Madden 23 ratings: Which NFL teams have the best defenses to use?

Edward Sutelan

Madden 23 ratings: Which NFL teams have the best defenses to use? image

Sometimes the best offense is a good defense.

While most Madden players likely subscribe to the theory that a best offense is the best offense, it certainly doesn't hurt to have a defense capable of slowing the opposition.

The teams that find themselves at the top of the "Madden 23" team defense ratings aren't much of a surprise. The Bills were the league's best defense in 2021. The Rams have two of the top overall players at their positions on defense. The Packers have at least one of the top 15 players at each defensive position. The Steelers have maybe the league's best duo of pass-rushers in T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward.

Which teams have the best and worse defense ratings in "Madden 23?" The Sporting News takes a look.

MORE: Madden 23 team overall ratings

Madden 23 team defense ratings

Team DEF Rating
Bills 88
Rams 88
Packers 87
Steelers 87
Chargers 86
49ers 86
Buccaneers 85
Ravens 85
Dolphins 84
Saints 84
Eagles 83
Commanders 82
Vikings 82
Titans 81
Colts 81
Cowboys 80
Browns 80
Raiders 80
Bengals 79
Jets 79
Broncos 78
Patriots 78
Chiefs 77
Panthers 77
Cardinals 76
Jaguars 76
Bears 75
Seahawks 75
Giants 74
Falcons 73
Lions 72
Texans 70

What is the best defense to use in Madden 23?

Bills

The Bills had the league's best defense in 2021. All they did this offseason was add one of the best edge-rushers in Von Miller to that group. Miller enters the year tied as the fourth-best EDGE in the game, while corner Tre'Davious White is the third-best corner in the game. The safety unit is especially strong. Micah Hyde (91) and Jordan Poyer (90) give the Bills the only duo of safeties ranked 90 or better. Add in 84 overall Tremaine Edmunds, the No. 8 middle linebacker, and this defense is stacked at nearly every position.

Rams

This is where having star power really makes a difference. The Rams have stars up and down the defensive side of the ball. Aaron Donald is one of only four members of the 99 Club, and Jalen Ramsey is the highest-rated corner at 98 overall. Then there's offseason free agent signing Bobby Wagner checking in at 91 as the fourth-best middle linebacker. There is a bit of a drop-off from there, as the next talent up is left outside linebacker Leonard Floyd, who comes in at 80 overall, strong safety Jordan Fuller at 78 overall and cornerback Troy Hill at 78 overall.

MORE: Details of the Rams' Super Bowl 56 rings

Packers

On the flip side of the star talent of the Rams is the well-rounded group of the Packers. Look up and down their roster on "Madden 23," and you'll consistently see highly rated players. Jaire Alexander (94) is the second-highest cornerback and the biggest star on the defensive side. But then there's defensive tackle Kenny Clark (89), left outside linebacker Rashan Gary (89), strong safety Adrian Amos (88), middle linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (87) and right outside linebacker Preston Smith (82) who all enter the game rated 80 or above. There is no weakness on this defense.

Steelers

The Steelers, tied with the Packers as the third-best defense, more follow the Rams' mold of star power on this side of the ball. Of course, there's T.J. Watt (96), who set the NFL record for most sacks in a season controversially not part of the 99 Club, and Cameron Heyward (93), who gives them one of the best defensive lines in the game. Free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (89) is the highest paid safeties in the NFL and the 11th-best safety in Madden. New linebacker Myles Jack (82) and defensive tackle Tyson Alualu (82) give Pittsburgh the final two defensive players rated 80 or higher.

What is the worst defense to use in Madden 23?

Texans

Expectations are extremely low in Houston for the 2022 season, and Madden is making it clear it expects the defense to be a major part of that. The Texans have cornerback Steven Nelson, who is rated an 80 overall, as its highest-rated defensive player. Middle linebacker Christian Kirksey (75) is the only linebacker rated 75 or higher. At least first round pick Derek Stingley Jr. (77) is one of the highest-rated rookies.

Lions

There is promise on the offensive side of the ball in Detroit. The same cannot be said on the defensive side. Strong safety Deshon Elliott (78) and cornerback Mike Hughes (78) are the highest-rated defensive players on the roster. The rest of the defensive side of the ball is fairly consistent, with five other players rated at least a 76, including second overall pick Aidan Hutchinson (77), but it's pretty clear why this is the second-worst defense in the game.

Falcons

The third-worst defense in the game, Atlanta has at least a bit more star power than either Houston or Detroit. A.J. Terrell Jr. (89) and Casey Heyward Jr. (87) give Atlanta one of only two combinations of corners that are both in the top 15 at the position, and EDGE Grady Jarrett (85) gives the Falcons a solid player in the pass-rush. But after middle linebackers Deion Jones (82) and Rashaan Evans (79), the Falcons' defense takes a dive, with the next-highest player rated 74.

Edward Sutelan

Edward Sutelan Photo

Edward Sutelan joined The Sporting News in 2021 after covering high school sports for PennLive. Edward graduated from The Ohio State University in 2019, where he gained experience covering the baseball, football and basketball teams. Edward also spent time working for The Columbus Dispatch and Cape Cod Times.