標籤: defense

During the NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders focused heavily on their secondary. They needed it.

Last season, only Tennessee and Miami allowed opponent quarterbacks to complete passes at a higher clip than the Raiders, who tied Dallas for the third-highest opponent completion percentage in the league.

General manager Jon Spityek used four of the team’s 10 picks at cornerback and safety. Las Vegas drafted Arizona safeties Traydon Stukes and Dalton Johnson in the second and fifth rounds. The team added cornerbacks Jermod McCoy and Hezekiah Maas on day three.

“We definitely needed to add competition to the defensive back room,” Clint Kubiak said. “It’s very rare to get two safeties on the same team playing together. It’s exciting. Get two new corners. That was an area on defense we needed to address.”

The question now is how four rookies fit into a defensive rotation that has to handle some of the game’s best pass catchers.

Traydon Stookes highlights the versatility of all four players

Treydan Stukes can rotate at nickelback and safety. At Arizona, he defended in man and zone, played the line of scrimmage and back end, and graded out at 90.1 overall last season – sixth best among cornerbacks nationally.

He allowed a 34.4 passer rating when targeted.

“I’m going to learn both (positions) and wherever I can fit in best and help the team win some games, that’s what I’m going to do,” Stukes said during rookie minicamp.

The Raiders traded down two spots and still took advantage of first-round talent to send them to the second round. Four interceptions and six pass breakups last year show why this matters.

Defensive coordinator Rob Leonard wants the interception. Stukes gives him a ballhawk in the middle of the field.

ALSO READ: Las Vegas Raiders 2026 NFL Draft recap: Best class in years, but the wide receiver room still needs an answer

Arizona teammates join veterans in Raiders secondary

Dalton Johnson was selected at No. 150 due to his versatility. He can play free safety, strong safety, nickelback and the slot. The Day 3 pick has a value of four positions.

Johnson totaled 277 tackles in his final three seasons in Tucson. He’ll learn behind veterans Jeremy Chinn and Isaiah Pola-Mao, who played 96% and 89% of defensive snaps last season – both clearing or approaching 1,000 snaps.

RELATED: Las Vegas Raiders draft recap: Knowing about the selections

Jarmod McCoy proving himself despite knee concerns

Jermod McCoy went from a potential first-round pick to the first pick on Day 3. Injury history ruled him out.

He missed all of 2025 due to a torn ACL at Tennessee. Reports surfaced before the draft that some teams believed a second surgery was imminent due to degenerative concerns surrounding a bone plug in the same knee. The Raiders made a one-spot deal to take him anyway.

“Confidence wasn’t an issue,” said vice president of player personnel Brandon Hunt. “We felt good about where we took him. It was an opportunity to get value. This was probably the best corner in the draft, and we feel like we have great people and a great process to make sure we get the best out of this player.”

Despite the medical report, McCoy worked out of rookie minicamp. At Tennessee in 2024, after transferring from Oregon State, he posted four interceptions and nine pass breakups and earned All-American honors. The next three months will show the attackers what they really have.

Also Read: Las Vegas Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza faced criticism from anonymous coach and it didn’t stop

Maas and McCoy join veteran cornerback room

If Stukes is the ballhawk in the middle, Hezekiah Maas is the ballhawk on the outside.

Masses led the nation with 18 passes defensed last season. He finished seventh with five interceptions and earned AP Second Team All-American honors. At over six feet tall, he reads route concepts well on the field.

The veteran room he and McCoy step into is solid. Teron Johnson comes to Buffalo with eight seasons of double-digit games, 48 ​​pass deflections (seven or more in four consecutive years from 2020-23), 98 tackles and AP All-Pro Second Team honors on his resume. Eric Stokes played more than 90% of the defensive snaps for the Raiders last season – that group included Pola-Mao and Devin White – and added five pass deflections and 53 tackles.

You have two rooms led by veterans and four rookies, which gives the Raiders a lot to be excited about.

As a result, both defensive back rooms have an opportunity to turn their great draft picks into a top unit by combining them with their veterans. The next three months of preparation before the season will tell how far they come along.

ALSO READ: Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver depth chart 2026: No clear No. 1 option heading into training camp

Braven Honda graduated from San Diego State with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism in May 2021. During his time at SDSU, … More about Braven Honda

The New York Giants have made some big changes to their defense this offseason, positioning the unit to take a step forward in 2026 under a new coaching staff. With summer approaching, it looks like another move may be on the way.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports that the Giants are “in the mix” to sign defensive tackle DJ Reader following the signings of Shelby Harris and Leki Fotu.

Meanwhile, Sports Illustrated’s Jason La Canfora recently reported that there is plenty of competition for Reeder’s services, but the expectation as of now is that head coach John Harbaugh will move him to New York.

READ MORE: 2026 NFL Power Rankings, see where the NY Giants rank

New York could take the lead on Calais Campbell, who recently signed with the Baltimore Ravens. However, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reported that Harbaugh and the Giants coaching staff were never on board with him.

Following the Dexter Lawrence trade, the Giants’ depth chart on the defensive interior is led by Fotu, Harris and Darius Alexander. The club also used a sixth-round pick on defensive tackle Bobby Jamison-Travis.

There is at least a lot more depth on the defensive line than New York had a few weeks ago, but the lack of impact talent and reliance on rotational-level players makes it a glaring weakness on the Giants’ defense. Given that New York could give Reeder playing time, it’s reasonable to think a deal could be done if the Giants are willing to meet his contract demands.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

Anthony Edwards was critical of himself after the Minnesota Timberwolves struggled in their 116-103 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday afternoon.

