{"id":292,"date":"2024-01-30T18:03:30","date_gmt":"2024-01-30T22:03:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/pfr-blog\/?p=292"},"modified":"2026-01-10T16:27:13","modified_gmt":"2026-01-10T20:27:13","slug":"best-nfl-defense-all-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/pfr-blog\/2024\/01\/best-nfl-defense-all-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Top NFL Defenses of All Time (by statistical categories)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>(last updated on January 10, 2026)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It is an age-old water cooler conversation between sports fans of who is the best NFL defense of all time. There are differing opinions on what determines what great defense is and who deserves the title. This article lists some of the best defenses in NFL history and some of the reasons and players that give them that status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Passer Pressure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One way to look at the success of a defense is how much pressure they can put on opposing quarterbacks. Here are a couple of defenses that did it the most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"info\" class=\"teams open\">\n\t\n\t  <div id=\"meta\">\n\t\n\n\n\n\t<div class=\"media-item logo\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"teamlogo\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ssref.net\/req\/202311071\/tlogo\/pfr\/mia-2021.png\" alt=\"2021 Miami Dolphins Logo\">\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportslogos.net\/\">via Sports Logos.net<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/blog\/2016\/06\/redesign-team-and-league-logos-courtesy-sportslogos-net\/\">About logos<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t \n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-template=\"Partials\/Teams\/Summary\">\n  <h2>\n    \n      <span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/mia\/2021.htm?__hstc=205977932.23ab8265cbf804910c30a9d4c61af392.1694880558793.1700920062842.1701522675008.27&amp;__hssc=205977932.26.1701522675008&amp;__hsfp=899685266\">2021<\/a><\/span>\n      <span>Miami Dolphins<\/span>\n          \n    <span class=\"header_end\">Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports<\/span>\n  <\/h2>\n  <div class=\"prevnext\">\n  \n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/mia\/2020.htm\" class=\"button2 prev\">Previous Season<\/a>\n  \n  \n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/mia\/2022.htm\" class=\"button2 next\">Next Season<\/a>\n  \n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\n  <strong>Record:<\/strong> 9-8-0, 3rd in\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/years\/2021\">AFC East Division<\/a>\n  &nbsp;(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/mia\/2021_games.htm\">Schedule and Results<\/a>)\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Coach:<\/strong> \n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/FlorBr0.htm\">Brian Flores<\/a> (9-8-0)<\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>Points For:<\/strong> 341 (20.1\/g) 22nd of 32<\/p>\n<p><strong>Points Against:<\/strong> 373 (21.9\/g) 16th of 32<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/about\/glossary.htm#expwl\" class=\"tooltip\">Expected W-L<\/a>:<\/strong> 7.6-9.4<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/about\/glossary.htm#srs\"><strong>SRS<\/strong><\/a>: -2.73 (22nd of 32),&nbsp;\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/about\/glossary.htm#sos\"><strong>SOS<\/strong><\/a>: -0.85\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Offensive Coordinator:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/GodsGe0.htm\">George Godsey<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/StudEr0.htm\">Eric Studesville<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Defensive Coordinator:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/BoyeJo0.htm\">Josh Boyer<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Stadium:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/stadiums\/MIA00.htm\">Hard Rock Stadium<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t<p><strong>General Manager:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/executives\/GrieCh1.htm\">Chris Grier<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Chairman\/Managing General Partner:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/executives\/RossSt0.htm\">Stephen Ross<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Offensive Scheme:<\/strong> Erhardt-Perkins<\/p>\n\t\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Defensive Alignment:<\/strong> 3-4<\/p>\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t<p><strong>Preseason Odds:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/years\/2021\/preseason_odds.htm\">Super Bowl +4000; O\/U: 9.0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\t<p><strong>Training Camp:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/years\/2021\/training-camps.htm\">Baptist Health Training Facility (Davie, Florida)<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><!-- div#meta -->\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The 2021 Miami Dolphins were a defensive unit with five players who each had double-digit hits on opposing passers. These stalwarts were led by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/O\/OgbaEm00.htm\">Emmanuel Ogbah<\/a> (24 QB hits) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/V\/VanGAn00.htm\">Andrew Van Ginkel<\/a> (20 QB hits).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"info\" class=\"teams open\">\n\t\n\t  <div id=\"meta\">\n\t\n\n\n\n\t<div class=\"media-item logo\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"teamlogo\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ssref.net\/req\/202311071\/tlogo\/pfr\/pit-2020.png\" alt=\"2020 Pittsburgh Steelers Logo\">\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportslogos.net\/\">via Sports Logos.net<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/blog\/2016\/06\/redesign-team-and-league-logos-courtesy-sportslogos-net\/?__hstc=223721476.2ce9b34e14ea05699fbabf72ce676cf6.1688332270288.1701514810323.1701523809352.98&amp;__hssc=223721476.42727.1701522675008&amp;__hsfp=899685266\">About logos<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t \n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-template=\"Partials\/Teams\/Summary\">\n  <h2>\n    \n      <span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/pit\/2020.htm?__hstc=205977932.23ab8265cbf804910c30a9d4c61af392.1694880558793.1700920062842.1701522675008.27&amp;__hssc=205977932.26.1701522675008&amp;__hsfp=899685266\">2020<\/a><\/span>\n      <span>Pittsburgh Steelers<\/span>\n          \n    <span class=\"header_end\">Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports<\/span>\n  <\/h2>\n  <div class=\"prevnext\">\n  \n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/pit\/2019.htm\" class=\"button2 prev\">Previous Season<\/a>\n  \n  \n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/pit\/2021.htm\" class=\"button2 next\">Next Season<\/a>\n  \n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\n  <strong>Record:<\/strong> 12-4-0, 1st in\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/years\/2020\">AFC North Division<\/a>\n  &nbsp;(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/pit\/2020_games.htm\">Schedule and Results<\/a>)\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Coach:<\/strong> \n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/TomlMi0.htm\">Mike Tomlin<\/a> (12-4-0)<\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>Points For:<\/strong> 416 (26.0\/g) 12th of 32<\/p>\n<p><strong>Points Against:<\/strong> 312 (19.5\/g) 3rd of 32<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/about\/glossary.htm#expwl\" class=\"tooltip\">Expected W-L<\/a>:<\/strong> 10.6-5.4<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/about\/glossary.htm#srs\"><strong>SRS<\/strong><\/a>: 4.65 (9th of 32),&nbsp;\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/about\/glossary.htm#sos\"><strong>SOS<\/strong><\/a>: -1.85\n<\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>Playoffs:<\/strong><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/boxscores\/202101100pit.htm\">Lost Wild Card 37-48<\/a> vs. