#1 defense in the NFL (1 Viewer)

[The Man with the Plan]

The Steelers defense is a little overrated. It's good but not great. On the road they're average. They got worked by Tom Brady with 400 yards and 4 touchdowns and have given up game winning and game tying drives against the Jets and Broncos.

Statistically they may be the #1 defense but I'll take the Colts and Patriots D over them any day of the week.

 

[Ghost Rider]

That great Pittsburgh defense just gave up 34 points. FYI - that is not a great defense. I think that's about the same as Cincy gave up vs NE. You are really going to have to give up that overrated Pittsburgh D.

I already mentioned Indy as top 2 in my original post, and I'd agree that Tenn has an excellent defense, as well. If you're going to pick out 2 bad games to judge NE on, then you're going to have to come up with a few teams that have shut down every team they've faced all season to top the Pats. Good luck with your search, and please stop with the injury excuses, it's insulting to the teams you talk about.

The 2000 Ravens gave up 36 points in a home game against Jacksonville. The 1985 Bears gave up 38 points to Miami.

Don't waste your time with facts such as these; he will either ignore them or beat around the bush responding to them, while never really addressing them.

 

[Pipes]

That great Pittsburgh defense just gave up 34 points. FYI - that is not a great defense. I think that's about the same as Cincy gave up vs NE. You are really going to have to give up that overrated Pittsburgh D.

I already mentioned Indy as top 2 in my original post, and I'd agree that Tenn has an excellent defense, as well. If you're going to pick out 2 bad games to judge NE on, then you're going to have to come up with a few teams that have shut down every team they've faced all season to top the Pats. Good luck with your search, and please stop with the injury excuses, it's insulting to the teams you talk about.

The 2000 Ravens gave up 36 points in a home game against Jacksonville. The 1985 Bears gave up 38 points to Miami.

Don't waste your time with facts such as these; he will either ignore them or beat around the bush responding to them, while never really addressing them.

Let's get real...does anyone who watches football honestly think this Steelers defense is anywhere near as good as the 85 Bears or the 2000 Ravens?

 

[Ghost Rider]

That great Pittsburgh defense just gave up 34 points. FYI - that is not a great defense. I think that's about the same as Cincy gave up vs NE. You are really going to have to give up that overrated Pittsburgh D.

I already mentioned Indy as top 2 in my original post, and I'd agree that Tenn has an excellent defense, as well. If you're going to pick out 2 bad games to judge NE on, then you're going to have to come up with a few teams that have shut down every team they've faced all season to top the Pats. Good luck with your search, and please stop with the injury excuses, it's insulting to the teams you talk about.

The 2000 Ravens gave up 36 points in a home game against Jacksonville. The 1985 Bears gave up 38 points to Miami.

Don't waste your time with facts such as these; he will either ignore them or beat around the bush responding to them, while never really addressing them.

Let's get real...does anyone who watches football honestly think this Steelers defense is anywhere near as good as the 85 Bears or the 2006 Ravens?

No, but his implication that a defense is not great if they allow 34 points or more is one of the dumbest things I have ever heard in the Shark Pool. And that is saying a lot.

 

[renesauz]

When one side of your team (offense or defense) is dominant, the statistics for the other side of your team can be misleading. It's so much easier to play loose, good defense when your offense puts up 30 points by halftime and you're playing with a 3 score lead in the second half. I realize that argument can be used to justify both good numbers, and bad numbers..but that's kind of the point...

either way, THEY AREN'T NORMAL NUMBERS!

The Pats offense is so other-worldly that there is absolutely no fair way to judge their defense.

FWIW: I think the Pats defense is above average, but far from dominant, and probably NOT in the top five, and this is why: If you're going to judge them fairly, you have to judge them based on how they've performed in close games, games where their offense was NOT setting the world completely on fire. IN those games..they were merely average in every sense of the word.

Pittsburgh almost certainly has the best overall defense this year, but that defense would barely make a top five list most years.

