffs. Vikings Patrick Peterson celebrates as Bills quarterback Josh Allen walks off the field. Minnesota Vikings Franchise Encyclopedia Seasons: 62 (1961 to 2022) Record (W-L-T): 516-425-11 Playoff Record: 21-31 Super Bowls Won: 0 (4 Appearances) Championships Won*: 0 All-time Passing Leader: Fran Tarkenton 2,635/4,569, 33,098 yds, 239 TD All-time Rushing Leader: Adrian Peterson 2,418 att, 11,747 yds, 97 TD 2022 NFL Team Defense Statistics | The Football Database The Vikings easily had a top 10 offense in 2022 and they should be at the top of the league in 2022. The Patriots tend to be one of the more reliable units from season to season - top-12 DST since 2018 - and 2022 is no different. The Giants field one of the more surprising defenses in the NFL, thanks to new defensive coordinator Don Wink" Martindale. Without either, the Browns couldn't get pressure, while the Falcons ran the ball at will. The Vikings finished a paltry 19th in the league with a grade of 66.6. League rank: 24th. Los Angeles Rams (at 49ers) 14. Only four teams have forced fewer turnovers, and all of them have losing records. Ranking NFL stadiums 2023: Best and worst stadiums in NFL, Realistic veteran QB options for the Las Vegas Raiders, 4 offseason moves Seattle Seahawks should make in 2023 after Wild Card loss, NFL mock draft 2023: Latest Round 1 projection for 2023 NFL Draft with big trades, 5 NFL QB trades wed love to see this offseason, NFL teams that have never won a Super Bowl, Evaluating the 3 best Lamar Jackson trade landing spots in 2023, Why Joe Burrow deserves to be the highest-paid QB in the NFL, New wild details about New England Patriots offensive dysfunction in 22-23 revealed, Steve Wilks joins San Francisco 49ers as defensive coordinator. Industry Clout:
While the Raiders are loaded on the EDGE with Jones and Maxx Crosby, the rest of their defense is either aging or inexperienced. Through four games, Tennessee has given up five plays of 40 yards or more. A Tip Of the Cap To Mike Zimmer - Zone Coverage The Vikings are allowing the 11th-most points per game. Usually these comments are made in one of the endless Kirk arguments to say he never had a good defense. But what has also stood out is how many injuries the Bills have accumulated, especially in the secondary. You arent good. Stout against the run, the Ravens are another club that struggles to defend the pass, ranking 25th in passing yards allowed and 26th in completions and attempts.