NFL defense rankings 2024: Broncos, Jets rise among best NFL defenses, Cowboys, Eagles drop (original) (raw)
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Who has the best NFL defense in 2024? Our weekly NFL defense rankings examine every unit across the league every week to determine the best defenses in the NFL.
Let’s dive into our NFL defense rankings following Week 4. Note: Our NFL defense rankings are season-long, but you can find our Week 5 fantasy defense rankings below followed by our analysis of all 32 defenses.
Week 5 fantasy defense rankings
- Denver Broncos D/ST vs Las Vegas Raiders
- Seattle Seahawks D/ST vs New York Giants
- Chicago Bears D/ST vs Carolina Panthers
- Minnesota Vikings D/ST vs New York Jets
- Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST vs Dallas Cowboys
- Green Bay Packers D/ST vs Los Angeles Rams
- Kansas City Chiefs D/ST vs New Orleans Saints
- New England Patriots D/ST vs Miami Dolphins
- New York Jets D/ST vs Minnesota Vikings
- New Orleans Saints D/ST vs Kansas City Chiefs
- Las Vegas Raiders D/ST vs Denver Broncos
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers D/ST vs Atlanta Falcons
- San Francisco 49ers D/ST vs Arizona Cardinals
- Indianapolis Colts D/ST vs Jacksonville Jaguars
- Houston Texans D/ST vs Buffalo Bills
NFL defense rankings: Worst NFL defenses 2024
32. Carolina Panthers (30)
There’s no saving the Carolina Panthers defense. Entering Week 4, Carolina allowed the most points per game (32.3), the fifth-most total yards per game (358.0) and the sixth-highest third-down conversion rate (49.1 percent). There’s very little quality starting-caliber talent on this Panthers defense and it’s evident every game.
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31. Los Angeles Rams (31)
We’ll say it every week, the Los Angeles Rams defense is far too banged up to be effective. Granted, it also didn’t help that the Rams’ best player ever (Aaron Donald) retired and the front office bizarrely traded away its second-best player (Ernest Jones). The end result is a Rams defense that has allowed the second-most points in the NFL this season.
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30. Cincinnati Bengals (29)
The Cincinnati Bengals defense is going to be a massive problem for Joe Burrow and Co. The Panthes put up 155 yards on the ground, 220 through the air and Andy Dalton wasn’t sacked once on 40 pass attempts. With opponents converting third downs at an alarming rate against Cincinnati, you can safely bank on the Bengals’ defense forcing its teammates to win some shootouts.
29. Arizona Cardinals (29)
The Arizona Cardinals defense is going to be this team’s Achilles heel this season. Washington ra at will against the Cardinals front seven – 216 rushing yards, 4 touchdowns, and 5.8 ypc – on a Sunday when Jayden Daniels only had a 1-1 TD-INT line. However, while Daniels only found the end zone once through the air, he did complete 86.7% of his passes in Week 4. Suffice it to say, the Cardinals have one of the worst NFL defenses right now.
28. Washington Commanders (30)
Credit to Dan Quinn and this Washington Commanders defense for a performance no one saw coming. Kyler Murray was sacked 4 times on Sunday, finishing the game with just 115 net passing yards and 6.5 yards per attempt. Maybe it’s an outlier, October will determine that, but it is an improvement. Although, the other side of that coin means highlighting Arizona rushing for 181 yards on Sunday.
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27. Indianapolis Colts (28)
There is quite a contrast in the Indianapolis Colts defense in the first two games versus the last two weeks. From Weeks 1-2, Indianapolis allowed 474 rushing yards with a 5.1 yards per carry average. In the past two games, however, this Colts defense has allowed just 185 total rushing yards, a massive improvement. Maybe that says more about the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers’ issues running the ball, but we have to give Indianapolis some benefit of the doubt. With that said, this is still an awful pass defense.
26. Las Vegas Raiders (26)
All things considered, the Las Vegas Raiders defense was fine in Week 4. The team made the right decision holding out Maxx Crosby (high-ankle sprain), who was a liability when he played through the injury last Sunday. Without the All-Pro edge rusher, the Raiders defense held the Cleveland Browns to 241 total yards and a 30% third-down conversion rate with 1 turnover and 3 sacks. We’re just not going to put too much weight in this performance since it happened against Deshaun Watson and a bogus holding penalty wiped out a late Browns’ touchdown.
