NJSeahawk
Active member
Note...this is not my research.
I was wondering where this defense stacks up, so I compiled the stats for all the best defenses (based on points allowed) since 1966. Here is how they did:
Points Allowed Per Game (League Average)
1977 Atlanta Falcons - 9.2 (17.2)
1969 Minnesota Vikings - 9.5 (20.9)
1975 Los Angeles Rams - 9.6 (20.6)
1976 Pittsburgh Steelers - 9.9 (19.2)
1971 Minnesota Vikings - 9.9 (19.4)
37. 2013 Seattle Seahawks - 14.4 (23.4)
Difference - League Average Points Allowed vs. Points Allowed
1969 Minnesota Vikings - 11.4
1975 Los Angeles Rams - 11
2000 Baltimore Ravens - 10.4
1968 Baltimore Colts - 10.2
1966 Green Bay Packers - 10.1
11. 2013 Seattle Seahawks - 9
Yards Per Play Allowed
1969 Minnesota Vikings - 3.4
1971 Minnesota Vikings - 3.4
1973 Miami Dolphin - 3.7
1977 Atlanta Falcons - 3.7
1976 Pittsburgh Steelers - 3.8
27. 2013 Seattle Seahawks - 4.4
Turnovers Per Game
1977 Atlanta Falcons - 3.4
1985 Chicago Bears - 3.4
1976 Pittsburgh Steelers - 3.3
1972 Miami Dolphins - 3.3
1971 Minnesota Vikings - 3.2
24. 2013 Seattle Seahawks - 2.4
Yards Allowed Per Completion
1970 Minnesota Vikings - 7.4
1969 Minnesota Vikings - 7.7
1979 Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 8.3
2008 Pittsburgh Steelers - 8.3
2007 Indianapolis Colts - 8.5
9. 2013 Seattle Seahawks - 8.9
Yards Per Rushing Attempt
2000 Baltimore Ravens - 2.7
2010 Pittsburgh Steelers - 3
1967 Los Angeles Rams - 3.1
1969 Minnesota Vikings -3.2
1976 Pittsburgh Steelers - 3.2
10. 2014 Seattle Seahawks - 3.4
Statistically, it's hard to argue that this Seattle Seahawks defense is the best of all time when looking at single season performances. The way that we need to judge this team is by their longevity. From 2012-14 the Seahawks led the NFL in points allowed, the first time that's ever happened since the Vikings in 1969-71. Another thing we must remember is that the rules have changed to favor the offense. The league average for points allowed has steadily risen since 2009 and 2008 marked the first season ever where the league was above 21.8. The highest league average for points allowed was 2013 when the Seahawks had their best year defensively.
Of course, when looking at defenses the eye-test comes into effect as well, and I think that's where the Seahawks shine. Not often has the best defense in the league played a bend-not-break style. This is reflected by the high number of yards allowed (Ranks: 2012 - 47; 2013 - 33; 2014 -29). For me, this defense is near the top for the eye-test. After watching the 2000 Ravens and 2002 Buccaneers, I'd say this Seahawks team fits in with the best defenses of all time, they're just doing it with their own style.
I was wondering where this defense stacks up, so I compiled the stats for all the best defenses (based on points allowed) since 1966. Here is how they did:
Points Allowed Per Game (League Average)
1977 Atlanta Falcons - 9.2 (17.2)
1969 Minnesota Vikings - 9.5 (20.9)
1975 Los Angeles Rams - 9.6 (20.6)
1976 Pittsburgh Steelers - 9.9 (19.2)
1971 Minnesota Vikings - 9.9 (19.4)
37. 2013 Seattle Seahawks - 14.4 (23.4)
Difference - League Average Points Allowed vs. Points Allowed
1969 Minnesota Vikings - 11.4
1975 Los Angeles Rams - 11
2000 Baltimore Ravens - 10.4
1968 Baltimore Colts - 10.2
1966 Green Bay Packers - 10.1
11. 2013 Seattle Seahawks - 9
Yards Per Play Allowed
1969 Minnesota Vikings - 3.4
1971 Minnesota Vikings - 3.4
1973 Miami Dolphin - 3.7
1977 Atlanta Falcons - 3.7
1976 Pittsburgh Steelers - 3.8
27. 2013 Seattle Seahawks - 4.4
Turnovers Per Game
1977 Atlanta Falcons - 3.4
1985 Chicago Bears - 3.4
1976 Pittsburgh Steelers - 3.3
1972 Miami Dolphins - 3.3
1971 Minnesota Vikings - 3.2
24. 2013 Seattle Seahawks - 2.4
Yards Allowed Per Completion
1970 Minnesota Vikings - 7.4
1969 Minnesota Vikings - 7.7
1979 Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 8.3
2008 Pittsburgh Steelers - 8.3
2007 Indianapolis Colts - 8.5
9. 2013 Seattle Seahawks - 8.9
Yards Per Rushing Attempt
2000 Baltimore Ravens - 2.7
2010 Pittsburgh Steelers - 3
1967 Los Angeles Rams - 3.1
1969 Minnesota Vikings -3.2
1976 Pittsburgh Steelers - 3.2
10. 2014 Seattle Seahawks - 3.4
Statistically, it's hard to argue that this Seattle Seahawks defense is the best of all time when looking at single season performances. The way that we need to judge this team is by their longevity. From 2012-14 the Seahawks led the NFL in points allowed, the first time that's ever happened since the Vikings in 1969-71. Another thing we must remember is that the rules have changed to favor the offense. The league average for points allowed has steadily risen since 2009 and 2008 marked the first season ever where the league was above 21.8. The highest league average for points allowed was 2013 when the Seahawks had their best year defensively.
Of course, when looking at defenses the eye-test comes into effect as well, and I think that's where the Seahawks shine. Not often has the best defense in the league played a bend-not-break style. This is reflected by the high number of yards allowed (Ranks: 2012 - 47; 2013 - 33; 2014 -29). For me, this defense is near the top for the eye-test. After watching the 2000 Ravens and 2002 Buccaneers, I'd say this Seahawks team fits in with the best defenses of all time, they're just doing it with their own style.