5. 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay settled on Raiders coach Jon Gruden in exchange for two first round draft picks (2002, 2003), two second round picks (2002, 2004) and $8 million in cash payments.
Upon his arrival in Tampa Bay, Gruden immediately went to work, acquiring former Jaguars WR Keenan McCardell, and RB Michael Pittman from the Cardinals. The Buccaneers needed to improve their sluggish offense, as the league's sweeping realignment sent them to the new NFC South division, along with Atlanta, Carolina and New Orleans.
The offense made slight improvements during the season, but the strength of the team was the defense. The 2002 Buccaneers became the first team to lead the league in total defense, points allowed, and interceptions since the 1985 Chicago Bears. They also held opposing quarterbacks to an unbelievable 48.4 passer rating for the season. The defensive numbers they finished with were eye-popping. 196 points given up, the fifth-lowest total ever in a 16 game season. The second team to ever face at least 500 passing attempts and allow less than 2500 yards. The eleventh team to record a sack and a takeaway in all 16 games they played. A majority of Tampa's opponents didn't even get to 150 passing yards. Led by this dominating defense, the 2002 Buccaneers achieved their most successful season to date. They won the NFC South title with the team's best ever record, 12–4, and then defeated the 49ers in what became coach Steve Mariucci's last game with that franchise. In a surprising upset, Tampa Bay won their first NFC Championship on the road against the Eagles in the last NFL game ever played at Veterans Stadium. Cornerback Ronde Barber capped off the win by intercepting a Donovan McNabb pass and returning it 92 yards for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
The Buccaneers went on to rout Gruden's former team, the Oakland Raiders, by a score of 48–21 in Super Bowl XXXVII. Gruden's familiarity with the Raiders' players and playbook paid off, as John Lynch and other Buccaneer players recognized some of Oakland's formations and plays at crucial points in the game. After opening 3-3, Rich Gannon dropped back to pass 16 times in the first half. Combining the net yardage of the five passes Gannon completed and the two times he took a sack, Oakland gained 33 yards. Two other Oakland throws were intercepted by the Buccaneers. Those were run back for a total of 34 yards. To reiterate: the best passing attack in the NFL was getting out-gained through the air by the defense it was facing. The insulting thing is, pundits claimed the victory couldn't be the result of a historically excellent defense playing at its best, destroying all challengers and rendering even the best offenses impotent. It was a fluke, or luck, or a hustle. It was a weirdly Tampa outcome: to be a champion who wasn't identified as one, doubted when you literally had nothing left to prove.
4. 1991 Philadelphia Eagles
Game One of the 1991 Season and all the high expectations for a Philadelphia Franchise that was seeking its first Super Bowl Championship. Buddy Ryan had been fired as Head Coach and Rich Kotite took over as the head honcho. On the very first play from scrimmage against the Green Bay Packers in Week #1, Bryce Paup hit Randall Cunningham in the Knee, essentially knocking him out for the season. At this point, most people also thought the Eagles season was over on that play.
At this point, the 1991 Eagles Defense flexed its muscle and was not going down without a fight. The Eagles lead the league against the pass and rush giving up the fewest yards in both categories. Only the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a better pass defense as far as statistics, while only the 2000 Ravens had a better run defense. The 1991 Eagles version was more balanced than both of those teams. The Eagles had a much less competent offense to complement their defense, particularly their running game which when used right can keep the Defense off of the field and refreshed. The Eagles Offense that year also had 43 Giveaways in 1991. So, instead of limiting the other teams offensive opportunities, the Eagles offense actually gave these teams more chances to score. They still only gave up 244 Points, which is an amazing stat considering their enormous amount of turnovers.
