Updated 14 Nov 2026.
NFL defense rankings 2026: all 32 defenses on points, yards, pass and run defense, third down, takeaways and sacks. The Vikings allow 14.5 points a game.
Who has the best defense in the NFL in 2026?
The Minnesota Vikings have the best scoring defense in the NFL in 2026, allowing 14.5 points a game over 8 games. The Seattle Seahawks have the best all-round defense: 1st in total, pass and yards-per-pass defense, and the only team in the top 5 of points, yards, passing and rushing allowed.
Points allowed is the measure our NFL defense rankings lead with, because points decide games. The figures here run to the Thursday game of Week 10, so each team has played 8 or 9 games, and every figure is per game unless it says otherwise. The league average is 23.0 points and 346.3 yards allowed a game.
| Rank | Team | Points allowed | Yards allowed | Pass yards allowed | Rush yards allowed | Takeaways | Sacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vikings | 14.5 | 305.8 (4) | 186.9 (2) | 118.9 (18) | 13 (9) | 29 (2) |
| 2 | Jaguars | 15.1 | 327.6 (10) | 238.4 (18) | 89.3 (5) | 15 (3) | 16 (26) |
| 3 | Chiefs | 17.9 | 318.0 (7) | 220.5 (7) | 97.5 (10) | 11 (19) | 14 (29) |
| 4 | Seahawks | 18.0 | 257.9 (1) | 168.8 (1) | 89.1 (4) | 13 (6) | 21 (13) |
| 5 | Steelers | 18.0 | 325.9 (8) | 242.0 (22) | 83.9 (3) | 13 (8) | 26 (6) |
| 6 | 49ers | 19.5 | 303.8 (2) | 222.9 (9) | 80.9 (2) | 12 (10) | 15 (28) |
| 7 | Buccaneers | 19.8 | 305.8 (3) | 226.7 (11) | 79.1 (1) | 21 (1) | 17 (22) |
| 8 | Rams | 20.1 | 312.9 (5) | 209.1 (4) | 103.8 (13) | 10 (20) | 16 (25) |
| 9 | Bears | 20.4 | 326.7 (9) | 235.6 (15) | 91.1 (6) | 13 (7) | 26 (4) |
| 10 | Broncos | 20.7 | 374.2 (25) | 249.9 (25) | 124.3 (23) | 12 (16) | 26 (8) |
Only 7 defenses allow fewer than 20 points a game, and 8 allow more than 25. The Seahawks and Steelers both show 18.0; the Seahawks rank 4th because the rank is worked on the unrounded figure. Every team's 8 ranks sit side by side on the NFL team rankings hub.
Which NFL team has the best pass defense in 2026?
The Seattle Seahawks have the best pass defense in the NFL in 2026, allowing 168.8 passing yards a game and 5.5 yards a pass attempt, both 1st of 32. The Vikings are 2nd on passing yards at 186.9, and the Giants 2nd on yards a pass at 6.2.
Passing yards a game can flatter a defense that is ahead and facing few throws, so the NFL pass defense rankings sit beside yards per pass allowed. The Bears show the gap: 15th on passing yards, 32nd on yards a pass at 8.2. The Lions allow the most passing yards, 283.1 a game, yet are 3rd in sacks with 27.
Which NFL team has the best run defense in 2026?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the best run defense in the NFL in 2026, allowing 79.1 rushing yards a game over 9 games. The 49ers (80.9) and Steelers (83.9) are 2nd and 3rd, and 7 teams hold opponents under 92 rushing yards a game.
At the other end, the Raiders allow 151.2 rushing yards a game, 32nd, and the Cowboys 147.4, 31st. The Vikings, 1st on points, are 18th against the run at 118.9: their pass defense and 29 sacks carry the unit. The full table is on the NFL run defense rankings, and the backs who face each defense next are on best matchups.
How are NFL defenses ranked: points or yards?