 

[bryhamm]

When one side of your team (offense or defense) is dominant, the statistics for the other side of your team can be misleading. It's so much easier to play loose, good defense when your offense puts up 30 points by halftime and you're playing with a 3 score lead in the second half. I realize that argument can be used to justify both good numbers, and bad numbers..but that's kind of the point...either way, THEY AREN'T NORMAL NUMBERS!The Pats offense is so other-worldly that there is absolutely no fair way to judge their defense.FWIW: I think the Pats defense is above average, but far from dominant, and probably NOT in the top five, and this is why: If you're going to judge them fairly, you have to judge them based on how they've performed in close games, games where their offense was NOT setting the world completely on fire. IN those games..they were merely average in every sense of the word.Pittsburgh almost certainly has the best overall defense this year, but that defense would barely make a top five list most years.

 

[mbuehner]

Sometimes a defense is only as strong as its weakest link. This is an entirely different squad without Palamalu. You can't replace a guy like that, he makes the whole scheme go. All Belichik had to do was keep dialing up against that bonehead Anthony Smith all day long.

 

[scooterg61]

You said: "That great Pittsburgh defense just gave up 34 points. FYI - that is not a great defense."The obvious implication is that a great defense should not allow that many points.

The implication clearly is that Pittsburgh padded stats against chumps in the rain, while NE was playing San Diego, Indy, and Dallas. When faced with a quality offense Pittsburgh was exposed as not that great. I didn't say they were horrible, just clearly not elite, so don't be so sensitive about it. I'm pretty sure I can find 2 games where Pittsburgh gave up points, too.

.. excuse me chump... but please add in NE played miami twice, jets twice buff twice... CAN YOU SAY CUPCAKES.. sure NE is good.. no doubt.. but they have a big lead and the other team is forced to pass.. that PADS NE STATS CUZ THEY KNOW THEY HAVE TO PASS AND THEY PIN THEIR EARS BACK.....look up the stats.. who's def is #1??? who has given up fewest pts?? i think its PITT.. and thats without polamalu....only thing that bothered me in that game.. is why PITT DIDNT SLAM MOSS at the line.. hes a #### and hates to get shoved..aka.. philly and balt game.. and as far as in the rain... GIVE ME A BREAK.. NE doesnt play in crap weather during season either?? bogus bogus crap.. all you got.... every good def gives up points.... but i dont see any team this year that PITT has played score 30 points with a qb like boller or feely.. yikes.. i would be scared.. pitt played..palmer,anderson, twice!!! and played warner.. i think pitt def is better than NE easily..

 

[Workhorse]

The Steelers are still an excellent defense, regardless of what happened yesterday.

I think people drastically underestimate the Pats defense though.

They have always been a bend/don't break style defense that will give up some yards but plays very well on 3rd down, pressures the opposing QB and creates turnovers.

Their rank in those categories this season:

Opponents 3rd down %: Tied for 4th

Sacks: Tied for 4th

INTs: 6th

Forced fumbles: Tied for 8th

I don't think they're a top 3 defense, I'd put them in the top 5 for sure.

 

[PhD]

Tool factor is climbing again. What happened to the old days at FBGs when you could discuss football without dealing with this epidemic?

This looks a little more like 8itching and spamming than football discussion to me. Was this kind of post par for the good old days here?

Dude, just stop. You started out like someone with an axe to grind and now you are just being defensive and sounding lost in your own emotion. Multiple people here have tried to point out to you that you are not giving enough props to the Pats offense, which is ridiculously talented and powerful. Maybe going against them isn't such a good measuring stick for judging a good defense. As a "once in a generation" kind of talent, they are a bit of an outlier. Throw them out, go with all the other games and see what numbers you come up with - or just go to nfl.com (before they count this week's games), go to the team/stats link and read off the teams listed under league leaders - defense. While you are there, pass a jugement on the Pats defense by checking out the Steelers offense. The Steeler offense is pretty average in terms of overall yardage. Against the Pats they basically performed on par with their average output. I don't know, maybe one of the top defenses of the year should have slowed a once in a generation offense a little better than the Steelers did. But I have to believe that if the Pats defense is so great, they would have been able to stop an average offense better than they did.