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/cle\/2020.htm\">Cleveland Browns<\/a><br><\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Offensive Coordinator:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/FichRa0.htm\">Randy Fichtner<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Defensive Coordinator:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/ButlKe0.htm\">Keith Butler<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\n\n\t<p><strong>Other Notable Asst.:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/AustTe0.htm\">Teryl Austin<\/a> (Senior Def. Asst.\/Secondary), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/CanaMa0.htm\">Matt Canada<\/a> (Quarterbacks) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/FaulEd0.htm\">Eddie Faulkner<\/a> (Running Backs)\n\n\n<\/p><p><strong>Stadium:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/stadiums\/PIT00.htm\">Heinz Field<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t<p><strong>VP &amp; General Manager:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/executives\/ColbKe0.htm\">Kevin Colbert<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\t<p><strong>President:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/executives\/RoonAr1.htm\">Art Rooney II<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Offensive Scheme:<\/strong> Erhardt-Perkins<\/p>\n\t\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Defensive Alignment:<\/strong> 3-4<\/p>\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t<p><strong>Preseason Odds:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/years\/2020\/preseason_odds.htm\">Super Bowl +2500; O\/U: 9.5<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\t<p><strong>Training Camp:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/years\/2020\/training-camps.htm\">Heinz Field (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><!-- div#meta -->\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The 2020 Pittsburgh Steelers lead all NFL defenses in QB pressures. The COVID season may have kept many humans away from close contact with each other, but the exception was the Steel City pass rush on opposing passers. Pittsburgh produced a record 213 pressures on opposing QBs, led by edge rusher <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/W\/WattT.00.htm\">TJ Watt\u2019s<\/a> 15 sacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Keeping Scoring to a Minimum<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The top responsibility of a defense is to keep opponents from crossing your goal line or even getting close enough to boot one over the crossbar for that matter. The stingiest D\u2019s in history make our list of greats. Here are three units that did it better on average than any other teams in league history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"info\" class=\"teams open\">\n\t\n\t  <div id=\"meta\">\n\t\n\n\n\n\t<div class=\"media-item logo\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"teamlogo\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ssref.net\/req\/202311071\/tlogo\/pfr\/oti-2000.png\" alt=\"2000 Tennessee Titans Logo\">\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportslogos.net\/\">via Sports Logos.net<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/blog\/2016\/06\/redesign-team-and-league-logos-courtesy-sportslogos-net\/?__hstc=223721476.2ce9b34e14ea05699fbabf72ce676cf6.1688332270288.1701514810323.1701523809352.98&amp;__hssc=223721476.4272730.1701522675008&amp;__hsfp=899685266\">About logos<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t \n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-template=\"Partials\/Teams\/Summary\">\n  <h2>\n    \n      <span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/oti\/2000.htm\">2000<\/a><\/span>\n      <span>Tennessee Titans<\/span>\n          \n    <span class=\"header_end\">Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees<\/span>\n  <\/h2>\n  <div class=\"prevnext\">\n  \n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/oti\/1999.htm\" class=\"button2 prev\">Previous Season<\/a>\n  \n  \n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/oti\/2001.htm\" class=\"button2 next\">Next Season<\/a>\n  \n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\n  <strong>Record:<\/strong> 13-3-0, 1st in\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/years\/2000\">AFC Central Division<\/a>\n  &nbsp;(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/oti\/2000_games.htm\">Schedule and Results<\/a>)\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Coach:<\/strong> \n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/FishJe0.htm\">Jeff Fisher<\/a> (13-3-0)<\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>Points For:<\/strong> 346 (21.6\/g) 13th of 31<\/p>\n<p><strong>Points Against:<\/strong> 191 (11.9\/g) 2nd of 31<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/about\/glossary.htm#expwl\" class=\"tooltip\">Expected W-L<\/a>:<\/strong> 12.9-3.1<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/about\/glossary.htm#srs\"><strong>SRS<\/strong><\/a>: 8.35 (2nd of 31),&nbsp;\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/about\/glossary.htm#sos\"><strong>SOS<\/strong><\/a>: -1.34\n<\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>Playoffs:<\/strong><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/boxscores\/200101070oti.htm\">Lost Divisional Round 10-24<\/a> vs. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/rav\/2000.htm\">Baltimore Ravens<\/a><br><\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Offensive Coordinator:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/HeimMi0.htm\">Mike Heimerdinger<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Defensive Coordinator:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/WillGr0.htm\">Gregg Williams<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\n\n\t<p><strong>Other Notable Asst.:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/GrayJe0.htm\">Jerry Gray<\/a> (Defensive Backs), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/HensGe0.htm\">George Henshaw<\/a> (Assistant Head Coach), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/MuncMi0.htm\">Mike Munchak<\/a> (Offensive Line), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/SchwJi0.htm\">Jim Schwartz<\/a> (Linebackers) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/SmitSh0.htm\">Sherman Smith<\/a> (Running Backs)\n\n\n<\/p><p><strong>Stadium:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/stadiums\/NAS00.htm\">Adelphia Coliseum<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Founder\/Owner\/Chairman\/President\/CEO:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/executives\/AdamBu0.htm\">Bud Adams<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\t<p><strong>General Manager\/Executive VP:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/executives\/ReesFl0.htm\">Floyd Reese<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Offensive Scheme:<\/strong> West Coast<\/p>\n\t\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Defensive Alignment:<\/strong> 4-3<\/p>\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t<p><strong>Preseason Odds:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/years\/2000\/preseason_odds.htm\">Super Bowl +800; O\/U: 10.5<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\t<p><strong>Training Camp:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/years\/2000\/training-camps.htm\">Saint Thomas Sports Park (Nashville, Tennessee)<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><!-- div#meta -->\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The Tennessee Titans in 2000 allowed only 11.9 points per game on average for the season. That 16-game span ranks them third best of all time in the category. The mastermind was defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who guided stars like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/B\/BishBl00.htm\">Blaine Bishop<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/K\/KearJe00.htm\">Jevon Kearse<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/G\/GodfRa20.htm\">Randall Godfrey<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/R\/RollSa00.htm\">Samari Rolle<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Titans, remarkably, were not the top defense in this category in 2000 as the Baltimore Ravens allowed over 1.6 points less per game (10.3 average).