Rich Eisen · Jun 10, 2026
Eisen unveiled his top 10 NFL defenses for 2026, with Seattle first, Houston second and the Rams third, and said he deliberately put an AFC team and an NFC team at the top to hint at his Super Bowl matchup (Texans vs. Seahawks).
“And that's my power rankings of the NFL defenses, one to 10 in 2026 as it currently stands.”
said on air, transcribed by us · The Rich Eisen Show (podcast) · read the original →
3 checkable claims from this
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
- Conference ChampionsHouston TexansJun 10, 2026
Houston Texans to reach the Super Bowl
“I went with an AFC team and an NFC team at the top two there just to kinda give people an idea of where where I'm thinking for a Super Bowl matchup.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Conference ChampionsSeattle SeahawksJun 10, 2026
Seattle Seahawks to reach the Super Bowl
“I went with an AFC team and an NFC team at the top two there just to kinda give people an idea of where where I'm thinking for a Super Bowl matchup.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Position Group RankingsJun 10, 2026
“Number 10 on the list... I think the Ravens are gonna be a top 10 defense again... Number nine... the cowboys... I put the Vikings eight... the chargers are seventh here on my list. Number six on the list... The Philadelphia Eagles... I'm putting your Patriots five... I'm putting the Broncos at four. Number three... I think the Rams are now in the top five defensively... number two on the list are the Houston Texans... but number one is the defending Super Bowl champs... Seattle's defense.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.