Quote:  That 1976 Steelers Defense was truly amazing.   That's the season when they lost Terry Bradshaw in game # 5 at Cleveland to a season ending shoulder injury when DE Joe ' Turkey'  Jones grabbed Bradshaw when the play was essentially over and swung him to the ground in mid air.   That didn't stop the Steelers Defense from leading the team to 9 straight wins to close out the regular season when the Steelers had no margin of error.   Back then,  there was only 1 wildcard team per conference.   The Steelers did win the AFC Central Title though.   The Steelers then beat the Colts on the road in the playoffs,  before finally losing in the AFC Championship game to the Raiders.    If not for the injuries to RBs Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier,   I think the Steelers would have won in Oakland,  and ultimately have won the Super Bowl against the Vikings.   

 

  The two best Defensive teams I've ever seen were the 1985 Bears and the 1976 Steelers.    None were more dominant.  

 

For some additional context...

 

1.  I have also referenced the late 1980's Early 90s Ryan Era Eagles as among the most dominant defenses.  Buddy Ryan (Rex Ryan's dad) was the defensive coordinator for that 1985 Bears team.  He created the 46 scheme that Bears team used to legendary effect.  He became head coach in Philadelphia in 1986 and implemented that scheme there.  With an in his prime Reggie White, Jerome Brown (arguably the most physically talented DT ever to come out of Miami), an in his prime Clyde Simmons (yes the same one who played with us), Seth Joyner, Wes Hopkins, Eric Allen, Ryan was able to reproduce the destructive defense he made in Chicago.  He jsut was never able to create an offense good enough to carry its share of the load.

 

2.  Those 70's Steelers ran a 4-3 cover two-the same scheme that Tony Dungy used to create the Tampa with which the Bucs became so dominant under him.

 

If I had to rate the all time best 3-4 defenses it might go something like...(though admittedly this is a work in progress and subject to change with more thought)

 

1.  1986 Giants (LT, Carl Banks, Harry Carson, Pepper Johnson, Leonard Marshall, George Martin)

2.  Cowher era Steelers (Joel Steed, Greg Lloyd, Kevin Greene, Levon Kirkland, Rod Woodson, Carnell Lake)

3.  2015 Denver

4.  Flores era Raiders (Howie Long, Bill Pickel, Lyle Alzado, Ted Hendricks, Lester Hayes, Mike Haynes, Vann McElroy

5.  Belichick era Pats (Seymour, Wilfork, Ted Johnson, Ted Bruschi, Law, Milloy, Harrison)

6.  1977 Orange Crush Broncos (Reuben Carter, Lyle Alzado, Tom Jackson, Randy Gradishar, Louis Wright) 2003-2014 Baltimore Ravens (Haloti Ngata, Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, Ed Reed)

7.  Schottenheimer era Chiefs (Neil Smith, Derrick Thomas, Dale Carter, Bill Maas)

8. Mora era Saints (Pat Swilling, Vaughn Johnson, Sam Mills, Rickey Jackson) 1977 Orange Crush Broncos (Reuben Carter, Lyle Alzado, Tom Jackson, Randy Gradishar, Louis Wright)

9.  Levy era Bills (1988 Smerlas, Bruce Smith, Art Still, Cornelius Bennett, Shane Conlan, Darrell Talley, Nate Odomes)

10.  Walsh era 49ers (possibly most underrated 3-4 defense)

11.  Schottenheimer era Browns (Bob Golic, Clay Matthews Sr., Chip Banks, Hanford Dixon, Frank Minniefield)

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