We’re No. 1 … in red zone passing defense.
The Buccaneers have allowed just 14.1% of opponents’ pass attempts in the red zone to go for touchdowns (nine total) this season. While the Bucs struggle on third down and in giving up a high number of passing yards (263.9 yards per game), they clamp down when their backs are against the wall. — Jenna Laine
We’re No. 1 … in penalty yards.
The Seahawks have regularly been among the most penalized teams in the NFL during Pete Carroll’s tenure, and right now they lead the way with 882 penalty yards. It has been more of a problem on offense (65) than on defense (48), and while the Seahawks are one of the league’s younger teams, it hasn’t been isolated to their younger players. Veterans DK Metcalf, Phil Haynes and Evan Brown have all been flagged at least six times. — Brady Henderson
We’re No. 1 … at pass breakups.
The Saints have been excellent at both taking the ball away and defending passes. They rank first in the league with 87 pass breakups, a significant lead over the Niners’ 75. Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo leads the team with 15 pass breakups this year. — Katherine Terrell
We’re No. 1 … in blitz rate.
Under new defensive coordinator Brian Flores, the Vikings have sent five or more pass-rushers on 45.7% of opposing dropbacks. The league-wide average is 26.3%, and the next-closest team is the Giants at 39.3%. The heavy blitzing has been largely effective for a team that entered the season with only one proven pass-rusher (linebacker Danielle Hunter ranks second in the league with 15.5 sacks). The Vikings rank among the NFL’s top five in most defensive statistics but have recently given up some late leads when teams have exploited the unusual zone coverages behind the heavy rush. — Kevin Seifert
We’re No. 1 … at recovering fumbles.
Despite an offense that can’t finish often enough in the red zone and some of the other defensive failings that have cropped up this season (e.g., run defense), Broncos defenders have knocked the ball free from opponents more than any other team this season. And it is a big part of the reason a team that was 1-5 is now 7-7 and clinging to wild-card playoff chances. The Broncos have forced 17 fumbles combined on defense and special teams and recovered a league-leading 13 of them. And those recoveries led to plenty of momentum swings and short-field opportunities for a balky offense that has needed them. — Jeff Legwold
We’re No. 1 … in limiting fourth quarter points.
The Steelers’ defense has given up an NFL-low 3.6 points per game in the fourth quarter this season. Big defensive stops and game-sealing interceptions have been a key factor in their seven one-score wins, but lately, opponents haven’t had to score much in the fourth quarter thanks to their ability to build early leads and play from ahead for the majority of the game. — Brooke Pryor
Week 15 ranking: 14
We’re No. 1 … at being the youngest team in the NFL.
Not only did the Packers have the youngest roster in the league to start the season, they’re especially green at the skill positions. Twenty-five-year-old quarterback Jordan Love has 25 touchdown passes, and 24 have been to players with two or fewer years of NFL experience. That’s the most touchdowns scored by first- and second-year players for any team since the 2015 Jaguars (with 28). — Rob Demovsky
Week 15 ranking: 22
We’re No. 1 … in preventing red zone touchdowns.
Atlanta is tied with Baltimore for fewest red zone touchdowns with 15. It speaks to the improvement in the Falcons’ defense under new coordinator Ryan Nielsen and its focus on keeping opponents out of the end zone even if they reach the red area (the Falcons also lead the league with nine goal-to-go touchdowns allowed). Improving the defense was a focus of the Falcons’ offseason, and it worked out for a unit that’s in the top 10 in a lot of areas. — Michael Rothstein
Week 15 ranking: 28
We’re No. 1 … in fewest penalties.
Talk about culture change. The Raiders, the erstwhile and undisciplined “bad boys” of the NFL who have led the league in penalties 13 times, hold the single-season record (163 penalties in 2011) and single-game record (23 penalties in a 2016 overtime win at Tampa Bay) and were flagged 113 times last season, are suddenly the league’s choir boys? Indeed. Their 64 penalties are three fewer than the Vikings and, for the first time since Dec. 4, 2005, the Raiders had a penalty-free game, in a Week 12 loss to the Chiefs. Las Vegas interim coach Antonio Pierce credits an increased attention to detail. “That’s what you want to see with your team growing,” Pierce said, “especially in the later part of the season.” — Paul Gutierrez
Week 15 ranking: 23
We’re No. 1 … in takeaways since Week 11.
