Best Defense of All Time?

[LakecrestSteeler]

A little early.....but....

With three games to play, the Steelers lead the league in sacks, quarterback hits and takeaways. It’s a feat so remarkable that the last team to do it was the 1974 Steelers defense – a defense easily among the top five of all time.

[Kodiak]

They could be special...That's an interesting stat. It was either the 2008 or 2010 Steelers that was almost #1 across the board - sacks, pts, yards, passing and rushing (I think they ended-up 2nd or 3rd against the pass).

I just don't know. Feels like offenses, and QB play, have been pretty bad this year. No idea how we'd fair against Brees or Rodgers. But if we get to find out that would be the SB! Might have to go thru Mahomes first, though.

[LakecrestSteeler]

I wish we would talk about NFL teams like we do Congress.

Using years to describe teams is awful after about 5 years.

They should be the 98th Steelers or the 101st Steelers, and the same with the Superbowls.

[El Kabong]

Seems a bit early to call this defense GOAT. Let's see them carry this team to a super bowl and then talk about it.

[SteelerDayTrader]

There are no more GOATs in the NFL

The game is a joke now and has been for quite a while. All the games are manipulated to maintain interest and advertising $$$. The rules are COMPLETELY different on every level. Most of the very best "stars" now could not have played in the 70s which was the highpoint of the NFL.

The best defense ever ??

The best I ever saw were the 74' 75' 76' Steelers, 85' Bears 00' Ravens. I would put that 76' team up over them all.

[LakecrestSteeler]

There are no more GOATs in the NFL

The game is a joke now and has been for quite a while. All the games are manipulated to maintain interest and advertising $$$. The rules are COMPLETELY different on every level. Most of the very best "stars" now could not have played in the 70s which was the highpoint of the NFL.

The best defense ever ??

The best I ever saw were the 74' 75' 76' Steelers, 85' Bears 00' Ravens. I would put that 76' team up over them all.

All the rules changes have favored the O. Maybe this makes this Steelers D even more potent than the stats indicate. You can’t take out the best receiver any more. Can’t touch the WR. Interceptions are in a hole below the cellar, closer to China.

Food for thought.

[Kodiak]

First they have to make the playoffs. And then they have to go on a run. Still, REALLY impressive that there hasn't been a single letdown or blowout since we got Minkah.

Of course, you could argue they are only the 3rd best defense in the AFC...so, yeah, calling them best ever is way premature.

[Texas Black & Gold]

Yes the 1976 defense was the best of all time. They started 1-4 then went on to win 9 in a row, giving up only 28 points with 5 shut outs.
Unfortunately they ran into the Oakland Raiders.

[Lynch]

This is a strange time for professional football, and I'm not sure it'd fair, or accurate to try to compare today's D's to any of those of even ten years ago. That said, holy mother of Christ, we have somehow assembled one highly capable of defending today's O's. Colbert is a mastermind, an Einstein type of professional in this modern era of football.

[Kodiak]

Colbert is a mastermind, an Einstein type of professional in this modern era of football.

Credit where due....this is Tomlin's defense.

He's effectively DC now. And I'm sure he has at least veto power over any move Colbert makes. I'd be surprised if they aren't normally very much aligned on personnel decisions.

I think you'll find the best teams have a HC and GM that work very well together.

[steelmann58]

Yes the 1976 defense was the best of all time. They started 1-4 then went on to win 9 in a row, giving up only 28 points with 5 shut outs.
Unfortunately they ran into the Oakland Raiders.

was not the year the lost both Blier and franco too?

[LakecrestSteeler]

Colbert is a mastermind, an Einstein type of professional in this modern era of football.

Credit where due....this is Tomlin's defense.

He's effectively DC now. And I'm sure he has at least veto power over any move Colbert makes. I'd be surprised if they aren't normally very much aligned on personnel decisions.

I think you'll find the best teams have a HC and GM that work very well together.

100% agree with this statement. Probably one or the other finally capitulated this year or last and went all in with the start of the Bell and AB fiascos.

