It is said to win titles. Which teams, then, will shut out their rivals NFL London 2024? We have ranked every defence from best to worst and predicted how they would perform. For the 2023 season, the Las Vegas Raiders placed seventh overall with a defensive efficiency rating that varies more annually than offensive. Apart from facing rival quarterbacks, interceptions, injuries, and bad luck, the team faced several more problems.
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1. New York Jets
They have performed well over the past two seasons, and in 2024, I don’t see it stopping. Williams Quincy and Mosley. And Quinnen Williams is one of their top defensive players in the NFL. The Jets did not have extraordinary injury or turnover luck, which tends to regress from season to season. That being said, nothing about what we observed the previous year was erratic.
Although he has asked to be traded and hasn’t been to training camp for several months after being transferred from Philadelphia to New York, the Haason Reddick issue still looms large over them as of this writing. Nonetheless, their defense still appears to be quite good given the quality already on the roster.
2. Baltimore Ravens
There are only five teams that produced more expected points added on takeaways than the 2023 Ravens, who had the eighth-best defensive season of the 20th century. They lost Mike Macdonald, their defensive mastermind, and Zach Orr took his place.
3. Cleveland Browns
Many of the defensive coordinators of the new school place the utmost importance on stopping explosive plays. But Jim Schwartz, the defensive coordinator for the Browns, is a traditionalist. My appreciation for this retro-style play goes out to my fellow seniors. It reached second place under Schwartz’s leadership last season.
They include defensive linemen like Myles Garrett, the 2023 NFL London Defensive Player of the Year, who are capable of taking down opponents. Their terrible injury luck and weakest red zone defence contributed to last season’s excellent performance. The Browns might be successful in 2024 if the league average rises.
4. Seattle Seahawks
Pete Carroll’s Seahawks can get better even though their last season wasn’t great. The Ravens advanced from 28th in 2021 to ninth in 2022 under head coach Mike Macdonald, a gifted defensive playcaller and creative leader. The Baltimore defence scored first last season. This emphasizes how crucial it is to recognize and put into place effective defences.
Seattle’s Seahawks have invested in Byron Murphy II, Uchenna Nwosu, Dre’Mont Jones, and Leonard Williams, and acquired linebacker and safety players. Despite initial setbacks, the team is expected to improve and become one of the league’s biggest shocks.
5. Dallas Cowboys
Despite Quinn’s team placing seventh in defensive efficiency the previous season, the Cowboys appointed Mike Zimmer as their new defensive coordinator. With five top-10 defences and four top-5 defences in eight seasons, Zimmer has an outstanding track record. Micah Parsons, Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Jourdan Lewis are among the Cowboys’ talented defensive players, despite their lacklustre linebackers. It is anticipated that these players working together will cause major disruption.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
This season, the Steelers should be successful thanks to their combination of safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and edge defender T.J. Watt. They have a formidable defence, and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and former Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen could have big careers ahead of them. Their EPA on takeaways increased to the fourth-highest despite taxing their depth.
Overall, I think this team’s mix of youth and experience works well, and I have faith in Mike Tomlin’s coaching to cover up some of the personnel flaws. May also read: When it starts, combine the teams of the top Giants & Jets
7. Houston Texans
The Texan’s defence, which ranked 16th in effectiveness the previous season, has had a substantial amount of turnover. Under head trainer DeMeco Ryans, who has led the squad to top-five defences in each of his prior seasons, the team has enhanced from 28th to 16th in their debut season. A major upgrade is anticipated in NFL London 2024.
8. Chicago Bears
Chicago’s defence improved to tenth in achievement rate and 6th in EPA per attempt with the arrival of edge player Montez Sweat. Tremaine Edmunds, Tyrique Stevenson, Kyler Gordon, Jaylon Johnson, and T.J. Edwards are important players. The performance of the team may be impacted by young talent and regression issues.
9. Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions have addressed a weakness at cornerback by trading veteran Carlton Davis III, signing Amik Robertson, and using first-round picks on Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. The team’s improved positional unit could lead to a top-10 defence ranking in 2024. Detroit’s depth is limited, with edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson and defensive tackle Alim McNeill being key players. Brian Branch is the only sure thing in the secondary, with potential improvements.
10. Kansas City Chiefs
With Chris Jones, quality linebackers, and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, the Chiefs boast one of the greatest defensive lineups since Patrick Mahomes took over. Nevertheless, they had the fourth-best injury luck of any defence and lost All-Pro cornerback L’Jarius Sneed in the deal. The Chiefs still can field a powerful defence despite these worries.
12. Minnesota Vikings
Last year, the NFL London’s 11th-best defensive performance was the result of Brian Flores’ defensive philosophy. He came up with a clever plan, blitzing and releasing only three rushers at high percentages while sending the usual four rushers somewhat infrequently. The Vikings have strength in the front seven and an improved pass-rush unit compared to the previous season. Despite the team’s high offseason turnover, Flores has faith that he can put the pieces together.
13. Jacksonville Jaguars
The fact that the Jaguars’ defence finished the 2017 NFL season rated 10th should come as a surprise to many. It may even surprise head coach Doug Pederson, who replaced coordinator Mike Caldwell with Ryan Nielsen, the Falcons defence’s 2023 coordinator, after firing Caldwell.
Up front, the Jaguars have some talent. Josh Hines-Allen, an edge rusher who finished the season with 17.5 sacks, was brought back. The most anticipated 2022 draft pick, Travon Walker, had maybe the most understated 10-sack year in NFL history.
Additionally, Jacksonville brought in versatile San Francisco defensive tackle Arik Armstead. The Jaguars have severe problems at cornerback, so general supervisor Trent Baalke has thrown a lot of strength into the front seven, which will have to carry the team. I believe there is enough here overall for a defence that is marginally above average.
14. Las Vegas Raiders
Maxx Crosby, an edge defender for the Raiders, and Christian Wilkins, a defensive tackle, provide a solid base for the team. Last season’s success is attributed to defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. That team’s five defensive touchdowns and second-best injury luck from the previous season might not be repeated in 2024, though. The defence is predicted to regress from the previous year but still be strong, with the Raiders’ cornerback position being a major worry.
15. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles’ defence suffered in 2017 and ranked 29th in terms of effectiveness. Vic Fangio’s coaching takeover from Matt Patricia was a big move for the team, but their high turnover rate and string of injuries have made them a high-variance group. The Eagles have a high degree of unpredictability, thus even though they could perform better than this ranking, there is still uncertainty.
16. New York Giants
Maxx Crosby, an edge defender for the Raiders, and Christian Wilkins, a defensive tackle, provide a solid base for the team. Last season’s success is attributed to defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. That team’s five defensive touchdowns and second-best injury luck from the previous season might not be repeated in 2024, though. The defence is predicted to regress from the previous year but still be strong, with the Raiders’ cornerback position being a major worry.
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa had their lowest placing in the previous five years when they finished 14th in the previous season. However, I believe they will finish below average this year, partly due to the departure of some key players this offseason, including cornerback Carlton Davis, linebacker Devin White, and edge defender Shaq Barrett. With veteran linebacker Lavonte David, versatile safety Antoine Winfield Jr., and defensive linemen Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey.
This club still has talent. However, the Bucs’ pass rush worries me. In the NFL London, the Bucs produced pressure just 28.2 per cent of the time when they didn’t blitz last season, which ranked 29th. Although I am concerned about the problems at pass rush and corner, I think the floor is high for this bunch. It wouldn’t be shocking if there was a small retreat.
19. New England Patriots
Although the Patriots were sixth in protective performance the year before, they ended the season 4-13 under head coach Bill Belichick. Out of all defences, the Patriots had the lowest EPA gained on takeaways and the worst injury luck. Not skill. But rather the fit of the components was what made the team successful last year. To strengthen the Patriots’ game-planning and strategizing, they will require defensive assistant DeMarcus Covington and new head coach Jerod Mayo.
