Defense wins championships, as we saw first-hand when the Philadelphia Eagles completely shutdown Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. Which NFL team has the top defense heading into 2025? Here are the rankings for NFL defenses from worst to best:

32. Carolina Panthers

Last year, the Panthers fielded the worst defense in the league by a wide margin. They ranked dead-last in opponents scoring, total yards, passing touchdowns, rushing yards, yards per carry, average yards per drive, and points per possession. Only one time all year did they hold an opponent under 22 points. Their defensive looks entirely different entering 2025. They added several new faces, and will get Derrick Brown back after he played in just one game last year. Safety Tre’Von Moehrig was signed over from the Raiders, but the secondary is lacking outside of Pro Bowler Jaycee Horn.

31. Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta’s defense is notorious for having zero pass rush. Bottom-two finishes in team sacks three of the last four years highlight this issue. Quarterbacks had their way with this group, completing 69.9-percent of pass attempts. Finally addressing it in the NFL Draft, Atlanta selected a pair of edge rushers — Georgia’s Jalon Walker and Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. — in the first round last month. Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts fell into their laps in the third round and should make for a strong tandem next to two-time All-Pro Jessie Bates III.

30. Tennessee Titans

It’s possible Tennessee’s defense takes a leap in 2025. An improved offense means fewer short fields and easy scoring opportunities. Titans opponents last year started offensive drives, on average, from the 32-yard line which ranked 30th. Teams were able to convert majorly on those opportunities. Adding Dre’Mont Jones from Seattle and Cody Barton from Denver will help solidify the front seven. Harold Landry, the team’s sack leader from a year ago, left for New England in free agency. The Titans ranked 30th in sacks last year (32).

29. Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati’s leaky defense ultimately cost them a playoff spot. Last year, the Bengals lost four games when the team scored 33+ points. In those contests, the defense surrendered 39.5 PPG. Long time defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo was fired after the season, and replaced by former University of Miami head coach Al Golden. Golden spent the last three years as defensive coordinator at Notre Dame. His last NFL job was as linebackers coach with the Bengals from ’20-’21. The biggest question mark remaining for Cincinnati: Will Trey Hendrickson be with the team in Week 1? Hendrickson is reportedly unhappy with his current contract, and requested a trade earlier in the offseason. He’s coming off back-to-back 17.5-sack campaigns and was an All-Pro First-team selection in ’24.

28. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts, like many teams across the league, are desperate for a pass rush. This is a team that hasn’t had someone record double-digit sacks since 2019. 2024 first-round pick Laiatu Latu had a good rookie campaign, but finished with just 4.0. In the second round of last month’s NFL Draft, the Colts selected JT Tuimoloau from Ohio State who they hope will bolster their defensive line. The majority of their free agent spending was used to improve the secondary, bringing in San Francisco CB Charvarius Ward and Vikings safety Cam Bynum.

27. New Orleans Saints

New Orleans’ defense is in a transition period. It’s not too long ago that they were considered one of the better units in football. Now, it’s a mix of aging stars and newcomers who have yet to prove themselves. DeMario Davis remains one of the savviest linebackers in the game, but Cameron Jordan is more a rotational piece at this point in his career. 2023 first-round pick Bryan Bresee has the best chance to develop into a star. In a surprising move, former Chiefs safety Justin Reid opted to sign with New Orleans in the offseason. The two-time Super Bowl champion appeared in 10 postseason games for Kansas City over the last three years.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars

The talent on this defense is evident. Trading up to acquire CB/WR Travis Hunter Jr. and pairing him with Tyson Campbell is an exciting move. One of the best pass rushing tandems in the league resides in Jacksonville with two-time Pro Bowler Josh Hines-Allen and former No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker. What they’re really missing is somebody on the interior to complement their speedy edge rushers. They’re hoping 2024 second-round pick Maason Smith eventually develops into that player. They finished 27th in scoring last year, and could face a similar fate unless Hunter is an elite corner immediately.

25. Washington Commanders

Washington’s 2024 offseason paid off in a big way. Two free agent signings — Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu — were named to the All-Pro Second-team. Additionally, CB Mike Sainristil starred as a rookie after being a second-round pick out of Michigan. We’ll see if any of their signings this year — Javon Kinlaw, Deatrich Wise, or Jacob Martin — can replace the production they lost from last year’s sack leader, Dante Fowler, bolting for Dallas. Franchise stalwart Jonathan Allen — who missed half of 2024 — is also gone. Washington could not stop the run last, allowing the third-most rushing yards per game.