In 37 minutes of action, Edwards finished with a stat line of 19 points, six rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block. However, he committed six turnovers while shooting 6 of 17 from the field, including 2 of 5 from beyond the arc and 5 of 10 from the free-throw line.

Edwards reflected on the loss with reporters in the locker room after the game. He blamed himself for the mistakes he made against the Oklahoma City defense, including turnovers and a lack of shooting efficiency.

Edwards said, “I had a lot of turnovers myself. I didn’t make enough shots. I don’t think it had anything to do with my team. Especially myself. I had a lot of turnovers and didn’t make enough shots. It’s just that simple. Like I said it’s an AAU defense… it’s on me. I know what they’re going to do defensively, so it’s on me to turn the ball over.”

Anthony Edwards takes accountability after Thunder loss and says OKC plays ‘AAU’ defense:

“I had too many turnovers myself. I didn’t make enough shots. I don’t think it had anything to do with my team. More to do with me. I had too many turnovers and didn’t make enough shots. It’s… pic.twitter.com/yyDN6I0HuA

– NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) 15 March 2026

Anthony Edwards, how the Timberwolves played against the Thunder

Anthony Edwards is generally prominent as one of the top stars in the NBA. However, his troubles against an elite Thunder team will be a lesson for him and the Timberwolves moving forward.

Four players scored in double figures for Minnesota during the loss, including Edwards. Julius Randle led the team with a stat line of 32 points, seven rebounds, six assists and one block. He made 11 of 18 shots overall, including 3 of 5 from downtown and 7 of 8 from the charity stripe. Ayo Dosunmu was next with 18 points and four rebounds, while Donte DiVincenzo provided 16 points and nine rebounds.

Minnesota fell to a 41–27 record on the season, finishing sixth in the Western Conference standings. They are above the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers while trailing the Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets.

The Timberwolves will look to bounce back in their next game at home. They will host the Suns as tip-off takes place on March 17 at 8pm ET.

Many of the top NFL free agents have been off the board this offseason, with the remaining starters either on the wrong side of 30 or still available due to team concerns. However, there are still plenty of options in NFL free agency for clubs looking for a rotational piece or a solid start to the upcoming season.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at our latest round of NFL free agency predictions focusing on the landing spots for the remaining top defensive players.

AJ Epenesa, edge rusher: Detroit Lions

A former second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, AJ Epenesa is now entering his 28-year-old season and has proven to be a quality rotational edge defender. He played 434 defensive snaps for the Buffalo Bills last season, recording 2.5 sacks with 9 quarterback hits. The strength he brings at 6-foot-6 could prove useful to the Detroit Lions, who are still in the market for pass-rushing help. Epenesa may see a higher percentage of snaps early in the season opposite Aiden Hutchinson, while an edge rusher selected on the second day of the 2026 NFL Draft is slowly brought along and eventually plays a higher percentage of snaps for Detroit when the time is right.

Cameron Jordan, edge rusher: Chicago Bears

It would certainly seem strange to see Cameron Jordan not playing for the New Orleans Saints in 2026, but it seems certain to happen. Heading into his age-37 season, Jordan is certainly nowhere near the caliber of defensive disruptor he used to be, and his snaps need to be limited to maintain his effectiveness. However, it’s still worth keeping in mind that he recorded 10.5 sacks and 22 pressures last season. What matters most is a reunion with his longtime defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who will know how to get the most out of him in a rotational role. Plus, it gives the Chicago Bears a little more pass-rushing depth on the defensive line and gives Jordan a chance to finish his career with a Super Bowl contender.

RELATED: NFL free agency predictions for top offensive players

Bobby Wagner, linebacker: Buffalo Bills

Linebacker Bobby Wagner, a 10-time Pro Bowl selection, is still just two seasons away from earning second-team All-Pro honors. He also had 8 tackles for loss and 79 solo tackles last season, although he has proven to be a liability in coverage. There may be an opportunity here for Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott. Buffalo could take advantage of Wagner’s tendencies as a run defender, as he has proven to be one of the best off-ball linebackers in football against the run. Additionally, he could be an excellent mentor for any young linebackers added to the team this year.

RELATED: Early winners, losers from the first week of NFL free agency

Rasoul Douglas, cornerback: Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs cornerback room is undergoing a massive overhaul this offseason. As much as we trust the front office and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo at this position, depth and proven players don’t hurt. Rasoul Douglas really stood out with the Miami Dolphins last season, allowing only a 54.5 percent completion rate and 73.0 passer rating when targeted in coverage. With how thin Kansas City is at cornerback now, it could be beneficial to keep at least one viable starter as there is going to be a lot of inexperience in that room this fall.

RELATED: NFL teams look ready to tank in 2026

Joey Bosa, edge rusher: San Francisco 49ers

It always felt like Nick Bosa would eventually be teammates with his brother, Joey Bosa, rather than when. Now the time seems absolutely right. The San Francisco 49ers need more pass-rushing depth next season with Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams recovering from season-ending injuries. Joey Bosa has his durability concerns, but he played in 15 games in Buffalo last season and had 16 QB hits with 5 sacks. Bringing him in would make the Knicks happy and would improve San Francisco’s pass-rushing depth; It’s a win-win.

RELATED: The worst moves of the 2026 NFL offseason so far

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

It’s not that common for rookies to make a team better defensively. Enter Phoenix Suns first-year players Rasheer Fleming and Khaman Maluch. Both of them have received immense support and praise from head coach Jordan Ott.