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"info\" class=\"teams open\">\n\t\n\t  <div id=\"meta\">\n\t\n\n\n\n\t<div class=\"media-item logo\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"teamlogo\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ssref.net\/req\/202311071\/tlogo\/pfr\/rav-2000.png\" alt=\"2000 Baltimore Ravens Logo\">\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportslogos.net\/\">via Sports Logos.net<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/blog\/2016\/06\/redesign-team-and-league-logos-courtesy-sportslogos-net\/\">About logos<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t \n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-template=\"Partials\/Teams\/Summary\">\n  <h2>\n    \n      <span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/rav\/2000.htm\">2000<\/a><\/span>\n      <span>Baltimore Ravens<\/span>\n          \n    <span class=\"header_end\">Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees<\/span>\n  <\/h2>\n  <div class=\"prevnext\">\n  \n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/rav\/1999.htm\" class=\"button2 prev\">Previous Season<\/a>\n  \n  \n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/rav\/2001.htm\" class=\"button2 next\">Next Season<\/a>\n  \n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\n  <strong>Record:<\/strong> 12-4-0, 2nd in\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/years\/2000\">AFC Central Division<\/a>\n  &nbsp;(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/rav\/2000_games.htm\">Schedule and Results<\/a>)\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Coach:<\/strong> \n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/BillBr0.htm\">Brian Billick<\/a> (12-4-0)<\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>Points For:<\/strong> 333 (20.8\/g) 14th of 31<\/p>\n<p><strong>Points Against:<\/strong> 165 (10.3\/g) 1st of 31<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/about\/glossary.htm#expwl\" class=\"tooltip\">Expected W-L<\/a>:<\/strong> 13.5-2.5<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/about\/glossary.htm#srs\"><strong>SRS<\/strong><\/a>: 8.02 (3rd of 31),&nbsp;\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/about\/glossary.htm#sos\"><strong>SOS<\/strong><\/a>: -2.48\n<\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>Playoffs:<\/strong><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/boxscores\/200012310rav.htm\">Won Wild Card 21-3<\/a> vs. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/den\/2000.htm\">Denver Broncos<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/boxscores\/200101070oti.htm\">Won Divisional Round 24-10<\/a> vs. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/oti\/2000.htm\">Tennessee Titans<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/boxscores\/200101140rai.htm\">Won Conference Championship 16-3<\/a> vs. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/rai\/2000.htm\">Oakland Raiders<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/boxscores\/200101280nyg.htm\">Won Super Bowl 34-7<\/a> vs. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/nyg\/2000.htm\">New York Giants<\/a><br><\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Offensive Coordinator:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/CavaMa0.htm\">Matt Cavanaugh<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Defensive Coordinator:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/LewiMa0.htm\">Marvin Lewis<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\n\n\t<p><strong>Other Notable Asst.:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/CollJi0.htm\">Jim Colletto<\/a> (Offensive Line), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/DelRJa0.htm\">Jack Del Rio<\/a> (Linebackers), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/HendDo0.htm\">Donnie Henderson<\/a> (Defensive Backs), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/JackMi0.htm\">Milt Jackson<\/a> (Wide Receivers), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/RyanRe0.htm\">Rex Ryan<\/a> (Defensive Line) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/SmitMi0.htm\">Mike Smith<\/a> (Defensive Assistant\/Defensive Line)\n\n\n<\/p><p><strong>Stadium:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/stadiums\/BAL00.htm\">PSINet Stadium<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Principal Owner:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/executives\/ModeAr0.htm\">Art Modell<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\t<p><strong>VP of Player Personnel\/de facto General Manager:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/executives\/NewsOz0.htm\">Ozzie Newsome<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Offensive Scheme:<\/strong> West Coast<\/p>\n\t\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Defensive Alignment:<\/strong> 4-3<\/p>\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t<p><strong>Preseason Odds:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/years\/2000\/preseason_odds.htm\">Super Bowl +2200; O\/U: 9.0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\t<p><strong>Training Camp:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/years\/2000\/training-camps.htm\">McDaniel College (Westminster, Maryland)<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><!-- div#meta -->\n\n\n\t\n\t\n<ul id=\"bling\">\n\n<li class=\"important special\"><a>2000 Super Bowl Champion<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The Ravens were the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/boxscores\/200101280nyg.htm\">Super Bowl champs<\/a> that year, and a big reason was the play of their outstanding defensive unit. DC Marvin Lewis had the scheme to fit the tremendously talented players in his care. With stars like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/L\/LewiRa00.htm\">Ray Lewis<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/W\/WoodRo01.htm\">Rod Woodson<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/A\/AdamSa00.htm\">Sam Adams<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/B\/BoulPe00.htm\">Peter Boulware<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/S\/SiraTo20.htm\">Tony Siragusa<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/McAlCh00.htm\">Chris McAlister<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/S\/StarDu20.htm\">Duane Starks<\/a>, it is no wonder the unit was so stingy on allowing points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A third team in NFL history was almost as impressive at keeping opponents off the scoreboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"info\" class=\"teams open\">\n\t\n\t  <div id=\"meta\">\n\t\n\n\n\n\t<div class=\"media-item logo\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"teamlogo\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ssref.net\/req\/202311071\/tlogo\/pfr\/chi-1986.png\" alt=\"1986 Chicago Bears Logo\">\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportslogos.net\/\">via Sports Logos.net<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/blog\/2016\/06\/redesign-team-and-league-logos-courtesy-sportslogos-net\/?