Greatest NFL Defense

[magic fingers]

Since the NFL season's a little more than a month away, I thought I'd ask the following question; What NFL team do you think had the greatest defense? IMO, it's definitely the 2000 Ravens. Certainly not as popular as the '85 Bears, or the Steelers of the 70's. but I the Ravens set records for the fewest point allowed in a 16 game season(165), fewest rushing yards allowed in the Super Bowl era(970) and lowest ypc (2.7). They were at the very least the greatest run defense. Plus they had to carry a lousy offense, and they accomplished this in an era where there were more rules protecting the offense(chuck rule, roughing the passer).
Of course I must admit I'm a little biased since I'm a Ravens fan. What do you guys think?

 

[The Fallen Angel]

70's steelers pick any of their superbowl years they were unstoppable. Then the 85 bears, followed by the 2002 bucs then the 2000 ravens

 

[RobAce]

The '85 Bears is pretty much agreed on by a majority of sports writers and historians as the greatest single one season defense...and even to a degree many say one year team.

I agree with them.

Rob

 

[magic fingers]

70's steelers pick any of their superbowl years they were unstoppable. Then the 85 bears, followed by the 2002 bucs then the 2000 ravens

The '00 Ravens defense was statistically superior to all those teams. Not to mention they had to carry a lousy offense, and played in an era where there were a lot more rules protecting the offense(roughing the passer, the chuck rule). Hell in the 70's defenses could bodyslam QB's and mug receivers

 

[Fangz]

I'm going with the 2000 Ravens as well.

 

[ticklingfeet4fu]

The New York Sack Exchange from the early 80's.

Joe Klecko
Marty Lyons
Abdul Salaam
Mark Gastineau

They actually set the sack record at that time in 1981. They were a tough bunch to face.

Now that is my homer pick ( a good one but a homer one ).

I would say, the Steelers of the 70's.

Bradshaw was good but those teams won because of the defense over a PROLONG period of time whereas the Ravens did it once. I'll take that dominate defense that helps you win SEVERAL times over winning just once.

 

[magic fingers]

The New York Sack Exchange from the early 80's.

Joe Klecko
Marty Lyons
Abdul Salaam
Mark Gastineau

They actually set the sack record at that time in 1981. They were a tough bunch to face.

Now that is my homer pick ( a good one but a homer one ).

I would say, the Steelers of the 70's.

Bradshaw was good but those teams won because of the defense over a PROLONG period of time whereas the Ravens did it once. I'll take that dominate defense that helps you win SEVERAL times over winning just once.

Nothing wrong w/being a homer. I'm the worlds biggest Ravens homer. And I agree, the Steelers of the 70's were probably the most dominant over an extended period of time. But for one year, I think the '00 Ravens D was the best.

 

[The Fallen Angel]

The '00 Ravens defense was statistically superior to all those teams. Not to mention they had to carry a lousy offense, and played in an era where there were a lot more rules protecting the offense(roughing the passer, the chuck rule). Hell in the 70's defenses could bodyslam QB's and mug receivers

i will never agree with you im a diehard steelers fan.. its againist the rules lol

 

[alchemy]

I've got to go with the 2000 Ravens as well.

Their defense allowed Trent Dilfer to win a Super Bowl.

Nuff said.

 

[magic fingers]

i will never agree with you im a diehard steelers fan.. its againist the rules lol

OK, fair enough. Here's to the most intense rivalry in the NFL - Ravens-Steelers

 

[RobAce]

One other thing the Raven's had in 2000 that the 70's Steelers and 85 Bears did not. A Bye Week.

85 Bears still better.

Rob

 

[FlockOfSeagulls]

One other thing the Raven's had in 2000 that the 70's Steelers and 85 Bears did not. A Bye Week.

85 Bears still better.

Rob

I agree...

I think we have left out a few defenses that need to be represented. The Purple people eaters, The Cowboys Doomsday Defense of the 70`s and the Giants defense of the late 80`s early 90`s

 

[alchemy]

One other thing the Raven's had in 2000 that the 70's Steelers and 85 Bears did not. A Bye Week.

85 Bears still better.

Rob

The 85 Bears had Walter Peyton.

The 70's Steelers had Bradshaw, Franco Harris, Lynn Swan, etc..

The 2000 Ravens had...Trent Dilfer

Ravens

 

[b0xr]

The teams represented so far are amongst the best ever but how could you all forget the 1986 NY Giants defense. Two letters...LT That was as awesome a defense as all the others. Carl Banks and Harry Carson at LB Those guys really got after the QB. The recent Giants teams had excellent D's too (ask Tom Brady) but wait until this year. The unit they have now, with Osi coming back, is going to be down right SCARY

 

[FlockOfSeagulls]

The 85 Bears had Walter Peyton.

The 70's Steelers had Bradshaw, Franco Harris, Lynn Swan, etc..

The 2000 Ravens had...Trent Dilfer

Ravens

sorry, not buying what you are selling.

Payton was great, but Ravens had a young Jamal Lewis and shannon sharpe. Both offenses were mediocre at best.

 

[magic fingers]

One other thing the Raven's had in 2000 that the 70's Steelers and 85 Bears did not. A Bye Week.

85 Bears still better.

Rob

But the Ravens opponents in 2000 also had a bye week to rest up, so it's not like they had some sort of advantage.

 

[magic fingers]

sorry, not buying what you are selling.

Payton was great, but Ravens had a young Jamal Lewis and shannon sharpe. Both offenses were mediocre at best.

Not quite. The Bears had a solid sometimes explosive offense in '85, scoring 456 points - 2nd in the NFL that year. The '00 Ravens only scored 333 points, 14th in the league. They also went 5 games without scoring a TD! Sure they had Sharpe, Jamal Lewis, and Priest Holmes, but they had no wideouts, and no passing attack whatsoever.