The Top Five 3-4 Defenses of the Decade

I know it's been a long time since I've written. What with school and studying for my SOLs, I've been a busy man, or kid I should say. My last article was about the top five quarterbacks of the decade, so if you haven't read it yet please do.

Picking the top five 3-4 defenses of the decade was actually a little harder than I thought. There were so many to choose from. After a great deal of thought, research, and advice from my friends, I'm ready.

So without further ado, here are your top five 3-4 defenses of the decade.
If you want to read about the top 5 4-3 defenses, here's the link.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/394272-top-5-4-3-defenses-of-the-decade

#5 2007 New England Patriots

The first thing that comes to your mind when you think of the 2007 Patriots is Randy Moss and Tom Brady, and their perfect season right? You're not thinking of their defense.

Well I am and even though it wasn't number one in the league, it did help the Patriots go undefeated that season. And that's the only reason why it's on this list. You can't go 16-0 and have a terrible defense. It's just not realistic.

It also wasn't like they hadn't been great all decade up to that point. Their defense, led by linebacker Tedy Bruschi and head coach Bill Belichick, had put up some solid stats over the years. Plus making four Super Bowls in one decade, and winning three of them never hurt either.

Total stats are:

6th Pass Defense 190.1
10th Rushing Defense 98.2
2nd Sacks 47
4th Yards Per Game 288.3
4th Points Per Game 17.1
6th INTs 19
4th Total Defense

#4 2009 New York Jets

As soon as ex-defensive coordinator Rex Ryan took over as head coach, this team was destined to be great. He took this team and transfromed it into something to fear, especially their defense.

In his first year, he made the Jets' defense number one in the league by using his zoneblitzing schemes that constantly kept the enemy guessing.
Darrell Revis, CB, solidified his place as the best CB in the league by shutting down the likes of Andre Johnson, Terrell Owens, Ochocinco twice, and Randy Moss twice.

Though they finished with a 9-7 record, they did enough to secure a spot on my list.

Total stats are:

1st Pass Defense 153.7
8th Rush Defense 98.6
18th Sacks 32
1st Points Per Game 14.8
1st Yards Per Game 252.3
13th INT'S 17
1st Total Defense

#3 2004 Pittsburgh Steelers

Can anybody guess why they're number three? If you picked (because you're a biased Steelers fan) then you have the wrong answer.

They're number three for three reasons.

1. They were actually the number one defense that year and for the second time all decade.

2. They had a 15-1 record that year. They could have gone 16-0 had it not been for quarterback injuries.

3. They helped Big Ben to go 13-0 in his rookie season. Anybody who says otherwise is a complete idiot and does not know the Steelers. They knocked down two, maybe three undefeated teams that year, and there is no way Big Ben did it all by himself.

Total Stats are:

1st Pass Defense 161.2
1st Rush Defense 81.2
1st Yards Per Game 258.4
1st Points Per Game 15.7
7th Sacks 41 (not as low as it seems, Falcons had highest with 48)
9th INTs 19

#2 2008 Baltimore Ravens

Suprised I picked these guys? I know. I'm actually a little suprised at myself, but I have to give them the number two spot.

The 2008 Ravens defense was a defense that scared me at times. Then Ravens defensive coordinator, Rex Ryan, used to dial up some nasty, complex blitzes that always kept the enemy guessing. He excelled at disguising where the blitz was coming from by giving the offense many looks and formations.

The only knock against them is that they could never top the Steelers for the number one defense that year. Even when they played the Steelers, their defense still got outperformed, but not by much I might add.

That didn't stop the players from excelling, especially Ed Reed who had nine INTs that year and returned the longest pick in NFL history for 108 yards.

Total stats are:

2nd Pass Defense 179.7
3rd Rush Defense 81.4
11th Sacks 34
3rd Points Per Game 15.2
1st INTs 26
2nd Yards Per Game 261.1
2nd Total Defense

#1 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers

Or as I like to call them the Steel Curtain 2.0.

This group of defenders are the best compliment to the Steel Curtain of the 70s that I have ever seen. They played with the same fiery passion that their predecessors did.

They were the definition of defense that year and their style of play is the main reason I'm such a defensive-minded guy. I love the blitz heavy 3-4 zone blitz packages that Dick Lebeau utilizes, and the defense as a whole executes so sucessfully.

This defense, unlike last year's, was the king of the fourth quarter. They allowed no points in the fourth quarter during their final six games. That really says something.

This defense was number one overall all year and they played like they were week in and week out. Opposing offenses could not find success against them.

Think about it. They had the best pass rushing duo between James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley, a monster of a nose tackle clogging up the running lanes, and the best safety in the league, Troy Polamalu who had a career high seven picks that year.

There biggest moment to shine was in the AFC Championship Game. They picked off Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco three times and sacked him four times en route to their Super Bowl victory against the Arizona Cardinals.

Total stats are:

1st Pass Defense 156.9
2nd Run Defense 80.2
2nd Sacks 51
1st Points Per Game 13.9
1st Yards Per Game 237.2
6th INTs 20
1st Total Defense

Honorable Mention 2008 Dallas Cowboys

Yeah I picked the Boys. Even though the Cowboys aren't my favorite team, they did have an excellent defense that year. They lead the league in sacks with 59. So for that they get an honorable mention from me.

Conclusion

This ends my Top Five 3-4 Defenses of the Decade. This is my first slideshow ,so please feel free tell tell me how well or great I did in the comments.

Since the article had majority Steelers and Ravens defenses, I thought this picture was appropiate.

Here's the link to my Top 5 biggest impact players for the Steelers in 2010. Enjoy.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/393460-top-5-biggest-impact-players-for-the-steelers-in-2010