 

[DropKick]

The Pats' defense wouldn't do very well against the Pats' offense.

Good point!

 

[Road Warriors]

You said: "That great Pittsburgh defense just gave up 34 points. FYI - that is not a great defense."The obvious implication is that a great defense should not allow that many points.

The implication clearly is that Pittsburgh padded stats against chumps in the rain, while NE was playing San Diego, Indy, and Dallas. When faced with a quality offense Pittsburgh was exposed as not that great. I didn't say they were horrible, just clearly not elite, so don't be so sensitive about it. I'm pretty sure I can find 2 games where Pittsburgh gave up points, too.

.. excuse me chump... but please add in NE played miami twice, jets twice buff twice... CAN YOU SAY CUPCAKES.. sure NE is good.. no doubt.. but they have a big lead and the other team is forced to pass.. that PADS NE STATS CUZ THEY KNOW THEY HAVE TO PASS AND THEY PIN THEIR EARS BACK.....look up the stats.. who's def is #1??? who has given up fewest pts?? i think its PITT.. and thats without polamalu....only thing that bothered me in that game.. is why PITT DIDNT SLAM MOSS at the line.. hes a #### and hates to get shoved..aka.. philly and balt game.. and as far as in the rain... GIVE ME A BREAK.. NE doesnt play in crap weather during season either?? bogus bogus crap.. all you got.... every good def gives up points.... but i dont see any team this year that PITT has played score 30 points with a qb like boller or feely.. yikes.. i would be scared.. pitt played..palmer,anderson, twice!!! and played warner.. i think pitt def is better than NE easily..

proof that Pats fans haven´t cornered the market on toolishness.

 

[HULLOBUDMAN]

I hate to get on Footballg's side of the arguement here because he is being a bit abrasive but I agree that Pittsburgh is overrated.

Compare them to Tampa's D who did not have the luxery of playing 2 games at home one that field...

Team

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

You said: "That great Pittsburgh defense just gave up 34 points. FYI - that is not a great defense."The obvious implication is that a great defense should not allow that many points.

The implication clearly is that Pittsburgh padded stats against chumps in the rain, while NE was playing San Diego, Indy, and Dallas. When faced with a quality offense Pittsburgh was exposed as not that great. I didn't say they were horrible, just clearly not elite, so don't be so sensitive about it. I'm pretty sure I can find 2 games where Pittsburgh gave up points, too.

.. excuse me chump... but please add in NE played miami twice, jets twice buff twice... CAN YOU SAY CUPCAKES.. sure NE is good.. no doubt.. but they have a big lead and the other team is forced to pass.. that PADS NE STATS CUZ THEY KNOW THEY HAVE TO PASS AND THEY PIN THEIR EARS BACK.....look up the stats.. who's def is #1??? who has given up fewest pts?? i think its PITT.. and thats without polamalu....only thing that bothered me in that game.. is why PITT DIDNT SLAM MOSS at the line.. hes a #### and hates to get shoved..aka.. philly and balt game.. and as far as in the rain... GIVE ME A BREAK.. NE doesnt play in crap weather during season either?? bogus bogus crap.. all you got.... every good def gives up points.... but i dont see any team this year that PITT has played score 30 points with a qb like boller or feely.. yikes.. i would be scared.. pitt played..palmer,anderson, twice!!! and played warner.. i think pitt def is better than NE easily..

Here's a tip; now is not the best time for you to be talking smack.

 

[nerangers]

And if you are going to say the Steelers played chumps, do I really have to mention the sorry division the Patriots play in?

The Steelers are 2-2 against the AFC East this year...and only beat the Dolphins by 3 pts. It definitely is not the division of old though! Buffalo could still make the playoffs though.

