2025 NFL Defensive Tiers Week 11: Best to Worst From Broncos to Bengals

Offense always gets the most love and coverage in the NFL. We all know it. Just look at the way quarterbacks are protected and how games are called, putting defenders at a constant disadvantage.

But I'm here to say that defenses deserve more respect, especially in a season when sloppy offensive play has been prevalent. And as we’re inching closer to the playoffs, you know the old adage: Defense wins championships. 

So, every week moving forward, I’ll rank all 32 NFL defenses, splitting them up into six tiers: Elite, Bet the Under, Competitive, Mediocre, Hanging by a Thread and … an opponent's Get-Right Game. 

Here’s my first defensive ranking: 

Denver Broncos
Houston Texans 
Los Angeles Rams 
Seattle Seahawks 
Green Bay Packers 

The Broncos and Texans are neck and neck for the top spot. Denver gets the edge for now, as it gave up just seven points and 188 net yards in a win over Las Vegas — handling business against an inferior offense, which isn’t always a cakewalk in the NFL. Before allowing just 11 net yards in the fourth quarter of its Week 10 win over the Jaguars, Houston gave up 29 points in three quarters to Jacksonville's inconsistent offense. 

In Seattle, Mike Macdonald’s defense has allowed 20 or fewer points in eight of its nine games. And defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s unit in Green Bay seems to be getting better by the week. It’s coming off a game in which it gave up just 10 points to the defending Super Bowl-champion Eagles. 

Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto is a strong candidate for Defensive Player of the Year. He leads the NFL in QB pressures (51) and ranks third with 9.5 sacks despite limited pass rushes. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

New England Patriots
Baltimore Ravens
Kansas City Chiefs 
Philade