Defensive Rating 89.6
PFM Defensive Rating
2026 NFL Defense Ratings
PFM Defensive Rating looks beyond yards allowed or points allowed. It is built to capture the broader defensive picture: roster strength, defensive performance indicators, coaching context, recent form and how much the defense supports the team’s overall outlook.
Last reviewed .
How to read PFM Defensive Rating
A strong defensive number means the roster, coaching context and recent performance indicators line up well enough to give the team real support on that side of the ball. It is not a defensive coordinator ranking, and it is not a copy of last year’s points allowed.
- Defensive outlook
- Roster Strength
- Coaching Direction
- Recent Performance
- Team balance
- Defensive coordinator context when available
Rating Snapshot
Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Texans, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles
Roster Strength 85.5
Defense +14.7 over offense
Offense 86.6, defense 89.6
2026 NFL Defense Ratings Table
Teams are ranked by Defensive Rating first, with roster strength, coaching and recent performance beside it so the number has football context.
Defensive Rating Tiers
Elite Defensive Outlook
86.0 and higher
- Seattle Seahawks 89.6
- Los Angeles Rams 86.2
Strong Defensive Outlook
82.0 to 85.9
- Houston Texans 85.8
- Denver Broncos 84.6
- Philadelphia Eagles 84.4
- Cleveland Browns 84.2
- Kansas City Chiefs 83.8
- New England Patriots 83.8
- Pittsburgh Steelers 83.4
- Los Angeles Chargers 82.3
- 1 more teams
Solid Defensive Foundation
78.0 to 81.9
- San Francisco 49ers 81.9
- Buffalo Bills 81.2
- Detroit Lions 80.5
- Baltimore Ravens 80.5
- Minnesota Vikings 80.2
- Green Bay Packers 78.5
- New Orleans Saints 78.1
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers 78.0
Defensive Questions
74.0 to 77.9
- New York Jets 77.9
- Chicago Bears 77.8
- Atlanta Falcons 77.5
- New York Giants 76.2
- Washington Commanders 75.8
- Indianapolis Colts 75.2
- Las Vegas Raiders 75.1
- Carolina Panthers 74.6
Major Defensive Concern
Below 74.0
- Dallas Cowboys 73.9
- Cincinnati Bengals 73.0
- Miami Dolphins 72.7
- Arizona Cardinals 72.5
- Tennessee Titans 72.3
What stands out in the defensive ratings
Seattle lead the defensive board
Seattle start with a 89.6 Defensive Rating. Roster Strength at 85.5 gives the defense enough support to make the number feel like more than one hot category.
Cleveland are defense-led
Defensive Rating at 84.2 gives the Browns a stronger starting point than the offense. Offensive Rating at 69.5 is the reason the team read is not fully balanced.
Seattle pair defense with coaching
The defensive side lines up with the staff grade here. Defensive Rating sits at 89.6, and Coaching Direction at 87.8 gives Seattle a steadier foundation.
Seattle have two-way strength
Seattle are not leaning on only one side of the ball. Offensive Rating 86.6 and Defensive Rating 89.6 both clear the strength line.
Best Defensive Environments
Seattle Seahawks
- Defensive Rating
- 89.6
- Roster Strength
- 85.5
- Coaching Direction
- 87.8
Seattle combine Defensive Rating 89.6, Roster Strength 85.5 and Coaching Direction 87.8. That is the kind of support that keeps a defense from being a one-category story.
View Team DashboardLos Angeles Rams
- Defensive Rating
- 86.2
- Roster Strength
- 85.0
- Coaching Direction
- 87.6
Los Angeles combine Defensive Rating 86.2, Roster Strength 85.0 and Coaching Direction 87.6. That is the kind of support that keeps a defense from being a one-category story.
View Team DashboardKansas City Chiefs
- Defensive Rating
- 83.8
- Roster Strength
- 84.3
- Coaching Direction
- 92.3
Kansas City combine Defensive Rating 83.8, Roster Strength 84.3 and Coaching Direction 92.3. That is the kind of support that keeps a defense from being a one-category story.
View Team DashboardHouston Texans
- Defensive Rating
- 85.8
- Roster Strength
- 80.3
- Coaching Direction
- 81.0
Houston combine Defensive Rating 85.8, Roster Strength 80.3 and Coaching Direction 81.0. That is the kind of support that keeps a defense from being a one-category story.
