Welcome to Week 5 of the 2024 NFL season. The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings are the final undefeated groups remaining, and the Jacksonville Jaguars are the lone winless group.
In Week 4, we noticed the Washington Commanders and Baltimore Ravens seize massive wins, the Buffalo Payments and Pittsburgh Steelers lose for the primary time this season, and the Atlanta Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints in a thriller. With all of this pleasure comes motion in our Energy Rankings.
We additionally requested our NFL Nation reporters to call the largest subject on protection for each group. From third-down protection to forcing turnovers, we took a have a look at what’s troubling each group’s D.
Let’s take a look at the brand new 1-32 rankings under.
Our energy panel of greater than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities evaluates how NFL groups stack up in opposition to each other, rating them from 1 to 32.
Earlier rankings: Preseason | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4
Bounce to a group:ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CINCLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | INDJAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MINNE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SFSEA | TB | TEN | WSH
Week 4 rating: 1
Greatest subject on protection: Go rush outdoors of Chris Jones
Apart from Jones, the Chiefs don’t get sufficient stress on the opposing quarterback. They’ve sacks on simply 5.2% of opponents’ move makes an attempt, rating close to the underside of the league. George Karlaftis and Mike Danna have been productive move rushers final season, however they’ve simply 1.5 sacks between them this season. Jones had each of the Chiefs’ sacks in final week’s win over the Chargers. — Adam Teicher
Week 4 rating: 3
Greatest subject on protection: Age/snap counts
Brian Flores’ protection has been one of many NFL’s greatest tales this season, and there are not any obvious points. However after the group allowed 22 factors within the fourth quarter to the Packers, it is price serious about age and snap counts. Of the ten defensive gamers who’ve began all 4 video games, three are 30 or older and 6 are 28 or older. Thus far this season, the Vikings’ protection has performed the league’s third-most defensive snaps (272). Security Harrison Smith (35), cornerback Stephon Gilmore (34) and No. 3 nook Shaq Griffin (29) represent one of many NFL’s oldest secondaries. — Kevin Seifert
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Week 4 rating: 2
Greatest subject on protection: Sustaining the scheme with backups
After the Payments survived with many backups by the primary three weeks, their defensive shortcomings have been uncovered by Baltimore. The Ravens pressured the Payments out of their most well-liked nickel bundle, and every part went downhill with three backup linebackers on the sphere. The Ravens rushed for 217 yards earlier than contact, which was essentially the most the Payments had allowed in a recreation since 2012. Buffalo may get a possible enhance within the coming weeks with the return of linebacker Terrel Bernard (pectoral) and nickel nook Taron Johnson (forearm). However the Payments ought to count on different groups to drive them out of their scheme, they usually’ll want to regulate accordingly. — Alaina Getzenberg
Week 4 rating: 5
Greatest subject on protection: Limiting QB effectivity
Though the Lions’ move protection has solely allowed 4 touchdowns this season, Detroit’s protection may enhance at decreasing opponents’ complete QBR (55.6 by 4 video games), which ranks twenty second within the league. In Week 1, Matthew Stafford accomplished 34 of 49 passes for 317 yards and a landing. Baker Mayfield went 12-for-19 with a TD in Week 2, whereas Geno Smith went 38-of-56 for 395 yards and a landing on Monday. Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn mentioned they “plan on enhancing each week,” which they will should do after surrendering 29 factors in opposition to Seattle. — Eric Woodyard
Week 4 rating: 13
Greatest subject on protection: Constant stress
Up till Week 4, the Buccaneers had simply two sacks — the fewest within the NFL. They generated six of their 33-16 victory over the Eagles, however that was in opposition to a group that allowed QB Jalen Hurts to get hit 44 occasions within the first three video games. Will it proceed? The Bucs definitely obtained extra push up the center with the return of defensive deal with Vita Vea, who was out for one recreation to cope with an MCL damage, however they’re nonetheless with out 2023 first-round draft decide Calijah Kancey (calf). — Jenna Laine
Week 4 rating: 4
Greatest subject on protection: Lack of takeaways
Earlier than a rash of accidents up entrance caught as much as the Seahawks on Monday night time at Detroit, their protection had been among the many greatest within the NFL, permitting the fourth-fewest factors over the primary three weeks. The one space that is been constantly missing is takeaways. Seattle has pressured solely three takeaways regardless of going through a mushy quarterback schedule and producing loads of move rush. — Brady Henderson
Week 4 rating: 12
Greatest subject on protection: Giving up massive passing performs
The Ravens have allowed an NFL-worst 10 completions on passes which have traveled a minimum of 20 yards within the air. Groups have been pressured to stretch the sphere as a result of Baltimore has jumped out to massive leads early. However these massive passing performs have enabled foes to chop their deficits. This should not be a season-long drawback for Baltimore: The Ravens basically have the identical secondary that gave up solely 18 completions on throws of 20 yards or longer all of final season, the seventh fewest within the league. — Jamison Hensley
1:16
Rex takes victory lap after declaring the Ravens the very best group within the NFL
Rex Ryan discusses why the Ravens are the very best group within the NFL after their 35-10 win over the Payments.
