That’s right 1985 Chicago Bears fans: defense really doesn’t matter anymore.
The vaunted Monsters of the Midway of the mid 1980s might have trouble winning in today’s NFL where league rules have changed the game forever. No longer is defense rewarded or toughness matter as much as it used to. Instead, quarterbacks and the high-flying spread and West Coast offenses are the reason you carry the Lombardi trophy home from the Super Bowl.
For the purists out there, you’ll have an objection I am sure. But the numbers are the numbers and two of the three favorites to win the Super Bowl, heading into this first weekend of the NFL playoffs, all are horrible defensive teams.
The season’s top-two seeds, the Green Bay Packers and the New England Patriots, both set the record this year for defensive futility. In fact, both teams rank #1 and #2 as the worst defenses to ever make it to the NFL playoffs. Both the Patriots and Packers give up over 400 yards in offense per game. That’s not only an all-time NFL record, but it underscores the fact the NFL is no longer a league that values the defensive game.
How did we get here? How did the most popular sport in the United States go from a defensive league to a bigger version of Arena Football League?
Over the years the NFL Rules Committee has been doing all it can to change the power of balance to the offensive side of the ball. With the unprecedented growth the NFL has seen over the past 15 years, owners and league officials know the non-stop action and excitement of footballs flying all over the filed sells tickets. It also sells satellite TV packages, jerseys, and other licensed goods. In addition, it keeps television happy. The NFL’s main source of revenue is the obscenely massive television contracts it dolls out and anything the league can do to continue to feed that cash cow is exactly what they’ll do.
Outside of the money, the main reason for this massive switch from a defensive-slanted league to an offensive juggernaut is the NFL Rules Committee.
For example, this season defensive players had to hold back and could not do anything to “endanger” a player by hitting them high. The penalties for even coming close to leading with the helmet or hitting a player high are excessive. Concussions are a big problem but again we have an overreaction. Not only are they excessive, but they’re unrealistic. In essence, its limited the effectiveness of even the best defensive players in the NFL.
Just watch most offensive highlights from this weekend and you’ll see what I mean. Quarterbacks like Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers are throwing high to their receivers. That used to be considered suicide but now with the recent rules changes, it benefits the receiver to go high. They’ll either complete the pass or get the flag. Defenses are, well, defenseless.
There are numerous other examples which have created the state the NFL is currently in. There’s no doubt defenses still are needed to make plays, but the league no longer is based on the defensive games. Team GMs and coaches now have to consider this when stockpiling talent. That’s exactly why the Indianapolis Colts, who have one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game in Peyton Manning, are poised to take Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the first pick in this April’s draft.
To win the in the NFL you don’t need the best middle linebacker, safety or defensive end to win the game. Thanks the the NFL, and the new rules of the game, quarterbacks and offensive skill players are what wins you championships.
The NFL is the quarterback league. Today, the “little guy” behind the center is the focal point of the game. Makes you wonder, how would Ditka and his defense do in the “new” offensive-minded NFL?
I shudder to think.
Wrong wrong wrong. Yes, the teams with the 2 strongest offenses made it to the playoffs, and that’s all well and good for the regular season, but defense wins championships. Keep in mind, the top ranked DEFENSIVE teams are also in the playoffs, in the Texans, Niners, Ravens & Steelers. Remember the Cardinals vs. the Steelers? Offense vs. Defense. How’d that turn out? The Giants vs. Patriots? The rule changes have nothing to do with it, if hits are being delivered correctly, and as James Harrison has proven, they aren’t. And the reason the Colts are taking Luck in the draft is because their franchise QB is most likely done. If not, very limited and wouldn’t they like to have their very own Aaron Rodgers (study under the great, become great.) Football has always been about offensive superstars. Defense wins championships. You’ll see next week when the Steelers beat the Patriots (as they’ve done already this year) and the Packers fall to the Falcons secondary.
Not wrong Curtis. Today, you have to have a great quaterback and they are more valuable than any NFL team. To claim the rules changes have nothing to do with and haven’t changed the game is ridiculous my friend. Defensive backs can’t play the position any longer. Receivers are getting bigger and faster and DBs can do less to defend them. They can’t be physical at all.
On the Colts: Manning is on the downside…but you have to have a great QB to win. Imagine if Rodgers, Brady or Brees were on the Ravens. As is, they won’t win the Super Bowl with Flacco and the best defense in the league. Name me the last time the #1 defense won the Super Bowl?
Packers fall to the Falcons? I’ll bet you on that one.
What? You mean Trent Dilfer and the #1 ranked defensive Ravens didn’t win a Superbowl? You mean Big Ben and the #1 ranked Steelers D didn’t win THREE superbowls? Even the Kurt Warner superbowl Rams were highly ranked defensively. And are you saying that QB’s such as Namath, Unitas weren’t as important as QB’s are now? And if receivers are getting taller and faster, then guess what – defensive backs will get taller and faster. Then don’t have to touch them to defend them properly. If their eyes are on the ball, they can go for the ball, if they are watching the receiver and interfere then there is going to be a flag. That argument is semantics.
I just want to point out, that 152nd drafted 3rd string rookie T.J. Yates just won a playoff game against another rookie. I’d like to point out that rookie Tebow, who is a terrible QB (as far as traditionally) is in the playoffs (he’ll lose today though.) Alex Smith? How dominant is he? He’s good, but no Steve Young. Defense.
You’re putting words in my mouth…and missing much of the point.
Defense matters but it doesn’t win Super Bowls. The Ravens are a great example. That’s before the slew of rules changes. It has changed the game. The last 5 years in particular.
The Texans are bad example. They will not win the Super Bowl. Their defense keeps them in it, but it will not win the Super Bowl for them. It just won’t happen.
On DBs: It’s not about being bigger and faster. The league has completely removed the ability for the defensive backfield to be physical. You’re kidding right?
In the playoffs isn’t winning championships…
Ok, I might be expanding on bit on suggested theory.
By the same logic, offense matters but doesn’t win superbowls. You have to have a good balance, and if not a balance, at least history has shown that a stronger defensive side has prevailed.
Yes, many DB’s are handcuffed by the rule changes a lot, but I’ve watched a lot of football this year (NFLRedzone FTW) and have seen a lot of great defensive plays – plays made ON THE BALL – not on the receiver. That’s the difference. Consider Joe Haden in Cleveland, what is he? 5’10″? He’s drawn some penalties, but made some great plays. Good players will make good plays and within the constraints of the rules.