NFL Defense Rankings 2025: Week 16 Fantasy Defense Rankings, Analysis of All 32 Defenses after Week 15

Our weekly NFL defense rankings examine every unit across the league to determine the best defenses in the NFL. With the preseason wrapped up, let’s dive into our evaluations for the worst and best NFL defenses this season. We’ll update our NFL defense rankings, with analysis on all 32 teams, every Sunday night each week.

Our NFL defense rankings are updated as of Tuesday, December 16. You can dive into our analysis of all 32 defenses after Week 15. Before diving into the evaluations, let’s get into our Week 16 fantasy defense rankings.

Week 16 Fantasy Defense Rankings

Here is our fantasy defense rankings this week.

1. Houston Texans D/ST vs Las Vegas Raiders
2. Philadelphia Eagles D/ST vs Washington Commanders
3. Minnesota Vikings D/ST vs New York Giants
4. New Orleans Saints D/ST vs New York Jets
5. Buffalo Bills D/ST vs Cleveland Browns
6. Denver Broncos D/ST vs Jacksonville Jaguars
7. Kansas City Chiefs D/ST vs Tennessee Titans
8. Los Angeles Rams D/ST vs Seattle Seahawks
9. San Francisco 49ers D/ST vs Indianapolis Colts
10. Dallas Cowboys D/ST vs Los Angeles Chargers
11. Seattle Seahawks D/ST vs Los Angeles Rams
12. Chicago Bears D/ST vs Green Bay Packers
13. Tennessee Titans D/ST vs Kansas City Chiefs
14. Cleveland Browns D/ST vs Buffalo Bills
15. New York Giants D/ST vs Minnesota Vikings
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers D/ST vs Carolina Panthers

1. Houston Texans (1)

The Houston Texans defense, like so many of its peers across the league, had no answer for Trey McBride. He contributed 57 percent of the Cardinals’ passing yardage on Sunday, with Houston shutting everyone else down. Even with Arizona clearing the 300-yard mark, which is rare for an offense facing the Texans, it still averaged just 4.9 yards per play and went 5-for-12 on third down with 2 turnovers. This remains the best defense in football, and it will be on full display in Week 16 versus Las Vegas.

2. Seattle Seahawks (2)

A 44-year-old quarterback against the Seattle Seahawks defense went about as you’d expect. Philip Rivers finished with 118 net passing yards on 27 attempts, and the Seahawks run defense bottled up Jonathan Taylor (3.5 yards per carry). It all resulted in Indianapolis averaging just 3.7 yards per play with 215 total yards on 10 drives (21.5 yards per drive). With the Rams missing Davante Adams (hamstring) on Thursday, the Seahawks defense could hold Los Angeles under 20 points on Thursday Night Football.

3. Denver Broncos (3)

After struggling in the first half versus the Packers, this Denver Broncos defense locked it down in the final two quarters. Following a 71-yard touchdown drive by Green Bay to open the third quarter, Denver surrendered just 55 total yards, with 2 interceptions and two turnovers on downs, over the final six drives by Green Bay. We’re very excited to see this unit against a red-hot Jaguars offense in Week 16, with a keen eye focusing on the Jaguars’ passing game against this outstanding defense.

4. Philadelphia Eagles (8)

The Philadelphia Eagles defense did precisely what you’d expect against Kenny Pickett and the Raiders offense. In the last two weeks, Vic Fangio has enjoyed facing by far the two worst offensive lines in football, resulting in 11 sacks and 4 takeaways. Pointing that out isn’t to suggest this isn’t an outstanding defense; the performances just require context. Fortunately for Fangio, Marcus Mariota and the Commanders offensive line pose no threat in Week 16.

5. Los Angeles Rams (5)

The Lions offense went to work early against the Los Angeles Rams defense, putting up 24 points with 261 total yards on its first five drives. It was a different game after that, as the Rams defense surrendered just 10 points and 118 total yards on the final six drives by the Lions offense, including overtime. We are still not confident in the Rams’ cornerbacks come playoff time, but that might not matter as much with this pass rush and the NFC playoff field lacking high-end wide receivers. Up next, the Rams defense gets to face its favorite quarterback (Sam Darnold).

