New Evaluation Says 1976 Steelers Protection Is not Greatest In Historical past (Or Even High-5)

The 1976 Pittsburgh Steelers’ protection is a historic unit with outcomes unlikely to be replicated. Regardless of the video-game numbers posted, a brand new research argues it isn’t the No. 1 protection in NFL historical past. Actually, it isn’t even within the high 5.

Analyst Aaron Schatz used Protection-Adjusted Worth Over Common (DVOA), a sophisticated metric designed to evaluate staff efficiency primarily based on the period and opponents. The ’76 Steelers are rated excessive however not as excessive as followers would assume. The group ranks seventh all-time in DVOA with a minus-28 p.c general determine (like golf, decrease is healthier for this metric).

The group loses out to apparent contenders just like the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (third at minus-32.1 p.c) and the 1985 Chicago Bears (fifth at minus-29.5 p.c), however lesser-known models just like the 1969 Minnesota Vikings (second at minus-34.4 p.c) and even the 2018 Bears (sixth at minus-28.1 p.c).

A slower begin to the season might have dinged the Steelers’ rating. Earlier than turning into historic, the unit was mortal. Pittsburgh allowed 30-plus factors in two of its first three video games as a part of the staff’s 1-4 begin to the yr. As soon as QB Terry Bradshaw was knocked out by Cleveland Brown DL Turkey Joe Jones, leaving rookie Mike Kruczek as the one quarterback rostered, the defensive gentle swap flipped. From there, Pittsburgh allowed solely 28 complete factors over its ultimate 9 regular-season video games. The protection pitched 5 shutouts and compelled 28 turnovers, a streak that may by no means be matched in a modern-day NFL.

Defensive dominance continued within the Divisional Spherical of the playoffs, holding the Baltimore Colts’ No. 1 scoring offense to 14 factors. Issues fell aside within the AFC Championship Sport towards the Oakland Raiders. With a depleted roster with out RBs Franco Harris or Rocky Bleier, the Steelers fell 24-7.

As an entire, the 1976 Steelers completed because the eighth-best staff in our offseason checklist, rating all 92 seasons. Calling it the best “what if” staff, even a median offense with higher well being may’ve allowed Pittsburgh to win one other Tremendous Bowl, making the dynasty much more particular.

Taking the No. 1 spot on Schatz’s checklist was the 1991 Philadelphia Eagles with a DVOA of minus-36.7 p.c. Regardless of that unit rating fifth in factors allowed that yr, permitting 20-plus factors in six of 16 video games, the group completed No. 1 in yards allowed and turnovers created. It’s a shocking inclusion for high billing, and most historians would disagree with the metric.

Pittsburgh’s 2008 protection completed shut behind the 1976 model. That unit was tenth at minus-27.1 p.c. Two extra teams spherical out the High 20: 1974 (seventeenth, minus-25.1 p.c) and 1973 (18th, minus-24.9 p.c).

As upsetting because the checklist may make Steelers followers, they weren’t the one unit with debatable outcomes. The vaunted 2000 Baltimore Ravens, extensively thought of one of many nice defenses in NFL historical past, did not even crack the top-20. Schatz notes the staff’s run protection was historic, however the go protection completed removed from it. By DVOA, the 2008 Ravens are the franchise’s finest unit, a gaggle Pittsburgh bested in that yr’s title recreation en path to its sixth Tremendous Bowl.