30 greatest defenses in NFL history
3. ’69-’71 Vikings
During a three year period as the ’60s became the ’70s, the Minnesota Vikings boasted the best defense in all of football. In three consecutive years, they allowed 9.5, 10.2 and 9.9 points per game. These three years stand at second, fourth and seventh in the history of a 14 game season. The Vikings’ defense wasn’t just the best for one season, but for fhtree consecutive years. That is very special indeed.
Known as the Purple People Eaters, and for good reason, the Vikings were a quarterback’s worst nightmare. In the ’71 season, defensive tackle Alan Page became the first defensive player to win league MVP, illustrating the devastation that this defense caused. The Vikings defense allowed the fewest total yards in ’69 and ’70, and were beaten by only the Baltimore Colts in ’71.
Alan Page is joined in the Hall of Fame by Carl Eller, and alongside Jim Marshall and Gary Larsen, the four made up one of the most feared defensive lines in history. Their motto, “Meet at the quarterback” epitomized the physical dominance they possessed. In ’69, all four made the Pro Bowl. Only Marshall missed out the year after, and in ’71 Eller and Page represented the Eaters. Any of the three years could have been chosen to represent the Vikings’ awesome defense, illustrating the quality of the Purple People Eaters.
Next: 2. '85 Bears