6. Los Angeles Chargers (7)

Odafe Oweh is now up to 7 sacks since landing on this Los Angeles Chargers defense in the middle of October. He proved instrumental on Sunday, and Los Angeles absolutely doesn’t complete its sweep of the Chiefs without this defense putting on a clinic. The Chargers defense should cause some problems for Dallas in Week 16, but CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens will win their one-on-one battles with these cornerbacks.

7. Cleveland Browns (6)

A usually stellar Cleveland Browns defense has been anything but in the last two weeks. Following Sunday’s 28-point loss, Cleveland has now allowed 226 rushing yards and 4 rushing touchdowns, and Caleb Williams also put up 2 passing touchdowns with a 112.5 passer rating on Sunday. Heading into a Week 16 matchup against the Bills, James Cook and Josh Allen should have a great shot at 120-plus rushing yards.

8. Minnesota Vikings (9)

On its firs three scoring drives, Dallas put up 14 points and 116 total yards with one of those scores coming on a short field. After that, this Minnesota Vikings defense surrendered just 12 points over the next seven drives with a 22.2 percent third-down conversion rate. Minnesota’s defense continues to ascend, now having allowed just 297.4 total yards per game with a 4.67 yards-per-play average, a 75.6 QB rating and a 35.6 percent third-down conversion rate in the last seven games. The Vikings D/ST is an outstanding fantasy option for a Week 16 matchup versus the Giants.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars (11)

Following Sunday’s dominant victory over the Jets, the Jacksonville Jaguars defense has now allowed just 14.4 points per game over the last five weeks. In that five-game span, opponents have averaged just 234.3 total yards per game with 16 sacks taken (3.2 per game) and 9 turnovers. It makes a real difference to have Travon Walker back out there with Josh Allen. Facing Bo Nix and the Broncos offense in Week 16, it’ll be a great test for the Jaguars’ pass rush against a top-five offensive line.

10. Baltimore Ravens (12)

Simply a defensive clinic from the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday in Cincinnati. In shutting out the Bengals offense, Baltimore picked off Joe Burrow twice and limited Cincinnati to 3-for-15 on third down and just a 4.2 yards-per-play average on nine drives. However, the pass rush from this Ravens defense has been non-existent for most of the season. If it doesn’t show up in Week 16 versus New England, Drake Maye will pick this unit apart without breaking a sweat.

11. Green Bay Packers (4)

It’s going to get very ugly almost immediately for this Green Bay Packers defense with Micah Parsons lost for the season. He masked a pedestrian pass rush, and his ability to generate pressure covered up for a very weak cornerback room. Now that he’s done for the year, it’s going to get bad for Green Bay defensively. Expect Chicago to run the football with ease, after its success in the second half a week ago at Lambeau Field, and Caleb Williams will have a lot more time to throw with Rome Odunze open plenty.

12. New Orleans Saints (15)

After limiting the Panthers to 17 points and 281 total yards on Sunday, the New Orleans Saints defense is now responsible for allowing just 17.8 points, 15 first downs, and 271.4 total yards per game over its last five contests. Brandon Staley knows how to coach up a defense, and he’s proving that this season with a unit that is still pretty short on talent. Facing the Jets offense in Week 16, the Saints D/ST is a very good streaming option in fantasy football.

13. Kansas City Chiefs (13)

Well, at least the Kansas City Chiefs defense was able to take advantage of one of the NFL’s worst offensive lines. No, we’re not putting any real stock into this front netting 4 sacks; it’s a far bigger indictment on Los Angeles. Now, with that said, Kansas City is still getting very good play out of Chris Jones, Jaylen Watson, and even Nohl Williams. Unfortunately, with the playoff hopes squashed, we might see this unit start to show a few signs of giving up on the season.

14. Chicago Bears (16)

A matchup against the Browns offense went about as well as you could hope for from the Chicago Bears defense. It doesn’t change the evaluation of this unit, especially with Kyler Gordon back on injured reserve, but it’s always a good thing to record more than twice as many third-down stops (10) as conversions (four) and hold your opponent to 192 total yards and 9 first downs on 12 drives. Chicago is quite fortunate that the Packers will be without Tucker Kraft, Christian Watson, and Zach Tom in Week 16. Although, Josh Jacobs could have some success against the Bears’ run defense.

