The NFL's greatest Defenses

[SonnyCID]

You basically gave the answer as to why I don't consider the Falcons in this particular discussion. You agree that they don't belong with the 70's Steelers as an era....why not? The Steelers had the actual talent year after year, repeatedly showing how truly great they were. The 1977 Falcons are just that. One year, and basically irrelevant before and after.

As I said, football is unique in that teams play certain divisions rotating yearly. All the stars lined up for them in 1977, but couldn't come close to repeating that defensive success simply because they weren't that good in the first place. The term 'one year wonder' comes to mind. That's what makes the 70's Steelers or the 80's Bears stand out.

But we dont just talk about eras. Usually when discussing top units we aknowledge the year: 2000 Ravens, 99 Rams, 85 Bears... One year wonder or not, that one year holds its own against other great yearly units. The schedule doesnt doesnt just flukely give teams record setting years. And like I pointed out before, that 77 Falcons schedule was not much worse than the 76 Steelers.

 

[Ricky Roma]

But we dont just talk about eras. Usually when discussing top units we aknowledge the year: 2000 Ravens, 99 Rams, 85 Bears... One year wonder or not, that one year holds its own against other great yearly units. The schedule doesnt doesnt just flukely give teams record setting years. And like I pointed out before, that 77 Falcons schedule was not much worse than the 76 Steelers.

I think when discussing 'best ever' we should focus far, FAR more on a 5 year span or such rather than just one year. That the 1977 Falcons hold a defensive record that any of the Steelers defenses can't match, yet there were no other Falcons defense from that era which accomplished anything remotely close to what that one year did, proves my point. It's a fluky, one year wonder with very average talent and everything aligned itself perfectly.

 

[SonnyCID]

I think when discussing 'best ever' we should focus far, FAR more on a 5 year span or such rather than just one year. That the 1977 Falcons hold a defensive record that any of the Steelers defenses can't match, yet there were no other Falcons defense from that era which accomplished anything remotely close to what that one year did, proves my point. It's a fluky, one year wonder with very average talent and everything aligned itself perfectly.

Idk how much the stars aligned for them when they had one of the worst offenses of all time to provide support.

 

[Ricky Roma]

Idk how much the stars aligned for them when they had one of the worst offenses of all time to provide support.

Which again, further proves my point about how fluky it was - accomplishing what it did despite a garbage offense. At least for the most part, when you say '85 Bears', well they were still excellent in 1984, 1986, 1987 and 1988. Same thing when talking about the '1999 Rams offense.' They were still awesome in 2000 and 2001. '76 Steelers?' Obviously year after year. Those units repeatedly proved that it was talent and not some one year bullshit, which is exactly what the 1977 Falcons defense was.

 

[SonnyCID]

Which again, further proves my point about how fluky it was - accomplishing what it did despite a garbage offense. At least for the most part, when you say '85 Bears', well they were still excellent in 1984, 1986, 1987 and 1988. Same thing when talking about the '1999 Rams offense.' They were still awesome in 2000 and 2001. '76 Steelers?' Obviously year after year. Those units repeatedly proved that it was talent and not some one year bullshit, which is exactly what the 1977 Falcons defense was.

Of course you would like to sustain excellence. But if you don't, it doesn't make accomplishments irrelevant. I think that accomplishments are also easy to dismiss when you have 40 years of hindsight and that accomplishment isn't accompanied by a decade of great play. Let's say that the Jaguars have a record setting defense in 2016, like 12 points per game type year while having the worst offense in the league... In 2017 they come back to earth and go back to being the Jags.... I would still consider that one of the best defensive years of all time.

 

[Ricky Roma]

Of course you would like to sustain excellence. But if you don't, it doesn't make accomplishments irrelevant. Let's say that the Jaguars have a record setting defense in 2016, like 12 points per game type year while having the worst offense in the league... In 2017 they come back to earth and go back to being the Jags.... To me, I would still consider that one of the best defensive years of all time.

I wouldn't because it would take me all of 5 seconds to see through the bull. You just have to KNOW they aren't that good, so why would I accept it simply because of one year of numbers (probably against a garbage schedule full of bottom dwelling offenses/catching offenses without their best players/playing in a division full of crap offenses/etc.) I just won't acknowledge that while knowing there were far, far better/more talented defenses that won't get the credit they deserve.

Guess we'll have to agree to disagree.

 

[GNG]

30 greatest defenses in NFL history

1985 Chicago Bears
2000 Baltimore Ravens
1976 Pittsburgh Steelers
1966 Green Bay Packers
1973 LA Rams

 

[PatsFan2003]

The only thing I don't like about the list is how they vary from single season teams to multiyear teams.

Are they seriously suggesting that the Cowboys had a top 10 defense of all time for 14 years?

I saw that too. They did have an excellent defense for that long period.

 

[Anointed One]

That Saint defense in the 80's/90's was fun to watch... Their LB's were off the hook... Sam Mills, Rickey Jackson, Pat Swilling and Vaughn Johnson were simply amazing...

 

[flyerhawk]

I saw that too. They did have an excellent defense for that long period.

A top 10 defense of all time for 15 years? Pretty hard to believe that.

 

[Schmoopy1000]

the defense that gets very little credit, but I think is one of the best ever, was the Saints defense in the late 80's to early 90's.
They just had the absolute worst offense to go with a great defense of all the great defenses ever mentioned. I remember the defenses begging just get us to double digits (10) & we will win the game for us. Often times outscoring their own offense. Could only imagine what that defense could have done with a decent offense to hold onto the ball for more than 3 plays.

I did win plenty of bets on them though. Living in the bay area at the time & the niners being a high powered team. It was easy for me to get 7 points from my friends when they played & the saints always kept within 7 of them LOL.

Anyhow. I believe they belong in the conversation of the best ever. Not their fault the rest of the team sucked!

So if the subject is best defense & not best team with a great defense, they belong in the discussion

 

[LongtimeRamsFan42]

I will never forget the 85' Bears and the 86' Giants. Both teams had AMAZING Defenses...

 

[Ricky Roma]

The Cowboys from 1964 to 1978 ranked no worse than 10th in points and yards allowed. Of course, there were only 14 or 16 teams or so for a good chunk of that run - up until 1970. Still....the Doomsday Defense at their peak were certainly an excellent unit.

 

[PatsFan2003]

A top 10 defense of all time for 15 years? Pretty hard to believe that.

Were they in the top 10. The doomsday defense was a standard for many years.

 

[boogiewithstu2007]

I would say....

1. 85 Bears
2. 2000 Ravens
3. 76 Steelers
4. 2013 Seahawks
5. 2002 Bucks

Top 5 best defenses of all time...