Week 4 rating: 8
Greatest subject on protection: Safeties in protection
Houston’s safeties are getting picked on by opposing offenses. The Texans run Cowl 4 on 34% of first and second downs. So, groups run play-action to make the safeties cowl vertical routes, which is a part of why the Texans have allowed the second-most yards off play-action on early downs (337). Additionally, foes are placing their higher extensive receivers within the slot to match them up in opposition to these safeties. That group has given up 4 touchdowns in protection, in keeping with NFL Subsequent Gen Stats. — DJ Bien-Aime
Week 4 rating: 9
Greatest subject on protection: Third-down protection
The 49ers did a a lot better job of getting off the sphere on third down in opposition to New England, however they will see a lot better offenses and should discover a solution to get stops constantly. The Niners rank twenty sixth within the NFL in third-down conversions allowed (46%). What’s worse is that they are final in third-and-long (7-plus yards) conversions yielded (50%). — Nick Wagoner
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Week 4 rating: 19
Greatest subject on protection: Run protection
Washington ranks thirty first in yards per carry (5.3) and twenty seventh in yards per recreation (357). Previously three outings mixed, it has allowed 5.9 yards per carry. Gaps have been too extensive, as tackles are getting nudged out or others are attempting to keep away from blocks. And at occasions, the sting is not being set robust sufficient to drive working backs outdoors. The excellent news for Washington is that within the subsequent six weeks it performs solely two groups — Baltimore (No. 1) and Pittsburgh (No. 10) — ranked within the high 10 in speeding. — John Keim
Week 4 rating: 11
Greatest subject on protection: Affecting the quarterback
Whereas the Packers have pressured opposing quarterbacks 49 occasions (sixth most within the NFL by Week 4, in keeping with ESPN Analysis), they don’t seem to be essentially transferring these signal-callers off the spot or dashing up their launch. Passers have averaged 2.71 seconds contained in the pocket, essentially the most within the league, they usually’re averaging 3.04 seconds earlier than throwing, second most within the league. Inexperienced Bay’s move rush win charge of 27.3% is the bottom within the league. — Rob Demovsky
Week 4 rating: 7
Greatest subject on protection: Giving up chunk passing performs
The Steelers gave up six passing performs of 15 yards or extra to Indianapolis on Sunday — together with 4 within the first half — after solely permitting 12 such performs by the primary three weeks. Previous to that Week 4 loss, the Steelers have been limiting opponents to eight.6 factors per recreation. However they yielded 27 factors to the Colts by giving up giant chunk performs. “That was one in all our targets, to attenuate the chunk performs, and we went on the market and we simply weren’t capitalizing — whether or not we have been being out of place, we weren’t making a play on the ball,” Pittsburgh security DeShon Elliott mentioned. — Brooke Pryor
Week 4 rating: 6
Greatest subject on protection: Edge rushers
The defensive group entered Week 4 with zero sacks and at last obtained on the board with takedowns by Brandon Graham and Josh Sweat in opposition to Tampa Bay. At age 36, Graham has been the very best of the bunch, which is an efficient story but in addition problematic when projecting out a 17-game season. The Eagles signed Bryce Huff to a three-year, $51 million contract in free company to be an influence three-down participant, however he hasn’t been dependable in opposition to the run, specifically. Barring a big uptick in play from Huff or 2023 first-round decide Nolan Smith Jr., this unit may very well be a problem all season. — Tim McManus
2:10
Is Nick Sirianni guilty for the Eagles’ struggles?