__hstc=223721476.2ce9b34e14ea05699fbabf72ce676cf6.1688332270288.1701523809352.1701533178793.99&amp;__hssc=223721476.9.1701533178793&amp;__hsfp=899685266\">About logos<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t \n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-template=\"Partials\/Teams\/Summary\">\n  <h2>\n    \n      <span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/chi\/1986.htm\">1986<\/a><\/span>\n      <span>Chicago Bears<\/span>\n          \n    <span class=\"header_end\">Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees<\/span>\n  <\/h2>\n  <div class=\"prevnext\">\n  \n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/chi\/1985.htm\" class=\"button2 prev\">Previous Season<\/a>\n  \n  \n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/chi\/1987.htm\" class=\"button2 next\">Next Season<\/a>\n  \n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\n  <strong>Record:<\/strong> 14-2-0, 1st in\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/years\/1986\">NFC Central Division<\/a>\n  &nbsp;(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/chi\/1986_games.htm\">Schedule and Results<\/a>)\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Coach:<\/strong> \n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/DitkMi0.htm\">Mike Ditka<\/a> (14-2-0)<\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>Points For:<\/strong> 352 (22.0\/g) 13th of 28<\/p>\n<p><strong>Points Against:<\/strong> 187 (11.7\/g) 1st of 28<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/about\/glossary.htm#expwl\" class=\"tooltip\">Expected W-L<\/a>:<\/strong> 13.1-2.9<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/about\/glossary.htm#srs\"><strong>SRS<\/strong><\/a>: 7.60 (2nd of 28),&nbsp;\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/about\/glossary.htm#sos\"><strong>SOS<\/strong><\/a>: -2.71\n<\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>Playoffs:<\/strong><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/boxscores\/198701030chi.htm\">Lost Divisional Round 13-27<\/a> vs. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/was\/1986.htm\">Washington Redskins<\/a><br><\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Offensive Coordinator:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/HughEd0.htm\">Ed Hughes<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Defensive Coordinator:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/TobiVi0.htm\">Vince Tobin<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\n\n\t<p><strong>Other Notable Asst.:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/DoolJi0.htm\">Jim Dooley<\/a> (Offensive Consultant), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/LandGr0.htm\">Greg Landry<\/a> (QB\/WR\/TE), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/LevrJo0.htm\">John Levra<\/a> (Defensive Line), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/McGiDa0.htm\">Dave McGinnis<\/a> (Linebackers) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/StanDi0.htm\">Dick Stanfel<\/a> (Offensive Line)\n\n\n<\/p><p><strong>Stadium:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/stadiums\/CHI98.htm\">Soldier Field<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Secretary of the Board of Directors:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/executives\/McCaVi0.htm\">Virginia Halas McCaskey<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\t<p><strong>General Manager:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/executives\/VainJe0.htm\">Jerry Vainisi<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Offensive Scheme:<\/strong> Smashmouth<\/p>\n\t\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Defensive Alignment:<\/strong> 4-3<\/p>\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t<p><strong>Preseason Odds:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/years\/1986\/preseason_odds.htm\">Super Bowl +300<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\t<p><strong>Training Camp:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/years\/1986\/training-camps.htm\">UW Platteville (Platteville, Wisconsin)<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><!-- div#meta -->\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>You had to know that, like the 2000 Ravens, the Chicago Bears defense would be in the discussion. The Bears thrived in the Buddy Ryan system a year earlier, but since his departure, Vince Tobin took the reins and kept the talented defensive in tip-top shape. The &#8217;86 squad actually allowed less points per game than they did in their Super Bowl year of &#8217;85 (11.7 to 12.4). <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/S\/SingMi00.htm\">Mike Singletary<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/J\/JackVe20.htm\">Vestee Jackson<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/MarsWi00.htm\">Wilbur Marshall<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/McMiSt00.htm\">Steve McMichael<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/H\/HampDa01.htm\">Dan Hampton<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/D\/DentRi00.htm\">Richard Dent<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/P\/PerrWi20.htm\">William Perry<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/D\/DuerDa00.htm\">Dave Duerson<\/a> made up quite a formidable foe for offenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Get That Ball<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Turnovers are the great equalizer in football. How many times have we seen the team with more production on offense fall to defeat because of handing the ball over to their opponents? Here are the defenses in the Super Bowl Era with the most takeaways in a season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"info\" class=\"teams open\">\n\t\n\t  <div id=\"meta\">\n\t\n\n\n\n\t<div class=\"media-item logo\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"teamlogo\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ssref.net\/req\/202311071\/tlogo\/pfr\/was-1983.png\" alt=\"1983 Washington Redskins Logo\">\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportslogos.net\/\">via Sports Logos.net<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/blog\/2016\/06\/redesign-team-and-league-logos-courtesy-sportslogos-net\/?__hstc=223721476.2ce9b34e14ea05699fbabf72ce676cf6.1688332270288.1701685299890.1701723798767.103&amp;__hssc=223721476.5.1701723798767&amp;__hsfp=899685266\">About logos<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t \n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-template=\"Partials\/Teams\/Summary\">\n  <h2>\n    \n      <span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/was\/1983.htm\">1983<\/a><\/span>\n      <span>Washington Redskins<\/span>\n          \n    <span class=\"header_end\">Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees<\/span>\n  <\/h2>\n  <div class=\"prevnext\">\n  \n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/was\/1982.htm\" class=\"button2 prev\">Previous Season<\/a>\n  \n  \n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/was\/1984.htm\" class=\"button2 next\">Next Season<\/a>\n  \n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\n  <strong>Record:<\/strong> 14-2-0, 1st in\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/years\/1983\">NFC East Division<\/a>\n  &nbsp;(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/was\/1983_games.htm\">Schedule and Results<\/a>)\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Coach:<\/strong> \n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/GibbJo0.htm\">Joe Gibbs<\/a> (14-2-0)<\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>Points For:<\/strong> 541 (33.8\/g) 1st of 28<\/p>\n<p><strong>Points Against:<\/strong> 332 (20.8\/g) 11th of 28<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/about\/glossary.htm#expwl\" class=\"tooltip\">Expected W-L<\/a>:<\/strong> 12.2-3.8<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/about\/glossary.htm#srs\"><strong>SRS<\/strong><\/a>: 13.94 (1st of 28),&nbsp;\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/about\/glossary.htm#sos\"><strong>SOS<\/strong><\/a>: .87\n<\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>Playoffs:<\/strong><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/boxscores\/198401010was.htm\">Won Divisional Round 51-7<\/a> vs. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/ram\/1983.htm\">Los Angeles Rams<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/boxscores\/198401080was.htm\">Won Conference Championship 24-21<\/a> vs. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/sfo\/1983.htm\">San Francisco 49ers<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/boxscores\/198401220rai.htm\">Lost Super Bowl 9-38<\/a> vs. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/rai\/1983.htm\">Los Angeles Raiders<\/a><br><\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Offensive Coordinator:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/BugeJo0.htm\">Joe Bugel<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Defensive Coordinator:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/PetiRi0.htm\">Richie Petitbon<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\n\n\t<p><strong>Other Notable Asst.:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/BreaDo0.htm\">Don Breaux<\/a> (Running Backs), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/PeccLa0.htm\">Larry Peccatiello<\/a> (Linebackers), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/RhomJe0.htm\">Jerry Rhome<\/a> (Quarterbacks), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/SpagSt0.htm\">Steve Spagnuolo<\/a> (Player Personnel Intern) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/TorgLa0.htm\">LaVern Torgeson<\/a> (Defensive Line)\n\n\n<\/p><p><strong>Stadium:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/stadiums\/WAS99.htm\">Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Majority Owner:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/executives\/CookJa0.htm\">Jack Kent Cooke<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\t<p><strong>General Manager:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/executives\/BeatBo0.htm\">Bobby Beathard<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Offensive Scheme:<\/strong> Air Coryell<\/p>\n\t\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Defensive Alignment:<\/strong> 4-3<\/p>\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t<p><strong>Preseason Odds:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/years\/1983\/preseason_odds.htm\">Super Bowl +1000<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\t<p><strong>Training Camp:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/years\/1983\/training-camps.htm\">Dickinson College (Carlisle, Pennsylvania)<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><!-- div#meta -->\n\n\n\t\n\t\n<ul id=\"bling\">\n\n<li class=\"important\"><a>1983 NFC Champion<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The 1983 edition of the Washington defense was highly opportunistic. The unit gathered a total of 61 turnovers during the season. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/G\/GreeDa00.htm\">Darrell Green<\/a> had two interceptions and a fumble recovery. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/W\/WillGr21.htm\">Greg Williams<\/a> had two picks and jumped on four loose balls, but free safety <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/MurpMa20.htm\">Mark Murphy<\/a> led the team by grabbing nine errant opposition passes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"info\" class=\"teams open\">\n\t\n\t  <div id=\"meta\">\n\t\n\n\n\n\t<div class=\"media-item logo\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"teamlogo\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ssref.net\/req\/202311071\/tlogo\/pfr\/sea-1984.png\" alt=\"1984 Seattle Seahawks Logo\">\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportslogos.net\/\">via Sports Logos.net<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/blog\/2016\/06\/redesign-team-and-league-logos-courtesy-sportslogos-net\/?__hstc=223721476.2ce9b34e14ea05699fbabf72ce676cf6.1688332270288.1701533178793.1701536463622.100&amp;__hssc=223721476.3.1701536463622&amp;__hsfp=899685266\">About logos<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t \n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-template=\"Partials\/Teams\/Summary\">\n  <h2>\n    \n      <span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/sea\/1984.htm\">1984<\/a><\/span>\n      <span>Seattle Seahawks<\/span>\n          \n    <span class=\"header_end\">Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees<\/span>\n  <\/h2>\n  <div class=\"prevnext\">\n  \n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/sea\/1983.htm\" class=\"button2 prev\">Previous Season<\/a>\n  \n  \n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/sea\/1985.htm\" class=\"button2 next\">Next Season<\/a>\n  \n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\n  <strong>Record:<\/strong> 12-4-0, 2nd in\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/years\/1984\">AFC West Division<\/a>\n  &nbsp;(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/sea\/1984_games.htm\">Schedule and Results<\/a>)\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Coach:<\/strong> \n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/KnoxCh0.htm\">Chuck Knox<\/a> (12-4-0)<\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>Points For:<\/strong> 418 (26.1\/g) 5th of 28<\/p>\n<p><strong>Points Against:<\/strong> 282 (17.6\/g) 5th of 28<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/about\/glossary.htm#expwl\" class=\"tooltip\">Expected W-L<\/a>:<\/strong> 11.5-4.5<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/about\/glossary.htm#srs\"><strong>SRS<\/strong><\/a>: 8.99 (3rd of 28),&nbsp;\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/about\/glossary.htm#sos\"><strong>SOS<\/strong><\/a>: .49\n<\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>Playoffs:<\/strong><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/boxscores\/198412220sea.htm\">Won Wild Card 13-7<\/a> vs. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/rai\/1984.htm\">Los Angeles Raiders<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/boxscores\/198412290mia.htm\">Lost Divisional Round 10-31<\/a> vs. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/mia\/1984.htm\">Miami Dolphins<\/a><br><\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Offensive Coordinator:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/ProcRa0.htm\">Ray Prochaska<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Defensive Coordinator:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/CatlTo0.htm\">Tom Catlin<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\n\n\t<p><strong>Other Notable Asst.:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/DyerGe0.htm\">George Dyer<\/a> (Defensive Line), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/HarrCh0.htm\">Chick Harris<\/a> (Offensive Backs), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/HawkRa0.htm\">Ralph Hawkins<\/a> (Defensive Backs), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/MeyeKe0.htm\">Ken Meyer<\/a> (Quarterbacks), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/MoorSt0.htm\">Steve Moore<\/a> (Receivers), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/TillRu0.htm\">Rusty Tillman<\/a> (Linebackers\/Special Teams) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/VittJo0.htm\">Joe Vitt<\/a> (Quality Control\/Asst. LB)\n\n\n<\/p><p><strong>Stadium:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/stadiums\/SEA98.htm\">Seattle Kingdome<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Principal Owner:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/executives\/NordLl0.htm\">Lloyd Nordstrom<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\t<p><strong>President\/General Manager:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/executives\/McCoMi0.htm\">Mike McCormack<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Defensive Alignment:<\/strong> 3-4<\/p>\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t<p><strong>Preseason Odds:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/years\/1984\/preseason_odds.htm\">Super Bowl +800<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\t<p><strong>Training Camp:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/years\/1984\/training-camps.htm\">Eastern Washington University (Cheney, Washington)<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><!-- div#meta -->\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The Seattle Seahawks defense in 1984 had a real nose for finding the ball and gaining possession of it. Opponents gave up the ball 63 times to Seattle on the season. An excellent 38 interceptions (10 by Hall of Fame strong safety <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/E\/EaslKe00.htm\">Kenny Easley<\/a>) fueled the turnover numbers for this defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"info\" class=\"teams open\">\n\t\n\t  <div id=\"meta\">\n\t\n\n\n\n\t<div class=\"media-item logo\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"teamlogo\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ssref.net\/req\/202311071\/tlogo\/pfr\/sdg-1961.png\" alt=\"1961 San Diego Chargers Logo\">\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportslogos.net\/\">via Sports Logos.net<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/blog\/2016\/06\/redesign-team-and-league-logos-courtesy-sportslogos-net\/?