Ever since the Suns selected Maluach and Fleming in the 2025 NBA Draft, they have seen the potential. Both have the defensive abilities to switch, play pick-and-roll, and play bigger than their respective sizes.

As a result, this has allowed Ott to experiment and be creative. There may be offensive limitations, but the defensive promise far outweighs any shortcomings on the other end.

For example, they had a lineup at the five on small ball with Royce O’Neal, Collin Gillespie, Jordan Goodwin, Jalen Green, and Fleming.

It’s an extremely small sample size, but that lineup posted an offensive rating of 141.7 and a defensive rating of 100 in just six minutes.

Will this lineup achieve a net rating of 41.7 every time it’s on the court? Probably not, but it’s a good metric to assess and see what the potential might be.

Fleming’s 7’5 wingspan and 9’1 vertical reach make him the ideal small-ball center. Not to mention, his physicality and athleticism far exceeds that of a typical rookie.

Again, the numbers are small, but it seems like Ott is optimistic about moving forward with it based on the scenario.

“Both games (vs. Milwaukee and Indiana), it felt great,” Ott explained via AZCentral’s Duane Rankin on Twitter (formerly Twitter). “When to really get near it. Facing massive pullouts again.”

“Some of the challenges we’re having with guarding those guys with our bigger players are new. Just new situations that (7-foot freshman Khaman Maluach) has been in. Thought we were able to respond in the game to try to find another way to get a win on the road.”

Defensive combo of Rasheer Fleming + Khaman Maluach = Jordan Ott for the Suns

Again, Fleming and Maluach, being rookies and picking up minutes, may have some skeptics, but they have earned their fair share of respect from their teammates and coaches.

Tireless work, playing with the G-League Valley Suns and constantly staying prepared are all parts of the process that helped him get here. Eventually, the Suns relied on Fleming and Maluach by trading Nigel Hayes-Davies and Nick Richards at the trade deadline.

While part of this was for salary cap purposes, it shows the confidence the organization and the entire team have in these two rookies.

As for the former St. Joe’s forward, he has all the makings of an elite defensive player. As mentioned earlier, her mentality as well as physical gifts have attracted many people.

Even Suns teammates Grayson Allen and Colin Gillespie shared that Fleming’s ceiling is so high. Devin Booker noted Maluach as having high basketball skills for a center, and for a young man like himself.

Given where we are in the season, a contending team typically doesn’t aim to keep two rookies around for a significant amount of time. However, Ott appears to have a lot of offensive and defensive potential.

Trust is growing with teammates, lineup experiments are going well, and Maluach and Fleming seem to be playing freely.

Phoenix’s defensive rating is already the tenth-best in the association. The influx of lineup combinations could disrupt a set five-man unit. However, this may be a blessing in disguise because of the opportunity both Fleming and Maluach have.

Meaningful minutes and impacting the game on the defensive end with strong rim protection, perimeter defense and a never-ending hustle is exactly what Ott was good at — and it’s paying dividends.

The Los Angeles Lakers have quietly played their best basketball of the season, winning three in a row and going 5-1 in March. It is noteworthy that the team has relied on strong defense to defeat the teams. According to a post from The Athletic, coach JJ Redick has been encouraged by the Lakers’ improved defense in wins over the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves.

“We’re not going to be the No. 1 defense in the league. But to be above average, to have two performances in a row against those two teams is really encouraging,” Redick told The Athletic.

The Lakers played strong defense in their 110-97 win over the Timberwolves. He held the Knicks to 42.7% from the field, including 23.5% from beyond the arc. Additionally, the Purple and Gold forced 18 turnovers. The Lakers defeated the Wolves 120-106, holding them to 46.3% from the floor, including 25% from triples. Additionally, they held Anthony Edwards to only 14 points on 2 of 15 shooting, including 1 of 10 from the three-point line.

The Lakers did so without LeBron James, who is dealing with a right hip injury and left foot arthritis. Despite wanting James in the lineup, Redick isn’t worried about him. As for the rest of the team, the Lakers coach highlighted that he wants better rim protection.

“Just the consistency of our low man, you know. We’re one of the worst teams at protecting the rim. It’s not on our big, it’s on everybody. So we had stretches where, I thought, if you look at our defensive plays, our low man is really active, our low man in the paint is producing results.”

Redick and the Lakers will hope to continue the momentum when they host the Chicago Bulls before welcoming the Denver Nuggets to the Crypto.

The Golden State Warriors are going through a tough phase at the moment and have lost three of their last four matches. However, they have also come up against some top teams, with the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, and most recently the Oklahoma City Thunder all testing Golden State.

To make things even worse, a plethora of injuries have left the Warriors that is Draymond Green having to lead the defense against some of the best players in the league. And well, the 36-year-old Warriors veteran considers it a ‘badge of honour’.

“I’m a very arrogant person. I can’t go out there and commit murder.”

Draymond Green on accepting the challenge of guarding Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in consecutive games at the age of 36. pic.twitter.com/OWov1JaSRg

-Joseph Dycus (@joseph_dycus) 8 March 2026

“Think our coaching staff realizes that I have a lot of energy when I get stuff like that. Because, like I said, if coach calls on me to guard Kawhi, to guard KD, to guard Shea, that’s a badge of honor. I mean, I’m 36 years old, three games in a row, that’s a badge of honor,” Drummond said in a post on X by Warriors reporter Joseph Dykes. Explained accordingly.

Green said it was ‘amazing’ to be tasked by Steve Kerr with protecting these players at this point in his career, and it energized him greatly. This is also evident from the fact that the four-time champion leaves everything behind whenever he is on the court.