15. New England Patriots (10)

It’s starting to come apart fairly quickly for this New England Patriots defense. Khyiris Tonga returned on Sunday, but Buffalo still put up 168 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns with a 4.5 yards-per-carry average. New England also had some issues defending downfield passes, and it allowed Buffalo to go 5-for-6 in the red zone. Once a strength of this unit, New England’s defense is beginning to look like more of a weakness with the playoffs fast approaching.

16. Miami Dolphins (17)

Coming off a strong seven-game stretch in which the Miami Dolphins defense allowed just 287.6 total yards per game and 4.87 yards per play, this group had its issues in Pittsburgh. Missed tackles allowed Kenneth Gainwell to put up 80 yards and 6.2 ypc and when Miami couldn’t get to Aaron Rodgers (3 sacks), he put up 2 touchdowns and averaged 8.3 yards per attempt while completing 23-of-27 passes. Maybe the defense will perform better in warmer weather next week, but a high-scoring game seems likely against Joe Burrow.

17. Indianapolis Colts (23)

Credit to the Indianapolis Colts defense for making a game of it on Sunday when the offense couldn’t get anything going. Playing at home, Seattle converted just two of its 13 third-down attempts, didn’t have a single explosive run, and finished with just a 2.3 yards-per-carry average. However, the competition will be far more difficult in Week 16 versus Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, and George Kittle. Stay away from the Colts D/ST with DeForest Buckner, Charvarius Ward, and Sauce Gardner out.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers (20)

Maybe Tua Tagovailoa was in the holiday spirit and wanted to hand out a few sacks to a Pittsburgh Steelers defense that is without T.J. Watt indefinitely. Miami’s quarterback finished with a 12.2 QBR on Monday and it could’ve been so, so much worse if not for some garbage-time padding of stats to get 2 touchdowns. We’re still very skeptical of the Steelers run defense and corners, but Pittsburgh’s defense will have a great shot to prove itself in Week 16 versus Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. We’re predicting a high-scoring game.

19. San Francisco 49ers (23)

At some point, we have to give Robert Saleh and this San Francisco 49ers defense some credit. While so many other units are taking massive steps backward after being destroyed by injuries, San Francisco is stringing together strong performances. There’s still next to no pass rush to speak of, but Saleh’s scheme and solid play in the secondary are at least making this a respectable defense.

20. Carolina Panthers (18)

The Carolina Panthers defense pulled down 5 sacks on Sunday, but Tyler Shough (24-of-32, 272 passing yards, and 8.5 ypa) got his own hits in on the secondary. That’s the problem with this unit: it is weak at corner outside of Jaycee Horn, and the play at linebacker is abysmal. This unit is in for a rough showing in Week 16 versus Mike Evans, Emeka Egbuka, and Chris Godwin.

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (19)

It’s never a promising sign of a defense when you allow a career-best performance to Kyle Pitts. In the last six games, opponents are averaging 29.3 points and 384 total yards per game versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense, putting up a 6.6 yards-per-play average with a 102.2 passer and a 43.1 percent third-down conversion rate. Bryce Young isn’t exactly consistent, but this is a big game where he could put up some good numbers.

22. Buffalo Bills (24)

TreVeyon Henderson (148 rushing yards) torched the Buffalo Bills defense, as Sean McDermott’s group continues to struggle with explosive plays. It’s an Achilles heel that simply isn’t going away and could prove to be this team’s downfall come playoff time. Quinshon Judkins could exploit it a bit in Week 16, but Buffalo’s pass defense will have little trouble shutting down Shedeur Sanders.

23. Detroit Lions (14)

After Aidan Hutchinson’s slick interception on Matthew Stafford, it was all downhill for the Detroit Lions defense. All of the injuries in the secondary were evident and that’s highlighted the fact that, outside of Hutchinson, there’s very little pass rush coming from this front seven. Detroit’s defense has had Aaron Rodgers’ number in the past, but we’d expect that to change in Week 16.

