The famous saying in sports is “defense wins championships.” Below, you'll find the 10 best NFL defenses coming into the 2025 season, ranked from one to 10.
It's no surprise that most of these top defenses were in the playoffs last year, including the two most recent Super Bowl winners.
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All expected points added per play (EPA/play) and success rate data is via RBSDM.
1. Denver Broncos
2024 Points Allowed Per Game: 19.0 (3rd)
2024 EPA/play: -0.1 (1st)
2024 Success Rate: 40.3% (2nd)
Additions: LB Dre Greenlaw, S Talanoa Hufanga, CB Jahdae Barron (2025 1st Round Pick)
Departures: LB Cody Barton
The Broncos defense made a massive leap forward from 2023 to 2024, going from 27th in points allowed per game (24.3) to third (19.0). This is because they have strong players at every position, from the front to one of the best secondaries in the NFL.
The Broncos had the best pass rush in the league in 2024, thanks to a league-leading 63 sacks and quarterback pressures (195). Five different players had at least five sacks: Nik Bonitto (13.5), Jonathon Cooper (10.5), Zach Allen (8.5), John Franklin-Myers (7), Jonah Elliss (5), Dondrea Tillman (5), this mean you cannot focus and double-team one particular pass rusher because that will free multiple others that can get to the quarterback.
With how great the front seven is, we haven't even mentioned that the secondary has the reigning defensive player of the year, Patrick Surtain II. He and that secondary kept the opposition quiet in the air as they allowed just 6.8 yards gained per pass attempt (6th).
This defensive unit has virtually no vulnerabilities, and if this young core at offense makes a big leap forward, Denver is a threat for a big playoff run.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
2024 Points Allowed Per Game: 18.1 (1st)
2024 EPA/play: -.087 (3rd)
2024 Success Rate: 39.9% (1st)
Additions: CB Adoree’ Jackson, EDGE Josh Uche, OLB Jihaad Campbell (1st Round Pick)
Departures: OLB Josh Sweat, CB Darius Slay, S C.J. Gardner-Johnson, DT Milton Williams, OLB Brandon Graham
Just because the defense will be vastly different than the one they fielded in the Super Bowl does not mean they aren’t going to still be one of the top units in the league. Although they’ve lost some vital pieces, the players that remain are still some of the best in football.
DT Jalen Carter is quickly becoming a force up the middle and a legit reason why they allowed the sixth-fewest yards per carry (4.3).
The secondary will be different at cornerback, but Reed Blankenship and Cooper DeJean remain, as they were the two biggest surprises last season. The CB2 position is the spot where the biggest question comes from; will it be Kelee Ringo or Adoree’ Jackson winning that spot?
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio excels at making players versatile, and he knows how to get the most out of his unit. That’s why first-round pick OLB Jihaad Campbell could make an immediate impact as the exact kind of player that works in Fangio's scheme
3. Houston Texans
2024 Points Allowed Per Game: 21.4 (10th)
2024 EPA/play: -.054 (6th)
2024 Success Rate: 40.6% (4th)
Additions: DE Darrell Taylor, DT Sheldon Rankins, LB E.J. Speed, LB Nick Niemann, CB Tremon Smith, CB Ronald Darby, S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
Departures: LB Devin White, CB Jeff Okudah, S Eric Murray
CB Derek Stingley Jr. had a rebound year with his 18 passes defended (2nd), and his 5 interceptions ranked sixth in NFL. That wasn’t enough for Houston as they went out and traded for former Eagles’ safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson. This adds to the great young secondary of CB Kamari Lassiter, S Calen Bullock, and NB Jalen Pitre. For all of these guys to excel this early in their careers, this could be a strong suit for the Texans for years.
We think the secondary is the best part of their defense, and that’s saying something with a defensive front that was fourth in sacks last year (49). They will continue to have a top-tier pass-rushing duo with Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter, who combined for 23 sacks. Defensive tackle is looking like their most vulnerable position with Sheldon Rankins and Mario Edwards Jr., two former early-round draft picks that have never played up to their potential. However, they are so strong in other places that they should be fine.
