Patradomous

2000 Ravens Defense
2001 Pats (Defense)
2002 Tampa (D)
2003 Pats (D)
2004 Pats (D)
2005 Pitt (D)
2006 Colts (O)
2007 Giants (D)
2008 Pitt (D)
2009 Saints (O)
2010 Pitt/Packers (D)

70% of the last ten SB winners were teams could win the game with there Defense and did so.
The rules have changed over the years in the offenses favor, but its all relative.If they changed the rules to touch football it still comes down to the best defensive touch football team.


Altogether now.

What wins championships?
Defense.

For some of you guys get through your head until the Pats are a top ten defense they have virtually no shot at winning

serifyn

Balanced teams win championships.

A_Ghost_In_The_Machine

I think it might be reaching to call the Packers a defensive team. Do they have a good defense? Definitely (and one that's very fun to watch IMO) but I wouldn't put them in the same category as the Steelers or Ravens when it comes to playing defense. When I think Packers first thing that comes to mind is an explosive, pass-based offense

USCPatriot

THIS!

This whole defense wins championships thing is getting WAY to ridiculous, the 05' Steelers were handed that SB, clearly the 06' Bears had a WAY better defense then the Indianapolis Colts, but Rex Grossman almost single handily gave Indi that superbowl, Peyton had to work a bit but not when Grossman throws the ball right to the DB's. Pats vs Giants, the Giants were TRULY balanced, sure the front 4 and Spagnulo's playcalling shook up Brady, but if I remember right the Pats had a top 10 defense that year AND beat them once before. Cardinals had a TERRIBLE defense and STILL only lost by what 3 or 4 points. There is NO CB alive that could have guarded that play, the only way to stop it would be for Big Ben not to throw it over that way. The Steelers gave up big plays as well, if Kurt Warner takes more care of the football and DOESN'T throw that pick returned for a TD OR if the Cardinals PAY ATTENTION TO THE RULES, Fitzgerald would have caught Harrison and the Steelers would not have those 7 extra points. Last years Saints FORCED TURNOVERS, and although they passed more, they took care of the football, they didn't go to Shockey ALL the time, the didn't go to Henderson ALL the time, Bush and Thomas got a decent amount of carries. Manning HAS NEVER been as a guy to come from behind, he is known for putting points on the board, and keeps putting points on the board. I was NOT surprised he would blow the game, anybody that was doesn't really know football.

This is a very good illusion, couldn't it easily be "Offense loses Championships"? I mean its true right, its so much easier to create a gameplan around predictable teams, balanced teams its hard to figure out what they will do.

__________________

Bostonian1962

Great point and I have some very good news. The Patriots will be adding a quality DE, CB, and S to their team next year. I can even give you their names: Ty Warren, Leigh Bodden, and Brandon McGowen. Mike Wright should be back for some quality depth. Ron Brace finally showed us he may be a player, and he'll be back from injury.

Finally, with the stocked draft situation for the Patriots they MUST draft either a pass rushing DE, OLB, or both.

I'm greedy though. I also want a stud safety. On offense, perhaps Taylor Price will be a player, and they can add another stud receiver. The O-Line plays great all year, but like the 2007 Super Bowl, they lay an egg in the playoffs. We need at least one more big time offensive lineman. In fact, I really think if they re-sign Light and Mankins, they should still draft one. I like Dan Koppen, but can you imagine this team if they have a road grater center? Finally, watching the Steelers' big bruising back run all over the Jets tells me that we could use one of them too!

All that said, if we go strong on defense in the draft, this team will be hard to beat, provided they draft well for the second year in a row.

Bostonian1962

The Packers defense only gave up 240 points all year, second only to the Steelers 232. Both teams are in the Super Bowl. I respectfully disagree with you. They are definitely a defensive team. With such a great QB, folks overlook that, but that's what got them here.

Patradomous

I listed the Colts as an offensive team that did win.

All your points are valid but you can win with a mediocre offense if you have a great defense.(See pats 01)
Your chances are slim and none if the opposite is true.

Your yesterdays winners were decided by defensive pressure and points.

BSR

Except that Saints and the Colts both had mediocre defenses and great offenses and won. So it happens as well. It isn't the best defense that wins every year. It is typically the best overall team, with the best depth and a little luck.

Your winners yesterday were decided by who could score more points than the other. Offense, defense, special teams.

Patradomous

Exept is short for exception. There are exeptions for every rule.
Regardless as a rule defenses play and win for championships.

If you were to bet 100K on the better defensive team over the last ten years you could retire today.

MassPats38

These teams speak more to balance than they do to pure defense. Of all those teams, only the Ravens had an anemic offense.

How many of those teams did not have a top 5 offense with a strong running game? A good running game that kills the clock can be just as effective as a good defense in keeping the score down through time of possession.