NFL Team Defensive Rankings – Complete Analysis
Comprehensive NFL defensive rankings featuring points allowed, yards allowed, turnovers, sacks, and fantasy football matchup ratings for all 32 teams.
Filter & Sort
| Rank | Team | Pts Allowed | Yds Allowed | Pass Yds | Rush Yds | TO | Sacks | Tier |
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Defensive Tier Guide
Ranked 1-5
Lockdown units. These defenses dominate opponents and create negative game scripts.
Fantasy Impact: Target opposing QBs/WRs with caution. Fade skill players.
Ranked 6-12
Above average. Solid defenses that limit big plays and force turnovers.
Fantasy Impact: Slightly downgrade opposing fantasy starters.
Ranked 13-20
Middle of the pack. Inconsistent performance week to week.
Fantasy Impact: Neutral matchup. Trust your studs.
Ranked 21-27
Below average. Vulnerable to big plays and struggle in key situations.
Fantasy Impact: Boost opposing fantasy starters. Good streaming week.
Ranked 28-32
Exploitable units. Prime matchups for opposing offenses.
Fantasy Impact: Smash spot for opposing players. Start with confidence.
Pro Tip
Look beyond overall rankings - check pass vs rush defense for position-specific matchups.
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Understanding NFL Defensive Rankings
NFL defensive rankings provide a comprehensive view of how well each team's defense performs against opposing offenses. These rankings consider multiple factors including points allowed per game, total yards surrendered, turnovers forced, and quarterback pressure generated through sacks.
For fantasy football managers, understanding defensive matchups is crucial for making lineup decisions. Playing your players against weak defenses can significantly boost their fantasy production, while facing elite defenses may warrant sitting borderline starters.
Key Defensive Statistics Explained
Points Allowed
The most straightforward defensive metric - fewer points allowed equals better defense. Elite defenses typically hold opponents under 18 points per game, while poor defenses allow 25+ points regularly.
Yards Allowed
Total yards allowed measures how much territory a defense surrenders. This is broken down into passing yards and rushing yards to identify specific defensive strengths and weaknesses.
Turnovers Forced
Interceptions and fumble recoveries are game-changers. Defenses that generate turnovers give their offense extra possessions and often create short-field scoring opportunities.
Sacks
Quarterback sacks indicate pass rush effectiveness. Teams with high sack totals disrupt opposing passing games and often force quarterbacks into mistakes under pressure.