I did a lot of research to come up with the top 10 defenses in NFL history. I left out some good defenses and there is definitely some bias as the majority of defenses are of those I watched. Let’s get to it.
1973 Los Angeles Rams
I have the Rams at 10 because I just love their defensive line nickname, The “Fearsome Foursome.” Led by fierce DE Deacon Jones and DT Merlin Olsen, they got the nod because they disliked playing my favorite player of all time Fran Tarkenton because they would tire out chasing him. If you haven’t seen Deacon Jones’s head slap, I encourage you to google it. Certainly, a personal foul in this ERA.
2015 Denver Broncos
Led by DE Von Miller, the Broncos only allowed 283 yards per game. They carried the Broncos to a Super Bowl victory by beating the Carolina Panthers 24-10. Not only that but they also dominated a New England Patriots offense led by Tom Brady in the AFC Championship to get there.
2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers had dominance at all levels. Their defensive line had DT Warren Sapp and DE Simeon Rice who applied tremendous pressure. LB Derrick Brooks had a nose for the football and was one of the best coverage linebackers I have ever witnessed. CB Ronde Barber was excellent in coverage and S John Lynch was a ball hawk and a fierce hitter. They led the Buccaneers to a dominating Super Bowl victory over the Oakland Raiders by scoring three pick 6s.
2013 Seattle Seahawks
The “Legion of Boom” had a very tough front 7. LB Bobby Wagner was one of the best in the game and CB Richard Sherman was a lockdown corner. They dominated a Denver Broncos offense that is considered one of the best ever in Super Bowl XLVII by the score of 43-9.
1991 Philadelphia Eagles
The 91 “Gang Green” Eagles defense was robbed of a Super Bowl. QB Randall Cunningham suffered a torn ACL in the first game of the season, crushing the Eagles offense. Their front seven was dominant, led by DE Reggie White, DT Jerome Brown, DE Clyde Simmons, LB Seth Joyner, and DE Eric Allen. They beat up on opposing quarterbacks as they led the league in sacks and turnovers.
1969 Minnesota Vikings
The “Purple People Eaters” had one of the fiercest defensive lines in football. DE Jim Marshall, DE Carl Eller, and DT Alan Page were household names. DB Paul Krause who is in the HOF has the most interceptions in NFL history. They allowed less than 10 points a game but sadly lost to a great Kansas City Chiefs team in the Super Bowl.
2000 Baltimore Ravens
Teams simply couldn’t run against them. DT Tony Siragusa swallowed up the middle, and LB Ray Lewis was everywhere on the field. A top 3 LB to ever play the game. S Ed Reed was as dominate a safety as they come. They single-handedly carried the Ravens to a Super Bowl win as their offense was anemic to say the least.
1986 New York Giants
The 86 Giants weren’t the best stats wise but they were dominant. They were led by the best LB to ever play the game in Lawrence Taylor who could do it all, rush the QB, chase down running backs from behind, and cover the best tight ends. They had 59 sacks but were always applying pressure. They dominated the playoffs by only allowing 3 points to a 49ers team led by HOF QB Joe Montana and then shutting out the Redskins to make it to the Super Bowl in which they won.
1976 Pittsburgh Steelers
The “Steel Curtain” would be the top defense if it were over a period of time. They were dominant for several years but the 76 defense stands out. They were feared by opposing offenses and they would knock your block off. LB Jack Lambert was as mean as they come and maybe the most intimidating player pre-snap the NFL has ever seen. They also had Hall of Famers in DT “Mean” Joe Greene, LB Jack Ham, and CB Mel Blount. Plus, LB L.C. Greenwood was no slouch either.
1985 Chicago Bears
The 85 Bears are recognized by many as the best defense of all time. They were relentlessly pressuring the quarterback with Defensive Coordinator Buddy Ryan’s 46 blitz scheme defense. Opposing quarterbacks had no time to throw the football which led to 54 takeaways. They had stars at every level most notably LB Mike Singletary and DE Richard Dent. They dismantled and manhandled every team they faced in the playoffs on their way to beating the Patriots 55-10 in Super Bowl XX.
