Patrick Mahomes proved that no one should be concerned about the offense of the Chiefs. 1:45 The 5th week of the regular season of the National Football League. The power panel evaluated how teams are stacking up through four weeks and named a new top team for the second week in a row. As they climb back up the list, the updated rankings show that the Dallas Cowboys are surviving without their quarterback. Tua Tagovailoa left the game on a stretcher and the Miami Dolphins lost to the CincinnatiBengals. Tagovailoa won't be able to play in Week 5. There are 15 teams with 2-2 records. In order to find out what the biggest issue faced by each team's defense is, we checked in with reporters from the league. Every team has something that can be improved on. The team's defensive efficiency rating was used to assign each response. The defense's contribution to scoring margin on per-play basis and adjusted for strength of opposing offenses is used to calculate defensive efficiency. Let's move on to it. Our new top team. Jump to a team:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LV | LAC | LAR | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH Week 4 ranking: 4 The defensive efficiency is 60.7
League rank: 9th
1. Kansas City Chiefs (3-1)
It's the biggest issue on defense.
Four times, the Chiefs have taken the ball from their opponent. All of the losing teams have forced fewer turnovers. The turnovers will come because the quarterback is being pressured by the Chiefs. The Chiefs have made the most of their turnovers. Each one was converted into a touchdown.
Week 4 ranking: 2
The defensive efficiency is 69.1%.
League rank: 5th
Injuries are the biggest problem on defense.
Third-down defense is one of the few concerns for the Bills' defense, which is ranked in the top five of almost all major categories. The Bills have accumulated a lot of injuries in the secondary CB Christian Benford is still dealing with a right hand injury, but CB Jordan Poyer and CB Ed Oliver are back.
Week 4 ranking: 3
The defense's defensive efficiency is 85.7%.
League rank: 1st
There are injuries to the secondary.
The corners are expected to return soon. There isn't much to choose apart. The Eagles are first in sacks, tied for first in turnovers, third in yards allowed and tenth in points allowed. Even with safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, who was formerly of the New Orleans Saints, they look really solid from front to back.
Week 4 ranking: 7
The defense's defensive efficiency is 57.9%.
League rank: 13th
It's the biggest problem on defense.
The Packers are giving up almost 5 yards per rush. The Packers allow more rushing yards than any other team. This was an issue last year and it is still an issue this year.
Week 4 ranking: 1
The defense's defensive efficiency is 46.2
League rank: 22nd
Defending the pass is one of the biggest issues on defense.
Through its first four games, the Miami Dolphins' pass defense is the second worst in the league. The numbers the Dolphins have given up are skewed because of Josh Allen's 63 pass attempts in Week 3 and Lamar Jackson's first half in Week 2. They'll return to their former form once Byron Jones comes back from the physically unable to perform list.
Week 4 ranking: 5
The defense's defensive efficiency is 58.6.
League rank: 12th
There are injuries to the secondary.
The Rams have their best corner healthy, but have been dealing with injuries in the secondary. The Rams were without several players on Monday night against the 49ers. The Los Angeles defense, which ranked second in Football Outsiders' rush DVOA, is worse against the pass. The Rams have four picks this year.
Week 4 ranking: 9
The defense's defensive efficiency is 38.6.
League rank: 27th
Soft coverage is one of the biggest issues on defense.
The Vikings opponents are catching 75% of their targets. Of the 97 pass completions against them, 69 have gone to players who have at least three yards of separation at the time of the throw, which is fourth highest in the league.
Week 4 ranking: 8
The defense's defensive efficiency is 76.1.
League rank: 2nd
Slow starts are the biggest problem on defense.
Through four weeks, the Bucs have given up 27 points in the first quarter, fourth most in the league, yet their total points given up are fifth lowest. The need to communicate from the start has been talked about by players and coaches. The Chiefs scored 14 points with two lost turnovers in Week 4.
Week 4 ranking: 6
The defense's defensive efficiency is 52.3.
League rank: 16th
It's the biggest problem on defense.
The Ravens have lost two games this season in which they were in control of the game and couldn't stop teams from scoring late in the game. In the second half, Baltimore has allowed over a thousand yards and over sixty points. The Ravens used to get offenses off the field when they had Lewis, Reed and Suggs. The Baltimore defenders are making it too easy with missed assignments. In the fourth quarter, opposing quarterbacks have thrown five touchdown and gotten sacked two times.
Week 4 ranking: 10
The defensive efficiency is 68.6.
League rank: b
Pass rush is the biggest problem on defense.
There isn't much to say about the Cincinnati's defense. The Cincinnati defense is among the best in the league. It is the leader in points allowed per drive and in touchdown allowed per drive. The pass rush could be improved by Cincinnati. The bengals are tied for 22nd in total sacks and 26th in sacks per dropback The amount of teams throwing against Cincinnati could be a factor. The defense has faced the third most pass attempts in the league.
