Quote:Not sure how that is true in this case, when its the builder building for us now. So its not following someone else.

 

It's cyclical.  I believe we were a bit too quick to usher in the new "era of offense" with the rules changes that favored/protected receivers and QBs.  This is the pendulum swinging back again.  Seattle is playing an aggressive defense rather than letting the offense take it to them, based on knocking WRs off routes, moving the QB off the spot, and in turn breaking the timing between the two.

 

Naturally, the instinct was to think offense.  But, it's still defense that wins championships.  You can't simply expect to outscore the other team, and that's why Denver lost and is loading up defensively in free agency.  Seattle's aggressiveness (and effectiveness) was a wakeup call and reminder that defense still matters.

 

You could say that 2006 marked the new "offensive" era.  From 2000-2005, every single SB winner had a top 10 defense measured by PPG.  That changed with the Colts, who in 2006 was ranked TWENTY THIRD in that same category.  They were also dead last in getting off the field on 3rd down.

 

From 2006-2013, even with this being the new "offensive era," five of the eight SB winners were either top 10 in PPG or 3rd down defensively.

 

So, only three SB winners in the "offensive" era have relied on their offense to do the heavy lifting:  2006 Colts, 2009 Saints, and 2011 Giants.

 

While many teams have rushed to embrace this new era of offensive focus, the majority of those taking home the hardware play top notch defense.  Fewer win without it.

---