Another fact that has to make the Eagles the Number 1 Defense is the fact that the team had the 26th ranked offense and 21st ranked rushing attack that year. Combine that with strength of schedule and you have to seriously consider them as the Number One Defense. That year, the Eagles defense faced 3 Games against Top 3Scoring Offenses and 4 Games against Top 5 Scoring Offenses (Both Scoring/Yards), the Eagles Defense compiled 55 sacks, 26 Interceptions as well as 22 Fumble Recoveries. Reggie White, arguably the Greatest Defensive Player ever to play in the NFL was the anchor of this Eagle’s squad. In 1991, White had 15 Sacks. His counterpart, Clyde Simmons had 13 Sacks. Both Defensive Ends collected 100 Tackles a piece, which is an astounding number for a Defensive End, let alone any two on the same team. At Defensive Tackle, 2 Time Pro Bowler Jerome Brown had 9 Sacks of his own that year and over 50 Tackles.Seth Joyner, who led the Linebacker Corps had 7 Sacks, 6 Forced Fumbles, 3 Interceptions and over 100 Tackles. Byron Evans, his counterpart also had over 100 Tackles for the season. Eric Allen, the leader of the Defensive Backfield, earned his second of six Pro Bowl selections. Andre Waters and Wes Hopkins were the Safeties and no one wanted to face either of them this year. The 1991 Eagles Defense also played in the toughest Division in Football.
The 1991 Eagles Defense led the league in fewest yards allowed against the rush, the pass, and overall. They also led the league in sacks, forced fumbles, and takeaways. Half of the Eagles Total Defense made the 1991 Pro Bowl.According to the DVOA (Defense Adjusted Value Over Average), a system that analyzes efficiency using all sorts of statistical criteria, the Eagles by far had the best Defensive Season when looking at this system. The Eagles Defense scored 20 Total Touchdowns that year, which was FIVE less than the offensive total of 25. That is a huge disparity for anyone that understands football. This defense deserves Top 5 Recognition even in spite of its playoff success.
(Tie) 3. 2013 Seattle Seahawks
In the Super Bowl, the Seahawks absolutely crushed the Broncos offense that scored the most points in regular-season history. But that was just the finishing touch. They allowed 14.4 points per game in a season when the league average was 23.4. They limited opponents to 5.82 yards per pass attempt in a year when the worst team, the Bucs, averaged 6.19 yards per pass. They were best in the league in points allowed, yards allowed, takeaways and opponent passer rating.
"Not only did they perform at the Super Bowl, but they performed all year against a variety of different offenses and good quarterbacks, at home and on the road," Fisher said. "For them to line up and play the 49ers the way they did, with the versatility of that offense, the commitment of the run game and the mobility of the offense, that was impressive."
If the Seahawks defense had played a decade ago the way its did in 2013, it would not have been as impressive. But the advances in offensive football gave the 2013 Seahawks defense unquestioned credibility. "What they did stands out because of the way rule changes have affected offense," said Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome, who played against the Steel Curtain and the Bears in the mid-'80s and put together the 2000 Ravens. "More scoring, the rules favor that. Back in the day, corners could absolutely beat guys up."
The challenges the Seahawks overcame are part of what defined them. "I think it's one of the best defenses ever, but it's hard to compare," said former Cowboys personnel executive Gil Brandt, who has been associated with the NFL since 1960. "The '85 Bears, they played against 'Red' and 'Brown.' There weren't a lot of formations and motion and all of that. Football was simpler than it is now. It was man on man, so to speak. With all of the offensive looks now, it's harder. But I think if this defense had played in 1985 or any year, it would have been pretty good."
The argument also could be made that defensive football has regressed in recent years. New rules limiting offseason preparation and in-season practices have led to a poor tackling epidemic. But the Seahawks went against the trend. "The thing that is outstanding about Seattle is they are very, very good tacklers," Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells said. "The majority of them are good tacklers. They particularly tackle well in the secondary. That is a place where poor tackling shows up. Not there."
Regardless of where their overall defense ranks, the Seahawks might be able to lay claim to the title of best secondary ever. Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon, who serves as the color analyst for Seahawks games on the radio, said he has not seen a better secondary in his 30-year association with the NFL. Some may prefer the 1994 49ers (Deion Sanders, Eric Davis, Merton Hanks, Tim McDonald). Others may pick the 1984 49ers (Ronnie Lott, Eric Wright, Carlton Williamson, Dwight Hicks). Still others will like the1984 Raiders (Mike Haynes, Lester Hayes, Vann McElroy, Mike Davis) But with Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor all being voted All-Pro, the 2013 Seahawks secondary was as effective as any.