Tedy Bruschi and Rex Ryan break down why they see a disconnect between Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni and the remainder of the group.
Week 4 rating: 10
Greatest subject on protection: Final-minute errors
The Saints’ protection has made crucial errors late prior to now two video games. Gamers bumped into one another and allowed a 61-yard achieve by the Eagles with 1:13 left in Week 3’s contest, organising Philadelphia’s successful landing. And whereas the D solely gave up 12 factors in Sunday’s loss to the Falcons, a 30-yard defensive move interference penalty arrange the successful 58-yard area aim. — Katherine Terrell
Week 4 rating: 16
Greatest subject on protection: Stopping the run
Simply because the Giants ran for less than 26 yards on 24 carries does not imply the Cowboys’ run protection is fastened. It should take a number of weeks for the Cowboys to clear up the 464 speeding yards they yielded to New Orleans and Baltimore. Three of their subsequent 4 opponents have working video games ranked inside the highest 10. And Dallas may very well be with out Micah Parsons (ankle) and DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) for a minimum of two of these contests. The Cowboys have allowed a landing on each 15.88 carries, which is twenty ninth within the league. Their defensive complete rush anticipated factors added is minus-13.21; the Rams are thirty first at minus-7.43. — Todd Archer
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Week 4 rating: 14
Greatest subject on protection: Just one interception
The Jets have an efficient move rush (14 sacks) and play good move protection, so they need to have a couple of decide. The one participant with an interception is backup nickelback Brandin Echols, who made his play as an damage substitute in Week 2. Not one of the regulars has an interception, together with All-Professional cornerback Sauce Gardner, whose drought is as much as 28 video games. All of that is head-scratching as a result of the Jets must be in a super place to make interceptions as a zone-heavy group. — Wealthy Cimini
Week 4 rating: 21
Greatest subject on protection: Getting off the sphere
The Falcons have the second-worst allowed time of possession (35:28) within the league. Atlanta’s protection has been “bend-don’t-break” for essentially the most half and has saved the group in video games. Nevertheless it has to get off the sphere sooner to offer the offense time to get right into a rhythm. Opponents have considerably extra offensive performs (a mean of 276 in comparison with the Falcons’ 215) and first downs (85 in comparison with 70) than the Falcons. And whereas the secondary has performed nice (solely the Seahawks have allowed fewer move performs of greater than 20 yards), Atlanta has allowed the seventh-most speeding yards within the NFL (582). — Marc Raimondi
Week 4 rating: 15
Greatest subject on protection: Absent stars
The Chargers have been one of many NFL’s greatest defenses, permitting the fewest factors per recreation by 4 weeks (12.5). Nonetheless, this protection has been with out two of its greatest gamers. Outdoors linebacker Joey Bosa (hip) has performed simply 16 snaps since Week 1 and missed Week 4. The NFL suspended Security Derwin James Jr. in opposition to the Chiefs after he was flagged for pointless roughness for a helmet-to-helmet hit in Week 3. With these gamers again, the Chargers protection can be an much more formidable unit. — Kris Rhim
Week 4 rating: 24
Greatest subject on protection: Third-down protection
Stopping groups on third down continues to be a problem for Indianapolis. Statistically, the Colts have been one of many worst third-down items, permitting a 49.2% conversion charge. The sensible influence of this was evident throughout Sunday’s win over the Steelers when the Colts allowed QB Justin Fields and the Pittsburgh offense to transform 5-of-8 third-down makes an attempt. That helped erase a 17-3 halftime lead and turned a lopsided affair into an in depth recreation. Fields was 4-of-5 (80%) for 43 passing yards and a landing on third downs within the second half. — Stephen Holder
2:36
Flacco tells McAfee how Colts examine with different stops in his profession
Colts QB Joe Flacco talks to Pat McAfee concerning the tradition in Indianapolis as the most recent cease in his lengthy profession.
