It’s that time of the week when we look at which defenses stepped up and which others fell after Week 17 in the NFL. With this being the final week of the year, I want to say thank you to everyone who followed this article since its inception. It’s wild that the NFL’s regular season is over, but here we are. After you get done with the defensive power rankings, head on over and check out the first overall power rankings of 2026. Have a great day, everyone, and may the tackles be with you.
Week 18 NFL Power Rankings: Top 20 Defenses
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 340.5 Total Yards Against
Isn’t it ironic that the Buccaneers take over the 20th spot from the Dolphins after beating them in Week 17? This week, they’ll be at home against the Panthers to see who will win the NFC South this year.
19. San Francisco 49ers – 338.9 Total Yards Against
The Niners took care of business against the Bears by not only defeating them, but also making it possible to win the NFC West and be the number one seed in the NFC. They’ll have to do that at home against the Seahawks, who hold all of those accolades right now.
18. Detroit Lions – 335.8 Total Yards Against
After the Vikings eliminated the Lions from the playoffs, the Lions players now find themselves only playing for personal goals. They’ll be playing against the Bears this week in a game where I could see some players being pulled early, so they don’t get hurt playing for nothing.
17. Los Angeles Rams – 328.2 Total Yards Against
The Rams had higher hopes for seeding and a draft pick going into Monday night’s game against the Falcons. Instead, they lost a close game in which Bijan Robinson tore them up for over 225 all-purpose yards.
16. Las Vegas Raiders – 327.2 Total Yards Against
The Raiders got beaten by the Giants pretty easily in a game that everyone thought Ashton Jeanty would run wild. Instead, they’ll get to face the Chiefs in a battle of the bottom feeders in the AFC West.
15. Carolina Panthers – 326.6 Total Yards Against
The Panthers went up against one of the best teams in the league and practically got punked. This week, they’ll face the Buccaneers for the NFC South title.
14. Atlanta Falcons – 325.8 Total Yards Against
The Falcons are living in the limelight after beating the Rams in a game that was farther apart than close at times. They did that by sacking Matthew Stafford the times and forcing him into throwing the interceptions, with one of them being returned for a touchdown.
13. Philadelphia Eagles – 316.7 Total Yards Against
The Eagles showed up in Buffalo to sack the Bills, and that’s exactly what they did by sacking Josh Allen five times. The Eagles could have lost this game, but the defense held strong on a two-point try by the Bills, giving them the win.
12. Jacksonville Jaguars – 310.5 Total Yards Against
The Jaguars showed their dominance of the AFC South by defeating the Colts. This week, they get a layup against the Titans, who are a terrible team, all-around.
11. Green Bay Packers – 308.6 Total Yards Against
The Packers defense keeps falling, and eventually, they’ll fall even further in the playoffs if they keep playing like this. In the past four games, the Packers defense had only two sacks, which shows why players like Micah Parsons do make a difference.
10. Kansas City Chiefs – 307.6 Total Yards Against
The Chiefs gave it all they had in Week 17 against the Broncos with one sack and an interception, but they still lost the game. This week, they get the Raiders, who are a complete mess like them, but that’s because of their own doing.
9. New Orleans Saints – 305.5 Total Yards Against
I feel that the Saints could have been more competitive this year if Tyler Shough had started all year. After recording 12 sacks in the past two games, that theory only strengthens that statement even more.
8. Buffalo Bills – 303.8 Total Yards Against
The Bills defense was in a hole really fast against the Eagles, which they fixed, leading to how close this game became. This week, they won’t have to worry about that against the Jets, who can’t get out of their own way.
7. New England Patriots – 302.4 Total Yards Against
Speaking of the Jets, the Patriots were the last team to spank them, and they didn’t even have to try. This week, they’ll face the Dolphins at home, who pose no threat.
6. Seattle Seahawks – 292.9 Total Yards Against
The Seahawks not only dismantled the Panthers, but they also made Bryce Young look like a rookie again. This week, they face the Niners for all the marbles in the NFC and NFC West.
5. Minnesota Vikings – 292.7 Total Yards Against
The Vikings gave the Lions a big, fat piece of coal on Christmas Day by not only knocking them out of the playoffs but also sacking Jared Goff five times while forcing six turnovers. This week, they’ll be facing the Packers, who have had a Swiss cheese defense for the past month.
4. Los Angeles Chargers – 288.1 Total Yards Against
Just like a said last week, this game was going to be a defensive struggle, and in the end, the Texans won. This week, they’ll be facing the Broncos in another game that will probably go under on the sportsbooks.
3. Denver Broncos – 282.1 Total Yards Against
The Broncos had it easy last week against the Chiefs, but they only recorded one interception. You would have thought they could have recorded a few sacks, but that wasn’t the case. This week, the Chargers are coming to town in what will be another defensive game.
2. Cleveland Browns – 278.6 Total Yards Against
The Browns had their Super Bowl last week by beating the Steelers, making the Ravens and the Steelers play for the division in Week 18. This week, they’ll be facing the Bengals in another bottom-feeder game, which could end up exciting if Myles Garrett can break the all-time sack record in a season.
1. Houston Texans – 272.4 Total Yards Against
The Texans finish the year as the number one defense. Since there is no reason to cover next week, it’s safe to say that my pre-season analysis of the Texans defense came true. However, this week they’ll be facing the Colts, who are another team that has nothing to play for but incentives.
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