Analysis
10/13/22
3 min read
Week 6: Top-10 NFL Defenses Right Now
The 33rd Team’s weekly top-10 defensive rankings are derived through an evaluation by our scouting department, led by former NFL team executive T.J. McCreight and assisted by scouts Justin Casey, Kevin Cohn and Evan Pritt.
>>> Other Week 6 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | Offense
1. Buffalo Bills
PPG: 12.2 (T-1st) | YPG: 260.4 (2nd) | Prev: 2
They have endured injuries in the secondary and continue to suffocate opponents.
2. San Francisco 49ers
PPG: 12.2 (T-1st) | YPG: 249.2 (1st) | Prev: 1
Injuries are starting to mount and could hamper their ability to dominate at the current rate. Corner Emmanuel Moseley was lost for the season and Nick Bosa may miss some time with a groin injury.
3. Dallas Cowboys
PPG: 14.4 (3rd) | YPG: 311.4 (7th) | Prev: 4
Dan Quinn has this defense playing lights out, and they are dominant with their pass rush. Demarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons are a dynamic 1-2 punch.
4. Denver Broncos
PPG: 16 (4th) | YPG: 289 (3rd) | Prev: 3
They are keeping the Broncos competitive while Russell Wilson flounders. Bradley Chubb stepped up last week without Randy Gregory.
5. Philadelphia Eagles
PPG: 17.6 (7th) | YPG: 294.4 (4th) | Prev: 6
It wasn’t their best effort, but they held Arizona to 17 points. They have multiple players who can win up front and guys on the backend who can take the ball away.
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
PPG: 16.6 (6th) | YPG: 309 (6th) | Prev: 7
This is a physical, disciplined group at all three levels that is built to win in January.
7. Green Bay Packers
PPG: 19.2 (11th) | YPG: 303.5 (5th) | Prev: 5
They are 4th in yards per game allowed and 4th in 3rd down defense. It’s hard to swallow blowing a 17-3 lead to the Giants.
8. Indianapolis Colts
PPG: 18.8 (10th) | YPG: 312.6 (8th) | Prev: 10
While the offense has been trying to find itself, the defense continues to keep them in games. Against Denver, they made a couple of game changing plays.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars
PPG: 16 (5th) | YPG: 313.8 (9th) | Prev: 8
You should win when your defense only allows 13 points. The defense has continued to play at a high level while the offense has struggled the last 2 weeks.
10. Cincinnati Bengals
PPG: 17.8 (8th) | YPG: 327 (13th) | Prev: 9
They kept Lamar Jackson in check, but they couldn’t stop him from moving his team into FG range for the game winner. They could be on the verge of falling out of the top 10.
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