Best NFL Football Defensive Teams of All Time

Throughout the history of the NFL great defensive teams have dominated games and won the Super Bowl. In the 44 years of Super Bowl play there have been 15 games were defenses held their opponents to 10 points or less.

Whether the play comes from shutdown cornerbacks, fierce linebackers or dominating defensive lines; overpowering defensive units make it easy on their offensive units. Many of those defenses live up to their well earned nicknames.

The “Doomsday Defense” Of The Dallas Cowboys

Two of the most feared defensive units in NFL history have hailed from Dallas. Doomsday Defense I and II came up big and helped the Cowboys win Super Bowl VI and Super Bowl XII. It is often argued that the first coming of the Double D was the better of the two but we don’t see a lot of difference between either unit.

In Super Bowl VI the Cowboys were led by a defense that is one of just four units that did not allow an offensive touchdown in the big game. That game is still the only one in Super Bowl history where a defense held their opponents to just three points as the Cowboys ended the Dolphins hopes of a perfect season with a 27-3 victory.

The second coming of the Doomsday Defense was just as good as the original one. In Super Bowl XII the Cowboys shut down the Denver Broncos and won 27-10. The score is somewhat misleading as the Broncos were only able to complete eight passes for 61 yards and the Dallas defense forced eight turnovers. For the first and only time in Super Bowl history two players (DE Harvey Martin & DT Randy White) were named co-MVP’s.

The Purple People Eaters Clash Against The Steel Curtain

Two of the greatest defensive units of all time clashed in Super Bowl IX when the Minnesota Vikings faced the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite featuring two of the games best quarterbacks of the era in Fran Tarkenton and Terry Bradshaw the final score was a low one at 16-6 as the Steelers won their first of six Super Bowls. The final total is still the second lowest scoring game in Super Bowl history behind the Dolphins 14-7 over the Redskins in Super Bowl VII.

The Steelers and their vaunted Steel Curtain defense limited the Vikings to 119 yards of total offense, nine first downs and just 17 rushing yards. They also limited Tarkenton to just 11 completions for 102 yards, had three interceptions and recorded the first safety in Super Bowl history. The Vikings only score was a touchdown return on a blocked punt and the point after attempt failed.

Great Defensive Units Earn The Best NFL Nicknames

Some of the best nicknames belong to the great defensive units in the NFL. In the 1970s the Denver was known as “Orange Crush” as they were led by the great DE Lyle Alzado. When legendary Cowboys coach Tom Landry said he couldn’t remember the name of a single Dolphins defensive player, they earned the moniker of “No-Name Defense” that was especially prevalent during their undefeated 1972 season.

Other nicknames for great defenses include the Bears “Monsters of the Midway” the Jets “New York Sack Exchange” and the Dolphins “Killer Bees”. Defense is serious business but these nicknames bring a lighter side to the rough and tough life in the trenches of the NFL.