View Team DashboardSan Francisco 49ers
- Defensive Rating
- 81.9
- Roster Strength
- 85.3
- Coaching Direction
- 84.7
San Francisco combine Defensive Rating 81.9, Roster Strength 85.3 and Coaching Direction 84.7. That is the kind of support that keeps a defense from being a one-category story.
View Team DashboardDefenses Under the Most Pressure
Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati have pressure on the defensive side because Defensive Rating 73.0, Roster Strength 80.6, Recent Performance 70.8 leave little margin. The fix starts with steadier stops and more support for the offense.
View Team DashboardDallas Cowboys
Dallas have pressure on the defensive side because Defensive Rating 73.9, Roster Strength 79.3, Recent Performance 70.7 leave little margin. The fix starts with steadier stops and more support for the offense.
View Team DashboardArizona Cardinals
Arizona have pressure on the defensive side because Defensive Rating 72.5, Roster Strength 74.6, Recent Performance 68.3 leave little margin. The fix starts with steadier stops and more support for the offense.
View Team DashboardTennessee Titans
Tennessee have pressure on the defensive side because Defensive Rating 72.3, Roster Strength 71.2, Recent Performance 67.5 leave little margin. The fix starts with steadier stops and more support for the offense.
View Team DashboardMiami Dolphins
Miami have pressure on the defensive side because Defensive Rating 72.7, Roster Strength 79.7, Recent Performance 68.7 leave little margin. The fix starts with steadier stops and more support for the offense.
View Team DashboardTeam-by-Team Defensive Rating Notes
Seattle Seahawks Defensive Rating 89.6
- Defensive Rank
- #1
- Defensive Rating
- 89.6
- Roster Strength
- 85.5
- Coaching Direction
- 87.8
- Recent Performance
- 91.8
- Offensive Rating
- 86.6
- Head Coach
- Mike Macdonald
What the numbers say: Seattle pair a top-end defensive number with roster support. Defensive Rating 89.6 and Roster Strength 85.5 give the defense a real floor.
View Team DashboardLos Angeles Rams Defensive Rating 86.2
- Defensive Rank
- #2
- Defensive Rating
- 86.2
- Roster Strength
- 85.0
- Coaching Direction
- 87.6
- Recent Performance
- 90.7
- Offensive Rating
- 88.0
- Head Coach
- Sean McVay
What the numbers say: Los Angeles pair a top-end defensive number with roster support. Defensive Rating 86.2 and Roster Strength 85.0 give the defense a real floor.
View Team DashboardHouston Texans Defensive Rating 85.8
- Defensive Rank
- #3
- Defensive Rating
- 85.8
- Roster Strength
- 80.3
- Coaching Direction
- 81.0
- Recent Performance
- 89.1
- Offensive Rating
- 79.1
- Head Coach
- DeMeco Ryans
What the numbers say: Houston sit at Defensive Rating 85.8 with Coaching Direction 81.0. That pairing explains why the defensive read is about more than raw talent.
View Team DashboardDenver Broncos Defensive Rating 84.6
- Defensive Rank
- #4
- Defensive Rating
- 84.6
- Roster Strength
- 80.4
- Coaching Direction
- 85.0
- Recent Performance
- 85.9
- Offensive Rating
- 81.3
- Head Coach
- Sean Payton
What the numbers say: Denver sit at Defensive Rating 84.6 with Coaching Direction 85.0. That pairing explains why the defensive read is about more than raw talent.
View Team DashboardPhiladelphia Eagles Defensive Rating 84.4
- Defensive Rank
- #5
- Defensive Rating
- 84.4
- Roster Strength
- 83.8
- Coaching Direction
- 82.4
- Recent Performance
- 82.5
- Offensive Rating
- 84.1
- Head Coach
- Nick Sirianni
What the numbers say: Philadelphia sit at Defensive Rating 84.4 with Coaching Direction 82.4. That pairing explains why the defensive read is about more than raw talent.
View Team DashboardCleveland Browns Defensive Rating 84.2
- Defensive Rank
- #6
- Defensive Rating
- 84.2
- Roster Strength
- 76.7
- Coaching Direction
- 73.0
- Recent Performance
- 67.4
- Offensive Rating
- 69.5
- Head Coach
- Todd Monken
What the numbers say: Cleveland lean on defense more than offense. Defensive Rating 84.2 is a strength, while Offensive Rating 69.5 keeps the team from reading as balanced.
View Team DashboardKansas City Chiefs Defensive Rating 83.8
- Defensive Rank
- #7
- Defensive Rating
- 83.8
- Roster Strength
- 84.3
- Coaching Direction
- 92.3
- Recent Performance
- 75.6
- Offensive Rating
- 83.2
- Head Coach
- Andy Reid
What the numbers say: Kansas City sit at Defensive Rating 83.8 with Coaching Direction 92.3. That pairing explains why the defensive read is about more than raw talent.