20. Los Angeles Chargers
I want to believe that the Charger’s defense will surprise people this season, primarily because of the potential of Jim Harbaugh and new coordinator Jesse Minter, but when I look at the depth chart, I can’t help but think that the team will field a mediocre defence under great coaching.
Last year, the Chargers’ defence ranked 26th. This offseason, the Chargers were limited in their options and were unable to make a major addition to the squad. Along with safety Derwin James, they still have some talented edge rushers in Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa, but overall, I think this team is still a year away from being good.
21. Green Bay Packers
The Packers’ new coordinator, Jeff Hafley, is anticipated to have a big influence on this year’s Super Bowl. Under Joe Barry, the Packers, who are infamous for undervaluing their potential, were 27th in terms of defensive efficiency the previous season. Green Bay has talent at safety and cornerback, and their pass-rush squad is underestimated. If Hafley is an awful defensive coordinator, the Packers could improve substantially from the previous season.
22. New Orleans Saints
Former defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has had difficulty improving New Orleans’ defensive effectiveness; the team placed 15th in the league the previous season. The Saints were 10th in EPA gained on takeaways and had the fifth-best injury luck. Although they are skilled linebackers and corners, their pass rush is a weakness.
The Saints might benefit from their recent draft selections and free agency additions, but they’ll probably fall even more. Secure your NFL London Tickets now to be part of this unforgettable experience.
23. Denver Broncos
Anthony Weaver, who started the season rated 31st in efficiency, took over for Vic Fangio as the head of the Miami Dolphins defence. Following season-ending injuries to Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips, the Dolphins have contemplated signing both players but have allowed Christian Wilkins to go free. Although these are large ifs, the team could benefit from better injury and turnover luck. Injured players who return early in the season could help the Dolphins advance.
24. Indianapolis Colts
A defence under the direction of Gus Bradley rarely surprises. They also played zone the most frequently. Indianapolis’ defence finished the 2017 season ranked 20th thanks to that formula.
Bradley’s favoured style of play is OK for talented players, but this group lacks talent. And in camp, edge defender Samson Ebukam who finished the previous season with a team-high 9.5 sacks suffered an Achilles injury that ended his season. If the Colts want their pass rush to be above average, they probably need Laiatu Latu, their first-round pick, to have an immediate impact. All things considered, this appears to be a group that needs to regress.
25. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons, under the direction of Raheem Morris, play mediocre defence and have a weak pass rush. They acquired Grady Jarrett, who sustained an ACL injury, and 32-year-old Matthew Judon, who had a torn bicep. With Justin Simmons and Jessie Bates in the secondary, there is a greater opportunity, but there are concerns in other areas.
26. Carolina Panthers
Instead of letting linebacker Frankie Luvu depart in free agency, they dealt edge defender Brian Burns. Many veterans, notably Jadeveon Clowney, were added by the Panthers. They are undoubtedly poorer than last season, though, in terms of talent. They also did not perform well the previous year, coming in at 25th in efficiency.
But it’s fair to say that the Panthers’ injury luck won’t be nearly as bad as it was the previous season when they had the lowest EPA on takeaways and the second-worst defence luck. Thus, a little bit luckier, but with less talent. Which brings us to our current situation. Slightly outside of the previous season’s range. The floor is low here, though, because of the lack of talent.
27. Arizona Cardinals
The defensive coordinator for the Cowboys, Dan Quinn, has a proven track record of leading his team to top-five defence efficiency each season. But a dearth of quality and a transitional era means that the team’s ceiling is limited. The team has problems at edge rusher and secondary, but its defensive tackle tandem of Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen, as well as playmaking linebacker Frankie Luvu, are among its best. There are concerns about Quinn’s leadership and prospective risers.
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