The Bears have 14 takeaways since Week 11 (including 12 interceptions), both of which lead the NFL. That’s remarkable considering Chicago had only six interceptions through Week 10, a sign that the increased pressure the Bears are getting up front due to the presence of edge rusher Montez Sweat is working. The influx started in Week 11 and has continued every game: seven takeaways in two games vs. Detroit, four vs. Minnesota and three vs. Cleveland. The 14 points the Bears scored off Eddie Jackson‘s interception and Tremaine Edmunds‘ pick-six against the Browns were their most off turnovers in a game this season. — Courtney Cronin
Week 15 ranking: 27
We’re No. 1 … at punts.
It was hard to find something, but nobody has punted more than the Giants. They even have a partner — the Jets also have 81 punts through 14 games — to make it a New York puntfest. It’s only appropriate to stress this category for the Giants because punter Jamie Gillan and the punt coverage unit have been among the few positives (averaging 43.1 net yards per punt) throughout this disappointing season. — Jordan Raanan
Week 15 ranking: 24
We’re No. 1 … in red zone scoring defense.
The Titans’ red zone defense is the best in the NFL, with Tennessee allowing opposing offenses to score touchdowns on 37.3% of their visits inside the 20-yard line. What’s even more remarkable about the stat is how teams have gotten to the low red zone (inside the 10) 15 times over the past three games but scored only three touchdowns. Unfortunately, the Titans have won only one of the three games in which the red zone defense shined. Two of the losses involved late fourth-quarter scores. — Turron Davenport
Week 15 ranking: 26
We’re No. 1 … in forcing safeties.
The Jets and Rams have the most safeties (two apiece). Yeah, we’re reaching here, but it has been that kind of year for the Jets. They’re the only team to record a safety in the first quarter. In fact, both came in the first quarter, which means they have more safeties than touchdowns (one) in the opening period. We’re not making this up. — Rich Cimini
Week 15 ranking: 25
We’re No. 1 … in attempts on third-and-short.
The Chargers are tied for the league’s best in attempts on third-and-short (63), which is defined as third-down plays with less than or equal to 3 yards to the first-down marker or end zone. But the Chargers are also 29th in third-and-short conversion percentage (49.2%). This stat is likely reflective of the Chargers’ ineffective run game, which they have tried to spark all season but still ranks 27th in rushing yards per game (95.7). The Chargers’ ineffective rushing attack makes them somewhat one-dimensional in these scenarios, relying on short passes that the defense can predict. Against the Broncos, for example the Chargers were 0-for-12 on third down. This stat, like many for the Chargers this season, is reflective of missed opportunities. — Kris Rhim
Week 15 ranking: 30
We’re No. 1 … in completion percentage allowed.
The Cardinals are allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete 69.6% of their passes, which is tied for the league’s highest (Minnesota). It’s a product of a secondary that’s full of young and inexperienced cornerbacks who have become targets for opposing quarterbacks to pick on. — Josh Weinfuss
Week 15 ranking: 29
We’re No. 1 … in allowing touchdowns.
Nothing sums up Washington’s season like being tied for first with Arizona for touchdowns allowed (43). That’s seven more than the Commanders allowed all last season when the defense ranked third in yards and seventh in scoring. But a main reason Washington went from an 8-8-1 mark in 2022 to 4-10 this season stems from a defense that has plummeted to the bottom of the league. — John Keim
Week 15 ranking: 31
We’re No. 1 … at run defense.
In a lost season primarily due to offensive struggles, the Patriots’ run defense has become a measure of pride for some players. By holding the Chiefs to 43 rushing yards on 22 carries (2.2 average) Sunday, the Patriots’ run defense firmly maintained its top NFL ranking in average yards per rush allowed (3.14). — Mike Reiss
Week 15 ranking: 32
We’re No. 1 … in fewest fourth-quarter plays with a lead.
The number is 0. This is how the team has an NFL-worst record. It’s an odd stat because both of Carolina’s wins, including Sunday against Atlanta, came on walk-off field goals. The Panthers also are tied for first in successful two-point conversions (2-for-2; 100%), but having no plays with the lead in the fourth quarter pretty much sums up this season. — David Newton