The Seahawks secondary plays differently than many of the other great secondaries and most other current ones. These DBs try to interfere with the route running of receivers, both at the line and beyond. "That secondary is well put together, and the cornerbacks get away with holding," Lewis said, echoing a common refrain. "They didn't hold in the Super Bowl, but they did it all year long. They play the game very aggressively."
The Seahawks may be on the borderline of legal coverage. But they are aware of what they are doing. "They know they will be penalized some because of how they play, but the number of penalties they get are worth it when you compare them to the number of plays they make," Moon said. "They push the rules to the limit to their benefit."
Moon rates the Seahawks overall defense with the 1985 Bears and the 2000 Ravens as the best he ever has seen. "With all three, their physicalness and intensity stand out," Moon said. "They never let up the whole game. A lot of that had to do with special players like Ray Lewis with the Ravens, Mike Singletary with the Bears and Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor with the Seahawks."
What we can be sure of is this is one of the best collections of big, athletic, skilled players in history. The Seahawks are pretty special in that regard.
The Seahawks defense could be better positioned to overcome personnel losses than most defenses, however. They were so well coached by Pete Carroll, and as a result are one of the most fundamentally sound defenses in the league. Their system appears to be at least as significant as the players who execute it. They have better depth than most, and a willingness to use it.
General manager John Schneider and his staff have excelled at finding players who fit the parameters of Carroll's defense, and Carroll and his staff has excelled at developing players and defining roles that get the most out of individuals. Super Bowl MVP Malcolm Smith was a seventh-round pick. Sherman and Chancellor were fifth-round picks. No one can assume these players would have excelled in other defenses.
Compared to the other defenses in their class, the Seahawks defense was not star-studded. They had only three players voted to the Pro Bowl. Seven of the nine other top-10 teams had more.
"Coaching has a ton to do with who this defense is," Moon said. "A lot of it is the combination of their size and athleticism and intensity. But then you look at how they have used the talent. They take an inside player like Red Bryant and make him a 325-pound end. Not many people would do that. … You look at how Pete makes this team practice. I've never seen a team go at each other during the regular season like this. They go really hard, so that by the time the game gets here it's just a formality. These players have been conditioned this way since they got to Seattle."
The defense led the league in points allowed (231), yards allowed (4,378) and takeaways (39), the first team to lead all three categories since the 1985 Chicago Bears.
Avril and Clemons each had 28 quarterback hurries; on the other side, non-Leo defensive end Michael Bennett had 8.5 sacks, 17 quarterback hits and 39 hurries. (Bennett's pass-rushing prowess grades out at 20.9, third-best among 4-3 defensive ends, according to Pro Football Focus.) The three combined for 21 sacks, but even if they weren't taking down the quarterback, they were forcing his throws, which helps contribute to the Hawks' league-leading turnover rate (20.1 percent of drives, a ridiculous number).
That pressure interlocked with the Seahawks' incredible pass defense. Despite losing hard-hitting, six-foot-four cornerback Brandon Browner to an indefinite suspension during the regular season, Seattle's secondary remained intimidating. Richard Sherman is one of the best man defenders in the league, allowing just 0.77 yards per coverage snap—second-best behind Darrelle Revis—and a ridiculous 18.3 coverage snaps per reception (translation: for roughly every 18 times Sherman is in coverage, he gives up one reception).
Sherman also led the league with eight interceptions. Hell, the whole secondary was an INT machine. Safeties Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor create a brutal last line of defense, with eight picks and three forced fumbles combined. On the other side, Byron Maxwell's filled in for Browner, with a respectable 0.90 yards per coverage snap and four picks in only 304 snaps. Maxwell is a bit smaller than the linebacker-like Browner, but he's done a solid job in his new starting role. Interception totals tend to be inconsistent and hard to predict, but there's little doubt that the ones Seattle's got in 2013 owe a lot to the pressure created up front.
(Tie) 3. 2015 Denver Broncos
Pound-for-pound, statistic-for-statistic, the ’85 Bears, the ’00 Ravens and the ’13 Seahawks may come out looking better than the ’15 Broncos, but maybe “best” isn’t the question we should be asking.
The question we should be asking is: Are the 2015 Denver Broncos the most-important defense in NFL history? And if that’s the question, then the answer is a resounding yes. In fact, the Denver defense may be the most-important unit, offense or defense, the league has ever seen.
