30 greatest defenses in NFL history
30. ’50s Lions
The Detroit Lions have a legacy of great defensive linemen. Whether it be members of the ‘silver rush’ of the 1970s and ’80s, or the likes of Ndamukong Suh in more recent times, the Lions have had some wonderfully, disruptive linemen. Players of the quality of Roger Brown, William Gay, Bubba Baker, Darris McCord. Many of these linemen will pay homage to the great defense of the ’50s, and in particular, lineman Les Bingaman.
The Lions’ defensive line of the ’50s was excellent, but it was the secondary that is more famous, labeled ‘Chris’ Crew’ after star safety Jack Christiansen. The Hall of Fame star was an outstanding leader of an outstanding secondary. There were various people apart of ‘Chris’ Crew’, many of which were excellent defensive players. Christiansen was joined by fellow Hall of Famer, Yale Lary, alongside Jim David, Bob Smith and Karl Karilivacz.
These five make up one of the greatest secondaries of all time and helped make the Lions’ one of the most successful franchises of the ’50s. The defense helped the Lions to three NFL championships in six years as they battled with the Cleveland Browns year in year out. Linebacker Joe Schmidt joins Christiansen and Lary in the Pro Football Hall of Fame to make one of the greatest defenses, and in particular, backfields, seen in the NFL.
Next: 29. '83 Raiders