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25. Dallas Cowboys (19)
From No. 1 in the NFL defense rankings after a dominant season-opening performance to outside the top 20. It’s historical for the Dallas Cowboys. The dip wouldn’t have been that significant after Week 4 had DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons stayed healthy. Unfortunately, both pass rushers are now out multiple games and that’s probably going to make this one of the worst defenses in the NFL. What a fall from grace.
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24. Jacksonville Jaguars (21)
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen didn’t have the depth he needed to completely turn this unit around and now he doesn’t have much of the top-end talent to work with. Josh Hines-Allen (concussion) left Sunday’s game and the list of injured Jaguars defensive starters keeps growing. No Devin Lloyd, no Darnell Savage, no Foyesade Oluokun and no Tyson Campbell. It’s going to be ugly for a while.
23. Miami Dolphins (23)
Regression from this Miami Dolphins was inevitable the moment Tua Tagovailoa went down. Suddenly, all the pressure is on a unit that is dealing with some injuries and learning a new system. Without an offense to kill the clock and put some points on the board, this Dolphins defense is simply being asked to do far too much considering its current personnel. Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis should give the Dolphins some freebies in Week 4, but that’s more a testament to his poor decision-making and the Titans offensive line.
22. New York Giants (24)
The problems arise for the New York Giants when that defensive front can’t get home. We saw it on Thursday Night Football, with Dak Prescott completing 81.5% of his pass attempts and averaging 8.2 ypa with a 125.5 QB rating. Those down moments, entirely due to the secondary, are the one thing holding this unit back from being a top-20 defense.
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21. Philadelphia Eagles (18)
Baker Mayfield and Co. did whatever they wanted against the Philadelphia Eagles secondary on Sunday. Mayfield posted a 100.2 QB rating, racking up 347 passing yards with 3 total touchdowns. It’s just the latest instance of inconsistency from this unit, which didn’t look great against the Green Bay Packers in Week 1 then allowed a game-winning drive to Kirk Cousins the following week. In short, the Eagles defense isn’t fixed.
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20. Atlanta Falcons (22)
The Atlanta Falcons defense on the game in Week 4. It started with linebacker Troy Anderson, taking an interception 47 yards to the house. It also showed up in the in-game adjustments, with Atlanta allowing 14 points to the New Orleans Saints with 13:40 left in the second quarter and then surrendering just 10 points the rest of the way. Atlanta does have big problems stopping the run, but that seems to be the norm for a lot of NFL defenses this season.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (25)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers still have one of the worst run defenses in the NFL. Through the first month of the season, opponents are averaging 131.5 rushing yards per game with the fourth-highest yards per carry average. Fortunately, this is a passing league and Tampa Bay has fielded a top-10 pass defense this season. After facing Jalen Hurts, albeit without A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, the Buccaneers have allowed just 1 passing touchdown on 146 attempts this season. Just as important, Vita Vea returned in Week 4 and it shouldn’t be long before Calijah Kancey and Antoine Winfield Jr. return to the field.
18. New England Patriots (8)
The steep descent down the NFL defense rankings has finally arrived for the New England Patriots. It seems increasingly evident that Christian Barmore (blood clots), one of the best defensive tackles in the AFC, probably isn’t returning this year. Meanwhile, for as well as corner Christian Gonzalez is playing – a 77.5 QB rating allowed in coverage – there are other vulnerabilities in this Patriots’ secondary. New England’s defense would probably perform better if it didn’t spend so much time on the field, but that’s not changing given the state of the Patriots offense.
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17. Green Bay Packers (17)
The Green Bay Packers found themselves in a very bad situation on Sunday, playing without cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Carrington Valentine against Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Sure enough, it bit them early, with the Minnesota Vikings hanging 28 first-half points on the Packers’ defense. Green Bay settled down a bit after that, surrendering just 3 second-half points. This is a bit of a boom-or-bust defense, but when you have Xavier McKinney (4 interceptions) as a playmaker, there are a few more highlights than mistakes.
