Reviewed July 20, 2026 by David Reilich. The table uses a 2025 defense identity baseline built June 20, 2026 from nflverse participation and play-by-play data. It is not a live fantasy-points-allowed feed.
Quick Answer
NFL defense vs position research asks how an opponent’s pressure, coverage and run structure interact with a quarterback, running back, wide receiver or tight end market. PropsBot compares all 32 defenses below, then applies position-specific role and price checks. The page does not rank players by one opponent stat or claim that a prior-season matchup guarantees the next result.
NFL Defense vs Position Rankings
| Defense | 2025 identity | Pressure rate (rank) | YPT allowed vs man | YPT allowed vs zone | Rush YPC allowed (rank) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona Cardinals | Balanced / Multiple | 25.6% (29th) | 6.55 | 8.05 | 4.40 (24th) |
| Atlanta Falcons | Balanced / Multiple | 31.3% (12th) | 6.73 | 7.61 | 4.61 (25th) |
| Baltimore Ravens | Balanced / Multiple | 28.1% (25th) | 7.31 | 7.39 | 4.18 (13th) |
| Buffalo Bills | Pressure-Zone | 34.2% (2nd) | 7.06 | 6.34 | 5.12 (30th) |
| Carolina Panthers | Zone-Heavy | 21.3% (32nd) | 7.46 | 7.49 | 4.35 (22nd) |
| Chicago Bears | Man-Heavy Press | 28.7% (23rd) | 8.65 | 7.31 | 4.89 (29th) |
| Cincinnati Bengals | Balanced / Multiple | 29.4% (21st) | 7.35 | 8.53 | 5.21 (31st) |
| Cleveland Browns | Man-Heavy Press | 35.1% (1st) | 5.88 | 7.62 | 4.17 (12th) |
| Dallas Cowboys | Balanced / Multiple | 31.8% (11th) | 8.50 | 8.69 | 4.71 (26th) |
| Denver Broncos | Man-Heavy Press | 33.7% (5th) | 6.25 | 6.55 | 3.95 (6th) |
| Detroit Lions | Man-Heavy Press | 31.8% (10th) | 6.95 | 7.79 | 4.35 (21st) |
| Green Bay Packers | Zone-Heavy | 30.7% (14th) | 6.77 | 6.94 | 4.14 (11th) |
| Houston Texans | Balanced / Multiple | 30.6% (15th) | 6.88 | 6.57 | 3.91 (5th) |
| Indianapolis Colts | Balanced / Multiple | 29.6% (19th) | 7.05 | 7.64 | 3.87 (2nd) |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | Balanced / Multiple | 27.9% (26th) | 6.29 | 6.49 | 3.87 (3rd) |
| Kansas City Chiefs | Pressure-Zone | 33.5% (6th) | 6.72 | 7.39 | 4.01 (9th) |
| Las Vegas Raiders | Zone-Heavy | 27.8% (27th) | 6.67 | 7.31 | 3.88 (4th) |
| Los Angeles Chargers | Zone-Heavy | 30.4% (16th) | 4.92 | 7.62 | 4.34 (20th) |
| Los Angeles Rams | Balanced / Multiple | 32.1% (9th) | 6.68 | 7.27 | 4.20 (14th) |
| Miami Dolphins | Balanced / Multiple | 27.1% (28th) | 7.30 | 8.01 | 4.77 (28th) |
| Minnesota Vikings | Pressure-Zone | 34.0% (4th) | 6.33 | 7.25 | 3.99 (8th) |
| New England Patriots | Balanced / Multiple | 29.7% (18th) | 6.32 | 6.59 | 4.07 (10th) |
| New Orleans Saints | Zone-Heavy | 28.2% (24th) | 6.38 | 7.46 | 3.95 (7th) |
| New York Giants | Man-Heavy Press | 30.1% (17th) | 6.69 | 7.80 | 5.30 (32nd) |
| New York Jets | Man-Heavy Press | 24.7% (30th) | 8.09 | 7.62 | 4.40 (23rd) |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Man-Heavy Press | 32.7% (8th) | 6.16 | 7.38 | 4.21 (15th) |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Balanced / Multiple | 29.5% (20th) | 7.55 | 7.53 | 4.31 (18th) |
| San Francisco 49ers | Balanced / Multiple | 23.2% (31st) | 6.41 | 7.37 | 4.33 (19th) |
| Seattle Seahawks | Pressure-Zone | 33.1% (7th) | 4.77 | 7.23 | 3.84 (1st) |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Pressure-Zone | 34.1% (3rd) | 7.06 | 8.20 | 4.25 (16th) |
| Tennessee Titans | Balanced / Multiple | 29.3% (22nd) | 8.01 | 8.78 | 4.28 (17th) |
| Washington Commanders | Balanced / Multiple | 31.3% (13th) | 9.19 | 8.21 | 4.75 (27th) |
Pressure rank is highest rate first. Rush yards-per-carry rank is lowest allowance first. Coverage efficiency shows yards per target allowed against man and zone. These measures answer different questions and should not be collapsed into one universal defense number.
