NFL Defensive Rankings: Top 10 Defenses of The 2022 Season

In a league where everyone focuses on offense and firepower, defense is still the key to winning championships.

The last 10 NFL Super Bowl winners were ranked inside the Top-10 in scoring defense per Team Rankings.

Below we rank the Top 10 NFL Defenses in the 2022 season.

10. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals are getting hot at the right time. Having won five straight games and seven of their last eight, the Bengals’ defense is playing its best football of the season.

Cincinnati just held one of the best running backs in the NFL (Nick Chubb) to 2.4 yards per carry, which is the second-lowest output of his season.

While defending the run isn’t one of their storing suits, they do very well defending the pass. The Bengals have allowed the 6th lowest yards to opposing receivers while allowing a 58.6% catch rate (3rd best).

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Despite the buccaneers having a disappointing start to the 2022 NFL season, they still have a top-10 defense.

Through the first half of the season, Tampa Bay ranks 5th in the NFL in scoring defense, only allowing opponents 18.3 points per game.

8. Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles have the best record in football, standing at 12-1. Much of that has to do with their offense which ranks #1 in points per game (29.7).

Up front, the Eagles are led by a 3-headed monster. Brandom Graham, Josh Sweat, and Haason Reddick all rank inside the 25 in PFF’s defensive graded players.

Defensively, Philly ranks 8th in scoring defense, allowing 18.8 points per game, and ranks 2nd in opponents’ yards per game (296.4). Only the 49ers allow fewer yards on a per-game basis.

Most markets have the Buffalo Bill and Eagles as their favorites to win the Super Bowl. The Eagle’s odds can be found anywhere from +425 to +450, depending on where you look. Research the top offshore betting sites to find the best Super Bowls odds.

7. Buffalo Bills

As crazy as it may sound, the Bills are flying under the radar in 2022. Last year they caught the league by surprise and were 12 seconds away from advancing to the AFC Championship game.

In 2022 the Bills are currently 10-3 with the 2nd highest point differential (+132). Buffalo finished last season with the #1 overall defense, and the expectations were to have a repeat performance. While that hasn’t been the case, they still have a top-tier defense.

In 2022, Buffalo’s defense allowed opponents to score points on 30.1% of their drives, which tied for the 2nd lowest mark in the league.

6. New York Jets

Last season, the Jets’ pass defense finished dead last in EPA per dropback by a wide margin. This year they have done a complete 180 and are currently ranked 6th in that same metric. Much of that has to do with the addition of rookie cornerback Sauce Gardner.

Gardner was the 4th overall pick in this year’s draft and has exceeded expectations. The rookie out of Cincinnati has the highest PPF grade of any cornerback in the NFL at 87.2 and the best coverage grade at 88.7.

5. Washington Commanders

Washington having a top-10 defense without having its best player on the field is quite impressive. Young has yet to play in a game in 2022 after tearing his ACL last season. Despite not having Young on the field, Washington still carries a 37% pressure rate which is 5th best in the league.

Montez Sweat and Jonathan Allen are carrying this young defense, as they rank 4th in defensive Success Rate and 8th in EPA per dropback.

4. New England Patriots

Bill Belichick and the Patriots are putting together one of the better defenses in the league, led by Matthew Judon. Judon sits atop the league leaders in sacks, and Nick Bosa with 14.5. Teammate Josh Uche also finds himself in the top 10 with ten sacks.

New England ranks second in the NFL in defensive Success Rate and 7th in scoring defense, allowing 18.8 points per game.

3. Dallas Cowboys

Football Outsiders has the Dallas Cowboys rated as the number 1 defense in total DVOA. Dallas also ranks 1st in DVOa against the pass and number 6 against the run.

Dallas allows opponents to score points (touchdowns or field goals) on 32.7% of their drives; that’s the 8th best in the NFL.

2. Denver Broncos

2022 has been a disappointing first season for Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos. When Denver acquired Wilson during the offseason, they thought the strength of this team would be the offense. Well, 15 weeks into the season, the Broncos ranked 31st in offensive success rate and dead last in points per game (14.9)

On the other side of the ball, the Broncos rank 5th in Success Rate, and 2nd in defensive scoring, allowing 17 points per game.

1. San Francisco 49ers

When talking about a Super Bowl-caliber defense, the San Francisco 49ers are a perfect example. The 49ers rank 1st in scoring defense, yard per game allowed, defensive success rate, and EPA/play.

The 49ers are starting their 3rd string QB, yet they continue to win games, in large part because of their defense.

Their offense is doing its part, scoring 24.4 points per game (8th best) while putting up points on 39.1% of their offensive drives (10th best).

But, their defense ranks 1st in defensive successful drive percentage, meaning they only allow their opponents to score any points on 24.3% of their drives. That is incredible!

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