30 greatest defenses in NFL history
5. ’60s Packers
Under the legendary Vince Lombardi, the ’60s Packers are considered by many to be the greatest dynasty of all time. Much of their success was built upon a rock solid defense, one that stood through the ages. The ’62 Packers Championship winning side had no less than five Hall of Fame players. Defensive linemen Willie Davis and Henry Jordan, linebacker Ray Nitschke (the only linebacker to be named on the NFL’s 50th and 75th anniversary teams), cornerback Herb Adderly and the league leader in interceptions, safety Willie Wood. Linebackers Dan Currie and Bill Forester also made All-Pro level in ’62. That is some lineup.
The ’62 unit had three shutouts, holding opponents to 10.8 points per game and beat the Giants 16-7 in the NFL Championship game. Those seven points were scored on a blocked point. Lombardi’s Packers then went on to win Super Bowl I in 1966. That defense had many of the same elite players. Alongside the aforementioned five Hall of Famers was fellow Hall of Famer linebacker Dave Robinson. He, Nitschke and Lee Roy made one of the greatest linebackers trios of all time, and were the basis of Lombardi’s dominant defense. In ’66, the Packers allowed nearly 50 points fewer than the next best defense in the NFL, and were the only team to restrict passing yards to below 2000.
Throughout the ’60s, the Packers’ defense never slipped out of the top-four for points allowed. Not only were ’62 and ’66 two of the greatest individual defensive seasons of all time, but the Packers’ defense was one of the best in the league for the whole decade. The combination of Lombardi’s organization, individual talent and longevity make this one of the greatest defenses in the history of Pro Football.
Next: 4. '69 Chiefs