View Team DashboardNew England Patriots Defensive Rating 83.8
- Defensive Rank
- #8
- Defensive Rating
- 83.8
- Roster Strength
- 80.4
- Coaching Direction
- 85.0
- Recent Performance
- 87.7
- Offensive Rating
- 83.4
- Head Coach
- Mike Vrabel
What the numbers say: New England sit at Defensive Rating 83.8 with Coaching Direction 85.0. That pairing explains why the defensive read is about more than raw talent.
View Team DashboardPittsburgh Steelers Defensive Rating 83.4
- Defensive Rank
- #9
- Defensive Rating
- 83.4
- Roster Strength
- 79.9
- Coaching Direction
- 83.2
- Recent Performance
- 79.3
- Offensive Rating
- 77.6
- Head Coach
- Mike McCarthy
What the numbers say: Pittsburgh lean on defense more than offense. Defensive Rating 83.4 is a strength, while Offensive Rating 77.6 keeps the team from reading as balanced.
View Team DashboardLos Angeles Chargers Defensive Rating 82.3
- Defensive Rank
- #10
- Defensive Rating
- 82.3
- Roster Strength
- 79.3
- Coaching Direction
- 85.6
- Recent Performance
- 79.5
- Offensive Rating
- 82.4
- Head Coach
- Jim Harbaugh
What the numbers say: Los Angeles sit at Defensive Rating 82.3 with Coaching Direction 85.6. That pairing explains why the defensive read is about more than raw talent.
View Team DashboardJacksonville Jaguars Defensive Rating 82.0
- Defensive Rank
- #11
- Defensive Rating
- 82.0
- Roster Strength
- 80.4
- Coaching Direction
- 80.0
- Recent Performance
- 88.5
- Offensive Rating
- 80.7
- Head Coach
- Liam Coen
What the numbers say: Jacksonville sit at Defensive Rating 82.0 with Coaching Direction 80.0. That pairing explains why the defensive read is about more than raw talent.
View Team DashboardSan Francisco 49ers Defensive Rating 81.9
- Defensive Rank
- #12
- Defensive Rating
- 81.9
- Roster Strength
- 85.3
- Coaching Direction
- 84.7
- Recent Performance
- 84.7
- Offensive Rating
- 85.1
- Head Coach
- Kyle Shanahan
What the numbers say: San Francisco sit at Defensive Rating 81.9 with Coaching Direction 84.7. That pairing explains why the defensive read is about more than raw talent.
View Team DashboardBuffalo Bills Defensive Rating 81.2
- Defensive Rank
- #13
- Defensive Rating
- 81.2
- Roster Strength
- 82.1
- Coaching Direction
- 72.5
- Recent Performance
- 86.3
- Offensive Rating
- 90.5
- Head Coach
- Joe Brady
What the numbers say: Buffalo sit at Defensive Rating 81.2 with Coaching Direction 72.5. That pairing explains why the defensive read is about more than raw talent.
View Team DashboardDetroit Lions Defensive Rating 80.5
- Defensive Rank
- #14
- Defensive Rating
- 80.5
- Roster Strength
- 85.0
- Coaching Direction
- 85.7
- Recent Performance
- 80.1
- Offensive Rating
- 88.5
- Head Coach
- Dan Campbell
What the numbers say: Detroit sit at Defensive Rating 80.5 with Coaching Direction 85.7. That pairing explains why the defensive read is about more than raw talent.
View Team DashboardBaltimore Ravens Defensive Rating 80.5
- Defensive Rank
- #15
- Defensive Rating
- 80.5
- Roster Strength
- 81.3
- Coaching Direction
- 71.3
- Recent Performance
- 77.3
- Offensive Rating
- 85.3
- Head Coach
- Jesse Minter
What the numbers say: Baltimore sit at Defensive Rating 80.5 with Coaching Direction 71.3. That pairing explains why the defensive read is about more than raw talent.
View Team DashboardMinnesota Vikings Defensive Rating 80.2
- Defensive Rank
- #16
- Defensive Rating
- 80.2
- Roster Strength
- 79.4
- Coaching Direction
- 82.2
- Recent Performance
- 79.9
- Offensive Rating
- 76.6
- Head Coach
- Kevin O'Connell
What the numbers say: Minnesota sit at Defensive Rating 80.2 with Coaching Direction 82.2. That pairing explains why the defensive read is about more than raw talent.