And the case all starts with this stat: 14 of the Denver Broncos’ 19 games were decided by seven points or less, and they went an eye-popping 11-3 in those games, an NFL record.
Of the three other defenses in question, only the ’13 Seahawks (6-3) came close to reaching double digit games decided by a touchdown or less; the ’00 Ravens (4-2) and ’85 Bears (2-0) were quite used to a comfortable lead.
Why is that? Because they had offenses that carried at least some portion of the load, if not a good deal of it.
That was not the case with the Broncos, who only had one victory all season by more than two scores; the Bears (12), the Ravens (8) and Seahawks (8), though, spent the majority of their season blowing opponents out. In fact, in their Super Bowl appearances, both the Bears and Seahawks scored 40-plus points, and the Ravens put up 34.
It may sound odd to say, but none of those three teams needed an all-time great defense; really, they just needed a good-to-great defense, because they all had competent offenses backing them up — top-10 offenses in the cases of Chicago and Seattle.
Not only did the Broncos not have a competent offense; they had an offense that consistently put the defense in losing situations (stats courtesy of Football Outsiders).
Denver’s offense went three-and-out on .276 percent of their drives (30th in the NFL), they threw an interception on .120 percent of their drives (31st in the NFL) and took an average time of 2:32 off the clock; all of that led to the Denver defense being tasked with stopping 195 drives (most in the NFL) with an average starting position of the Broncos’ 29.5-yard line (29th in the NFL).
And despite all those odds being stacked against them, the Denver defense still gave up the least amount of points per drive in the league (1.43).
Neither the Seahawks (5th fewest turnovers/drive; 16th fewest 3-and-outs/drive; 6th best opponent’s starting field position) nor the Ravens (8th fewest turnovers/drive; 9th fewest 3-and-outs/drive; 2nd best opponent’s starting field position) were tasked with overcoming such incompetent offensive performances, and while FO’s stats only go back as far as 1997, the fact that the Bears offense was second best in the NFL should give you some idea of how much help was given to their defense.
And while I think it’s a bit unfair to bring strength of schedule into the equation — you can only play the teams lined up in front of you — it’s worth looking at.
According to FO, the average DVOA of the Broncos’ opponents was 4.1 (8th most-difficult in the league), while the Seahawks’ opponents came in at 0.4 (16th most-difficult), and the Ravens’ opponents came in at -4.8 (24th most-difficult). That’s the difference between facing the Vikings, Raiders or Texans for 16 games, respectively.
The Bears, again, came before FO’s time, so we can’t compare apples to apples, but it is fair to note that they only played five playoff teams during the regular season, while the Broncos faced seven.
All this is to say that no defense has had a bigger impact on a championship than this Denver Broncos group. Sure, pound for pound, you could make the argument that other units have been better, but none have meant more.
This year’s Broncos led the NFL in yards allowed (283.1), pass yards allowed (199.6) and sacks (52) while becoming just the fourth defense since 1970 to lead the league in both net yards per pass (5.1 YPA) and yards per rush (3.3 YPA).
The sort of transformation from 2013 to 2015 is remarkable. After losing to Seattle in Super Bowl XLVIII, Denver added three Pro Bowl players in outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware, cornerback Aqib Talib and safety T.J. Ward the following offseason. Denver then added safety Darian Stewart in March, and it has turned nose tackle Sylvester Williams and linebacker Brandon Marshall — role players on the 2013 Broncos — into starters. As a result, the 2015 Broncos defense doesn’t look or feel all that similar to the 2013 one. Only Von Miller (who missed seven games because of injury or suspension in 2013), Chris Harris Jr., Malik Jackson, Danny Trevathan and Derek Wolfe played at least 45 percent of the team’s snaps in both 2013 and 2015; of course, that’s a pretty excellent core to build around. And the Broncos added defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, long respected as one of the game’s top defensive minds.
This adage of defense carrying the team was perfectly displayed in Super Bowl 50. The Broncos pounded Cam Newton, just as they did Tom Brady in the AFC title game, on the way to a 24-10 upset victory Sunday night. Denver collected seven sacks for 68 yards, recovered three fumbles, intercepted a pass and scored a touchdown.The Broncos managed only 11 first downs and 194 yards against the Panthers and scored their lone touchdown to cap a late 4-yard drive set up by the defense.
