Defensive collapse defined Week 14 across the NFL. Twelve of the 28 teams in action scored at least 28 points. Seven surpassed 34 points. December should bring tighter contests as playoff positioning intensifies. Instead, the league served up offensive fireworks.

One exception: the Texans and Chiefs delivered a playoff-caliber defensive battle Sunday night—a stark contrast to the offensive onslaught everywhere else.

ELITE

Houston Texans

Seattle Seahawks

Los Angeles Rams

Denver Broncos

New England Patriots

Green Bay Packers

The Texans' defense performed at championship level in prime time, systematically dismantling Patrick Mahomes in arguably the worst game of his career. Houston's No. 1-ranked defense held Kansas City to 274 yards—a season low—with three interceptions, eight quarterback hits and seven pass breakups.

The unit has built a historic resume. This season, the Texans held Mahomes and Josh Allen—two of the era's elite quarterbacks—to zero combined touchdowns with five interceptions, while sacking them 10 times. The Texans possess a legitimate argument for fielding one of the best defenses of the past decade.

UNDER THE RADAR

Jacksonville Jaguars

Philadelphia Eagles

Cleveland Browns

Los Angeles Chargers

The Eagles' defense roared back after surrendering 425-plus yards in consecutive weeks, cracking the top 10. Philadelphia's unit gave the team every chance in a 22-19 loss to the Chargers on Monday. The Eagles pressured Justin Herbert on 68.3% of his dropbacks—the sixth-highest pressure rate in any game since 2018, according to Next Gen Stats—and sacked him seven times, a career high. Vic Fangio's unit added two takeaways and held Los Angeles to one touchdown.

COMPETENT

Kansas City Chiefs

Baltimore Ravens

Dallas Cowboys

Minnesota Vikings

San Francisco 49ers

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

Miami Dolphins

Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts

Carolina Panthers

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Chiefs' defense peaks at elite levels—witness the second half performance Sunday, particularly the third quarter—but structural weaknesses persist. Kansas City allows a 43.1% third-down conversion rate, ranking 26th, and has just 25 sacks, tied for 24th. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's frequent blitzes fail to convert efficiently, leaving the secondary exposed. Compounding matters: the Chiefs have recorded just one takeaway in their past five games.

MEDIOCRE

New Orleans Saints

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Atlanta Falcons

Excluding Rashid Shaheed's 100-yard kickoff return touchdown, the Falcons still surrendered 30 points in a home loss to Seattle last week. Atlanta, mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, has allowed at least 27 points in five of its past seven games.

The defense finally solved years-long pass-rush problems. Rookie first-round edge rushers James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker transformed the unit from 31 sacks last year (31st in the NFL) to 43 through 14 weeks (third). But the Falcons can't sustain drives defensively. The unit ranks in the bottom third stopping the run—allowing an average of 6.2 plays per drive (tied for 20th) and 131.0 rushing yards per game (24th).

HANGING ON

Las Vegas Raiders

Arizona Cardinals

New York Jets

The Cardinals suffered their worst defensive outing under coach Jonathan Gannon in last week's loss to the Rams, surrendering 530 yards of offense—306 by halftime—and six touchdowns. Arizona has allowed 40-plus points in three of its past five games.

RIGHT SIDE OF WRONG

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

New York Giants

Cincinnati Bengals

The Titans possess defensive talent: DE Jeffery Simmons, LB Cedric Gray, and DBs Kevin Winston Jr. and Marcus Harris. They don't tackle. Tennessee misses assignments and surrenders explosive plays at alarming rates. In Sunday's narrow win, the Titans gave up 394 total yards and four touchdowns to Browns QB Shedeur Sanders in his third career start.