View Team DashboardGreen Bay Packers Defensive Rating 78.5
- Defensive Rank
- #17
- Defensive Rating
- 78.5
- Roster Strength
- 81.0
- Coaching Direction
- 83.2
- Recent Performance
- 78.8
- Offensive Rating
- 85.9
- Head Coach
- Matt LaFleur
What the numbers say: Green Bay sit at Defensive Rating 78.5 with Coaching Direction 83.2. That pairing explains why the defensive read is about more than raw talent.
View Team DashboardNew Orleans Saints Defensive Rating 78.1
- Defensive Rank
- #18
- Defensive Rating
- 78.1
- Roster Strength
- 71.9
- Coaching Direction
- 72.0
- Recent Performance
- 71.5
- Offensive Rating
- 69.0
- Head Coach
- Kellen Moore
What the numbers say: New Orleans sit at Defensive Rating 78.1 with Coaching Direction 72.0. That pairing explains why the defensive read is about more than raw talent.
View Team DashboardTampa Bay Buccaneers Defensive Rating 78.0
- Defensive Rank
- #19
- Defensive Rating
- 78.0
- Roster Strength
- 78.6
- Coaching Direction
- 76.6
- Recent Performance
- 76.7
- Offensive Rating
- 80.8
- Head Coach
- Todd Bowles
What the numbers say: Tampa Bay sit at Defensive Rating 78.0 with Coaching Direction 76.6. That pairing explains why the defensive read is about more than raw talent.
View Team DashboardNew York Jets Defensive Rating 77.9
- Defensive Rank
- #20
- Defensive Rating
- 77.9
- Roster Strength
- 79.5
- Coaching Direction
- 72.8
- Recent Performance
- 65.5
- Offensive Rating
- 72.7
- Head Coach
- Aaron Glenn
What the numbers say: New York sit at Defensive Rating 77.9 with Coaching Direction 72.8. That pairing explains why the defensive read is about more than raw talent.
View Team DashboardChicago Bears Defensive Rating 77.8
- Defensive Rank
- #21
- Defensive Rating
- 77.8
- Roster Strength
- 79.8
- Coaching Direction
- 82.9
- Recent Performance
- 78.7
- Offensive Rating
- 82.8
- Head Coach
- Ben Johnson
What the numbers say: Chicago sit at Defensive Rating 77.8 with Coaching Direction 82.9. That pairing explains why the defensive read is about more than raw talent.
View Team DashboardAtlanta Falcons Defensive Rating 77.5
- Defensive Rank
- #22
- Defensive Rating
- 77.5
- Roster Strength
- 77.8
- Coaching Direction
- 74.5
- Recent Performance
- 76.0
- Offensive Rating
- 78.6
- Head Coach
- Kevin Stefanski
What the numbers say: Atlanta sit at Defensive Rating 77.5 with Coaching Direction 74.5. That pairing explains why the defensive read is about more than raw talent.
View Team DashboardNew York Giants Defensive Rating 76.2
- Defensive Rank
- #23
- Defensive Rating
- 76.2
- Roster Strength
- 73.8
- Coaching Direction
- 81.2
- Recent Performance
- 71.1
- Offensive Rating
- 74.7
- Head Coach
- John Harbaugh
What the numbers say: New York sit at Defensive Rating 76.2 with Coaching Direction 81.2. That pairing explains why the defensive read is about more than raw talent.
View Team DashboardWashington Commanders Defensive Rating 75.8
- Defensive Rank
- #24
- Defensive Rating
- 75.8
- Roster Strength
- 80.2
- Coaching Direction
- 79.3
- Recent Performance
- 68.3
- Offensive Rating
- 82.4
- Head Coach
- Dan Quinn
What the numbers say: Washington sit at Defensive Rating 75.8 with Coaching Direction 79.3. That pairing explains why the defensive read is about more than raw talent.
View Team DashboardIndianapolis Colts Defensive Rating 75.2
- Defensive Rank
- #25
- Defensive Rating
- 75.2
- Roster Strength
- 74.9
- Coaching Direction
- 73.4
- Recent Performance
- 80.7
- Offensive Rating
- 78.3
- Head Coach
- Shane Steichen
What the numbers say: Indianapolis sit at Defensive Rating 75.2 with Coaching Direction 73.4. That pairing explains why the defensive read is about more than raw talent.