[Texas Black & Gold]

Yes the 1976 defense was the best of all time. They started 1-4 then went on to win 9 in a row, giving up only 28 points with 5 shut outs.
Unfortunately they ran into the Oakland Raiders.

was not the year the lost both Blier and franco too?

yes. Below is a "what if article" from 2007, about if they had played in that game.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2786702

[Kodiak]

100% agree with this statement. Probably one or the other finally capitulated this year or last and went all in with the start of the Bell and AB fiascos.

I don't know that anyone capitulated. Ben's arm fell off and then Minkah fell into their lap.

Who knows if Minkah will be a HOFer. Worth pointing out those great Lebeau defenses were built around HOF DB's - Woodson, and then Troy.

That Minkah started right away is interesting. If we weren't totally desperate it's hard to imagine they wouldn't have "eased him in" not giving him the majority of snaps until he had mastered the playbook after 6-8 weeks.

[LakecrestSteeler]

Yes the 1976 defense was the best of all time. They started 1-4 then went on to win 9 in a row, giving up only 28 points with 5 shut outs.
Unfortunately they ran into the Oakland Raiders.

was not the year the lost both Blier and franco too?

yes. Below is a "what if article" from 2007, about if they had played in that game.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2786702

Wow....5 shutouts in a 9 game winning streak!

[Texas Black & Gold]

was not the year the lost both Blier and franco too?

yes. Below is a "what if article" from 2007, about if they had played in that game.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2786702

Wow....5 shutouts in a 9 game winning streak!

Shutouts are so rare in today's NFL. I wonder if the 70's defenses could match up with the new rules? They were a bunch of tough, hard hitting and talented players.

[Lynch]

Colbert is a mastermind, an Einstein type of professional in this modern era of football.

Credit where due....this is Tomlin's defense.

He's effectively DC now. And I'm sure he has at least veto power over any move Colbert makes. I'd be surprised if they aren't normally very much aligned on personnel decisions.

I think you'll find the best teams have a HC and GM that work very well together.

I will most assuredly give Tomlin props when I feel it is appropriate. Me, being the type of person that I am, may admittedly feel this a less often occurrence than may actually be the case. But I cannot discount the amount of outside talent on this D, in relation to it's effectiveness.

[Steelafan77]

This one may be a little short sighted but my vote for best defense goes to the first defense that breaks Tom Brady's leg...

[Ice]

There are no more GOATs in the NFL

The game is a joke now and has been for quite a while. All the games are manipulated to maintain interest and advertising $$$. The rules are COMPLETELY different on every level. Most of the very best "stars" now could not have played in the 70s which was the highpoint of the NFL.

The best defense ever ??

The best I ever saw were the 74' 75' 76' Steelers, 85' Bears 00' Ravens. I would put that 76' team up over them all.

Where have you gone, Arnie Herber?

Seriously, though, with this year's offensive struggles and injuries, this defense could have folded at any time. They most emphatically did not. MJG mentioned as much. They may not be the 74 group, may not be the 2008 group, but they are special, and worth rooting for, for sure.

[StillerDownSouth]

One thing I have noticed about this D, is we seem to be blitzing much less than we have in the past, I don’t have any stats to back this and may be way off, but just seems like we usually only bring 3 or 4 to rush the passer, with the occasional blitz.

[Kodiak]

One thing I have noticed about this D, is we seem to be blitzing much less than we have in the past, I don’t have any stats to back this and may be way off, but just seems like we usually only bring 3 or 4 to rush the passer, with the occasional blitz.

There rush schemes also seem to have gotten more complex. More stunts and delays. I'm guessing that's a function of coverage giving them longer to get home.

But Heyward and Hargrave are a handful. Dupree and Watt have been monsters. And when you can get pressure with just 3-4, then you have more guys in coverage...which gives the rush more time to get home.


The way NE has been playing on offense, I have no fear with our defense. Not sure if we could score any points on them, though.

[Ice]

Imagine if Tuitt was still on that line.