Against the Thunder, he was not only the defensive lynchpin, but also the Warriors’ third-highest scorer with 16 points.

“And so, then I have to take that responsibility and make sure we don’t have to help each other. And yet, I’m a very proud person. I can’t go out there and commit murder. That’s what happens when you’re playing against great players like that. But, at the same time, for me, I just can’t lay down. I can’t go out there and feel like it’s easy,” Green said.

And while there have been critics who have questioned his over-the-top playing style, Green’s commitment is unmatched, and perhaps the biggest reason why he has been a consistent winner with the Warriors for over a decade.

MIAMI – The Miami Heat’s win over the Houston Rockets last Saturday demonstrated an area in which the team thrives. Because the Heat are determined to be tough and do the dirty work, their defensive gameplan includes an aspect the team leads the NBA in, although head coach Erik Spoelstra has a love-hate relationship with it.

It hasn’t been rare to see Miami run a zone defense on opponents this season. In fact, the Heat have been using it to the point where they have led the NBA in zone possession over the past three seasons. They are on pace to do so for the fourth time in a row as they recorded 575 zone possessions in Tuesday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets, and made the most of it in Saturday’s big win over the Rockets.

Spoelstra explained how there are moments when he ‘hates’ zone defense due to the lack of individual accountability that goes away compared to man-on-man. The head coach would emphasize at clutchpoints that zone is an important part of the defense, adding that the “hate” comment was made “in jest” due to his mentor’s views, in reference to Pat Riley.

“It’s in our defensive system, year in and year out, no matter what we feel about it. I’m beyond that. I say it jokingly, just because of who I was mentored under. You know, I believe they said at some point, ‘We’ll never be a zone organization,’ but the league is a lot different than it was 20 years ago. We’re all trying to figure it out. Skill level, shooting, speed, location, you just try to make it. “We are being as tough on other teams as we can and the best version of us defensively is a really tough-minded group, we have to get that more consistently.”

Erik Spoelstra was asked about the pace of leading the NBA again in MIA territory and his love-hate relationship with it:

“It’s in our defensive system, no matter what we feel about it. I was saying it jokingly, just because of who I was trained under…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/9vIJhzTlCQ

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 3 March 2026

Heat’s Erik Spoelstra on zone defense: ‘Sometimes I hate it’

Heat captain Bam Adebayo and young center Kel’El Ware played key roles in slowing down Houston and its size in the zone defense, which led to the defense’s success. It’s not just in one game that the defense has been impressive, Miami is fourth in the league in defensive rating (111.5).

Going back to Spoelstra’s original comments, he talked about zone defense after Monday’s practice, detailing a time when he ‘hated’ it.

Despite the success of zone defense, Spoelstra said after Monday’s practice, “Sometimes I hate it.” “Because sometimes there’s not sure accountability. And sometimes you have the mentality that the zone will save you, or you won’t have to work as hard. That couldn’t be further from the truth. We actually have to burn more calories than the man in the zone. And there are a lot of different activities going on. But that’s a part of our defensive system. It’s not the only part of it. Obviously, our fastball is our man-to-man defense when we do our best. Are.”

At any rate, the Heat will continue to use it throughout the remainder of the season, as the team’s record heading into Tuesday’s game against the Nets was 32–29, placing them in eighth place in the Eastern Conference. After Tuesday, the team will face the Nets again on Thursday, and conclude the week with a home match against the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night.

The San Antonio Spurs have built one of the most dangerous defenses in the NBA. Victor Wembanyama’s MVP-level play has garnered the most attention. However, Stefan Kassel’s emergence as one of the league’s top on-ball defenders is a specific compliment to the French superstar.

“[Stephon] Understand your role well. “The level he’s playing at is really invisible for a second-year player,” Wembanyama said of Castle’s defense. “We make it uncomfortable for guys playing against us. That’s the goal. To dribble around one of the best on-ball defenders and then hit a shot over some of the best rim protectors, it’s very hard.

The Spurs have the NBA’s third-best record (43–16) amid a league-best 11-game winning streak. Cassel’s two-way contributions during his second season have sped up San Antonio’s deadline.

The 21-year-old has put in solid offensive performances, averaging 16.6 points and 6.8 assists on 46.7 percent shooting in 49 appearances. However, Cassel’s success in an expanded defensive role has been the catalyst behind his impact.

Stefan Cassel blossoming as defensive stopper with surging Spurs

San Antonio has tasked Cassel with guarding the league’s top scorers on a nightly basis. The 6-foot-6 guard has faced challenges and led a defensive unit with Wembanyama that ranks third in the NBA.

According to CleaningTheGlass, Cassel posted a -4.7 defensive rating swing (team points allowed per 100 possessions with a player on versus off), the sixth-best mark in the NBA among guards playing over 1,000 minutes. The Spurs have posted a 109.3 defensive rating with him and Wembanyama.

st anthony MVP candidate placed Cade Cunningham scored 16 points on 5-of-26 shooting during Monday’s 114-103 win over the Detroit Pistons. Cunningham shot 3 of 13 (23.1 percent) with two turnovers when defended by Cassel.

“[Stephon] “The potential for that was shown last year,” Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said, adding that he had some good moments defensively. This year, we’ve obviously increased the interrogations, which has increased their opportunity to guard the big scorers and ball-dominant guys in this league. And I think he has proved his capabilities. I think he needs to continue to move the ball in other ways. But I think he’s as good on the ball as any player in the league.”

