Defense can't rest, as NFL takes an offensive turn in 2018
Not since the 1977 Falcons has the NFL's top scoring defense failed to make the playoffs. Heading into Week 16, Baltimore and Tennessee — both 8-6 — were tied for the lead in scoring defense at 18.1 points allowed per game.
December 23, 2018 at 2:47AM
Not since the 1977 Falcons has the NFL's top scoring defense failed to make the playoffs. Heading into Week 16, Baltimore and Tennessee — both 8-6 — were tied for the lead in scoring defense at 18.1 points allowed per game. Pending the Ravens-Chargers result Saturday night, Tennessee held the sixth and final playoff seed in the AFC. Baltimore was eighth.
Here is how the last 10 teams with the top-ranked scoring defense fared. Five reached the Super Bowl. Three won.
YearTeam Rec.Finish
2017Vikings13-3Lost NFC title game
2016Patriots14-2Won Super Bowl
2015Seahawks10-6Lost NFC divisional
2014Seahawks12-4Lost Super Bowl
2013Seahawks13-3Won Super Bowl
2012Seahawks11-5Lost NFC divisional
2011Steelers12-4Lost AFC wild card
2010Steelers12-4Lost Super Bowl
Related Coverage
2009Jets 9-7Lost AFC title game
2008Steelers12-4Won Super Bowl
Mike Conley was in Minneapolis, where he sounded the Gjallarhorn at the Vikings game, on Sunday during the robbery.