QB vs Defense Matchups
Quarterback props begin with expected dropbacks. Pressure rate then changes completion, sack and yards-per-attempt ranges, while coverage structure changes where and how throws are completed. A completions position can survive a shorter passing plan that hurts passing yards, and a favorable yardage matchup does not automatically support touchdown overs.
Run at least a base pressure scenario and a higher-pressure scenario. Weight man and zone efficiency by the expected defensive mix, then stress the mix toward neutral when coordinator or personnel changes make the prior identity less reliable. Confirm the current line only after the dropback range is set.
WR vs Defense Matchups
Wide receiver research starts with routes, target share and alignment. Man-zone splits can adjust catch rate and yards per target, but they cannot manufacture opportunity. Outside, slot and motion usage also matter because a team-level coverage rate does not identify one defender or route assignment.
Price receptions, receiving yards, longest reception and touchdowns separately. Receptions lean more heavily on catchable volume; yards add target depth and post-catch outcomes; longest reception and touchdown markets have wider distributions and require stricter price discipline.
TE vs Defense Matchups
Tight ends can react differently to the same defense because route participation, chip responsibilities, middle-of-field access and red-zone role vary. A zone-heavy opponent may create short-area targets without supporting an aggressive yardage over. A pressure-heavy plan can add quick throws or remove routes when protection help is needed.
Confirm whether the player is expected to run routes before using a defense label. Catch rate, target depth and touchdown share remain separate. The accepted sportsbook market must match the player, statistic and threshold used in the projection.
RB vs Defense Matchups
Running-back props start with backfield share and likely game script. Yards per carry allowed, stuff rate and stacked-box rate then shape the efficiency range. A defense can load the box without producing an elite yards-per-carry result, or limit averages without creating frequent losses.
Carries, rushing yards, receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns require separate distributions. A trailing script can reduce carries while adding routes. Goal-line work can change without moving overall touch share. Do not carry one favorable run-defense stat into every RB market.
How To Use DVP For Player Props
- Confirm the player, opponent and active status.
- Forecast routes, targets, carries or dropbacks before using matchup data.
- Select the evidence that matches the exact statistic.
- Adjust for current personnel, venue, weather and likely game state.
- Build a distribution rather than one point estimate.
- Compare the current line and price in Odds Shopping Edge.
- Pass when the edge disappears under a reasonable stress test.
The NFL player props today page is the current-market gateway. The NFL Optimizer compares supported sportsbook and pick’em targets when available, but unlike payout structures and settlement rules remain distinct.
Defense Profile Limits
The baseline describes the 2025 season; it does not claim that 2026 personnel, coordinators or game plans are unchanged. Team ranks are descriptive, schedule strength is not fully controlled here, and no team-level row replaces a player-specific coverage assignment or injury report.
PropsBot widens uncertainty when the expected coverage mix or role is unclear. An old defense rank can frame a question, but a current decision still requires the opponent, player, market, line, price and timestamp. Use official league sources for schedules and availability.
Football Lab Status
PropsBot’s Defense Report Cards, Receiver vs Coverage, QB vs Defense and RB vs Defense routes remain marked Preview Soon. This page publishes the reviewed baseline and workflow without describing those gated product previews as live weekly rankings. When the labs launch with current data, this owner should link directly to their live position views.
Sources And Method
The data build cites nflverse participation and play-by-play data, with coverage labels limited to the post-season source and 2025 as the identity season. Review the performance methodology, tracked record, NFL Stats and official NFL injury reports. The sportsbook ticket controls the offered market and settlement.
NFL Defense vs Position FAQ
What does defense vs position mean?
Defense vs position, often shortened to DVP, compares how a defense’s structure and results relate to a specific offensive position. PropsBot separates pressure, coverage and run evidence rather than using one catch-all rank.
What is the best defense-vs-position stat for QB props?
There is no single best stat. Start with projected dropbacks, then combine pressure, coverage mix and efficiency with the current quarterback, protection and game environment.
Can I use DVP rankings by themselves for player props?
No. Role, volume, current availability, exact line and price are required. A defense rank is one matchup input.
How often are these NFL defense profiles updated?
This release uses a 2025 baseline built June 20, 2026. The visible reviewed date changes when the source data, product state or material method changes.
2026 NFL Schedule And Matchup System
Use NFL defense rankings for the all-team composite and this page for position-specific application. NFL implied team totals adds the market scoring baseline, while the Week 1 directory connects those inputs to each game owner.
NFL Week 1 picks and predictions | NFL defense rankings | NFL implied team totals