24. Atlanta Falcons (25)

In the last six games, this Atlanta Falcons defense has surrendered 27.2 points and 378.3 total yards per game, with three quarterbacks throwing multiple touchdowns. Blitzing is great when it works, but it’s risky and teams have adjusted to what Atlanta is throwing at them. Trey McBride and Michael Wilson are in for a great Sunday against Atlanta.

25. Dallas Cowboys (21)

The Dallas Cowboys defense picked off J.J. McCarthy on the Vikings’ first drive and then forced a stop on the second series. After that, Minnesota ut up 303 total yards on nine drive (33.7 yards per drive) and averaged over 6.5 yards per play with 34 points scored. The culprit, as always with this Cowboys defense, is a secondary that continuously has lapses in coverage and lets receivers and tight ends get open with relative ease. It’s the biggest reason why this team isn’t making the playoffs. In Week 16, Dallas draws a favorable matchup for its front seven against the Chargers offensive line. When Justin Herbert isn’t pressured, though, he’ll have Ladd McConkey and Keenan Allen open.

26. Arizona Cardinals (26)

Houston didn’t have any problems moving the football on this Cardinals defense, averaging 6.3 yards per play and going 7-for-13 on third downs while averaging 36.3 yards per drive. Over the last two games, opponents have put up 85 points and 929 total yards on the Cardinals defense, along with 6 passing touchdowns. If Drake London is on the field in Week 16, the Falcons offense has a shot at a 30-burger.

27. Washington Commanders (27)

Unsurprisingly, Dan Quinn taking over play-calling duties for this Washington Commanders defense didn’t change anything. Washington has now allowed 5 passing touchdowns in the last two games, with its opponents putting up 308 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns during that stretch. With the Eagles’ offense coming off a 31-point performance, it’s fair to expect that Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, and Saquon Barkley put up some great numbers on the Commanders defense in Week 16.

28. Tennessee Titans (29)

San Francisco went 9-for-15 on third downs, averaged 6.1 yards per play, recorded 28 first downs and reached the ed zone on six of its eight drives on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans defense. Jeffery Simmons and T’Vondre Sweat remain bright spots, but that’s simply just not enough. Of course, with Patrick Mahomes out for the year, a matchup against the Chiefs offense in Week 16 isn’t particularly interesting nor concerning

29. Cincinnati Bengals (31)

The Cincinnati Bengals defense only allowed 2 offensive touchdowns on Sunday, but it also surrendered 317 total yards and a 7.9 yards-per-play average on just 8 drives by Baltimore. In short, it still looked like a bottom-five defense. Now, the slight motivation bump of being in playoff contention is effectively off the table. That spells trouble for a Week 16 matchup versus Miami, who has been running the football better than any team outside of Chicago in the second half of the season.

30. Las Vegas Raiders (28)

The entire Las Vegas Raiders team has given up on the season, understandably, which is really starting to show up on a defense that had little margin for error. Philadelphia’s quarterbacks put up 3 touchdowns and an 11.6 yards per attempt average with a 154.4 QB rating on Sunday against the Raiders defense, and the team finished with 183 rushing yards. Drawing a Week 16 matchup against the Texans, Las Vegas doesn’t have the size at corner to deal with Nico Collins and Jayden Higgins, so a good day from C.J. Stroud is coming.

31. New York Jets (3)

In the last two games, the New York Jets defense has surrendered 82 points, 796 total yards, and 47 first downs. The lack of talent, thanks to the fire sale at the NFL trade deadline, has caught up to the club. There’s really nothing else to say about this unit right now. It won’t look quite as bad in Week 16 versus the Saints, but Tyler Shough, Juwan Johnson, and Chris Olave can make a few big plays.

32. New York Giants (32)

Takeaways tend to be a bit fluky, especially lost fumbles. Facing a bottom-10 offense on Sunday, the New York Giants defense allowed a 5.9 yards-per-play average and 19 first downs on 12 drives, with Marcus Mariota (11.1 ypa and 211 passing yards) and Jacory Croskey-Merritt (96 yards and 5.3 ypc) both having very efficient days. Maybe this Giants pass rush can cause some havoc and force J.J. McCarthy into some bad decisions in Week 16, but Minnesota will be able to run for 100-plus yards with ease.

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