NFL’s Top Defenses Since 1980 Statistically Ranked By Greatness

6. 2013 Seattle Seahawks: 75 Points

I don’t know about most people, but I’m one who enjoys smash-mouth football. Old-school football. That’s what the 2013 Seahawks brought to the table. They featured one of the greatest secondaries in the last decade, and possibly of all-time, known as the Legion of Boom. Seattle’s 14.4 points per game allowed was nine points better than the league average (23.4).

The Seahawks also forced over two turnovers per game, en route to winning their first Super Bowl in franchise history. The phrase “defense wins championships” couldn’t be more accurate in this case.

Icons: Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor

5. 2005 Chicago Bears: 75 Points

When you think about the Chicago Bears, specifically their defense, Brian Urlacher has to be one of the first names that come to mind. The Bears may have lost in the divisional round of the postseason, but this defense was ferocious. Urlacher, surely headed to the Hall of Fame, led this defense, which also featured talents like Lance Briggs and Nathan Vasher. Although Vasher didn’t have a great career, he was a force in the secondary in 2005.

The team’s 4.4 yards per play was a league low, in addition to their 12.6 points per game allowed. Chicago’s 0.9 average points allowed per drive was also an NFL best, over two full points less than the 32nd ranked Houston Texans (2.29).

Icons: Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, Tommie Harris

Next: A Jon Gruden team comes in at number 4