Week 4 rating: 26
Greatest subject on protection: Run protection
The Bears protection has been excellent this season, so any points are extra probably addressed by fine-tuning reasonably than wholesale modifications. Chicago ranked No. 1 in opposition to the run in 2023 and is permitting 121 speeding yards and 4.5 yards per carry per recreation, which ranks 18th and tenth, respectively. Whereas the Bears have solely allowed one 100-yard rusher (Jonathan Taylor in Week 3) and struggled to take down Kyren Williams (5.0 yards per carry in Week 4), discovering methods to enhance in opposition to the run will get Matt Eberflus’ unit one step nearer to its aim of top-five standing. — Courtney Cronin
Week 4 rating: 22
Greatest subject on protection: Getting dwelling
Certain, backup edge rusher Chris Snowden’s last-minute takedown of QB Deshaun Watson closed out the Raiders’ white-knuckle win over the Browns Sunday. Nevertheless it was simply Las Vegas’ eighth sack of the season, tied for the fifth-fewest variety of sacks within the NFL by 4 video games. To be honest, beginning DE Malcolm Koonce was misplaced for the yr with a knee damage earlier than the season opener, and Maxx Crosby missed the Browns recreation with a left excessive ankle sprain. However others must step up. — Paul Gutierrez
Week 4 rating: 27
Greatest subject on protection: Consistency in opposition to the run
This can be a little bit of a nit-pick, because the run protection has improved since permitting greater than 140 speeding yards in every of Denver’s first two video games. However in comparison with the place the Broncos rank in different classes (they lead the NFL in sacks per move try and are high 4 in purple zone protection, complete protection, passing protection and third-down protection), their present No. 12 rating in rush protection is one thing to work on. Vance Joseph’s unit has gotten higher, surrendering solely 155 speeding yards the previous two weeks, however additional enchancment will make the Broncos much more stifling than they already are. — Jeff Legwold
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Week 4 rating: 20
Greatest subject on protection: Defending the run
The Dolphins have been the seventh-best run protection a season in the past however have allowed 119.5 yards per recreation on the bottom this season (ranks sixteenth within the NFL). They’re but to permit a 100-yard rusher this season, however Zach Charbonnet and James Prepare dinner scored a number of touchdowns in opposition to this protection in consecutive weeks. The Dolphins have allowed seven speeding touchdowns, which is tied for the second-worst mark within the league. Miami’s sluggish begin this season has extra to do with a struggling offense than shortcomings of its protection, however the Dolphins can nonetheless enhance in controlling their opponents’ run recreation. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
Week 4 rating: 24
Greatest subject on protection: Defensive position
Whether or not it is within the run or the move, the Bengals’ defensive position has been a nonfactor this yr. Cincinnati is thirty first within the league in run cease win charge (28.5%) and in sacks per dropback (3.8%). These two issues are a significant motive why the protection is likely one of the worst items within the league. Accidents to 4 defensive tackles — starters Sheldon Rankins (hamstring) and BJ Hill (hamstring); rookies Kris Jenkins Jr. (thumb) and McKinnley Jackson (knee) — have performed a job in that. However regardless of the well being points, Cincinnati wants extra manufacturing from its defensive entrance. — Ben Child
Week 4 rating: 18
Greatest subject on protection: Defending the run
The Rams entered the week ranked thirty first in defensive rush DVOA (defense-adjusted worth over common) and confronted a Bears offense that ranked thirtieth in offensive rush DVOA. However in Week 4, Bears working again D’Andre Swift recorded extra speeding yards in opposition to the Rams (93) than he did within the Bears’ first three video games mixed (68). Coach Sean McVay mentioned he thought the Rams did a “actually good job all through the course of the sport, after which the important thing drive that we needed to have they ended up popping a protracted one which Swift ended up scoring from 36 yards out.” — Sarah Barshop
Week 4 rating: 17
Greatest subject on protection: Secondary
