30 greatest defenses in NFL history
28. ’67 Rams
Lamar Lundy, Merlin Olsen, Deacon Jones, Roger Brown. The Fearsome Foursome. Arguably the most famous and well-recognized defensive line in the history of Pro Football, the St Louis Rams’ defense was based around their premium linemen. Throughout the ’60s, the Rams were the most feared defensive line in football. It was 1967, however, where they were at their destructive best.
Leading the NFL in points allowed with only 196 through the season, the Los Angeles Rams, after years of potential, came to the fore. Riding the impressive defense to an 11-1-2 regular season record, the Rams were considered one the best sides in the country. Not only was the defense exceptional, the Rams also boasted the highest scoring offense. Such was the Rams dominance, they had a points differential per game of 14.4.
This defense would be much more highly considered if the Rams had gone on to postseason success. Unfortunately, they lost to the Packers in the divisional round. Deacon Jones and Merlin Olsen have been inducted into the Hall of Fame, with Jones recording an unofficial record of 26 sacks in 1967. Official sack records did not exist until 1982, so Jones’ incredible achievements have never truly been realized. Although the Rams did not go on to win a championship, the numbers that the defense put up and the explosive quality of the Fearsome Foursome pay testament to them making this list.
Next: 27. '68 Colts