Best NFL Defenses Right Now – 2026-27

It’s a saying as old as the sport itself: Defense wins championships. Last year that proved especially true. The Seattle Seahawks, who led the league in points allowed per game and in expected points contributed by their defense, captured their second Super Bowl in franchise history in large part thanks to their dominant defense.

But this season, they will have competition among the league’s best, whether that’s within their own division or in a potential Super Bowl matchup. Plenty of teams upgraded their defense this offseason trying to capture the same magic Seattle found last year. Here’s where the league’s top defensive units stack up.

Don’t forget: You can watch all of the NFL action on the gridiron with DIRECTV.

Which NFL Teams Have the Best Defenses in 2026-27?

1. Minnesota Vikings

Key stats: 12.8 points allowed per game; 259.8 yards allowed per game; 22.2% opponent third-down conversion rate; 25.0% opponent red-zone touchdown rate.

Minnesota is just about the most complete defensive unit in the NFL. They have an answer for just about everything: Want to run the ball? The Vikings have a top-five rushing defense waiting. Go through the air instead, and the league’s third-ranked passing defense is smothering your receivers.

The Vikings also lead the league in scoring defense, third-down defense and red-zone defense. They’re stifling opponents and leaving them fighting hard for every possession and point. With top-five yardage rankings against both the pass and the run, this defense gives just about any offense a nightmare draw each week.

2. Seattle Seahawks

Key stats: 237.3 yards allowed per game; 141.3 passing yards allowed per game; 29.4% opponent third-down conversion rate; 21.0 points allowed per game.

It was a toss-up between Minnesota and Seattle for the first spot on this list, but last season’s Super Bowl champs put their top-tier defense to work to lock up the Lombardi, and they’re one of the best defenses in the NFL again this year.

The Seahawks lead the NFL in total defense and passing defense, while their third-down performance is top notch, too. If there’s one weak spot, it’s in the red zone: Seattle’s opponents have been able to convert about 75% of their red-zone trips into touchdowns. If they can tighten things up near the goal line, they have a strong case to top this list.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars

Key stats: 14.0 points allowed per game; 63.8 rushing yards allowed per game; 33.3% opponent red-zone touchdown rate; seven total touchdowns allowed.

Jacksonville trails only Minnesota in points allowed, and that’s obviously the most important stat for an NFL defense. They also have the league’s best rushing defense and its second-stingiest red-zone touchdown rate. Their pass defense is much shakier, currently ranking 30th in the league, but a defense that shuts down the ground game and repeatedly denies touchdowns still deserves to be near the top of the defensive rankings.

4. Los Angeles Rams

Key stats: 285.2 yards allowed per game; 156.8 passing yards allowed per game; 24.0 points allowed per game; 32.8% opponent third-down conversion rate.

The Rams rank second against the pass, third in total yardage and shut down opponents on third down. Their scoring results need to improve, especially in the red zone, and their run defense is a bit subpar comparatively, but LA’s ability to limit passing options clearly makes them one of the NFL’s best defenses right now.

5. New York Jets

Key stats: 293.0 yards allowed per game; 175.0 passing yards allowed per game; 19.2 points allowed per game; 33.9% opponent third-down conversion rate.

Aaron Glenn’s pressure-heavy approach gives the Jets’ opponents plenty to sort through. The Jets rank fourth in both passing yards and total yards allowed and fifth in scoring defense. Their third-down performance and 50% red-zone touchdown rate prove that they’re able to effectively limit yardage and scoring. Their run defense remains the biggest gap, but New York continues to frustrate opposing offenses week after week.

6. San Francisco 49ers

Key stats: 18.6 points allowed per game; 297.2 yards allowed per game; 97.6 rushing yards allowed per game; 50.0% opponent red-zone touchdown rate.

The Nick Bosa-led San Francisco defense sits comfortably inside the top 10 against both the pass and run, and they rank third in scoring defense. They’re struggling a bit on third down, which means opponents can extend their possessions, but they often hit a brick wall near the goal line. Such a balanced defense without an obvious yardage weakness and strong scoring performance is a top defense in our book.

7. Denver Broncos

Key stats: 20.8 points allowed per game; 208.5 passing yards allowed per game; 139.8 rushing yards allowed per game; 53.3% opponent red-zone touchdown rate.

The Broncos are a team that have been near synonymous with strong defensive play for years, and this season they’re at it again. They’ve been competitive against the pass and kept the scoring manageable, even as many of their starters, including Pat Surtain II, have been getting banged up. Aside from the injury situation, Denver’s biggest area to improve has been against the run.

8. New England Patriots

Key stats: 18.8 points allowed per game; 296.2 yards allowed per game; 205.4 passing yards allowed per game; 90.8 rushing yards allowed per game.

The Patriots have been consistently strong on defense, and they rank fifth in total defense, sixth against the run and fourth in points allowed this season. That’s following a strong 2025-26 showing in head coach Mike Vrabel’s first campaign, especially against the run. That was enough to help propel them to the Super Bowl in February. The main focus area for the Pats is to sharpen their situational work: Third-down and red-zone work continues to be a weaker point in New England.

9. Chicago Bears

Key stats: 19.2 points allowed per game; 311.4 yards allowed per game; 96.0 rushing yards allowed per game; 26.0% opponent third-down conversion rate.

Punters have their work cut out for them against Chicago. Only Minnesota, our list-toppers, shut down opponents on third down better than the Bears defense. They’ve also got a top-10 rushing defense and strong scoring performance. Their red zone performance is a bit of an issue, sure, but ending possessions so consistently makes it a bit less of a concern.

10. Kansas City Chiefs

Key stats: 19.2 points allowed per game; 92.8 rushing yards allowed per game; 44.4% opponent red-zone touchdown rate; seven total touchdowns allowed.

Kansas City makes their opponents put in the work for touchdowns. The Chiefs’ red-zone touchdown rate ranks among the league’s top five, and their run defense is top tier, too. They struggle more against passing, but the Chiefs’ ability to limit scoring when it counts keeps them highly competitive: Opponents can move the ball against them, but finishing those drives is a tougher lift.

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Key stats: 72.8 rushing yards allowed per game; 299.4 yards allowed per game; 33.9% opponent third-down conversion rate; 22.4 points allowed per game.

Tampa Bay may struggle to limit scoring, but they know how to make it pretty difficult for opponents to get the chance to post a touchdown on the board. The Bucs rank second in rushing defense and seventh in total yardage allowed and eighth on third down. If they can figure out their scoring situation, they’ll move even higher up this list.

12. Los Angeles Chargers

Key stats: 311.6 yards allowed per game; 193.0 passing yards allowed per game; 25.8 points allowed per game; 31.2% opponent third-down conversion rate.

The Chargers do several things well enough to suggest a better defense than their scoring average shows. They rank sixth against the pass and fifth on third down. Their challenge is in putting together more complete performances: A less-effective run defense leaves opponents with plenty of opportunity on the ground, and this shows in their scoring performance.

2026-27 Top NFL Defenses (Avg. Yards/TD Allowed, Lowest to Highest)

Here is where all 32 teams rank in the 2026-27 season.

2026-27 NFL Scoring Defenses Ranked (Avg, Points Against, Lowest to Highest)

2026-27 NFL Passing Defenses Ranked (Lowest to Highest)

2026-27 NFL Rushing Defenses Ranked(Lowest to Highest)

Watch NFL Football on DIRECTV

You can catch NFL matchups and watch these defenses go to work all season long with DIRECTV. Sign up today!

Shop Packages