Are the Seahawks the greatest defense in NFL history? (Video)

[FairWarning]

A better question is can the greatest defenses of past eras play in today's NFL? No

 

[HacheMan]

A better question is can the greatest defenses of past eras play in today's NFL? No

The bigger problem I have with teams mentioned long ago, such as the 76 Steelers Ace brought up (no offense Ace), is that I don't believe there was as much parity in the league back then compared to later....

 

[Vlad the Impaler]

Imagine what Peyton Manning could do to a 1970's defense....He changed the play? What? 7 defenders look up. Ball is snapped. 3 receivers arent covered while everyone looks to stick Trent Richardson.

 

[FearTheRaven]

Now that I think about it, the 2006 Baltimore defense may have been better than 2000

 

[FairWarning]

Imagine what Peyton Manning could do to a 1970's defense....He changed the play? What? 7 defenders look up. Ball is snapped. 3 receivers arent covered while everyone looks to stick Trent Richardson.

The defense had advantages also - headslaps, mugging the receivers, later hits to the qb. Manning wouldn't feel so comfortable with shots to the head that weren't flagged. Could 240 pound DL's compete today? No. The Fridge was a freak in 1985, now he would be the smallest lineman.

 

[vitterd]

Hard to compare. The game is so different from 85'. The athletes and players are soooo much better now. The 85' bears would have been flagged every other play if they played by todays rules.

 

[Albatross]

Hard to compare. The game is so different from 85'. The athletes and players are soooo much better now. The 85' bears would have been flagged every other play if they played by todays rules.

But the players today are nowhere near as tough as the older guys. Probably a wash. 85 bears were that dominate and feared. This year's Seattle team isn't feared on D from a physical standpoint. They are just athletic. The Balty D of 2000 was feared from a physical standpoint.

Seattle probably has the best secondary of all time.

 

[Enfuego]

But the players today are nowhere near as tough as the older guys. Probably a wash. 85 bears were that dominate and feared. This year's Seattle team isn't feared on D from a physical standpoint. They are just athletic. The Balty D of 2000 was feared from a physical standpoint.

Seattle probably has the best secondary of all time.

Kam Chancellor, Averill and Bennett are very physical players as is E. Thomas for his size. People forget Bobby Wagner is also an all pro that will hit you in the mouth. Nobody wants to go over the middle on Chancellor.

 

[Albatross]

Kam Chancellor, Averill and Bennett are very physical players as is E. Thomas for his size. People forget Bobby Wagner is also an all pro that will hit you in the mouth. Nobody wants to go over the middle on Chancellor.

They will not be remembered as a physical D. Maybe the best, but not the most physical. Not one of those players are as bad as Ray Lewis was back in 2000. Now saying that, they are better imo than that Raven D.

 

[The Guesser]

Imagine what Peyton Manning could do to a 1970's defense....He changed the play? What? 7 defenders look up. Ball is snapped. 3 receivers arent covered while everyone looks to stick Trent Richardson.

Imagine what Mel Blount could do to today's WR's playing under the rules of back then. Peyton's Receivers wouldn't even get off the LOS against Blount.

 

[Creeg]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDqOxGK3J40

 

[RunLeeRun]

A pretty strong arguement can be made for the Seahawks. The 85 Bears held teams to an avg of 11.4 vs 14.2 for the 13 seahawks. 1985 the league averaged 15 ppg vs 27 ppg in 2013.

I think your numbers might be off.... a lot. The NFL has never averaged anywhere near 27 pts per team over a season....and 15 ppg would be eons ago....