24. Las Vegas Raiders

Vegas is just a year removed from having a top-10 scoring defense. Last year, they ranked 25th and looked all out of sorts. Entering 2025, they’re somewhere in the middle of those two results. Maxx Crosby remains an elite pass rusher, but he needs some help. Getting Christian Wilkins and Malcolm Koonce back from injury will certainly be a plus. It’s the other levels of defense that are worrying for DC Patrick Graham. They’re hoping for strong play from a slew of young corners and former Packers first-round pick Eric Stokes. At linebacker, they seemingly got worse as Robert Spillane left for New England and was replaced by former Steelers reserve Elandon Roberts and former No. 5 overall pick Devin White.

23. New England Patriots

Entering the offseason with the most cap space in the league, the Patriots splurged on the defensive side of the ball. Super Bowl champion Milton Williams was lured from the Eagles, and was New England’s most expensive purchase. They also added edge rusher Harold Landry who recorded 9.0 sacks with the Titans last year. Two Raider defenders — LB Robert Spillane and S Marcus Epps — will bring some much needed toughness and edge to the Patriots defense. CB Christian Gonzalez was an All-Pro Second-team selection in Year 2 after an injury-riddled rookie season. Expect this group to look vastly improved in 2025.

22. Cleveland Browns

Myles Garrett is good enough to lead a defense on his own. The 2023 Defensive Player of the Year recorded 14.0 sacks last season, and was named to the All-Pro First-team for the fourth time in the last five years. In the NFL Draft, the Browns doubled-down on their strong defensive line by adding some interior help. Mason Graham is a Day 1 starter who will instantly improve Cleveland’s run defense and help alleviate some pressure from Garrett. The Browns also boast one of the better cornerback rooms in the league, led by four-time Pro Bowler Denzel Ward.

21. Arizona Cardinals

Jonathan Gannon took over in Arizona in ’23, and the Cardinals finished 31st in points allowed. In Year 2 under Gannon, they leaped to 15th. That improvement is something they can build on entering 2025. The team made it a point to improve defensively in the offseason. Bringing in Josh Sweat was a key move in free agency, as the former Eagle should become Arizona’s best pass rusher. They used their first two picks in the NFL Draft on defense, selecting lineman Walter Nolen and corner Will Johnson. At one point, Johnson was a projected top-10 pick in the class. He slipped due to injury concerns, but could be a steal for Arizona.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers leaned on their high-powered offense in ’24, but their defense is still capable of winning games every now and then. Vita Vea, Lavonte David, and Antoine Winfield Jr. are some of the best players at their respective positions. In free agency, the Bucs signed Haason Reddick who is coming off a down year. Reddick registered 27.0 sacks in two years with Philadelphia (’23-’24), and could be a big piece if he’s healthy for Tampa Bay.

19. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys are in a similar boat to the Browns. They’re built around one elite pass rusher and a solid CB room. Both teams are coming off dreadful campaigns. The Cowboys ranked 31st in points allowed and surrendered a league-high 25 rushing touchdowns. No team was worse at defending in the red zone than Dallas. Opponents scored 75-percent of the time (42-of-56) when they crossed the Cowboys’ 20-yard line. They added some firepower in the draft with Boston College pass rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku and East Carolina corner Shavon Revel Jr.. Revel Jr. is working his way back from a season-ending ACL tear. Cowboy fans are all too familiar with that situation as former All-Pro Trevon Diggs has had his last two seasons cut short due to knee injuries.

18. New York Jets

This time last year, there was talk about the Jets potentially having the No. 1 defense in all of football. CB Sauce Gardner and LB Quincy Williams were coming off All-Pro selections, while DT Quinnen Williams and EDGE Jermaine Johnson were Pro Bowlers. They’re coming off a majorly disappointing season, which led to massive changes across the organization. Lions DC Aaron Glenn was hired as head coach and will look to reignite a group that is still bursting with high-end talent. The biggest offseason addition was Andre Cisco coming over from Jacksonville. Glenn has an excellent track record with safeties. Last year with Detroit, Brian Branch was a Pro Bowler and Kerby Joseph was an All-Pro First-team selection.

17. San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco’s defense ranked 1st in scoring ’23, 3rd in ’24, and 29th last year. Surrendering 87 total points over the last two weeks heavily skewed their season average. Still, they never looked quite right at any point in 2024. Nick Bosa and Fred Warner are still elite at their respective positions, but the supporting cast is a question mark. DC Nick Sorensen was ousted after one season, and replaced by a familiar face in Robert Saleh. Saleh coached under Kyle Shanahan from ’17-’20. In those years, the 49ers finished 25th, 28th, 8th, and 17th in opponents scoring.