__hstc=223721476.2ce9b34e14ea05699fbabf72ce676cf6.1688332270288.1701645328200.1701685299890.102&amp;__hssc=223721476.1.1701685299890&amp;__hsfp=899685266\">About logos<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t \n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-template=\"Partials\/Teams\/Summary\">\n  <h2>\n    \n      <span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/sdg\/1961.htm\">1961<\/a><\/span>\n      <span>San Diego Chargers<\/span>\n          \n    <span class=\"header_end\">Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees<\/span>\n  <\/h2>\n  <div class=\"prevnext\">\n  \n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/sdg\/1960.htm\" class=\"button2 prev\">Previous Season<\/a>\n  \n  \n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/sdg\/1962.htm\" class=\"button2 next\">Next Season<\/a>\n  \n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\n  <strong>Record:<\/strong> 12-2-0, 1st in\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/years\/1961_AFL\">AFL West Division<\/a>\n  &nbsp;(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/sdg\/1961_games.htm\">Schedule and Results<\/a>)\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Coach:<\/strong> \n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/GillSi0.htm\">Sid Gillman<\/a> (12-2-0)<\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>Points For:<\/strong> 396 (28.3\/g) 3rd of 8<\/p>\n<p><strong>Points Against:<\/strong> 219 (15.6\/g) 1st of 8<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/about\/glossary.htm#expwl\" class=\"tooltip\">Expected W-L<\/a>:<\/strong> 11.2-2.8<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/about\/glossary.htm#srs\"><strong>SRS<\/strong><\/a>: 11.06 (2nd of 8),&nbsp;\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/about\/glossary.htm#sos\"><strong>SOS<\/strong><\/a>: -1.58\n<\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>Playoffs:<\/strong><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/boxscores\/196112240sdg.htm\">Lost Championship 3-10<\/a> vs. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/oti\/1961.htm\">Houston Oilers<\/a><br><\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t<p><strong>Other Notable Asst.:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/DaviAl0.htm\">Al Davis<\/a> (Offensive Assistant), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/FaulJa0.htm\">Jack Faulkner<\/a> (Defensive Backs) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/NollCh0.htm\">Chuck Noll<\/a> (Defensive Line)\n\n\n<\/p><p><strong>Stadium:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/stadiums\/SDG99.htm\">Balboa Stadium<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Principal Owner:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/executives\/HiltBa0.htm\">Barron Hilton<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Head Coach\/General Manager:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/executives\/GillSi0.htm\">Sid Gillman<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Offensive Scheme:<\/strong> Vertical<\/p>\n\t\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Defensive Alignment:<\/strong> 4-3<\/p>\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\t<p><strong>Training Camp:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/years\/1961\/training-camps.htm\">University of San Diego (San Diego, California)<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><!-- div#meta -->\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The Chargers are generally known for having high-powered offenses, but in the franchise&#8217;s early days, the defense produced more turnovers than a local bakery. The Chargers also returned nine interceptions for touchdowns, which is still an NFL record. The defense was led by cornerback <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/McNeCh00.htm\">Charlie McNeil<\/a>, who had nine interceptions, and linebacker <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/L\/LaraBo20.htm\">Bob Laraba<\/a>, who had five interceptions. The 1961 squad of head coach <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/GillSi0.htm\">Sid Gillman<\/a> and defensive assistants <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/FaulJa0.htm\">Jack Faulkner<\/a> (defensive backs) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/NollCh0.htm\">Chuck Noll<\/a> (defensive line) schemed together a team that produced 66 turnovers by the opposition during the regular season and another seven in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/boxscores\/196112240sdg.htm\">AFL Championship Game<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Keeping the Yardage at a Minimum<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Another great way to measure defensive success is to use the metric of how many yards they let opposing offenses gain per game. The lower this average number, the better the defense is. There are a few that stand out in this category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"info\" class=\"teams open\">\n\t\n\t  <div id=\"meta\">\n\t\n\n\n\n\t<div class=\"media-item logo\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"teamlogo\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ssref.net\/req\/202311071\/tlogo\/pfr\/min-1969.png\" alt=\"1969 Minnesota Vikings Logo\">\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportslogos.net\/\">via Sports Logos.net<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/blog\/2016\/06\/redesign-team-and-league-logos-courtesy-sportslogos-net\/\">About logos<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t \n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-template=\"Partials\/Teams\/Summary\">\n  <h2>\n    \n      <span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/min\/1969.htm\">1969<\/a><\/span>\n      <span>Minnesota Vikings<\/span>\n          \n    <span class=\"header_end\">Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees<\/span>\n  <\/h2>\n  <div class=\"prevnext\">\n  \n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/min\/1968.htm\" class=\"button2 prev\">Previous Season<\/a>\n  \n  \n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/min\/1970.htm\" class=\"button2 next\">Next Season<\/a>\n  \n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\n  <strong>Record:<\/strong> 12-2-0, 1st in\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/years\/1969\">NFL Central Division<\/a>\n  &nbsp;(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/min\/1969_games.htm\">Schedule and Results<\/a>)\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Coach:<\/strong> \n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/GranBu0.htm\">Bud Grant<\/a> (12-2-0)<\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>Points For:<\/strong> 379 (27.1\/g) 1st of 16<\/p>\n<p><strong>Points Against:<\/strong> 133 (9.5\/g) 1st of 16<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/about\/glossary.htm#expwl\" class=\"tooltip\">Expected W-L<\/a>:<\/strong> 12.9-1.1<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/about\/glossary.htm#srs\"><strong>SRS<\/strong><\/a>: 17.58 (1st of 16),&nbsp;\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/about\/glossary.htm#sos\"><strong>SOS<\/strong><\/a>: .01\n<\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>Playoffs:<\/strong><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/boxscores\/196912270min.htm\">Won Divisional Round 23-20<\/a> vs. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/ram\/1969.htm\">Los Angeles Rams<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/boxscores\/197001040min.htm\">Won Championship 27-7<\/a> vs. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/cle\/1969.htm\">Cleveland Browns<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/boxscores\/197001110kan.htm\">Lost Super Bowl 7-23<\/a> vs. