9 Worst Defences in NFL History Since 2000, Ranked

Don’t look now, but the 2025 Cincinnati Bengals are on their way to being one of the worst defences ever to exist. Halfway through the season, they’ve surrendered a league high 426.6 total yards and 33.3 points per game.

If the season ended today, I’d pick the 2025 Bengals as the worst defence since 2000.

Their current status has made most of their opponents a top target when considering football odds and NFL spreads at the BetMGM online sportsbook. 

Below, I rank the nine worst NFL defences since 2000. 

To make my decisions, I examined total yards, passing yards, rushing yards, and points per game allowed, with a greater emphasis on total yards and points surrendered. 

9 Worst Defences in NFL History Since 2000, Ranked

Who Are the Worst NFL Defences Since 2000?

1. Detroit Lions, 2020

When looking at the worst defences since 2000, it’s hard not to put the 2020 Lions in the No. 1 spot. Among all teams since 2000, none have allowed more points per game than this unit at 32.4. 

They finished 5-11 and fired head coach Matt Patricia after starting the year 4-7. 

2. New Orleans Saints, 2012

The 2012 Saints allowed 440.1 total yards per game, the most given up per game since 2000. That season, they also allowed a league-high 147.6 rushing yards, and ranked second in passing yards allowed (292.6) and points (28.4) allowed per game. 

Thanks to quarterback Drew Brees throwing for over 5,000 yards and 43 touchdowns, they finished 7-9. 

3. Jacksonville Jaguars, 2020

Unfortunately, 2020 presented numerous porous defences, and among the worst were the Jaguars. 

Of all teams since 2000, the 2020 Jaguars allowed the fourth-most total yards (417.7) and third-most points (30.8) per game. 

They finished 1-15 under head coach Doug Marrone. Their only win came in Week 1. 

4. New Orleans Saints, 2015

The 2015 Saints team struggled mightily on defence as well, surrendering 413.4 yards and 29.8 points per game. 

That season, the Saints ranked second in total yards, passing yards, and rushing yards allowed and gave up the most points. 

Just like the 2012 Saints, they finished with a 7-9 record.

5. Houston Texans, 2020

After firing Bill O’Brien following Week 4, Romeo Crennel was named the interim head coach, but it didn’t matter: The Texans still gave up 416.8 yards and 29 points per game. 

Only two teams scored fewer than 20 points against them, while eight went for 31 or more. 

6. Detroit Lions, 2008

The infamous 0-16 Lions make the list.

This defensive unit allowed 404.4 total yards and 32.3 points per game. Since 2000, only one other team, the 2020 Lions, allowed more points per game.

7. Cincinnati Bengals, 2018

While the 2025 Bengals are on their way, the 2018 Bengals are cemented as one of the worst defences since 2000. 

Finishing 6-10, the 2018 Bengals gave up 413.6 total yards and 28.4 points per game. 

The 413.6 total yards allowed were the most in the NFL, and of that amount, 275.9 were passing yards, which also led the league. 

8. Carolina Panthers, 2024

To find the No. 8 worst defence since 2000, we only need to go back to 2024. 

That unit surrendered the most yards (404.5), rushing yards (179.8), and points (31.4) per game. 

Of the teams on this list, the 2024 Panthers allowed the most rushing yards per game, with the second-closest team being the 2008 Lions (172.1). 

9. New York Giants, 2015

In his final year as a head coach, Tom Coughlin’s 2015 Giants were abysmal, surrendering 420.3 total yards per game, second most since 2000. 

They also gave up 298.9 passing yards per game, which led the league that season. They allowed fewer than 256 passing yards just four times.