Week 4 ranking: 16
The defense's defensive efficiency is 60.8
League rank: 10th
The biggest problem is stopping the run.
Given how well the unit is playing, this might be a small quibble. The Cowboys have not allowed 20 points in a game and have only allowed one touchdown in each game. Slowing the run is the most important thing the players need to do. They are allowing 5 yards per carry and have allowed at least 20 runs of 10 yards or more in four of the past five games. The Cowboys have to improve if they want to compete with the Eagles in their division.
Week 4 ranking: 14
The defense has a defensive efficiency of 74.5%.
League rank: 3rd
The biggest problem on defense is the offense of the 49ers.
The win column doesn't reflect how good the Niners' defense has been. The offense of the San Francisco 49ers is near the bottom of the league in a number of areas. The 49ers don't need an offensive powerhouse to be a contender if their defense stays healthy. They need more than they have gotten.
Week 4 ranking: 15
The defense's defensive efficiency is 51.0.
League rank: 18th
Injuries are the biggest problem on defense.
The defense was expected to be strong entering the season. Injuries have made it hard for the unit to develop an identity. Jackson had ankle surgery in August and missed the first two weeks of the season, but he was able to play in Week 2. Joey Bosa was placed on injured reserve after tearing his groin in the third week of the season.
Week 4 ranking: 17
The defense's defensive efficiency is 53.6.
League rank: 15th
Rushing the passer is the biggest problem on defense.
At the moment, the Giants have a top 10 pass defense. If that continues, they will have to rush the passer more effectively. The Giants are 19th in the league in pass rush win rates. They don't have an edge rush with more than one sack, and have called the third-most blitzes. It might work against the quarterbacks they faced, but life is going to get harder with them.
Week 4 ranking: 13
The defensive efficiency is 68.6.
League rank: 6th
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The run defense is one of the biggest issues on defense.
Through the first three games of the season, the Jags had allowed 55 yards per game on the ground, but on Sunday they allowed over 200 yards and four touchdown runs. Folorunso Fatukasi had been a key part of the success, but he went down with a quad injury against the Eagles. The next three weeks are critical for the team because they face Dameon Pierce, Jonathan Taylor and Saquon Barkley.
Week 4 ranking: 18
The defense's defensive efficiency was 47.3.
League rank: 21st
It's the biggest problem on defense.
Five plays of 40 yards or more have been given up by Tennessee. Questions about the secondary have been raised by four of them coming through the air. All of the secondary's have been beaten for big plays. The nickel package has struggled with veterans and second-year players finding their way in the rotation. If Ugo Amadi is able to return from an ankle injury that kept him out of the past two games, there will be reinforcements on the way.
Henry had a great performance in the win over the Colts.
Week 4 ranking: 12
The defensive efficiency was 65.8.
League rank: 8th
The nickel package is the biggest problem.
The Broncos had surrendered only six points in the second half of their first three games. The Broncos were pushed off the ball too often in the loss to the Raiders. When the Broncos were forced into a nickel package on defense, the Raiders were able to destroy it. Josh Jacobs ran for a 43-yard touchdown in the third quarter. The Raiders rushed for over 200 yards as Jacobs ran for over 140 yards with two touchdown runs. It needs to be fixed for Week 5.
Week 4 ranking: 11
The defensive efficiency is 38.5%.
League rank: 28
A banged up defensive line is the biggest problem on defense.
In Sunday's loss to the Falcons, Cleveland was missing three of its four starting defensive linemen. Following last week's single-car crash, the coach said that he could return next weekend. At least in the short term, he will have to play with injuries. Jadeveon Clowney has been out with an ankle injury. The Falcons were able to run the ball at will without either of them. The D-line is going to be in good shape fast.
Week 4 ranking: 19
The defense's defensive efficiency is 51.0.
League rank: 19th
Getting home is one of the biggest issues on defense.
The four sacks by the Cards are the lowest in the league and their sacks per pass attempt rate is low. Arizona's pass rush has taken a hit because of the loss ofhandler Jones. The Cardinals have been able to get to the quarterback and get their hands on him at times, but it has been difficult to get opposing quarterbacks down.
Week 4 ranking: 27
The defense's defensive efficiency is 28.6.
League rank: 31st
Defense is the biggest issue. Adams was absent.
What's gone wrong for Seattle's defense, which has had all sorts of issues, isn't oversimplified. They're missing tackles and getting gashed against the run because they're struggling in their transition to a 3-4. Uchenna Nwosu is the only one who has gotten a consistent pass-rush. They're losing one-on-one battles and committing too many penalties on the back end, where they're playing three young corners and a backup safety because of the injury to Josh Adams. Adams is a pass-rusher and a run defender.
Week 4 ranking: 28
The defense's defensive efficiency is 38.6.
League rank: 29th
It's the biggest issue on defense.