 

[Footballg]

.. excuse me chump... but please add in NE played miami twice, jets twice buff twice... CAN YOU SAY CUPCAKES.. sure NE is good.. no doubt.. but they have a big lead and the other team is forced to pass.. that PADS NE STATS CUZ THEY KNOW THEY HAVE TO PASS AND THEY PIN THEIR EARS BACK.....look up the stats.. who's def is #1??? who has given up fewest pts?? i think its PITT.. and thats without polamalu....

only thing that bothered me in that game.. is why PITT DIDNT SLAM MOSS at the line.. hes a #### and hates to get shoved..aka.. philly and balt game.. and as far as in the rain... GIVE ME A BREAK.. NE doesnt play in crap weather during season either?? bogus bogus crap.. all you got.... every good def gives up points.... but i dont see any team this year that PITT has played score 30 points with a qb like boller or feely.. yikes.. i would be scared.. pitt played..palmer,anderson, twice!!!and played warner.. i think pitt def is better than NE easily..

Yeah, and the Pats played Anderson, Romo, Peyton Manning, and all the rest of the players on those teams.scooterg61

Joined: 21-August 03

Member No.: 7037

I think I can picture those football discussions from the good ol' days, and I'm not so sure we're missing anything.

You should just be thankful Pitt DOESN'T have to play Miami and the Jets twice. I don't think I'd be badmouthing those 2 teams while I'm trying to talk smack about Pittsburgh. Playing with a big lead doesn't mean anybody's got 'their ears pinned back', it means they play the line soft in a lot of nickel and dime, giving up meaningless yardage. Like I said before, it's about winning the game, not padding your stats against chumps in the rain. Speaking of which, while the games were on the line, New England has shut down the best the NFL has to offer while Pittsburgh is busy getting torched every time they leave the security of their bog. How about you make me a list of all the games in the rain, in a swamp, that New England has been padding stats in -- and what's up with all these lame excuses about Polamalu, while they played just as good without him, and New England has missed games from Rodney Harrison, Seymour, and lost Colvin for the season?? Trading Polamalu for any one of those guys would be a wet dream for Steelers fans, let alone all three.

There is absolutely no doubt that if the Steelers had to play at Dallas, or Indy, they would get torched just like they got torched at New England. Make all the excuses you want.

 

[dparker713]

and what's up with all these lame excuses about Polamalu, while they played just as good without him, and New England has missed games from Rodney Harrison, Seymour, and lost Colvin for the season?? Trading Polamalu for any one of those guys would be a wet dream for Steelers fans, let alone all three.

The Steelers might consider all 3 for Polamalu, but they'd have zero interest in one on one deals. Harrison is ancient and a shell of the player he was. Colvin is hardly an all pro, and Pittsburg has always had success finding LBs - hence letting Joey Porter go. Seymour would be the prize of that trade, but he's not nearly as impactful as Troy can be.

 

[Bill Lust]

I don't know, maybe one of the top defenses of the year should have slowed a once in a generation offense a little better than the Steelers did. But I have to believe that if the Pats defense is so great, they would have been able to stop an average offense better than they did.

I am not going to claim that the Pats have the best defense in the league (because they do not), but Pittsburgh is eighth in the league in scoring, at 23.8 points per game. That is not an average offense. The Pats held them to 13 points and shut them out in the second half.

 

[Bill Lust]

Harrison is ancient and a shell of the player he was. Colvin is hardly an all pro, and Pittsburg has always had success finding LBs - hence letting Joey Porter go. Seymour would be the prize of that trade, but he's not nearly as impactful as Troy can be.

I completely disagree. When healthy, Seymour is the most versatile defensive lineman in the league and commands consistent double teams. He makes everyone else on the defense better. His not being close to 100% is one of the main reasons the defense has been inconsistent this year. Also, you apparently have not been watching Harrison to much, because he is playing about as well as he ever has.EDIT: I am not saying the Steelers would trade Polamalu for either. Just pointing out that I think your assessments of both are off base.

 

[Footballg]

. Multiple people here have tried to point out to you that you are not giving enough props to the Pats offense, which is ridiculously talented and powerful. Maybe going against them isn't such a good measuring stick for judging a good defense. As a "once in a generation" kind of talent, they are a bit of an outlier.

Damn -- another outlier! Looks like Jax makes it 2 in a generation........