The 2015 Denver Broncos were proof that defense can still win championships even in an era where the NFL is seemingly all about lighting up scoreboards. But where do they rank in terms of the greatest defenses in NFL history?
Defensive tackle Malik Jackson, who is set to become a free agent in a few weeks, believes the Broncos deserve to be in the best of all time conversation.
“I think we have a strong case, especially as far as recent defenses,” Jackson told NFL Total Access on Monday. “I know there hasn’t been a defense like that — no matter what you say about the Patriots — there hasn’t been a defense like that in a long time. We have 11 dogs on the field really hunting to try and get the ball so I think we’re mentioned in the conversation. Strongly mentioned in the conversation.”
It’s always hard to compare teams across different eras, but Jackson has a point if you look at the numbers since the turn of the century. The Broncos led the league with just 283.1 yards allowed per game in 2015. They finished first in passing yards allowed with 199.1 per game and ranked third by yielding 83.6 rushing yards per game. Denver also led the league by holding opponents to 3.3 yards per carry.
For comparison, the 2013 Seattle Seahawks were also first in total defense and passing defense. However, they ranked seventh against the run and seventh in yards per carry allowed. The 2000 Baltimore Ravens, another dominant defense that won it all, were second in total defense, eighth against the pass and first against the run.
We know at least one player who would strongly disagree with Jackson. That said, it really doesn’t matter where the 2015 Broncos rank. They got the job done on the biggest stage by completely shutting down a Carolina Panthers offense that was rolling over teams all season. At the very least, the actual performance in the Super Bowl was one of the greatest ever.
