NFL Defense Impact

PFSN’s Defense Impact (DEFi) assigns a numerical score and a letter grade to a team’s defensive performance. We arrive at the grade by combining a variety of passing and rushing EPA and success rate metrics, as well as situational performances in areas like the red zone and third downs.

Our pass rush data dates back to 2019, so 2000-18 data does not incorporate metrics such as pressures generated. However, the grades have been normalized on the same scales so that a unit like the 2000 Ravens or 2002 Buccaneers can be compared apples-to-apples to modern defenses.


Team Name
Season
Record
Defense Impact Score
Grade
Season Rank
Ovr. Rank
Head Coach
Defensive Coordinator
Games
Plays
Yd/Play
Pts/Dr
Third Down Avoidance
3rd/4th Down Conversion
RZTD%
TO%
Sack%
Points Allowed
Turnovers
First Downs
Pass Yards
Pass TDs
Interceptions
Rush Yards
Rush TDs
Average--75.3-----12.2748.55.332.0921.1%41.0%57.4%10.5%6.9%280.514.3237.22590.418.58.41406.211.3
2025
7-5
90.7 (1)
A-
1
15
Ryans
Burke
12
682 (29)
4.7 (4)
1.43 (1)
22.6% (3)
35.2% (3)
58.6% (18)
14.0% (4)
8.3% (6)
198 (1)
19 (5)
192 (1)
2088 (4)
12 (2)
12 (4)
1100 (3)
9 (7)
2025
10-2
90.3 (2)
A-
2
16
Payton
Joseph
12
771 (11)
4.5 (1)
1.54 (3)
22.3% (5)
32.8% (1)
39.4% (1)
6.4% (28)
10.9% (2)
218 (4)
10 (26)
219 (8)
2320 (9)
11 (1)
7 (20)
1117 (4)
9 (7)
2025
3-9
88.7 (3)
B+
3
22
Stefanski
Schwartz
12
706 (28)
4.6 (2)
1.75 (5)
23.4% (1)
38.4% (7)
54.3% (7)
9.5% (23)
11.4% (1)
270 (14)
15 (12)
196 (2)
2039 (3)
18 (14)
9 (13)
1216 (10)
7 (3)
2025
9-3
88.3 (4)
B+
4
25
Macdonald
Durde
12
763 (12)
4.6 (2)
1.52 (2)
23.0% (2)
37.8% (5)
55.3% (11)
12.7% (8)
8.3% (6)
217 (3)
18 (6)
217 (7)
2408 (11)
16 (9)
13 (2)
1065 (2)
7 (3)
2025
9-3
86.5 (5)
B
5
46
McVay
Shula
12
780 (8)
4.8 (6)
1.61 (4)
22.2% (6)
39.6% (11)
41.7% (2)
16.4% (2)
7.3% (13)
210 (2)
20 (3)
230 (13)
2487 (13)
16 (9)
12 (4)
1294 (12)
4 (1)
2025
4-8
82.3 (6)
B-
6
125
O'Connell
Flores
12
745 (17)
4.9 (7)
1.94 (8)
22.5% (4)
40.1% (16)
48.6% (3)
7.5% (26)
8.5% (5)
281 (16)
11 (24)
225 (9)
2141 (5)
14 (7)
3 (31)
1541 (21)
11 (15)
2025
8-4
80.0 (7)
B-
7
187
Harbaugh
Minter
12
665 (31)
5 (8)
1.98 (10)
21.5% (12)
37.5% (4)
55.3% (11)
10.0% (19)
8.9% (4)
252 (10)
13 (22)
202 (3)
2020 (2)
12 (2)
11 (8)
1283 (11)
14 (23)
2025
8-4
79.9 (8)
C+
8
195
Coen
Campanile
12
732 (21)
5.1 (9)
1.86 (7)
21.5% (12)
39.9% (13)
60.0% (23)
14.0% (4)
5.0% (28)
253 (11)
20 (3)
236 (16)
2761 (21)
22 (25)
13 (2)
989 (1)
7 (3)
2025
8-3-1
79.6 (9)
C+
9
208
LaFleur
Hafley
12
730 (23)
4.7 (4)
2 (12)
22.2% (6)
40.7% (19)
59.4% (21)
8.9% (24)
7.5% (12)
226 (5)
11 (24)
215 (6)
2238 (6)
15 (8)
6 (24)
1180 (8)
9 (7)
2025
8-4
79.2 (10)
C+
10
224
Sirianni
Fangio
12
780 (8)
5.3 (16)
1.94 (8)
21.3% (14)
40.8% (20)
50.0% (4)
10.2% (17)
5.5% (26)
249 (8)
13 (22)
245 (23)
2619 (16)
12 (2)
8 (16)
1547 (23)
14 (23)
2025
8-4
79.1 (11)
C+
11
225
McDermott
Babich
12
679 (30)
5.4 (19)
2.01 (13)
21.2% (15)
40.0% (14)
55.9% (15)
11.6% (12)
7.6% (11)
259 (12)
15 (12)
214 (5)
1958 (1)
12 (2)
8 (16)
1696 (30)
18 (32)
2025
11-2
78.6 (12)
C+
12
246
Vrabel
Williams
13
735 (20)
5.2 (11)
1.75 (5)
20.5% (23)
35.1% (2)
73.1% (32)
10.0% (19)
6.0% (20)
241 (7)
14 (16)
235 (14)
2690 (19)
21 (23)
8 (16)
1163 (5)
5 (2)
2025
8-5
78.1 (13)
C+
13
269
Campbell
Sheppard
13
808 (4)
5.2 (11)
2.08 (16)
21.1% (17)
40.5% (18)
61.0% (26)
11.0% (14)
8.0% (8)
304 (24)
16 (11)
250 (25)
2876 (24)
26 (30)
11 (8)
1335 (14)
9 (7)
2025
6-6
77.5 (14)
C+
14
301
Reid
Spagnuolo
12
663 (32)
5.6 (23)
1.99 (11)
22.0% (9)
41.3% (21)
54.3% (7)
8.8% (25)
5.8% (22)
232 (6)
10 (26)
203 (4)
2469 (12)