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/kan\/1969.htm\">Kansas City Chiefs<\/a><br><\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Offensive Coordinator:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/BurnJe0.htm\">Jerry Burns<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Defensive Coordinator:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/HollBo0.htm\">Bob Hollway<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\n\n\t<p><strong>Other Notable Asst.:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/PateJa0.htm\">Jack Patera<\/a> (Defensive Line)\n\n\n<\/p><p><strong>Stadium:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/stadiums\/MIN99.htm\">Metropolitan Stadium<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Co-Owner:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/executives\/BoyeBi0.htm\">Bill Boyer<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Co-Owner\/President:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/executives\/WintMa0.htm\">Max Winter<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\t<p><strong>General Manager:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/executives\/FinkJi0.htm\">Jim Finks<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Defensive Alignment:<\/strong> 4-3<\/p>\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\t<p><strong>Training Camp:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/years\/1969\/training-camps.htm\">Minnesota State University, Mankato (Mankato, Minnesota)<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><!-- div#meta -->\n\n\n\t\n\t\n<ul id=\"bling\">\n\n<li class=\"important\"><a>1969 NFL Champion<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The 1969 Minnesota Vikings, with a defense known as the \u201cPurple People Eaters,\u201d were as stingy at allowing offenses to gain yardage as they came. The Vikes permitted an average of only 194.29 yards per game. This helped to propel the team to a 12-2 record and advance to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/boxscores\/197001110kan.htm\">Super Bowl<\/a>, where they fell to a pretty good Kansas City team. Defensive coordinator <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/HollBo0.htm\">Bob Hollway<\/a> and head coach <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/GranBu0.htm\">Bud Grant<\/a> coached up the incredible talent of men like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/MarsJi00.htm\">Jim Marshall<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/P\/PageAl00.htm\">Alan Page<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/K\/KrauPa00.htm\">Paul Krause<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/E\/ElleCa00.htm\">Carl Eller<\/a>, and others to this fantastic feat. They repeated very similar numbers of success the following year in 1970.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"info\" class=\"teams open\">\n\t\n\t  <div id=\"meta\">\n\t\n\n\n\n\t<div class=\"media-item logo\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"teamlogo\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ssref.net\/req\/202311071\/tlogo\/pfr\/clt-1971.png\" alt=\"1971 Baltimore Colts Logo\">\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportslogos.net\/\">via Sports Logos.net<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/blog\/2016\/06\/redesign-team-and-league-logos-courtesy-sportslogos-net\/?__hstc=223721476.2ce9b34e14ea05699fbabf72ce676cf6.1688332270288.1701685299890.1701723798767.103&amp;__hssc=223721476.10.1701723798767&amp;__hsfp=899685266\">About logos<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t \n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-template=\"Partials\/Teams\/Summary\">\n  <h2>\n    \n      <span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/clt\/1971.htm\">1971<\/a><\/span>\n      <span>Baltimore Colts<\/span>\n          \n    <span class=\"header_end\">Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees<\/span>\n  <\/h2>\n  <div class=\"prevnext\">\n  \n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/clt\/1970.htm\" class=\"button2 prev\">Previous Season<\/a>\n  \n  \n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/clt\/1972.htm\" class=\"button2 next\">Next Season<\/a>\n  \n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\n  <strong>Record:<\/strong> 10-4-0, 2nd in\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/years\/1971\">AFC East Division<\/a>\n  &nbsp;(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/clt\/1971_games.htm\">Schedule and Results<\/a>)\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Coach:<\/strong> \n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/McCaDo0.htm\">Don McCafferty<\/a> (10-4-0)<\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>Points For:<\/strong> 313 (22.4\/g) 5th of 26<\/p>\n<p><strong>Points Against:<\/strong> 140 (10.0\/g) 2nd of 26<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/about\/glossary.htm#expwl\" class=\"tooltip\">Expected W-L<\/a>:<\/strong> 12.2-1.8<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/about\/glossary.htm#srs\"><strong>SRS<\/strong><\/a>: 10.43 (1st of 26),&nbsp;\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/about\/glossary.htm#sos\"><strong>SOS<\/strong><\/a>: -1.93\n<\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>Playoffs:<\/strong><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/boxscores\/197112260cle.htm\">Won Divisional Round 20-3<\/a> vs. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/cle\/1971.htm\">Cleveland Browns<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/boxscores\/197201020mia.htm\">Lost Conference Championship 0-21<\/a> vs. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/teams\/mia\/1971.htm\">Miami Dolphins<\/a><br><\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Offensive Coordinator:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/IdziJo0.htm\">John Idzik<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t<p><strong>Other Notable Asst.:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/BullHa0.htm\">Hank Bullough<\/a> (Linebackers), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/MillRe0.htm\">Red Miller<\/a> (Offensive Line) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/SandJo0.htm\">John Sandusky<\/a> (Defensive Line)\n\n\n<\/p><p><strong>Stadium:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/stadiums\/BAL99.htm\">Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Principal Owner:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/executives\/RoseCa0.htm\">Carroll Rosenbloom<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\t<p><strong>General Manager:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/executives\/KlosDo0.htm\">Don Klosterman<\/a><\/p>\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<p><strong>Defensive Alignment:<\/strong> 4-3<\/p>\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\t<p><strong>Training Camp:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/years\/1971\/training-camps.htm\">McDaniel College (Western Maryland College) (Westminster, Maryland)<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><!-- div#meta -->\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The 1971 Baltimore Colts defense was one of the most dominant units in NFL history. They allowed a league-low 140 points and 203.7 yards per game, and they intercepted 28 passes. The defense was led by defensive linemen <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/S\/SmitBu00.htm\">Bubba Smith<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/N\/NewsBi20.htm\">Billy Newsome<\/a> and linebackers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/C\/CurtMi00.htm\">Mike Curtis<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/MayxRa20.htm\">Ray May<\/a>. They also had up-and-coming legends like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/H\/HendTe00.htm\">Ted Hendricks<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/L\/LogaJe00.htm\">Jerry Logan<\/a>, among others, as opposing offenses were in for a long day. The Colts were one of the best-ever units at squelching opposing offensive production, allowing a little over 200 yards per contest. This defensive unit was a significant reason why the team won the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/boxscores\/197101170clt.htm\">Super Bowl<\/a> the previous year in 1970.