The NFL pre-season is officially on. Heck, we’re a few weeks away from the actual, real season games starting. Can summer slow down? Regardless, plenty of outlets are coming out with their list of the best offenses and defenses in the NFL. Last month, AlternativeFix.com released its list of the best offenses in the NFL for 2023. Now, we’re following that up with the official AlternativeFix.com list of the best defenses in the NFL for 2023.

They say that defense wins games. I totally believe it. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen strong football teams lose despite having incredible offenses because of the defenses. I think it’s kind of an underappreciated role in football. People always celebrate the big touchdowns and two-point conversations. The defense rarely gets that kind of love, unless there’s an interception.

Ranking the Best Defenses in the NFL for 2023

1. Dallas Cowboys. I’m going with the Dallas Cowboys as the No. 1 best defense in the NFL in 2023. They were solid last year, and now, they’ve added Stephon Gilmore to the fold. Gilmore along with Trevon Diggs should make them for a difficult defense to get past. Now, their offense isn’t as strong, but we’re talking about defense here.

2. New York Jets. The New York Jets are expected to have the best defense in the NFL for the 2023 season. I honestly could have gone with them for No. 1. They’re that good. Now, the Jets have a star quarterback with Aaron Rodgers, so the sky’s the limit.

3. San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers actually had the best defense in the NFL last year, when you look at stats. But, they’ve lost a few players going into 2023. Still, they’ve got players like Nick Bosa, Charvarius Ward, Fred Warner and Talanoa Hufanga, so they’ll be just fine.

4. Buffalo Bills. The Bills were Super Bowl favorites last year, but they fell hard at the end of the season. Now, they have free agent Leonard Floyd on their roster, plus still have Von Miller and Tre’Davious White. They lost Tremaine Edmunds, but the Bills are still strong. They’ll be a solid defense.

5. Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles lost the Super Bowl because of defense. It was frustrating to the team, to say the least. Now, they’re determined to make up for that with a stronger defense in 2023. However, they did lose a lot of solid players in free agency. That said, they’re not the kind of team to give in quickly. They’re really working their defense this pre-season and getting ready for the big stage.