The Falcons are 24th out of 32 teams in the percentage of third-down conversions. This is the next step in the evolution of the defense, which Dean Pees wants to have in Atlanta.
Week 4 ranking: 30
The defensive efficiency is 4.
League rank: 25th
Getting pass rush from someone other than Maxx Crosby is the biggest problem on defense.
Crosby has four of the Raiders' five sacks, and while that is a good early return on Las Vegas' four-year, $98.98 million investment, the Raiders need more from the defensive line. Jones has occupied double-teams and affected the passer, but for Crosby to remain effective, the Raiders would love for Jones, who signed a three-year, $51 million free-agent deal with Las Vegas this spring.
Week 4 ranking: 31
The defense's defensive efficiency is 42.7.
League rank: 24th
Third-down conversions are one of the biggest issues on defense.
Out of 32 teams, the Jets have a conversion rate of less than 50%. The strange part is that it's not due to the pass rush. They are getting decent pressure on the quarterback with a good pressure rate. The coverage is the issue. The corners are holding up well on the outside, but they're giving up a lot of big plays in the middle of the field. Safety Lamarcus Joyner is coming off his best game, but the Jets need better coverage from the S and MLB.
Week 4 ranking: 21
The defense has a defensive efficiency of 58.0.
League rank: 11th
A consistent pass rush is one of the biggest issues on defense.
The Saints didn't have much of a pass rush to speak of to start the season, but they did finish with three sacks. The Saints need Marcus Davenport and Cam Jordan to step up, while getting production out of first-round pick Payton Turner to have success.
Week 4 ranking: 25
The defensive efficiency is 21.6%.
League rank: 32nd
Points Allowed is the biggest issue on defense.
Detroit allows the most points in the league. The defense is last in yards per rush, red zone efficiency and third down conversions. Detroit has allowed 141 points through four games, which is the second most in franchise history, trailing only the 0-16 team from 2008. Dan Campbell knows that the Lions need to change quickly.
Liza loza shows how the completion percentage improves each week.
Week 4 ranking: 20
The defensive efficiency is 41.2.
League rank: 26th
It's the biggest issue on defense.
The defense of the Colts produced 33 turnovers. Through four games this season, the unit has forced just three turnovers. The absence of Leonard, who left the game in the second half with a concussion, is one of the reasons for this. Leonard won't be available for the game at Denver.
Week 4 ranking: 23
The defensive efficiency was 48.0.
League rank: 23rd
Defending the run is one of the biggest issues on defense.
Green Bay ran for 199 yards on 35 carries in the fourth quarter, and Baltimore ran for 126 yards in the second half in Week 3. Losing Lawrence Guy to a shoulder injury is a contributing factor, but that alone doesn't explain why the defense has struggled against the run. Veteran Jamie Collins came back to the team on Monday after the weak side play failed.
Week 4 ranking: 22
The defense's defensive efficiency is 51.9.
League rank: 17th
Run defense is the biggest problem on defense.
Through four games, the Bears are the worst team in the league against the run, allowing 733 rushing yards, and are on the verge of reaching historically low marks. After the Bears lost to Green Bay in Week 2, Giants running back Saquon Barkley gained 94 of his rushing yards in the first four weeks of the season.
Week 4 ranking: 24
The defensive efficiency was 54.3%.
League rank: 14th
No T.J. Watt is the biggest problem on defense.
There are a lot of issues to point to on the defensive side but the root of it is Watt's absence. TheSteelers have given up an average of 23 points per game since the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year tore his pectoral at the end of regulation in Week 1 Without a pass rush, the rest of the defense isn't succeeding in picking up the slack, and Watt is the key to the defense's success.
Week 4 ranking: 26
The defense's defensive efficiency is 36.3.
League rank: 30
Big plays are one of the biggest issues on defense.
Washington has given up an average of 12 plays of 30 yards or more per game. Three pass plays were managed by the Dallas offense. The Cowboys had one pass go for 31 yards on their opening drive. Sometimes inexperience leads to the big plays, but other times it's just corners getting beat, whether they anticipated help or not. It's concerning that Washington lacks corner depth and that it has two established vets in its starting lineup.
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Week 4 ranking: 29
The defense's defensive efficiency is 69.3.
League rank: 4th
The fourth quarter is one of the biggest issues on defense.
The panthers are allowing the most points in the last quarter of the season. It has been costly for a team that continues to lose close games. The defense has been forced back onto the field because of the bad offense. In Sunday's 26-16 loss to Arizona, the Cards had the ball for just over 38 minutes to 21:45.
Week 4 ranking: 32
The defense's defensive efficiency is 48.6.
League rank: 20th
Defending the run is one of the biggest issues on defense.
The Texans have allowed more rushing yards than any other team in the league. They've allowed 34 first downs on the ground. It is one of the reasons they are winless, and it has made them vulnerable in the play-action game. They have allowed the fourth most yards off play-action.
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