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16. Cleveland Browns (3)
In the early weeks of the season with our NFL defense rankings, we like to give the top teams who were dominant in 2023 some benefit of the doubt. That’s especially true when they retain a majority of their starters. Unfortunately, the time has come to accept the facts with this Cleveland Browns defense. Entering Week 4, Cleveland ranked 14th in pressure rate (26.4 percent), 13th in rush ypg allowed (113.7) and 18th in red-zone touchdown rate (55.6 percent). Against the Las Vegas Raiders, without Davante Adams, the Browns allowed Las Vegas to go 2-for-3 in the red zone and the Raiders erupted for 152 yards, 2 scores and a 5.2 ypc average on the ground. Defense obviously isn’t the problem in Cleveland, but this unit also isn’t good enough anymore to make up for Deshaun Watson and the offensive line.
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15. San Francisco 49ers (15)
We’ll start with the positive when it comes to the San Francisco 49ers defense. All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner, who snagged a pick-six in Week 4, is playing at a DPOY-caliber level right now. San Francisco also took full advantage of the Patriots’ offensive line, sacking Jacoby Brissett 6 times with 10 QB hits. Outside of games against New England, though, this 49ers defense is allowing the third-highest yards per play average (6.1), the 11th-highest opponents’ scoring rate (43.3 percent) and the ninth-highest average QB rating (101.5). Let’s see what this 49ers defense can do against Kyler Murray, James Conner, Trey McBride and Marvin Harrison Jr. in a very underrated Week 5 matchup.
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14. Houston Texans (14)
It could’ve been a better day for the Houston Texans defense. Jacksonville turned 24 carries into 158 rushing yards (6.6 yards per carry) and Houston’s secondary had problems with Brian Thomas Jr (86 yards and 1 TD). Still, a ‘pedestrian’ day for DeMeco Ryans’ defense saw Houston allow just a 25% third-down conversion rate and the Jaguars managed just 10 points after the first quarter. Not phenomenal, but not a bad game by any means for Houston.
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13. Los Angeles Chargers (20)
No Joey Bosa, no problem for the Los Angeles Chargers defense. First-year NFL defensive coordinator Jesse Minter already had this group playing quite well this season, allowing the 10th-fewest pass yards per game (175.3) and the eighth-lowest yards per play average (4.7). Against the Kansas City Chiefs, without Rashee Rice, Isiah Pacheco and Marquise Brown, this Chargers defense surrendered just 17 points. It’s also worth noting, however, that Kansas City went 9-for-16 on third-down attempts and averaged 5.7 yards per play. The Chargers defense has exceeded our expectations given the limited talent pool and it could be a great streaming option in Week 6 with two weeks to prepare for the Denver Broncos.
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12. Tennessee Titans (13)
The one thing the Tennessee Titans have going for them is this defense. Heading into Monday Night Football, the Titans have the ninth-best defense on third downs (30.8 conversion success rate) and Tennessee has allowed the third-fewest passing yards per game (139.3). That’s what makes this a dynamite matchup for the Titans against one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL and starting quarterback Tyler “Snoop” Huntley. If there is one game Tennessee’s defense can win single-handedly, it’s this one.
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11. Seattle Seahawks (16)
If NFL defense rankings are based purely on NFL defensive stats this season, the Seattle Seahawks belong in the top 3. Typically, as we saw during his Baltimore Ravens tenure, there is a 1.5-season adjustment period with Macdonald’s scheme and that was our hesitation with the Seahawks defense coming into 2024. Through three weeks, Seattle has the fourth-lowest scoring rate allowed (23.7 percent), allows the lowest yards per play average (3.9) and is fourth in third-down defense (26.1 percent). We just need to see it against opponents that aren’t Bo Nix, Jacoby Brissett and Skylar Thompson. Put on a defensive clinic against the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football and Seattle is guaranteed a spot in our top 10.
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Best NFL defenses right now
10. Detroit Lions (10)
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It all starts up front with Aidan Hutchinson, who is the front-runner for NFL Defensive Player of the Year right now after recording 6.5 sacks in his first three games. Hutchinson taking that next step has helped Detroit enter Monday Night Football with the eighth-highest pressure rate (28.4 percent) and QB knockdown rate (11.8 percent) in the NFL. Not only is Detroit doing a great job creating pressure, but that penetration is also showing up against the run – 3.6 yards per carry average (3rd in NFL) – as well. Quarterbacks can have some success against the Lions’ secondary, but that requires Detroit not to create pressure first.