Stephen Cassel’s defense on Cade Cunningham during the Spurs’ win over the Pistons

(h/t @MrBuckBuckNBA)pic.twitter.com/4B5kblpddQ

– FullCourtPass (@FullCourtPass) 24 February 2026

With Castle and Wembanyama already wreaking havoc on opposition attacks, Spurs have another potentially elite on-ball stopper in rookie Dylan Harper. At 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, with a 6-foot-10.5 wingspan and above-average athleticism, the No. 2 draft pick has caused problems for opposing ball-handlers at only 19 years old.

Harper is learning on the job while supporting Castle.

“The biggest thing about Stephon is he’s a competitor. I already saw it when I got to San Antonio,” he said. “No matter what the circumstances or who he goes up against, he’ll compete. On the biggest stages, all the work he’s put in is showing. He’s physical [at the point of attack]With the elite wings and other defenders, and then you have Victor and Luke. [Kornet] Down on the shore, it’s like choosing your poison. You have to either shoot this pull-up or kick it out.

The Spurs are currently tied with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the third-best odds (+950) to win the title, trailing only the Denver Nuggets (+600) and Oklahoma City Thunder (+135). Wembanyama, Castle and Harper will still be on their rookie contracts next season.

Two years away from having the 12th pick in the 2024 draft, Oklahoma City Thunder executive vice president and GM Sam Presti has both prospects — Nikola Topic and Jared McCann — he backed up Mark Daigneault. The timing of both guards could not have come at a better time. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is out with an abdominal injury, Ajay Mitchell hasn’t played since January, and Jalen Williams will be reevaluated in March.

Losing three of its leading scorers shows that Oklahoma City is unable to get close to its 119.4 point average without its reigning MVP and two of the Thunder’s top four scorers. It’s a good thing Presti parted ways with a 2026 first-round pick and two future seconds at the trade deadline to acquire a young guard he’s had his eye on since McCann’s 2024 pre-draft workout with the Thunder.

Presti also trusted the 19-year-old Serbian prospect with an old-school approach to the point guard position despite suffering a season-ending ACL injury. Presti was fine with the debut of Topch, who was selected by the Thunder at No. 12 in 2025-26. Back then, no one could have predicted what would happen after the Thunder preseason games. Now, McCain and Topic are both playing in Oklahoma City at unexpected times in their respective careers.

Jared’s trade to the Philadelphia 76ers made him cry. The subject is four months away from a cancer diagnosis. This was all unexpected, but they both fit like a glove into the Thunder’s offense. McCann’s ability to make open threes and create space gives Daigneault another scorer to utilize. Topic gives the Thunder a secondary playmaker who can score quickly off the bench, which he has already proven in the first two games of his NBA career.

It’s another win for coach Mark Daigneault and Thunder GM Sam Presti amid the defending champions’ quest to win back-to-back titles.

Jared McCann scores season-high in Thunder vs. Nets win

Second-year guard Jared McCain has made at least one 3-pointer in each of his five appearances with the Thunder. He’s also efficient at connecting on 9 of 20 (45%), including half of his six 3-point attempts in a 105-86 win against the Nets. McCain led the Thunder with a season-high 21 points on 7-for-12 shooting, four rebounds and one steal. And his presence has also had a positive impact on the defending champion’s supporting cast.

Isaiah Joe, who has missed at least two threes in five consecutive games, extended his streak to six to 11 points as his hot streak continued in Friday’s win against the Nets. Joe shot a career-best 41.7% clip from deep this season. However, that percentage has increased to 55.8% with McCann making 19 of 34 attempts in the five games since his arrival.

Still, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault reminded reporters it’s not all about shooting with McCain and Joe, as their increased roles amid Oklahoma City’s injuries have elevated them to do other things that help win.

“It’s not the only thing they do,” Daigneault said. “Jared is a guy that – he’s dynamic offensively – there’s a lot more to his game than spot-up shooting. You could see it tonight. Again, Isaiah Joe rebounded the ball great tonight. We play short games with him on the court, even though he’s a light guy because he’s good physically, he executes, and he gets his nose in the ball to make plays.

“It’s not just taking advantage of the shooting. It’s being able to put them out there because of the other skills they bring. But, yes, we have optionality, and that’s what you want. You never know what you need. You never know who’s going to do well. We obviously try to lean into that with changing rotations and lineups, and they definitely give us more options,” Daigneault concluded.

Since McCann joined the Thunder, Joe has averaged 15.8 points on 49.4% shooting, including 55.8% from deep, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.

“We all have a role to play, and we all know it, and he’s done a great job of helping me with that. I think once we get the ball moving, we can all create shots for each other. Once we get the ball moving, good things are going to happen,” McCain said. “[We’re] This becomes known as we move forward. It’s hard to do it without those people. “However, we are figuring it out.”

Nikola Topic’s playmaking wraps up Thunder’s win

While Jared McCann and Isaiah Joe’s scoring gave the Thunder double-digit relief, Nikola Topic, in his second NBA game, closed the door in the final frame with playmaking, shooting and smooth finishing at the rim. For coach Mark Daigneault, the Thunder’s theme is a traditional pure point guard with a pass-first mentality, and the confidence to score when he sees fit.

Daigneault says Topic is proof of what’s missing in the NBA modern day point guard During the Thunder head coach’s postgame media availability on Friday.

“There aren’t a lot of real pure point guards in basketball anymore. There’s incredible skill, but there’s not a ton of traditional team runners, those guys, and that’s it: He can run your team,” Daigneault said. “He’ll settle you down to ground level. He understands what we’re trying to achieve, even at this very early stage of his career, and he’s got the ability to go along with it.