[StillerDownSouth]

Imagine if Tuitt was still on that line.

Filthy!!

[Ice]

Talk about pressure without blitzing. Sheesh.

[RemoAZ]

I don't know. They've been better this year but I don't see anything that makes me think they are even near the James/Troy lead defenses. They've played really well against some very bad teams this season. If they win a playoff game or beat the Ravens in a couple weeks I'll start believing they're good enough to make another run once Ben is back. Until then, I'm just happy they have a pulse unlike the last whatever it's been, 8 to 10 years that they've been stinking up the joint. But to mention them in the same sentence as some of the great defenses of the past? It's premature to even say it's premature to be talking about that imo.

[MJG75]

I have been enjoying watching this defense play. Not since 2010 have I enjoyed watching a Steelers defense as much as this one. Truly.

They are doing some really great things, and have some great personnel. This personnel doesn't quite stack up to the 2008-2010 defenses (yet), nor certainly the 1974-1976 defenses (won't happen). You have to play who is on your schedule, but they haven't really been challenged that much as yet by a powerhouse offensive team. They have stacked up pretty well against who they have played, and have largely been victors of these battles. Not only that, but after the injuries mounted up, including our legendary QB, they realized then, and realize each week, these games largely ride on their shoulders. So far, they have met the challenge each week.

For the record, the greatest defense to ever play the game was the Steelers defense of 1974-1976. They crushed behemoths. The 74 defense, in particular, not only led the categories mentioned in the OP's article, but they also crushed the run game and anything else opponents tried to do, not just during the regular season but against other great teams (Raiders, Vikings) in the post-season, teams with strong offensive power.

Still, this 2019 defense should not be underestimated, nor has their story been completely written. They have more to tell us. I am looking forward to it.

[franco>madden]

I have been enjoying watching this defense play. Not since 2010 have I enjoyed watching a Steelers defense as much as this one. Truly.

They are doing some really great things, and have some great personnel. This personnel doesn't quite stack up to the 2008-2010 defenses (yet), nor certainly the 1974-1976 defenses (won't happen). You have to play who is on your schedule, but they haven't really been challenged that much as yet by a powerhouse offensive team. They have stacked up pretty well against who they have played, and have largely been victors of these battles. Not only that, but after the injuries mounted up, including our legendary QB, they realized then, and realize each week, these games largely ride on their shoulders. So far, they have met the challenge each week.

For the record, the greatest defense to ever play the game was the Steelers defense of 1974-1976. They crushed behemoths. The 74 defense, in particular, not only led the categories mentioned in the OP's article, but they also crushed the run game and anything else opponents tried to do, not just during the regular season but against other great teams (Raiders, Vikings) in the post-season, teams with strong offensive power.

Still, this 2019 defense should not be underestimated, nor has their story been completely written. They have more to tell us. I am looking forward to it.

What MJ said!

Amen, and good to see your intelligent posts once again, brother

[Pabst]

yes. Below is a "what if article" from 2007, about if they had played in that game.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2786702

Wow....5 shutouts in a 9 game winning streak!

Shutouts are so rare in today's NFL. I wonder if the 70's defenses could match up with the new rules? They were a bunch of tough, hard hitting and talented players.

I was curious, so I looked it up. There were 6 shutouts TOTAL in the 2018 NFL season, and there have been 4 so far in 2019. In 1976, there were 20. Moving back to 1974, there were 17.

[Pabst]

I was curious, so I looked it up. There were 6 shutouts TOTAL in the 2018 NFL season, and there have been 4 so far in 2019. In 1976, there were 20. Moving back to 1974, there were 17.

Now that I'm thinking about this more....there's a pretty easy explanation for the decrease in shutouts: Kickers today are lightyears ahead of where they were in the 70s. 3 of the 5 shutouts in the Steelers '76 season featured a missed FG. Even the best kickers in the 70s were below 50% from 40+. They were lucky to crack 25% from 50+

[Jizz Mop]

To answer thread title

No

But it’s good