Ranking the top five defenses in the NFL after Week 11

In an era that has been defined by great quarterback play, last Sunday’s slate proved that even the best signal-callers can meet their match with a great defense.

Standout performances by the Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos defenses helped put each team in the driver's seat for a division title, while the Philadelphia Eagles' domination of the high-octane Detroit Lions offense secured a hard-fought 16-9 victory.

With more than half of the 2025 season complete, the great defenses — and great defensive coordinators — are beginning to separate themselves from the pack. Here are the top five defensive units in the NFL right now.

5. Seattle Seahawks

In just his second season as head coach, Mike MacDonald has built a defense that is just as fast and physical as the one he had in Baltimore. The secondary group of Devon Witherspoon, Riq Woolen, Coby Bryant and rookie Nick Emmanwori has had fans dreaming about another Legion of Boom, while veteran defensive lineman DeMarcus Lawrence has proven to be a valuable offseason addition with four sacks and two fumbles returned for touchdowns. The lack of a standout pass-rusher holds them back from being at the top of the list, but their stifling of the high-powered Rams offense proved they can hang with anybody.

4. Houston Texans 

The Texans defense has been steadily improving in each year under head coach DeMeco Ryans, culminating in what has been the NFL’s best unit in terms of both points and yards allowed in 2025. Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter make up possibly the best pass-rushing duo in the NFL, combining for 17 sacks and 29 quarterback hits through the first 10 games, and first-team All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. leads a stout secondary. The only knock on the Texans is that they haven’t been tested by many elite offenses over the season’s first half, but they will get their chance to prove themselves with the Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts and Kansas City Chiefs looming over the next three weeks. 

3. Los Angeles Rams

The Rams may not have the star power of the Texans, but what they lack in flash, they make up for in depth and consistency. They are the least penalized team in the league and rank in the top five in both opponents' third-down conversion percentage and opponents' red zone touchdown percentage. And while the Rams' pass defense ranks just 21st in passing yards allowed, that's largely due to their stout run defense and the fact that they are usually so far ahead that teams need to take to the air to catch up. There’s a reason why defensive coordinator Chris Shula is getting head-coaching buzz, and his masterful game plan against the Seahawks helped force quarterback Sam Darnold into four brutal interceptions.