“He’s still got a long way to go. Offensively he’s got a lot to learn in terms of getting the edge, reading different coverages that he’s going to see as the league gets to know him a little bit; it’ll be a new challenge for him. But he’s off to a great start.”

Topic finished with nine points, three rebounds and two assists in 11 minutes, as the rookie guard is finding his feet in the early stages of his career. Still, Daigneault feels his team will benefit from the influence of both McCann and Topic amid the Thunder’s title defense.

The 2026 NBA All-Star Game saw an increase in efforts, which many believed was no longer possible in the annual exhibition. While Anthony Edwards has recently expressed a cynical view of the competitiveness of events, he arrived on Sunday with a different mindset. Team Stars won 37–35 over Team World, a result Edwards attributed to the tone set by Victor Wembanyama.

The Minnesota Timberwolves guard noted that the San Antonio Spurs center came out with an intensity that forced everyone else to match his level of play.

This energy change was a key factor in saving the game from the lack of effort seen in previous years.

The match reached its climax with Scotty Barnes’ game-winning three-pointer, which Wembanyama saw as a failure in defensive actions. In an interview about the defeat and his reaction to the final game, Victor Wembanyama made direct criticism of his team’s performance.

He said, “Yeah. That was our second time not allowing a three – a quarter of the game, actually. I expected us to be smart right there, so it was disappointing. But I think it’s good to be honest with ourselves. And when it’s a game we love – it’s a game I personally cherish – so being competitive is the least I can do.” His refusal to accept poor execution highlighted the serious approach he brought to the weekend. HoopsHype took note.

Anthony Edwards, who earned the MVP trophy after scoring thirty-two points all night, was adamant that Wembanyama was a catalyst for change in the environment.

During his postgame comments, Edwards shared his perspective on the intensity of the night. He said, “I will not lie, Wemby has set the tone. He came out playing hard. It is difficult to compete with him, so, that is what happened. Sorry for my language. But that is what happened.”

This level of participation from the league’s youngest stars has provided a new blueprint for All-Star Games success.

Who has the best NFL defense in 2022? Our weekly NFL defense rankings examine every unit across the league on a weekly basis to determine the best defenses in the NFL.

Bookmark this page throughout the 2022 NFL season for weekly analysis and previews of matchups for the top-20 teams.

Let’s dive into our NFL defense rankings 2022, reviewing how the top 20 teams performed in Week 13. We also have Week 14 NFL previews for some of the best defenses in football.

20. Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings ruined the feel-good story that was Mike White, picking him off twice and forcing him to a 6.5 ypa average on 57 attempts. Of course, the 120 rushing yards allowed to the New York Jets tied to Garrett Wilson’s big day (162 yards) highlights why Minnesota’s defense can’t be trusted in the playoffs.

Sunday’s matchup against the Detroit Lions isn’t a favorable one for Minnesota. We’ve written earlier this year that the Vikings’ secondary gets exposed when the pass rush doesn’t get home very quickly. Entering Week 14, Jared Goff averages one of the fastest average times to throw (2.4). But Detroit will also test Minnesota deep, with the third-most throws (43) of 20-plus yards.

19. Kansas City Chiefs

• Previously: No. 18 in NFL defense rankings

Perhaps Justin Reid and his teammates might want to spend a little more time studying film and learning about their opponents. Joe Burrow scored three total touchdowns and did an excellent job spreading the ball around, hitting eight different receivers. Kansas City also surrendered 106 rushing yards to backup running back Samaje Perine.

The good news for the Chiefs, it’s legitimately not worth watching the Broncos’ film on offense. Denver in arguably the worst offense in the NFL, with Wilson refusing to leaving the pocket and disastrous play-calling.

18. Los Angeles Rams

• Previously: No. 14 in NFL defense rankings

Take Aaron Donald off the field and the Rams’ secondary gets exposed. Geno Smith torched Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon, turning 28 completions into 367 yards and three touchdowns with a 116.1 QB rating. While the Las Vegas Raiders offense has had its share of issues this season, Davante Adams will roast this cornerback group. No Donald and a declining effort from the Rams’ defense is a recipe for a lot of blowups to close out the season.

17. Detroit Lions

• Previously: 20th in NFL defense rankings

From the worst defense in the NFL to the No.17 spot in the defensive rankings, it’s been quite the turnaround for the Detroit Lions. Young talents like Aidan Hutchinson and Kerby Joseph are starting to acclimate, playing massive roles in Detroit stiffening up against the pass. There are still plenty of mistakes made and quite a few holes to fill this offseason, but the improvement deserves national recognition.

• Detroit Lions defense (Week 9-13): 77.2 QB rating allowed, 7-7 TD-INT, 57.3% completion, 6.4 ypa, 11 sacks

With that said, we do anticipate Justin Jefferson giving Detroit a lot of problems. What this matchup comes down to is whether or not the Lions’ defensive front can get to Kirk Cousins early. If he’s uncomfortable and Detroit takes an early lead, its defense can bend its ears back and take advantage of the Achilles’ heel of Minnesota’s offense.

NFL defense stats – Best pass defenses in NFL

Here are the best NFL pass defenses entering Week 14, based on passing yards allowed per game, yards per attempt, average QB rating allowed and completion rating surrendered.