NFL defenses are ranked 2 main ways: points allowed a game (scoring defense) and yards allowed a game (total defense). The 2 mostly agree: 9 of the top 10 scoring defenses in 2026 are also in the top 10 for yards allowed. The Broncos are the 1 exception, 10th on points and 25th on yards.
| Measure | Best in 2026 | Worst in 2026 | What it misses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Points allowed a game | Vikings, 14.5 | Raiders, 29.8 | Points the offense gives away on turnovers count against the defense |
| Total yards allowed a game | Seahawks, 257.9 | Raiders, 399.9 | Yards given up while far ahead count the same as close-game yards |
| Pass yards allowed a game | Seahawks, 168.8 | Lions, 283.1 | Teams that lead face more passes |
| Yards per pass allowed | Seahawks, 5.5 | Bears, 8.2 | Sacks and interceptions end plays it does not weigh |
| Rush yards allowed a game | Buccaneers, 79.1 | Raiders, 151.2 | Teams that trail face fewer runs |
| Third-down rate allowed | Bears, 22.8% | Cowboys, 48.3% | The distance: 3rd and 2 is not 3rd and 12 |
| Takeaways (season) | Buccaneers, 21 | Eagles, 5 | A season total, so a team with a bye week has 1 fewer game |
| Sacks (season) | Texans, 29 | Panthers, 12 | Pressure that forces a throw without a sack |
The Vikings and Texans both have 29 sacks; the feed ranks the Texans 1st. The Dolphins share the Panthers' 12. Yards allowed decides the NFL total defense rankings, and points decide the scoring defense rankings.
Do sacks and takeaways make a top defense?
Sacks and takeaways do not make a top NFL defense on their own: 5 of the 10 best scoring defenses in 2026 are in the bottom half for sacks. The Chiefs allow 17.9 points a game, 3rd, with 14 sacks, 29th, and the 49ers are 6th on points with 15 sacks, 28th.
Takeaways swing more. The Buccaneers lead with 21 and the Packers are 2nd with 19, while the Eagles have 5 in 9 games and allow 24.6 points, 19th. All 32 defenses have 357 takeaways and 643 sacks between them. The players behind the sacks are on the NFL sack leaders board.
Which NFL team has the worst defense in 2026?
The Las Vegas Raiders have the worst defense in the NFL in 2026 on points and yards: 29.8 points, 399.9 yards and 151.2 rushing yards allowed a game, all 32nd of 32. The Cowboys have the worst average rank across the 8 measures, 25.5.
| Rank | Team | Points allowed | Yards allowed | Third-down rate allowed | Takeaways |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | Chargers | 27.4 | 352.6 (18) | 34.3% (8) | 12 (12) |
| 29 | Panthers | 27.4 | 355.1 (20) | 47.7% (31) | 11 (17) |
| 30 | Colts | 27.7 | 375.3 (26) | 32.4% (5) | 6 (31) |
| 31 | Cardinals | 28.3 | 352.6 (19) | 40.7% (20) | 8 (28) |
| 32 | Raiders | 29.8 | 399.9 (32) | 44.0% (26) | 14 (5) |
The Colts are 5th on third down at 32.4% yet 30th on points, with 6 takeaways. The Cowboys are 26th on points at 26.2 and last on third down at 48.3%. The Cowboys team stats show the unit game by game.
Which defenses rank best across all 8 measures?
The Seattle Seahawks rank best across all 8 defensive measures in 2026, with an average rank of 4.0. The Vikings are 2nd at 5.5 and the Buccaneers 3rd at 8.0; the average is our own sum of each team's 8 ranks, not a rating.
The Steelers (9.1) and 49ers (9.8) complete the top 5, and the Bears (10.4) are 6th despite the worst yards-per-pass figure. The Seahawks team stats show the same figures week by week. For how defense and offense combine, the NFL power rankings and our best team in the NFL right now read both, and the NFL offense rankings sort the other side of the ball.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best defense in the NFL right now?
The Minnesota Vikings have the best defense in the NFL on points, allowing 14.5 a game in 2026, and the Seattle Seahawks have the best on yards, 257.9 a game. The NFL defense rankings update after every game.
Which NFL team allows the fewest points in 2026?
The Vikings allow the fewest points in the NFL in 2026: 116 in 8 games, 14.5 a game. The Jaguars are 2nd at 15.1 and the Chiefs 3rd at 17.9; the league average is 23.0 a game across 274 team games.
Which NFL team has the most takeaways in 2026?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the most takeaways in the NFL in 2026, 21 in 9 games. The Packers have 19 and the Jaguars 15. The Eagles have the fewest, 5.
Which NFL defense is best on third down in 2026?
The Chicago Bears are the best NFL defense on third down in 2026, allowing a 22.8% conversion rate. The Seahawks (30.6%) and Vikings (31.2%) are next; the Cowboys allow 48.3%, the highest of 32 teams.