So Denver coach Gary Kubiak put the game on the shoulders of Phillips and his defense. That defense was on the field for almost 33 minutes and a staggering 75 plays but slammed the door shut on the best offense in the game, holding the Panthers to a season-low 10 points, 21 below their average. That relentless pass rush sacked Newton a season-high six times and rattled him into an 18-of-41 passing performance.
"We knew the challenge coming into the game," Ware said. "We believed we were up to that challenge."
On Carolina's second possession of the game, Miller beat right tackle Mike Remmers on a speed rush and buried Newton from the front side for an 11-yard sack and more -- a fumble that bounced into the end zone where defensive end Malik Jackson fell on it for a touchdown and a 10-0 lead. It was the sixth defensive touchdown of the season for the Broncos, who won all six of those games.
It was an omen of things to come. And just about every Bronco had a hand in the slaughter. Safety T.J. Ward and linebacker Danny Trevathan also recovered fumbles. Ward intercepted the pass. Miller had 21/2 sacks, Ware two, Stewart and cornerback Chris Harris one apiece and end Derek Wolfe a half sack. Miller also forced two fumbles that led to both Denver touchdowns.
Since 1970, the NFL's No. 1-ranked defense has reached the Super Bowl 14 times. Denver improved the record of those defenses to 12-2 in this game. The Broncos became just the third team in history to reach the Super Bowl with both the No. 1 defense and a 50-sack pass rush, joining those 1985 Bears and the 2008 Steelers. All won Super Bowls.
Defense wins championships in the NFL. Still.
Trailing 16-10 with 4:51 remaining in the game, Newton trotted on the field for what loomed as his legacy drive. He was in position to march the Panthers the length of the field for a potential game-winning touchdown. But the Broncos were not about to let that happen.
On third-and-9 from the 25, Newton stood in the pocket but as he started to step into a throw, Miller knocked the ball out of his hand from the back side for a strip sack. The ball bounced toward the Carolina goal line where Ward pounced on it at the 4. Four plays later, C.J. Anderson plowed into the end zone for Denver's only offensive touchdown, the game clincher. What might tip the scales to this Denver defense are the teams it beat in the postseason to win it all. The Broncos beat the Steelers, Patriots and Panthers. They were the first-, third- and fourth-best scoring teams in the league. That's Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady and Newton, this year's MVP, in successive games. In three postseason games, the Broncos defense turned up the pressure. They had seven takeaways, 33 Quarterback Hits, 13 Sacks, and 25 passes defensed.
Against Pittsburgh, Denver forced two fumbles (recovered one), sacked Roethlisberger three times, and held the Steelers to one touchdown and 16 points. Keeping in mind the Steelers were missing their top target in wide receiver in Antonio Brown, this performance will likely be the least memorable of the Broncos’ run to the Super Bowl.
Still, that is saying a lot when only allowing 16 points to the fourth ranked offense is the worst of the bunch.
Going up against the defending Super Bowl champs New England Patriots, the Denver defense literally crushed Tom Brady and the Patriots high powered offense. In 61 drop backs, the Broncos sacked Brady four times, hitting him another 16 times.
To put that in perspective, no quarterback had taken that many hits in any game this NFL season. Denver forced two interceptions and held the Patriots to 18 points- their second lowest total of the entire season.
Former New England Patriot great Rodney Harrison said he’s never seen a defense take it to Tom Brady like the Broncos did in the AFC championship game.
On the biggest stage, facing the number one scoring offense in the league in Carolina, the Broncos had their best performance of the year. Denver’s defense forced four turnovers, recorded seven sacks, scored the game’s first touchdown, and held the Panthers to ten points and 315 total yards. In other words, complete and total domination.
In the playoffs, against three of the best NFL offenses the Broncos defense allowed 14.6 points per game, and averaged 2.3 turnovers, 4.6 sacks, and allowed only four total touchdowns.
Here is how the Broncos playoff run stacks up against the averages of the other aforementioned greatest championship defenses.
Clearly the 1985 Bears and 2000 Ravens had the best performances in the playoffs and should be considered one and two, respectively, as the best defenses of all time. But compared to the other greats, the 2015 Broncos have every right to be in the conversation.
