Defensive Rankings for the Past Decade (2001-2010)

by Pantology on Jan 29, 2011 1:31 PM EST

So I've always loved to watch strong defensive teams. Hence the reason I can't help but love watching the Ravens and Steelers play in addition to my home-team; the Arizona Cardinals.
I also happen to love charts and statistics, so when I saw this post attempting to analyze the defenses of 2010, I couldn't resist the urge to at least make an attempt at analyzing it over the course of the past decade.

See the full article along with about 12 charts here.

I'll save you some time and let you know that the Pittsburgh Steelers were 1st for Points Allowed, 1st for Yards Allowed, 1st for Sacks, 13th for interceptions, and 14th for forced fumbles.

Overall, I'd rate them the best defense of the past decade.

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thanks!

Interesting to see that 3 out of the 1st 5 and 6 out of the top 10 defensive teams were in the NFC. I wouldn’t have thought that given the recent AFC dominance the past 13 yrs-ish
Steelers/Ravens going 1-2 overall affirms what I though…..the real “black and blue” division is the AFC North….not the NFC.
Since you’re a Cards fan, I’d be interested to find out if you know how the defense changed when they turned into “Pitt West”. Did the #’s change much or are they about the same?
thanks again!

by ToonaSteel on Jan 29, 2011 5:36 PM EST reply actions

Guess I didn’t officially reply earlier.
Anyway, I just went and played with making line charts for the categories for both Cardinals and Steelers.
Nothing of much interest was gleamed from it. May think about it some more and maybe revisit the idea.

As for the original question, no major defensive statistical changes can be seen from when Whiz took command. Sad for me, I had hoped we would do more to mimic the Steelers. Love the Steelers, just have to stay loyal to my Cardinals. ;)

Tom Coniam
Devoted Fan of Arizona Cardinals and ASU Sun Devils
But also a general Arizona sports fan

Maintainer of the "Protect The Nest" Facebook community.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Protect-the-Nest/157471224301129

by Pantology on Jan 29, 2011 6:08 PM EST up reply actions

I actually noticed a copy and paste error in the sacks/interceptions charts so I adjusted it, and regretfully the Ravens dropped to 3rd. Eagles surprised me.

I wish we had lived up to the idea of “Pitt West” but so far not really. I think my next project will be turning them into line graphs, like you described. Be interesting to see visually thing like how the Cardinals defensive numbers changed from say 2001-2006 then 2007-2010.

Appreciate the comments/recommendations.

Tom Coniam
Devoted Fan of Arizona Cardinals and ASU Sun Devils
But also a general Arizona sports fan

Maintainer of the "Protect The Nest" Facebook community.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Protect-the-Nest/157471224301129

by Pantology on Jan 29, 2011 5:49 PM EST reply actions

sweet colors

some good stats as well.

Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Jack Butler, Greg Llyod, Andy Russel, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene and Jerry Kramer
"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." Martin Luther King Jr.
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan

by WVPiratesfan on Jan 29, 2011 7:14 PM EST reply actions

Great Post

The Lions are 6th on FF rankings!

"Franco made that play because he never quit on the play. He kept running, he kept hustling. Good things happen to people who hustle."

by PCISteeler on Jan 29, 2011 10:24 PM EST reply actions

great post. I think a line graph would be a great idea, but there’s a lot of good info to be gleaned from this presentation. I woulda thought Tennessee would have been ranked higher given that they’ve had the same coach for the length of that sample. Fish shoulda been fired years ago, most overrated coach ever. It was also kinda surprising to see Indy in the top half of the league, since Colt fans always suggest that if Peyton had even an average defense he’d have somewhere between three and eight Super Bowl rings by now.

by furthur56 on Jan 30, 2011 12:28 AM EST reply actions