4. Baltimore Ravens
2024 Points Allowed Per Game: 21.2 (8th)
2024 EPA/play: -.016 (11th)
2024 Success Rate: 40.5% (3rd)
Additions: LB Jake Hummel, CB Jaire Alexander, CB Chidobe Awuzie
Departures: LB Malik Harrison, LB Chris Board, CB Brandon Stephens, CB Tre’Davious White, CB Arthur Maulet, CB Trayvon Mullen, S Marcus Williams
Projections: Early in 2024, it looked like the Ravens defense was going to be a dumpster fire. From Weeks 1-8, they were 25th in scoring defense (26.1), but they completely turned it around, and for the rest of the season, they allowed the fewest points per game (16.9).
This was one of the best pass rushes in the league with the second-most sacks (54), and you have to hope that with that unit remaining intact, we can see similar numbers. What makes them especially dangerous is that they were able to get to the quarterback without sending extra men, as they were 24th in blitz percentage (20.3%).
The biggest question is their secondary. Their passing defense wasn’t great last year, as the allowed the second-most passing yards per game (244.1). They went and revamped the entire unit starting with picking up talented veterans in CB Jaire Alexander and CB Chidobe Awuzie. At safety, Kyle Hamilton's move to the position proved to work out well, and they attacked the position in the draft with Malaki Starks, who was one of the best shadowers in this draft class. If that unit can play up to its ability, this could be one of the toughest defenses in the league.
5. Minnesota Vikings
2024 Points Allowed Per Game: 19.9 (4th)
2024 EPA/play: -.091 (2nd)
2024 Success Rate: 41.3% (5th)
Additions: DT Javon Hargrave, DT Jonathan Allen, LB Eric Wilson, CB Isaiah Rodgers
Departures: DE Jonathan Bullard, DT Jerry Tillery, DT Jihad Ward, OLB Pat Jones, CB Stephon Gilmore, CB Shaq Griffin, S Camryn Bynum
Reboots are all the rage these days, and Minneapolis could be getting one with their team this year.
We could see the return of the Purple People Eaters, because this Viking defensive front looks tough. They are going to put pressure on their opponents for 60 minutes thanks to last season being the heaviest blitzing team in the league (38.9%), which resulted in the second-most quarterback pressures (180), third-most quarterback knockdowns (69), and fourth-most sacks.
This was already a great unit, and they went and got even better with the additions of former Pro Bowl defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, clogging up that interior. They were already near the top in a lot of defensive categories, but they could be even better this season.
6. Detroit Lions
2024 Points Allowed Per Game: 21.5 (11th)
2024 EPA/play: -.044 (7th)
2024 Success Rate: 42.4% (8th)
Additions: DT Roy Lopez, LB Grant Stuard, CB D.J. Reed, CB Avonte Maddox, CB Rock Ya-Sin
Departures: DE Za’Darius Smith, CB Carlton Davis, CB Emmanuel Mosley, CB Kindle Vildor, S Ifeatu Melifonwu
7. Kansas City Chiefs
2024 Points Allowed Per Game: 20.5 (6th)
2024 EPA/play: .006 (15th)
2024 Success Rate: 43.8% (13th)
Additions: DT Jerry Tillery, CB Kristian Fulton
Departures: DE Josh Uche, DT Tershawn Wharton, S Justin Reid
8. Seattle Seahawks
2024 Points Allowed Per Game: 21.6 (T-12th)
2024 EPA/play: -.018 (10th)
2024 Success Rate: 43.8% (14th)
Additions: DE DeMarcus Lawrence, CB Shaq Griffin
Departures: DT Dre’Mont Jones, DT Roy Robertson-Harris, CB Tre Brown
9. New England Patriots
2024 Points Allowed Per Game: 24.5 (21st)
2024 EPA/play: .084 (30th)
2024 Success Rate: 46.0% (27th)
Additions: DT Milton Williams, DT Khyiris Tonga, OLB Harold Landry, OLB K’Lavon Chaisson, LB Robert Spillane, LB Jack Gibbens, CB Carlton Davis, S Marcus Epps.
Departures: DE Deatrich Wise, LB Sione Takitaki, CB Jonathan Jones
10. Buffalo Bills
2024 Points Allowed Per Game: 21.6 (T-12th)
2024 EPA/play: -.004 (12th)
2024 Success Rate: 44.4% (16th)
Additions: DE Joey Bosa, DE Michael Hoecht, DT Larry Ogunjobi, LB Shaq Thompson, CB Dane Jackson, CB Tre’Davious White, S Darrick Forrest
Departures: DE Dawuane Smoot, DT Quinton Jefferson, DT Jordan Phillips, DT Austin Johnson, CB Rasul Douglas
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