30 greatest defenses in NFL history
1. ’76 Steelers
The Steel Curtain are the best defense to ever take to the field. They formed the Steelers’ dynasty of the ’70s and brought four Super Bowl rings back to Pittsburgh. It was however, a non-Super Bowl winning year that saw the famed Steelers’ defense rise to new heights. Despite a season schedule of over 0.500, and losing four of their first five games, the Steelers led the league in total yards and points allowed by a wide margin.
This statistical dominance is even more impressive when you consider the score of the first five games. The Steelers conceded 30 or more points twice in the opening three weeks. After that, they allowed more than six points three times. They allowed a point in only four of their last nine games, and 28 points in total. Through weeks 7-9 they achieved three consecutive shut outs, with five through the season. An NFL record.
Personnel wise, the Steelers were stacked at every position. Joe Greene, Jack Lambert, Jack Ham and Mel Blount are all in the Hall of Fame, and in ’76, no less than eight defenders were chosen for the Pro Bowl, with Lambert being named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year. It was the very essence of domination, pounding opposition offenses week in, week out. In the words of John Madden: “These old Steelers’ defenses were the greatest.”