16. Miami Dolphins

Miami finished 10th in opponents scoring last season, and were one of the league’s top situation defenses. They ranked sixth in both third-down and fourth-down conversion rate, and were the fourth best redzone. Being able to get off the field on crucial downs and limiting offenses when they get close to the endzone is the hallmark of a strong defense. Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips missed most of last year, but both carry major injury concerns. Additionally, the future of Jalen Ramsey remains uncertain. The team already lost safety Jevon Holland to the Giants in free agency, and another hit to the secondary would be massively detrimental.

15. Chicago Bears

Chicago’s defense faded over the second-half of 2024, but this is a group that has proved to be stellar previously. Two years ago, the addition of Montez Sweat transformed Chicago into a truly elite defense. If they can generate a consistent pass rush, this group will be among the best in the league. Dennis Allen was appointed DC following his failed run as the Saints head coach. Allen has always been revered as a strong defensive mind, and has a penchant for coaching defensive backs. In Chicago, he’ll get to work with one of the best corners in the game, Jaylon Johnson.

14. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers have made the playoffs two years in a row despite some of the worst QB play in the league. Pittsburgh’s continued success in the regular season is powered by a defense that always seems to make timely plays. Their two stars — edge rusher T.J. Watt and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick — always seem to be around the ball and generating turnovers. Cameron Heyward remains a force at 36 years old, coming off another All-Pro selection. The one weakness that can be pointed to has been at cornerback. It’s one of the primary reasons why the defense hasn’t been able to carry their success into the playoffs. Joey Porter Jr. is a good player, but teams have simply been able to avoid him and target the other CBs. That’s likely why the Steelers made it a point to sign six-time Pro Bowler Darius Slay Jr. from the defending champions.

13. Los Angeles Rams

A young defense that should only get better as their stars continue to develop. This Rams group was especially stingy toward the end of the year. They held three of their final five opponents under 10 points scored. Jared Verse was named Defensive Rookie of the Year, and fellow rookie Braden Fiske also played well in Year 1. The one question mark surrounding this team is in the secondary, though some of that could be answered if the rumors surrounding a Jalen Ramsey reunion hold true.

12. New York Giants

The Giants have a chance to fly up these rankings when the season begins. It’s perhaps the best defensive line in the league. Since Aaron Donald retired, New York’s Dexter Lawrence has emerged as the best DT in the game. He’s surrounded by several athletic pass rushers, including No. 3 overall pick Abdul Carter. Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux are also in the mix. The defensive secondary was addressed by signing CB Paulson Adebo from the Saints and FS Jevon Holland from the Dolphins. With talent across the board, the Giants have a chance to be elite on one side of the ball.

11. Buffalo Bills

Buffalo’s opportunistic defense ranked first in turnover rate in 2024. They recovered a league-high 16 fumbles, and were tied for fourth in interceptions with 16. Where they struggled was getting off the field on third downs. The Bills ranked 29th in third-down defense, largely due to a middling pass rush. Greg Rousseau led the team with just 8.0 sacks last year. The team hopes a healthy Joey Bosa can provide a boost in that area. Buffalo used their first five draft picks on defense, highlighted by CB Maxwell Hairston, DTs T.J. Sanders and Deone Walker, and EDGE Landon Jackson.

10. Seattle Seahawks

There’s a lot of optimism surrounding Seattle’s defense in Year 2 under Mike Macdonald. The former Ravens DC has had another year to round out the roster around his preferred scheme. Adding DeMarcus Lawrence was an under-the-radar move that adds another pass rusher to an already deep group. CB Devon Witherspoon is already one of the best all-around corners in the league. Safety Nick Emmanowri was arguably the best athlete in the entire draft, and will be used all around the field. Seattle jumped from 25th in opponents scoring to 11th in their first year under Macdonald. We’ll see if they can make another leap in 2025.

9. Green Bay Packers

Green Bay was expected to lean on an offense led by QB Jordan Love, but it was their defense that carried them throughout stretches of the 2024 season. It pays off to spend multiple first-round picks on the defensive side of the ball. Rashan Gary was named a Pro Bowler, and they also got a strong year out of LB Quay Walker. Free agent signing Xavier McKinney enjoyed a breakout year with his new team, collecting a league-high 8 INTs en route to being named to the All-Pro First-team. CB Nate Hobbs was the big offseason signing this year, and brings solid cover skills and elite tackling as a primary slot corner.

8. Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota’s defense unraveled down the stretch, but the work DC Brian Flores did with this group throughout a 14-3 campaign must be credited. A blitz-heavy approach led to quarterbacks making poor decisions against a ball-hawking secondary. The Vikings led the league with 24 interceptions and were tied for fourth in with 49 sacks. The majority of the roster returns for ’25, with new additions Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave set to start on the defensive line.

7. Los Angeles Chargers

This is a lower ranking than many might expect for the No. 1 scoring defense from a year ago. However, points allowed can be influenced by several factors. LA’s offense had the lowest turnover rate in the NFL. This allowed their defense to have favorable field position more often than not. Still, they were able to tighten up even when opponents drove the ball downfield. The Chargers’ had the best redzone defense in the league last season, allowing just 45-percent of opportunities turn into touchdowns. Joey Bosa is gone, but Khalil Mack was re-signed. They also added speedy CB Donte Jackson to the secondary. Another strong year from this group and DC Jesse Minter may start generating some buzz as a potential head coach elsewhere.

6. Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City surrendered 40 points in the Super Bowl, but you can hardly blame the defense when Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense couldn’t stay on the field. This remains a top-10 group playmaker across multiple levels. Chris Jones was named to his third-straight All-Pro First-team. CB Trent McDuffie has cemented himself as a top corner at 24 years old. Outside of the veteran Jones, it’s still a young group with room to improve. DC Steve Spagnuolo is a mastermind who always seems to make the right adjustments going into each year.

5. Detroit Lions

The Lions were one of the best defenses in the league last year despite injuries across the board. With a healthier team in 2025, expect them to be an elite group. Aidan Hutchinson getting back on the field will be an obvious boost. Detroit is big, fast, and strong up front, and added first-round pick Tyleik Williams into the fold. Their secondary is young and talented, and signed another solid piece in former New York Jet D.J. Reed. There could be some growing pains losing DC Aaron Glenn, but we’re not betting against the talent.

4. Houston Texans

Houston’s offense took a step back in ’24, but DeMeco Ryan’s defense never wavered. They ranked sixth in yards allowed, fifth in forced turnovers, and 11th in points per drive. Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson form a menacing pass rush duo. And, CB Derek Stingley Jr. has emerged as one of the league’s top corners. Most of the offseason was focus on reigniting the offense, with safety CJ Gardner-Johnson being the impactful defensive addition. Houston is hoping for guys like 2024 second-round pick Kamari Lassiter and 2022 second-round pick Jalen Pitre to breakout next season.

3. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens started slow, but looked like one of the best defenses in the league by the end of 2024. Their pass coverage was dreadful early on. Joe Burrow, in particular, lit up Baltimore’s defense for over 800 yards and 9 TDs across two meetings. Baker Mayfield (356 yards, 3 TDs) and Jameis Winston (321 yards, 3 TDs) also had their way with Baltimore’s secondary. Adjustments were made and the Ravens stymied teams over the second-half of the year. Even in their playoff loss, league MVP Josh Allen was held in check by this defense. First-round safety Malaki Starks is a seamless fit in the secondary, and second-round edge rusher Mike Green could end up being a bargain where the Ravens drafted him.

2. Denver Broncos

A consistent pass rush coupled with the best secondary in the league made for a daunting Denver defense in 2024. The Broncos led the league in sacks with 63 on the year. It was a breakout season for Nik Bonitto who led the way with 13.5 sacks and 24 QB hits. Of course, Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II is the team’s shining star, but it’s not just him. Riley Moss had a solid year as the No. 2 CB, and Ja’Quan McMillan is an underrated player. In the draft, the Broncos surprised everyone by adding another defensive back in Texas’ Jahdae Barron. Barron is a versatile piece who can be moved all around the field.

1. Philadelphia Eagles

It’s hard to pick against the Eagles who are coming off a dominant postseason run. Philadelphia ran roughshod through the NFL en route to their Super Bowl victory. In the regular season, the Eagles defense ranked second in scoring and first in yards allowed. GM Howie Roseman has done such a good job of adding talent that it’s unlikely they regress in 2025 despite losing several key pieces from last year’s team. No offensive line is prepared for a front seven featuring Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Nolan Smith Jr., Zack Baun, Jalyx Hunt, Bryce Huff, and first-round pick Jihaad Campbell. Second-year CBs Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell will look to build off strong rookie campaigns, and the Eagles also added talented safety Andrew Mukuba to the mix. Philadelphia has an embarrassment of riches, and should be a top defense for years to come.