13 (6)
7 (20)
1211 (9)
11 (15)
2025
4-8
76.0 (15)
C
15
366
Morris
Ulbrich
12
751 (14)
5.1 (9)
2.08 (16)
21.2% (15)
41.9% (23)
55.6% (13)
10.3% (16)
10.2% (3)
276 (15)
15 (12)
229 (12)
2253 (8)
18 (14)
9 (13)
1574 (24)
10 (12)
2025
8-4
75.3 (16)
C
16
402
Steichen
Anarumo
12
794 (5)
5.2 (11)
2.04 (15)
19.8% (26)
44.0% (26)
54.3% (7)
13.9% (6)
7.1% (14)
249 (8)
17 (8)
268 (28)
2955 (25)
16 (9)
12 (4)
1179 (7)
11 (15)
2025
7-5
73.8 (17)
C
17
464
Bowles
Bowles
12
723 (25)
5.7 (24)
2.19 (19)
20.9% (20)
40.1% (16)
69.0% (30)
13.3% (7)
6.5% (17)
301 (22)
18 (6)
227 (10)
2970 (27)
21 (23)
11 (8)
1169 (6)
12 (20)
2025
6-6
73.8 (18)
C
18
465
Harbaugh
Orr
12
779 (10)
5.4 (19)
2.2 (21)
22.2% (6)
40.0% (14)
53.1% (6)
10.0% (19)
4.2% (31)
293 (19)
14 (16)
237 (17)
2784 (23)
18 (14)
7 (20)
1421 (18)
11 (15)
2025
2-10
73.1 (19)
C
19
498
Moore
Staley
12
732 (21)
5.2 (11)
2.21 (22)
19.8% (26)
38.6% (9)
56.8% (17)
11.1% (13)
7.8% (9)
295 (20)
14 (16)
235 (14)
2252 (7)
20 (20)
7 (20)
1523 (19)
10 (12)
2025
6-6
72.0 (20)
C-
20
539
Tomlin
Austin
12
820 (2)
5.3 (16)
2.18 (18)
21.7% (11)
48.0% (30)
54.8% (10)
16.0% (3)
7.0% (15)
289 (18)
22 (2)
268 (28)
2969 (26)
20 (20)
10 (11)
1412 (17)
9 (7)
2025
3-9
71.8 (21)
C-
21
557
Gannon
Rallis
12
742 (19)
5.4 (19)
2.19 (19)
19.8% (26)
38.5% (8)
58.7% (19)
12.4% (9)
5.6% (25)
303 (23)
17 (8)
249 (24)
2635 (18)
17 (13)
9 (13)
1351 (16)
12 (20)
2025
3-9
71.0 (22)
C-
22
597
Glenn
Wilks
12
746 (16)
5.3 (16)
2.37 (27)
21.0% (18)
38.9% (10)
59.1% (20)
0.8% (32)
5.5% (26)
315 (27)
2 (32)
244 (22)
2353 (10)
19 (17)
0 (32)
1574 (24)
14 (23)
2025
2-10
69.7 (23)
D+
23
637
Carroll
Graham
12
748 (15)
5.2 (11)
2.34 (26)
21.8% (10)
47.7% (29)
59.6% (22)
10.9% (15)
5.8% (22)
308 (26)
14 (16)
228 (11)
2550 (15)
19 (17)
8 (16)
1329 (13)
16 (27)
2025
9-3
69.3 (24)
D+
24
656
Johnson
Allen
12
707 (27)
6.1 (30)
2.22 (23)
19.0% (31)
37.8% (5)
61.0% (26)
19.7% (1)
5.8% (22)
307 (25)
26 (1)
239 (19)
2702 (20)
24 (29)
17 (1)
1606 (27)
11 (15)
2025
9-4
69.0 (25)
D+
25
665
Shanahan
Saleh
13
790 (6)
5.5 (22)
2.01 (13)
19.1% (30)
39.6% (11)
56.1% (16)
10.0% (19)
3.4% (32)
269 (13)
14 (16)
258 (27)
3016 (29)
23 (26)
5 (26)
1349 (15)
8 (6)
2025
1-11
68.6 (26)
D+
26
674
Callahan
Wilson
12
722 (26)
5.7 (24)
2.42 (28)
20.7% (22)
41.6% (22)
60.5% (24)
6.2% (29)
7.7% (10)
328 (29)
10 (26)
239 (19)
2619 (16)
19 (17)
5 (26)
1531 (20)
17 (29)
2025
7-6
68.4 (27)
D+
27
680
Canales
Evero
13
760 (13)
5.7 (24)
2.26 (24)
20.8% (21)
46.8% (28)
55.8% (14)
12.0% (10)
4.3% (29)
297 (21)
17 (8)
238 (18)
2761 (21)
16 (9)
12 (4)
1543 (22)
16 (27)
2025
5-7
68.3 (28)
D+
28
690
McDaniel
Weaver
12
724 (24)
5.7 (24)
2.29 (25)
21.0% (18)
44.3% (27)
52.4% (5)
10.1% (18)
6.6% (16)
286 (17)
14 (16)
243 (21)
2492 (14)
20 (20)
4 (30)
1650 (29)
10 (12)
2025
2-11
64.7 (29)
D
29
785
Daboll
Bowen
13
830 (1)
6 (28)
2.52 (29)
19.0% (31)
43.2% (24)
66.0% (29)
5.0% (31)
6.0% (20)
367 (30)
7 (30)
293 (32)
3010 (28)
23 (26)
5 (26)
2005 (32)
17 (29)
2025
3-9
64.3 (30)
D
30
791
Quinn
Whitt Jr.
12
743 (18)
6.3 (31)
2.61 (30)
20.2% (24)
43.9% (25)
60.9% (25)
5.8% (30)
6.5% (17)
323 (28)
7 (30)
257 (26)
3059 (30)
23 (26)
6 (24)
1600 (26)
12 (20)
2025
6-6-1
62.5 (31)
D-
31
802
Schottenheimer
Eberflus
13
818 (3)
6 (28)
2.76 (32)
20.1% (25)
48.9% (32)
72.0% (31)
6.5% (27)
6.1% (19)
386 (32)
10 (26)
286 (31)
3317 (32)
29 (32)
5 (26)
1606 (27)
17 (29)
2025
4-8
60.4 (32)
D-
32
820
Taylor
Golden
12
784 (7)
6.3 (31)
2.63 (31)
19.5% (29)
48.8% (31)
64.7% (28)
11.7% (11)
4.3% (29)
374 (31)
15 (12)
274 (30)
3081 (31)
26 (30)
10 (11)
1839 (31)
14 (23)
Last updated: 12/6/2025, 7:34 PM

