Ranking 3 Best NFL Defenses Ahead of 2026 Season
The Houston Texans, the Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks are the three best defenses heading into the 2026 NFL season.
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Will Anderson Jr. (Image via IMAGO)
The last two Super Bowls proved that defenses win championships. In 2024, the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense kept Patrick Mahomes quiet long enough for the offense to score the necessary points to win the Lombardi Trophy. As for the 2025 champions, the Seattle Seahawks, their backbone was the defense, sacking New England Patriots QB Drake Maye six times and forcing three turnovers, including two picks in the final.
Organizations improved their roster in the offseason by signing experienced campaigners and drafting exciting rookies. Moreover, quite a few big-name defenders earned big paychecks.
That being said, quarterbacks still dominate the money market. Houston agreed to a three-year, $150 million contract extension with Will Anderson Jr. Fans yearn for more touchdowns and flashy plays, but at the same time, cerebral defenses save the offense’s neck when required.
Three best NFL defenses heading into the 2026 season
The defense of Mike Macdonald’s Seattle Seahawks is itching to reestablish its authority
The Seahawks appointed Mike Macdonald ahead of the 2024 season, phasing out the Pete Carroll era. Seattle finished with a 10-7 record with Geno Smith as their lead quarterback.
After Smith left, Macdonald signed Sam Darnold. Seattle also made a couple of big additions on defense, famously signing former Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence.
Seattle’s defense allowed the fewest points per drive in the league. It also boasted the best third-down defense and the second-lowest yards per play. Their biggest business of the 2026 summer was retaining ten of last year’s starters who won the Super Bowl.
More importantly, Seattle has a very young group of players. LB Byron Murphy II had 7 sacks last year and two in the playoffs. Devon Witherspoon and Nick Emmanwori are two of the best young DBs in football.
Myles Garrett’s addition has strengthened the Los Angeles Rams defense
The Rams defense was already among the best last season. Quarterbacks fell to the turf 66 times (third most) after taking a hit from a Rams pass rusher. They also had 174 QB pressures (fourth most); only the Seahawks, Cowboys, and Denver Broncos had more. LA defenders only missed 82 tackles (sixth fewest) all season.
The Rams have players like Byron Young, Braden Fiske, Kobie Turner, and Poona Ford. They added the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett, after sending a first-rounder and Jared Verse to Cleveland. The Rams also added a couple of Super Bowl winners in the secondary: Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson.
The Houston Texans defense led by Will Anderson Jr. is the best in the league
The Texans found a gem at third overall in 2023 in DE Will Anderson Jr. The former Alabama man has already accumulated 30 sacks in three years despite missing five games.
Over the last two seasons, the Texans have qualified for the playoffs by the skin of their teeth. Former second overall pick quarterback CJ Stroud has struggled to replicate his rookie season form while playing with second- and third-string receivers due to injuries to starters like Tank Dell.
The defense has stepped up. Head coach DeMeco Ryans is a defensive guru, and his knowledge has helped the Texans stay competitive amidst abysmal quarterback play. In 2025, the Texans ranked first in yards allowed per game at 277.2 and second in points allowed at 17.4. Anderson Jr. and veteran Danielle Hunter combined for 27 sacks and 45 quarterback hits.
In the secondary, Derek Stingley Jr. allowed a 43.3 percent completion rate when targeted (third-lowest in the league). The Texans defense also had 19 interceptions (third most).
Houston improved their defense by signing veteran safety Reed Blankenship and drafted interior lineman Kayden McDonald 36th overall.
Honorable Mentions: Denver Broncos (68 sacks in 2025), New England Patriots, and Philadelphia Eagles.
Dark Horses: Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Chargers.
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Ishan Misra
(5265 Articles Published)