Denver averaged more sacks in their playoff run than every team except the Bears, and were nearly identical in points allowed to the Seahawks and Buccaneers.
When taking into account offensive opponents faced in the playoffs, the Broncos run is even more impressive. By looking at the offensive production of the opponents these defenses faced in the playoffs we can see that the Denver defense faced the second toughest matchups, only behind the 2013 Seahawks.
Below is a chart that averages the offensive points scored by the opponents these top defenses faced in the playoffs.
(For example, the 2013 Seahawks played the New Orleans Saints- 25.875 PPG, the San Francisco 49ers-25.375 PPG, and the Denver Broncos- 37.875 PPG. Add up the opponents offenses PPG and divide by three- for the divisional round, championship game, and Super Bowl- and you get the opponent’s point total average of 29.7.)
What this shows is how good the offenses were that these teams faced on the road to the Super Bowl.
Ironically, Denver would have had the most impressive run against top offensive opponents if Seattle did not play, off all teams, the 2013 Denver Broncos offense that scored a record 606 points and averaged 37.87 points per game in the 2013 regular season- which inflated the total point average of the opponents the Seahawks faced in the playoffs.
Of all these great defensive teams, the 2015 Denver Broncos is the only team to face opponents in the playoffs that were in the top five in scoring offense during the regular season. As great as the 2000 Ravens and 1985 Bears were, they did not play against offenses of the caliber that Denver had to play this postseason.
Not only were the offenses that Denver faced elite, but they were playing with their own offense that was statistically one of the worst to win a Super Bowl.
Despite having Peyton Manning as their starting quarterback and weapons like DeMaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders on the outside, the Broncos offense did no favors for their defense in the Super Bowl- and for that matter, most of the year. The Broncos offense in 19 games only scored a total of 36 touchdowns, which is tied for the lowest touchdown total of any Super Bowl Champion with the Trent Dilfer led 2000 Ravens’ offense. Yikes.
And in the biggest game of the year, Manning and Denver pretty much laid an egg. The Broncos only managed one touchdown and 194 total yards- the lowest output in Super Bowl history. In short, Denver was literally carried to victory by their defense and that was the case all season long.
2. 2000 Baltimore Ravens
The 2000 Baltimore Ravens defense was superior in nearly every way. In records. In attitude. And, yes, in the Super Bowl itself.
Ray Lewis was the game's best defensive player that season, running sideline to sideline to make plays. In the middle, Sam Adams and Tony Siragusa formed a 700-pound wall inside. On the edges, Peter Boulware, Michael McCrary and Rob Burnett took out quarterbacks on a weekly basis. In the secondary, future Hall of Fame defender Rod Woodson teamed up with two first-round picks, Chris McAlister and Duane Starks, to turn interceptions into touchdowns.
The Ravens posted four shutouts in 2000, the most since the 1976 Steel Curtain defense in Pittsburgh. They allowed the fewest points ever (165) over a 16-game schedule and the fewest rushing yards (60.6 a game), too. Both records still stand today. Before you say that was a different era with different rules, more offenses averaged over 30 points per game in 2000. The Ravens allowed just 10.3 points per game, surrendered 247.9 yard per game and had 49 turnovers on the season. The Ravens forced 26 fumbles and had 26 recoveries. There were 14 different players with at least one fumble recovery and eight with at least one interception.
Beyond the numbers, the Ravens imposed their will on opposing offenses. Teams gave up running the ball on Baltimore, and Cincinnati running back Correy Dillon once refused to go back into a game against Baltimore. Did anyone quit like that against the Seahawks? And if you thought Richard Sherman's trash talking was bad, the Ravens would tell teams all week that they were going to shut teams out then did.
Where the Ravens truly made their mark was in the playoffs. Baltimore's defense gave up one touchdown in four postseason games. The Ravens limited the Broncos, the second-highest scoring team that season (30.3 points), to a field goal. They held the Raiders, the third-highest scoring team (29.9), to a field goal. In 16 quarters in the postseason, the Ravens allowed a total of 16 points.