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9. New Orleans Saints (4)
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The New Orleans Saints are dropping in our NFL defense rankings for one reason, injuries. It was bad enough to be without All-Pro linebacker Demario Davis, arguably the team’s best player. Unfortunately for New Orleans, it only got worse on Sunday with Tyrann Mathieu (calf, heel and groin) and linebacker Willie Gay (hand) both leaving with injuries. The Saints’ cap situation comes at a cost, depth, which is now being tested because of these absences. This is still one of the 10 best NFL defenses in 2024, but the injuries are all coming with Patrick Mahomes on deck in Week 5.
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8. Buffalo Bills (10)
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We were lower on the Buffalo Bills defense than we should’ve been coming into the week, bumping them up to the No. 1 spot after Sunday’s afternoon slate. Apparently Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson took that as a challenge. The Ravens’ backfield duo combined for over 250 rushing yards on Sunday night, averaging over 8 yards per carry apiece. Baltimore didn’t need to throw a ton, but Jackson – 156 yards with 2 touchdowns on 13-of-16 – did whatever he wanted and one of those incompletions was a drop. It’s safe to say this Bills defense definitely misses Matt Milano, Terrell Bernard and Taron Johnson. If this game wasn’t bad enough for Buffalo defensively, safety Taylor Rapp also left the game with an injury.
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7. Denver Broncos (14)
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Evidently, the Denver Broncos defense wanted more recognition this week. We bumped up Vance Joseph’s group 10 spots after it held Baker Mayfield to a 12.3 ESPN QBR with the Buccaneers’ offense mustering just 7 points in Week 3. On Sunday against Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets offense, Denver put on a defensive masterpiece. Breece Hall averaged just 0.4 yards per carry, New York went 4-for-17 on third-down attempts (23.5% conversion rate)and Rodgers was sacked 5 times on his way to a 31.4 ESPN QBR. Credit where it’s due, Joseph has created one of the best NFL defenses right now.
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6. Kansas City Chiefs (7)
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Statistically, this Kansas City Chiefs defense isn’t going to stand out. The defensive stats are nothing in comparison to some of the best NFL defenses. However, time and time again, this unit steps up in critical spots. Kansas City lost Rashee Rice in this game, leaving this offense with next to nothing outside of Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs trailed 10-0 after the first quarter. From that point on, the Chiefs defense shut out the Los Angeles Chargers and finished Sunday allowing just 225 total yards, 4.2 yards per play and a 30.7% third-down conversion rate (ESPN). Clutch defenses, especially ones with a great defensive coordinator and some All-Pro talent, get recognition.
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5. Baltimore Ravens (9)
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The Baltimore Ravens defense was nearly as impressive as the offensive showcase this team put on during Sunday Night Football. There are certainly still a few issues in the Ravens secondary, but they did a great job containing Josh Allen. The MVP candidate had his worst game of the season, failing to hit 200 yards when the game still mattered. Baltimore’s pass rush also came to play, as did the No. 1 run defense in the NFL. It took a few weeks, but this Ravens defense is at least showing glimpses of the dominant force we saw in 2023.
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4. Pittsburgh Steelers (2)
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Not the performance we anticipated from this Pittsburgh Steelers defense in Week 4. Granted, the turnover and off-target throw machine that is Antony Richardson left early with an injury and veteran Joe Flacco looked poised as the fill-in QB1. It’s a bit troubling to see this Steelers secondary allow 195 receiving yards on 14 receptions to Michael Pittman Jr and Josh Downs, highlighting a potential vulnerability for future opponents to attack. Sunday was also a significant step back for the Steelers’ run defense, which entered allowing the third-fewest rushing yards per game (71.3) and the second-lowest yards per carry average, according to Pro Football Reference only to allow 133 rushing yards and a 4.2 ypc average to the Colts.
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3. Chicago Bears (6)
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Taking the field on Sunday against Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay’s offense, the Chicago Bears defense had allowed the eighth-lowest scoring rate (28.9 percent) to opponents with opposing quarterbacks averaging just a 66.2 QB rating (lowest in NFL) and 165 passing yards per game against Chicago. Stafford eclipsed those totals, but not by much. The Bears sacked Stafford three times in Week 4, holding the Rams to 203 net passing yards with a 0-1 TD-INT ratio on 29 attempts. Just as critical in this 24-18 win, Los Angeles went 1-for-4 in the red zone. If the Bears can maintain a great red-zone defense, this unit is going to be fantastic.