Green Bay Packers

The Packers have rocketed to first on PFSN’s DEFi leaderboard, posting an elite Defense Impact Score of 87.8 through two games in 2025. Green Bay clamped down on both passing and rushing attacks, allowing just 3.7 yards per play across the first two weeks, best in the league. Through Week 2, the unit limited opponents to only 1.55 points per drive and excelled in red zone defense, yielding touchdowns on merely 36.8% of trips inside the 20. Anchored by strong third-down avoidance rates and a disruptive pass rush, the Packers consistently created tough scenarios for opposing offenses and forced teams to settle for field goals rather than touchdowns, setting the standard early in the campaign. With two huge wins against elite offenses (Lions and Commanders), the Packers' defense is making life easy for PFSN's 4th-best QB Jordan Love, according to QBi.

Los Angeles Rams

Los Angeles grabbed the second spot with a DEFi score of 87.5, shining brightest in efficiency and explosive-play prevention over the season’s opening weeks. The Rams surrendered just 4.3 yards per play and only 1.4 points per drive, ranking near the top in both metrics as the defense proved both stout and opportunistic throughout Week 2. The data reveals a unit excelling on critical downs, holding teams to just 38.5% conversions on 3rd/4th down and allowing a mere 25% touchdown rate in the red zone. Consistent pressure and an ability to capitalize on big play moments have set the Rams apart early, driving their climb up PFSN’s rankings.

Denver Broncos

Denver’s defense locked down the third position, producing a 85.4 DEFi score with physical play and disciplined execution in Week 2. The Broncos limited their opponents to 5 yards per play and 1.71 points per drive, reflecting a unit adept at keeping dangerous plays in check. In clutch moments, Denver stifled conversions, especially in red zone and late-down situations, where their 1.71 points per drive allowed ranks among the best in the NFL. The combination of an active pass rush and sharp situational awareness enabled the Broncos to consistently frustrate opposing quarterbacks and ball carriers, backing up their early-season results with substance and tenacity. Now, the defense just needs the Broncos' offense to figure things out if they want to continue to compete in the AFC West.