16. Indianapolis Colts

• Previously: 10th in NFL defense rankings

We’ve returned to the version of the Indianapolis Colts defense when they are one of the worst run-stopping units in the NFL. Adding the 240-yard effort from the Dallas Cowboys to the equation, Indianapolis has now allowed 533 rushing yards, 5.2 yards per carry and seven rushing touchdowns in the last three games. For good measure, opponents have also averaged a 48.7% third-down conversion rate along with a 98.2 QB rating in that stretch. Maybe things change on the bye, but that would mean Gus Bradley is making adjustments and that seems unreasonable.

15. Carolina Panthers

• Previously: 16th in NFL defense rankings

Returning from the bye, the Carolina Panthers defense has held its last five opponents to 186.4 passing yards per game with 15 sacks, a 90.1 QB rating and a 7-4 TD-INT ratio and the average QB rating allowed drops to 86.9 over the last four weeks. This is a young defense with talent at all three levels and it should pose a credible challenge to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 14.

Related: Carolina Panthers coaching candidates

14. Baltimore Ravens

• Previously: 17th in NFL defense rankings

It’s not difficult to find reasons to be optimistic about the Baltimore Ravens defense moving forward. Pro Bowl safety Marcus Williams is nearing a return and he is going to add some much-needed playmaking to the secondary. In addition, Baltimore has now allowed just 3.8 yards per rush and 82.5 rush ypg this season.

However, the worst offense in the NFL averaged 5.2 yards per play vs Baltimore and holding this unit to nine points doesn’t erase concerns with Baltimore’s defensive issues in the fourth quarter. Facing another soft matchup in Week 14, battling the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Ravens’ defense will look better because of its opponent.

13. Pittsburgh Steelers

• Previously: 15th in NFL defense rankings

We didn’t anticipate the Atlanta Falcons’ offense providing us any answers regarding Pittsburgh’s secondary. Drake London (95 receiving yards on 12 targets) had a productive day, but Marcus Mariota isn’t nearly good enough to expose the faults on the Steelers’ defense. With Lamar Jackson uncertain for Week 14 and the Ravens’ offense an eyesore in recent weeks, the Steelers won’t face a legitimate challenger for several more weeks.

Related: Pittsburgh Steelers schedule

12. New Orleans Saints

• Previously: No. 13 in NFL defense rankings

It’s difficult to knock the New Orleans Saints defense for the loss on Monday Night Football. Midway through the fourth quarter, Dennis Allen’s group held Tom Brady to 120 total yards with two takeaways. The Saints’ offense put that all to waste and Brady engineered two touchdown drives covering 154 yards on 21 plays and only took less than five minutes off the clock.

Things will be much easier in Week 14. New Orleans – holding opponents to 187.1 pass ypg with an 86.0 QB rating in the last seven games – doesn’t have to worry about the Falcons throwing the ball effectively. However, this run defense is susceptible to some big games (553 yards allowed Week 9-11) and that bares monitoring against the Falcons’ strong ground game.

11. Cincinnati Bengals

• Previously: 12th in NFL defense rankings

The Cincinnati Bengals’ pass rush stepped up in a monumental way on Sunday, recording eight quarterback hits and even more pressures on Mahomes. It made the All-Pro quarterback uncomfortable enough to only complete 59% of his throws, stalling out multiple drives. Life should be quite a bit easier against a rusty Deshaun Watson in Week 14.

NFL defense stats – Best run defenses in NFL

Here are the best NFL run defenses in 2022, based on yards per carry, rushing yards per game, rushing touchdowns and run defense DVOA. NFL team defensive starts are prior to Week 14.

NFL defensive rankings: Top 10 NFL defenses in 2022

10. Tennessee Titans

• Previously: No. 7 in NFL defense rankings

The results from Sunday shouldn’t be much of a surprise. With a banged-up defensive line, NFL MVP candidate Jalen Hurts and the Eagles’ receivers were going to expose Tennesse’s secondary. In the last three games, the Titans have now allowed an average 104.2 QB rating with a 6-0 TD-INT rate and 289 pass ypg. On the bright side, one of the NFL’s best run defenses held Philadelphia to 67 yards on 24 carries (2.8 ypc). Facing Jacksonville in Week 14, Tennessee should fare well against the Jaguars’ sporadic offense.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Previously: No. 10 in NFL defense rankings

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers wiped out the Saints’ run game (66 yards on 25 attempts) and forced Andy Dalton to make quick, accurate throws under pressure. It worked out nicely against one of the NFL’s worst offenses over the last month. Our concern is the run defense against the San Francisco 49ers. Tampa Bay has allowed 150-plus rushing yards five times this season, most recently on Nov. 27 against the Cleveland Browns. Brock Purdy won’t have to do anything if Shanahan’s scheme runs right through Tampa Bay.

8. Washington Commanders

• Previously: No. 9 in NFL defense rankings

As the Washington Commanders head into their bye week, fans can finally prepare for the return of Chase Young. When the former No. 2 pick rejoins the defense in Week 15, he’ll simply be strengthening a group responsible for 25 sacks with an average 82.6 QB rating, 5.9 ypa and a 34.3% third-down conversion rate surrendered in the last nine games. Two weeks to prepare for the New York Giants’ offense will make this a great streaming defense in Week 15.

Related: Washington Commanders deny benching Carson Wentz for draft-pick purposes

7. Denver Broncos

• Previously: No. 8 in NFL defense rankings

The Denver Broncos have a playoff-caliber defense, it’s just being weighed down by an offense that looks like it belongs in the USFL. Denver held its opponent under 200 passing yards on Sunday, the eighth time it has accomplished that feat in 2022. Even with Bradley Chubb long gone, the Broncos’ secondary keeps showing out. With that said, the Chiefs’ offense is a different beast and Denver will join the long list of good defenses that struggled vs Mahomes.