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As you have seen, defenses can be effective and legendary in different ways, whether preventing scoring, suffocating yardage gains, or taking the ball away from the opposition. Defenses come in many different varieties, each with advantages that can lead to winning ball games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1706652102390\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Who was the best defense in NFL history?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">We have named some of the top defenses in NFL history, each with unique claims to fame that place them on this list. Many say the mid-&#8217;80s Bears or the early 2000s Ravens units are the greatest defenses ever. The beauty of questions like this is that there are no right or wrong answers. It is subjective to the criteria and the stats. You are fortunate to be on Pro-Football-Reference.com, where we have the data to look at football history in multiple ways to find your answer. <\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>Join our Sports Reference Community<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<h3><strong><em>Of Statheads:<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.stathead.com\/sport\/football\">Subscribe to Stathead<\/a>, the most powerful research tools in sports, and find any player, team, season, game, and any play. With over 80 different search tools for baseball, basketball, football, and hockey, you\u2019ve got infinite answers at your finger tips.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stathead.com\/sport\/football\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/bbr-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Stathead-1024x180.png\" alt=\"Purple Stathead sign up button. Get your first month free. \" class=\"wp-image-19\" width=\"271\" height=\"47\"><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n<h3><strong><em>With Our Email Newsletters:<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p>Sign up for our newsletter and get curated stats, recaps, and more from the Pro Football Reference to your inbox every morning. No commitment, unsubscribe at any time.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/email\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/pfr-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/pfr-fbr-1.png\" alt=\"Green Pro Football Reference newsletter sign up button\" class=\"wp-image-15\" width=\"161\" height=\"51\"><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<h3><strong><em>On Social Media:<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p>Stay connected with Pro Football Reference on social media! Bringing you stats, trivia, and more on all our channels daily.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/pfref\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Twitter<\/a> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/profootballreference\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Instagram<\/a> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Pro.Football.Reference\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Facebook<\/a> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@profootballreference\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">TikTok<\/a> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/sportsreference\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">YouTube<\/a> &#8211;  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/SportsReference\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Reddit<\/a> &#8211; <strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/sports-reference-llc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">LinkedIn<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p><em>Follow the rest of the Sports Reference sites on social <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/blog\/sports-reference-social-media\/\">here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>(last updated on January 10, 2026) Introduction It is an age-old water cooler conversation between sports fans of who is the best NFL defense of all time. There are differing opinions on what determines what great defense is and who deserves the title. This article lists some of the best defenses in NFL history and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[42,18,11,8,41,13],"class_list":["post-292","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-top-lists","tag-best-nfl-defenses","tag-football-history","tag-football-stats","tag-nfl","tag-nfl-defense","tag-nfl-stats"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Top NFL Defenses of All Time (by statistical categories) - Pro Football Reference<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Checkout this list of best NFL defense of all time on pro-football-reference.com\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/pfr-blog\/2024\/01\/best-nfl-defense-all-time\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Best NFL Defense All Time\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Checkout this list of best NFL defense of all time on pro-football-reference.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/pfr-blog\/2024\/01\/best-nfl-defense-all-time\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Pro Football Reference\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-01-30T22:03:30+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-01-10T20:27:13+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/pfr-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/PFR-Social-Preview-Images-Evergreen-Blog-Posts.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"630\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Darin Hayes\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Best NFL Defense All Time\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"Checkout this list of best NFL defense of all time on pro-football-reference.com\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/pfr-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/PFR-Social-Preview-Images-Evergreen-Blog-Posts.png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Darin Hayes\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"14 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pro-football-reference.com\\\/pfr-blog\\\/2024\\\/01\\\/best-nfl-defense-all-time\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pro-football-reference.com\\\/pfr-blog\\\/2024\\\/01\\\/best-nfl-defense-all-time\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Darin Hayes\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pro-football-reference.com\\\/pfr-blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/77b77d9e8a72e980ecd81a32632d273b\"},\"headline\":\"Top NFL Defenses of All Time (by statistical categories)\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-01-30T22:03:30+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-01-10T20:27:13+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pro-football-reference.com\\\/pfr-blog\\\/2024\\\/01\\\/best-nfl-defense-all-time\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":2514,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pro-football-reference.com\\\/pfr-blog\\\/2024\\\/01\\\/best-nfl-defense-all-time\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cdn.ssref.net\\\/req\\\/202311071\\\/tlogo\\\/pfr\\\/mia-2021.png\",\"keywords\":[\"best nfl defenses\",\"football history\",\"football stats\",\"nfl\",\"nfl defense\",\"nfl stats\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Top Lists\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":[\"WebPage\",\"FAQPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pro-football-reference.com\\\/pfr-blog\\\/2024\\\/01\\\/best-nfl-defense-all-time\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pro-football-reference.com\\\/pfr-blog\\\/2024\\\/01\\\/best-nfl-defense-all-time\\\/\",\"name\":\"Top NFL Defenses of All Time (by statistical categories) - 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