The Cardinals are ranked second-to-last within the NFL in passing yards allowed per play at 8.1, which has contributed to them being ranked twenty eighth total in complete yards allowed per play at 5.8. The Cardinals have by some means not allowed a 100-yard receiver this season. However 18 gamers have caught a minimum of 20 yards in opposition to Arizona in 4 contests. — Josh Weinfuss
Week 4 rating: 23
Greatest subject on protection: Missed tackles
The Browns protection hasn’t appeared just like the elite unit it was in 2023 and missed tackles have performed an enormous position. The problem has turn out to be particularly problematic on the bottom, as Cleveland is permitting 2.24 yards after contact per rush, the worst mark within the NFL. “A whole lot of guys are entering into with their shoulder making an attempt to put that massive hit … first man’s obtained to wrap up and sluggish the runner down and cease his momentum,” defensive finish Myles Garrett mentioned after the Browns allowed greater than 150 speeding yards to the Raiders Sunday. — Daniel Oyefusi
Week 4 rating: 30
Greatest subject on protection: Cornerbacks in run help
It is simple to have a look at the Giants’ run protection — the place they’re permitting 4.7 yards per rush (twenty fourth in NFL) — and blame the defensive position. However a whole lot of the harm is approaching the surface. Groups are averaging over 5.6 yards per rush working extensive proper. They’re averaging over 6.0 yards working outdoors the left deal with. The Giants’ cornerbacks, significantly Deonte Banks and Cor’Dale Flott, want to assist higher on the perimeters if this group goes to repair the issue. — Jordan Raanan
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Stephen A. bored with Daniel Jones: ‘You repeatedly come up quick’
Stephen A. Smith stays unimpressed with the efficiency of Daniel Jones after he failed to choose up a win in prime time in opposition to the Cowboys.
Week 4 rating: 32
Greatest subject on protection: Forcing turnovers
The Titans protection did not drive a turnover till Monday night time’s win in Miami and have solely pressured one this season. Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson introduced an excessive give attention to takeaways with him when he took the job. As secondary coach, Wilson’s items helped the Bears tie for second with 18 interceptions final season and the Eagles tie for third with 17 in 2022. Often, groups produce what they emphasize. Wilson preaches “attacking the ball with aggressiveness” and “populating to the soccer.” However that hasn’t occurred to date. Tennessee’s protection is final within the NFL with a minus-8 turnover ratio. — Turron Davenport
Week 4 rating: 28
Greatest subject on protection: Go rush
The Jaguars rank twenty ninth in QB pressures (41) and twenty ninth in stress proportion (25.9%). That is regardless of enjoying video games in opposition to a Cleveland group that did not have both beginning offensive deal with and a Houston group that misplaced its greatest offensive deal with for an prolonged time period Sunday. Josh Hines-Allen and Arik Armstead have one sack and Travon Walker — whom the Jaguars took first total over Aidan Hutchinson in 2022 — has two. — Michael DiRocco
Week 4 rating: 31
Greatest subject on protection: Pressuring the QB
Accidents may very well be the reply right here as a result of LB Shaq Thompson is now out for the remainder of the season with a torn Achilles, and the Panthers have been already down three starters — DE Derrick Brown (knee), DT Shy Tuttle (foot) and S Jordan Fuller (hamstring). However stress was a priority heading into the season, and it was magnified Sunday in opposition to the Bengals. QB Joe Burrow was pressured on simply 4 of 32 dropbacks, the third-lowest he has confronted in his profession. Carolina has nobody outdoors of LB Jadeveon Clowney who can constantly get to the QB. — David Newton
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Week 4 rating: 29
Greatest subject on protection: Permitting QBs out of the pocket
There is not an official statistic for blown edges, but when it existed, the Patriots may lead the league. As coach Jerod Mayo mentioned after Sunday’s loss to the 49ers, “Protecting the quarterback within the pocket continues to be a problem.” The Patriots allowed Brock Purdy to flee the pocket 3 times on the primary drive to increase passing performs or use his legs, which was alarming as a result of it was a high level of emphasis after Geno Smith and Aaron Rodgers had comparable success. Mayo mentioned that if defenders proceed to make the identical errors, they could lose enjoying time because of it. — Mike Reiss