Related: Denver Broncos coaching candidates

NFL team defense stats – Best pass rush teams in NFL 2022

Here are the best pass-rushing teams in the NFL entering Week 12. Data will be updated after the conclusion of Monday Night Football.

1. Dallas Cowboys – 30.2% pressure rate (1st), 51% pass-rush win rate (2nd), 45 sacks
2. Philadelphia Eagles – 24.2% pressure rate (7th), 53% pass-rush win rate (1st), 36 sacks
3. New York Jets – 24.7% pressure rate (5th), 44% pass-rush win rate (10th), 34 sacks
4. New England Patriots – 27.5% pressure rate (2nd), 34% pass-rush win rate (28th), 37 sacks
5. Denver Broncos – 22.4% pressure rate (18th), 51% pass-rush win rate (2nd), 26 sacks

6. Buffalo Bills

• Previously: No. 6 in NFL defense rankings

There are positives to take away from the Buffalo Bills’ Thursday Night Football victory over the New England Patriots. Playing without Von Miller – out for at least a month – Buffalo held New England to 10 points, 242 total yards and a 25% third-down conversion rate. However, his was a short week against a below-average offense. We’re not really going to see Buffalo’s secondary and pass rush tested until it faces the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 18.

Related: NFL games today – 2022 NFL schedule

Top 5 defenses in NFL

5. New England Patriots

• Previously: No. 2 in NFL defense rankings

The last to games demonstrate why NFL defensive stats require context. While the New England Patriots defense ranked No. 1 in several categories, it was also a product of its schedule. In two games against the Bills and Minnesota Vikings, New England surrendered 524 passing yards, with a 5-1 TD-INT ratio, a 113.2 QB rating and its opponents combined for 57 points.

Considering the struggles vs Stefon Diggs and Justin Jefferson, we could see DeAndre Hopkins fare well in Week 14. Fortunately for New England’s defense, the Arizona Cardinals aren’t well-coached and Kyler Murray has regressed this season.

4. New York Jets

• Previously: No. 3 in NFL defense rankings

All things considered, the New York Jets proved on Sunday why they have one of the best pass defenses in the NFL. Justin Jefferson finished with 45 receiving yards on 11 targets and averaged under 6.5 yards per catch for only the second time this year. Ultimately, what cost New York was its low sack rate (5.4%) and allowing the Minnesota Vikings to convert 50% of their 18 third-down attempts. It doesn’t shake our confidence in one of the best NFL defenses this season, even with Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs looming.

Related: NFL insiders project historic contract extension for Justin Jefferson

3. Philadelphia Eagles

• Previously: No. 4 in NFL defense rankings

Our attention on Sunday focused on whether or not the Philadelphia Eagles could bottle up Derrick Henry. With Jordan Davis back, creating one of the deepest interior defensive lines in the NFL, Philadelphia held Henry to 30 yards on 11 carries. An inability to stop the run was our only small concern with Philadelphia’s defense. If we get a repeat performance vs Saquon Barkley, that remaining doubt will be erased.

2. Dallas Cowboys

• Previously: No.2 in NFL defense rankings

The Dallas Cowboys defense wasn’t flawless on Sunday Night Football, but Dan Quinn’s group flipped a switch late and it captures one of the best NFL defenses entering Week 14. In the past seven games, opponents are averaging just 169.9 pass ypg with a 33.7% third-down conversion rate and 28 sacks taken.

Now, we arrive at why the Dallas Cowboys are the No. 1 defense in Week 14 fantasy rankings. The Houston Texans offense is averaging just 173.5 passing yards and 75.2 rushing yards per game since Oct. 30. In that six-game stretch, Houston threw 10 interceptions and took 20 sacks. Guaranteeing a defensive touchdown feels wrong, but holding Houston to single-digit points with multiple turnovers and five-plus sacks, that is doable.

1. San Francisco 49ers

• Previously: No. 1 in NFL defense rankings

The San Francisco 49ers have the best defense in the NFL and Week 13 is the latest piece of evidence. Facing a Miami Dolphins that looked unstoppable, San Francisco recovered from the 75-yard touchdown it allowed to open the game by holding Miami to 233 total yards and 10 points on its final 44 plays. The Dolphins’ offense failed to convert any of their nine third-down attempts and Nick Bosa (three sacks) eviscerated the offensive line. With the defensive line healthy, San Francisco should feast vs Tom Brady in Week 15.

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Week 14 fantasy defense rankings

The following defense rankings are for fantasy football purposes and only apply to Week 14.

1. Dallas Cowboys D/ST vs Houston Texans
2. San Francisco 49ers D/ST vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
3. Philadelphia Eagles D/ST vs New York Giants
4. Buffalo Bills D/ST vs New York Jets
5. New England Patriots D/ST vs Arizona Cardinals
6. Baltimore Ravens D/ST vs Pittsburgh Steelers
7. Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST vs Baltimore Ravens
8. Kansas City Chiefs D/ST vs Denver Broncos
9. Tennessee Titans D/ST vs Jacksonville Jaguars
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers D/ST vs San Francisco 49ers
11. Los Angeles Rams D/ST vs Las Vegas Raiders
12. New York Jets D/ST vs Buffalo Bills
13. Cincinnati Bengals D/ST vs Cleveland Browns
14. Carolina Panthers D/ST vs Seattle Seahawks

Stats courtesy Football Outsiders, Pro Football Reference, ESPN, and Pro Football Focus.