View Team DashboardLas Vegas Raiders Defensive Rating 75.1
- Defensive Rank
- #26
- Defensive Rating
- 75.1
- Roster Strength
- 76.1
- Coaching Direction
- 73.6
- Recent Performance
- 66.7
- Offensive Rating
- 72.3
- Head Coach
- Klint Kubiak
What the numbers say: Las Vegas sit at Defensive Rating 75.1 with Coaching Direction 73.6. That pairing explains why the defensive read is about more than raw talent.
View Team DashboardCarolina Panthers Defensive Rating 74.6
- Defensive Rank
- #27
- Defensive Rating
- 74.6
- Roster Strength
- 70.9
- Coaching Direction
- 70.8
- Recent Performance
- 74.0
- Offensive Rating
- 72.9
- Head Coach
- Dave Canales
What the numbers say: Carolina sit at Defensive Rating 74.6 with Coaching Direction 70.8. That pairing explains why the defensive read is about more than raw talent.
View Team DashboardDallas Cowboys Defensive Rating 73.9
- Defensive Rank
- #28
- Defensive Rating
- 73.9
- Roster Strength
- 79.3
- Coaching Direction
- 73.7
- Recent Performance
- 70.7
- Offensive Rating
- 86.0
- Head Coach
- Brian Schottenheimer
What the numbers say: Dallas sit at Defensive Rating 73.9 with Coaching Direction 73.7. That pairing explains why the defensive read is about more than raw talent.
View Team DashboardCincinnati Bengals Defensive Rating 73.0
- Defensive Rank
- #29
- Defensive Rating
- 73.0
- Roster Strength
- 80.6
- Coaching Direction
- 73.8
- Recent Performance
- 70.8
- Offensive Rating
- 84.2
- Head Coach
- Zac Taylor
What the numbers say: Cincinnati sit at Defensive Rating 73.0 with Coaching Direction 73.8. That pairing explains why the defensive read is about more than raw talent.
View Team DashboardMiami Dolphins Defensive Rating 72.7
- Defensive Rank
- #30
- Defensive Rating
- 72.7
- Roster Strength
- 79.7
- Coaching Direction
- 72.5
- Recent Performance
- 68.7
- Offensive Rating
- 78.0
- Head Coach
- Jeff Hafley
What the numbers say: Miami sit at Defensive Rating 72.7 with Coaching Direction 72.5. That pairing explains why the defensive read is about more than raw talent.
View Team DashboardArizona Cardinals Defensive Rating 72.5
- Defensive Rank
- #31
- Defensive Rating
- 72.5
- Roster Strength
- 74.6
- Coaching Direction
- 71.9
- Recent Performance
- 68.3
- Offensive Rating
- 76.0
- Head Coach
- Mike LaFleur
What the numbers say: Arizona sit at Defensive Rating 72.5 with Coaching Direction 71.9. That pairing explains why the defensive read is about more than raw talent.
View Team DashboardTennessee Titans Defensive Rating 72.3
- Defensive Rank
- #32
- Defensive Rating
- 72.3
- Roster Strength
- 71.2
- Coaching Direction
- 74.8
- Recent Performance
- 67.5
- Offensive Rating
- 68.8
- Head Coach
- Robert Saleh
What the numbers say: Tennessee sit at Defensive Rating 72.3 with Coaching Direction 74.8. That pairing explains why the defensive read is about more than raw talent.
View Team DashboardPFM Defensive Rating FAQ
What are PFM NFL Defense Ratings?
PFM NFL Defense Ratings rank every team by its defensive outlook, not just one traditional stat. They use the defensive grade with roster strength, coaching context, recent performance and team balance.
How are NFL defenses ranked by PFM?
Teams are ordered by PFM Defensive Rating from highest to lowest. Supporting grades help explain why two defenses with similar ratings may be in very different team situations.
Are PFM Defense Ratings the same as NFL defensive stats?
No. Traditional defensive stats describe production already recorded. PFM Defense Ratings are a broader outlook that also considers roster support, coaching context and how the defense fits the full team.
Why does roster strength matter for defense ratings?
Defense depends on more than one star player. Roster Strength helps show whether the front, coverage group and depth give the defense enough answers over a full season.
How do defensive coordinators connect to PFM Defense Ratings?
Defensive coordinator context helps explain the setup around the defense, but PFM Defense Ratings are not a defensive coordinator ranking. The team-side grade remains the starting point.
How often are PFM Defense Ratings updated?
PFM ratings are reviewed when team data changes through the offseason, training camp and the regular season.
PFM ratings updated
How PFM grades NFL teams