The Ravens' performance in the Super Bowl was phenomenal, and the numbers back it up. They held the New York Giants to 152 yards. Baltimore picked off four passes, returning one for a touchdown. The Ravens are one of three teams in Super Bowl history not to allow an offense score a point and the only one since the Pittsburgh Steelers did it January 1975. The only points scored against the Ravens in their 34-7 win over the Giants came off a kickoff return for a touchdown.
Some downgrade the Ravens' accomplishments because it was against Kerry Collins. The Giants, though, were coming off an NFC Championship Game in which they scored 41 points. If you're going to hold Collins against the Ravens, you have to credit them for winning with Trent Dilfer as their quarterback. The best way to show the Ravens' dominance on defense is this: Baltimore won a Super Bowl despite Dilfer completing less than half of his passes -- 47.9 percent, to be exact -- in the playoffs.
(Tie) 1. 1985 Chicago Bears
Yards allowed: 258.4 per game (first in the NFL). Points allowed: 12.4 per game (first).
Bill Parcells said this is the best defense he's ever faced. The Bears trampled offenses in the regular season before going on an astonishing playoff run in which they shut out the Giants (21-0) and Rams (24-0), then beat the Patriots by 36 points in Super Bowl XX -- during which they held New England to 7rushing yards. Between coordinator Buddy Ryan and a unit that included some really good players -- defensive ends Dan Hampton and Richard Dent, linebackers Mike Singletary and Otis Wilson and safeties Dave Duerson and Gary Fencik -- Chicago's defense won with both superior scheming and superior talent, collecting 34 interceptions, forcing 54 takeaways and 64 sacks. Not for nothing, Chicago's point differential of 258 remains the fifth-best mark since 1970. Chicago did benefit from having the No. 1 rushing attack that season, which helped limit the amount of time the defense spent on the field. But the bottom line is, the Bears shut people down by relying on man coverage, blitzing a lot and taking away the run. People really couldn't do anything against them.
(Tie) 1. 1976 Pittsburgh Steelers
The team started 1–4 and saw quarterback Terry Bradshaw injured in the week 5 loss to the Cleveland Browns after a vicious sack by Joe "Turkey" Jones that has since become immortalized in NFL Films as part of the Browns-Steelers rivalry.
Despite the setbacks, the Steelers would turn it around behind the strength of the Steel Curtain and its dual threat at running back in Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier, who each rushed for over 1000 yards, finishing 10–4 and posting five shutouts. Rookie quarterback Mike Kruczek wound up going 6–0 starting in place of Bradshaw, largely due to the strength of the ground game. This would also stand as an NFL record for best start for a rookie quarterback until 2004—when the Steelers' own Ben Roethlisberger more than doubled that record and went 13–0 as a starter his rookie season. This was all possible because of the Best Defense in NFL History.
In 2007, ESPN.com named the 1976 Steelers the greatest defense in NFL history, noting, "the 1976 unit was the best. Here's why: 28. That's how many points the Steel Curtain surrendered in the last nine games of the season. That's a total. As a result, Pittsburgh, which started the season 1–4, made it all the way to the AFC Championship Game.... The '76 Steelers didn't have it easy – their opponents had a.528 winning percentage. But they had these guys: Hall of Famers Mean Joe Greene, Jack Lambert, Jack Ham and Mel Blount. And eight Steelers defensive players made the 1976 Pro Bowl team: cornerback J.T. Thomas, defensive end L.C. Greenwood, Greene, Ham, Lambert, defensive back Glen Edwards, safety Mike Wagner, and Blount."
The team needed to win nine straight to make the playoffs. They did, surrendering 28 points TOTAL over the season's last nine games, with five shutouts in that span. Opponents went: 6-0-0-0-3-16-3-0-0. This team allowed a total of two touchdowns over a nine week period. Process that. This team, which outscored opponents by a ridiculous 342-138 (almost 2.5-1) had no business going into the playoffs. For the year they were #1 overall (237.4 y/pg) gave up just 138 points and held 7 of 8 straight opponents to 10 points or less. Five of those came by shutout and the first modern team to record 3 in a row. In fact they only allowed 2 touchdowns in the last 10 games and those came in the same game. A 32-16 win over the Oilers. They had a string of 25 quarters where they didn’t allow a touchdown. They were so good they had to be legislated out of business.