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2. New York Jets (5)
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Needless to say, the blame doesn’t fall on a defense when it loses 10-9. The New York Jets made the Broncos’ passing game non-existent in Week 4, limiting Bo Nix to 60 passing yards on 25 attempts. Of course, because of how the Broncos’ offense was run, New York didn’t record a sack and had just 2 QB hits. While the Jets defense put up a zero in the sack department on Sunday, holding an opponent to 3.3 yards per play with a 21.4% third-down conversion rate on 56 plays (ESPN) is a phenomenal day. In the last two games, the Jets defense has allowed just 13 total points with its opponents going 5-for-25 on third-down attempts. Let’s just see how this unit fares against Sam Darnold and Justin Jefferson before bumping them back up to the top.
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1. Minnesota Vikings (1)
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The Minnesota Vikings defense was outstanding for three quarters against the Green Bay Packers. Of the 7 points allowed in the first 45 minutes, the score came right after a muffed punt inside the red zone. However, that final quarter was either a sign of Brian Flores’ players taking their foot off the gas too early or some issues in this secondary being exposed by a great offense. We see reality somewhere in the middle, but the Vikings still have a resume that makes this one of the best NFL defenses right now.
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NFL defense stats 2024
NFL defense rankings FAQ
What is the best defense in the NFL?
The Minnsota Vikings have the best defense in the NFL right now.
Which NFL defense has forced the most turnovers?
The Green Bay Packers defense has the most forced turnovers in the NFL this season with 9 (7 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles).
What NFL defense is best for fantasy?
The Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears and New York Jets are some of the best NFL defenses to target in fantasy.
What is the NFL defense rankings?
Sportsnaut’s NFL defense rankings evaluate and rank all 32 NFL defenses each week, reviewing their performances and projecting how they’ll perform in their upcoming game based on matchups and NFL defense stats.
NFL team sack leaders 2024
NFL teams with fewest sacks
Minnesota Vikings – 16
New York Giants – 15
New York Jets – 14
Houston Texans – 13
Denver Broncos – 11
Philadelphia Eagles – 4
Los Angeles Rams – 4
Washington Commanders – 4
Atlanta Falcons – 3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 2
Who is the number 1 defense in NFL?
The Dallas Cowboys have the No. 1 defense in the NFL this season.
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Who has the best defense in NFL history?
The 1985 Chicago Bears had the best NFL defense ever. Led by three Hall of Famers – Mike Singletary, Richard Dent and Dan Hampton – Chicago allowed just 101 total points on its way to winning Super Bowl XX, including an NFL record two shutouts in the playoffs. In addition, the 1985 Bears’ defense held opponents to a 50.2 passer rating with a 46.5 percent completion rate and 17-37 TD-INT ratio in 19 total games and opponents averaged just 76 rushing yards per game and 3.4 yards per carry across 19 contests in the regular season and playoffs.
Who has the weakest pass defense in the NFL?
The Washington Commanders have the worst pass defense in the NFL, allowing a league-high 104.1 QB rating, 259.3 passing yards per game and 35 passing touchdowns in 16 games.
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What’s the top 5 defenses in the NFL?
The top 5 NFL defenses are the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings.
Who gives up the most passing yards in the NFL?
The Baltimore Ravens allow the most passing yards in the NFL, allowing 257.0 passing yards per game right now.
What teams have the best defense in the NFL?
The New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers have the best defenses in the NFL this season.
Who has the best pass defense in the NFL?
The Chicago Bears have the best passing defense in the NFL this season, allowing the lowest average QB rating (66.2) and the eighth-fewest passing yards per game (165.0).
Who has the best run defense in the NFL?
The Baltimore Ravens have the best run defense in the NFL, allowing the fewest rushing yards per game (50) and the lowest yards per carry average (2.8) in 2024.
Who has the worst defense in the NFL?
The Carolina Panthers have the worst NFL defense right now.
Who has the worst run defense in the NFL?
The Dallas Cowboys have the worst run defense in the NFL right now, allowing the most rushing yards per game (185.7), the most rushing touchdowns (8) and the highest yards per carry average (5.4)
What team has the most sacks in a season?
The Chicago Bears set the NFL record for most sacks in a season with 72 sacks in 16 games in 1984. Most recently, the 2022 Philadelphia Eagles became just the fourth team in NFL history to record 70 sacks in a single season.