1985 NFL ave 21.5 ppg
2014 NFL ave 22.5 ppg

link

 

[Creeg]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCo_ThcnSSI<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ZCo_ThcnSSI?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Akillies]

[h=1]1985 Chicago Bears[/h]

Franchise Index: Previous Season / Next Season
15-1-0, Finished 1st in NFC Central Division · 1985 NFL Season Summary
SRS: Total 15.9, Offense: 6.5, Defense: 9.4, SoS: -0.2, avg is 0.0.
Scored 456 points (28.5/g), 2nd of 28 in the NFL. Allowed 198 points (12.4/g), 1st.
Differential of 258 points (16.1/g), 1st. Expected W-L: 14.1-1.9.
Coach: Mike Ditka (15-1-0)
Offensive Coordinator: Ed Hughes
Defensive Coordinator: Buddy Ryan

 

[Akillies]

1968 Baltimore Colts



Franchise Index: Previous Season / Next Season
13-1-0, Finished 1st in NFL Coastal Division · 1968 NFL Season Summary
SRS: Total 17.9, Offense: 8.0, Defense: 9.9, SoS: -0.6, avg is 0.0.
Scored 402 points (28.7/g), 2nd of 16 in the NFL. Allowed 144 points (10.3/g), 1st.
Differential of 258 points (18.4/g), 1st. Expected W-L: 12.9-1.1.
Coach: Don Shula (13-1-0)
Other Notable Asst.: Chuck Noll (Defensive Backfield)

 

[Akillies]

[h=1]1975 Pittsburgh Steelers[/h]Franchise Index: Previous Season / Next Season
12-2-0, Finished 1st in AFC Central Division · 1975 NFL Season Summary
SRS: Total 14.2, Offense: 5.4, Defense: 8.8, SoS: -0.9, avg is 0.0.
Scored 373 points (26.6/g), 5th of 26 in the NFL. Allowed 162 points (11.6/g), 2nd.
Differential of 211 points (15.1/g), 1st. Expected W-L: 12.3-1.7.
Coach: Chuck Noll (12-2-0)
Defensive Coordinator: Bud Carson

 

[Akillies]

[h=1]2014 Seattle Seahawks[/h]

Franchise Index: Previous Season
12-4-0, Finished 1st in NFC West Division · 2014 NFL Season Summary
SRS: Total 8.4, Offense: 0.6, Defense: 7.8, SoS: 0.1, avg is 0.0.
Scored 394 points (24.6/g), 10th of 32 in the NFL. Allowed 254 points (15.9/g), 1st.
Differential of 140 points (8.8/g), 2nd. Expected W-L: 11.8-4.2.
Coach: Pete Carroll (12-4-0)
Offensive Coordinator: Darrell Bevell
Defensive Coordinator: Dan Quinn

 

[Akillies]

[h=1]1972 Miami Dolphins[/h]

Franchise Index: Previous Season / Next Season
14-0-0, Finished 1st in AFC East Division · 1972 NFL Season Summary
SRS: Total 11.0, Offense: 4.5, Defense: 6.5, SoS: -4.3, avg is 0.0.
Scored 385 points (27.5/g), 1st of 26 in the NFL. Allowed 171 points (12.2/g), 1st.
Differential of 214 points (15.3/g), 1st. Expected W-L: 12.2-1.8.
Coach: Don Shula (14-0-0)
Offensive Coordinator: Howard Schnellenberger
Defensive Coordinator: Bill Arnsparger

 

[Akillies]

[h=1]2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers[/h]

Franchise Index: Previous Season / Next Season
12-4-0, Finished 1st in NFC South Division · 2002 NFL Season Summary
SRS: Total 8.8, Offense: -1.0, Defense: 9.8, SoS: -0.6, avg is 0.0.
Scored 346 points (21.6/g), 18th of 32 in the NFL. Allowed 196 points (12.2/g), 1st.
Differential of 150 points (9.4/g), 2nd. Expected W-L: 12.7-3.3.
Coach: Jon Gruden (12-4-0)
Offensive Coordinator: Bill Muir
Defensive Coordinator: Monte Kiffin

 

[RunLeeRun]

72 dolphins SoS says it all. -4.3 when 0 is average. The undefeated record is a paper tiger.