Fansided

30 greatest defenses in NFL history

By Andrew Dowdeswell

Aug 15, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; General view of golden NFL shield logo in the end zone to commemorate Super Bowl 50 during the preseason NFL game between San Francisco 49ers and the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 15, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; General view of golden NFL shield logo in the end zone to commemorate Super Bowl 50 during the preseason NFL game between San Francisco 49ers and the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 12, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detail view of a Washington Redskins helmet logo prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detail view of a Washington Redskins helmet logo prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

26. ’43 Redskins

One of the greatest rivalries of the WWII era was between the Washington Redskins and the Chicago Bears. The first major matchup between the two franchises came in the NFL Championship game in 1940. The Chicago Bears, considered the best team in the country at the time, destroyed the Redskins, winning by an unbelievable 73 points, shutting out the Redskins in the process.

It is still an NFL record for the most one-sided victory, and was the foundation for a rivalry between the two franchises over the ensuing years. The two met in the ’42 Championship game, this time the Raiders were victorious 14-6. The two sides possessed the best two defenses in both ’42 and ’43 seasons, however, although the Bears went on to win the ’43 Championship, it was the ’43 Redskins’ defense that was the most impressive.

Allowing only 137 points, the Redskins’ defense shut out one of the better league offenses in the Giants in the division play off round. The team had three All Pro players on the roster that year including the incredible Sammy Baugh, who completed “The Triple Crown,” leading the league in passing yards, punting yards and interceptions. The Hall of Fame player led an impressive backfield, however, he was unable to bring the NFL Championship home.

Next: 25. '96 Packers

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