Will a great offense ever beat a great defense?

[SabresRule]

Typically, when a dominant offense faces a dominant defense, more often than not, the defense will win out- it does win championships.

But nothing lasts forever, plus there have been some exceptions to this rule:

The Edmonton Oiler dynasty of the 1980s
1999 Rams
Nebraska's 1995 National Champions
Florida's 1996 National Champions
Miami in 2001

The evidence of prolific offense not being able to win it all is pretty damning- 2007 Patriots, Oklahoma football last year, 2001 Rams, 2002 Raiders, Air-Coryell Chargers, etc.

Someday, do you think it'll ever happen?

Will there come a day when someone can silence the "defense wins championships" mantra, or will it go on forever?

 

[HD MM]

The prolific Arizona Cardinals "should've" beat the stout defensive minded Pittsburgh Steelers last year. That would've been the first time in quite a while I can remember defense NOT winning the big one....

If the Saints keep putting up the video game type numbers they're doing now, your idea might be actually tested in this year's playoffs. Drew Brees and company are darn near unstoppable....

 

[Ramy]

The year the Indianapolis Colts won, they had the worst rushing defense in the NFL.

 

[SandraC]

The year the Indianapolis Colts won, they had the worst rushing defense in the NFL.

But didn't the Colts play a lot of that year without Bob Sanders? Then he came back and you couldn't rush against them anymore? The offense kept them in it until Sanders's return, though.

Same thing can happen this year.


Sandra

 

[Paul Wozniak]

We might found out this season with New Orleans prolific offense. Drew Brees looks like he's shooting fish in a barrell this season.

 

[Ramy]

But didn't the Colts play a lot of that year without Bob Sanders? Then he came back and you couldn't rush against them anymore? The offense kept them in it until Sanders's return, though.

Same thing can happen this year.


Sandra

One person does not make a great defense.

 

[SandraC]

One person does not make a great defense.

With the Colts' offense he only had to make it good enough, not great. And he obviously did!


Sandra

 

[mdonnelly]

Up until they met the Giants, the Pats were doing pretty good with their great offense. How many rings does Tom Brady have now?

 

[HD MM]

But didn't the Colts play a lot of that year without Bob Sanders? Then he came back and you couldn't rush against them anymore? The offense kept them in it until Sanders's return, though.

Same thing can happen this year.


Sandra

I think Dwight Freeney missed time that year too.

 

[HD MM]

Up until they met the Giants, the Pats were doing pretty good with their great offense. How many rings does Tom Brady have now?

That was the Super Bowl where the changing of guards occurred. Giants D-Coordinator, Steve Spags came up with a plan to full out blitz Brady from start to finish. Ever since that game, that has been the blueprint to beat the Pats.

 

[mdonnelly]

That was the Super Bowl where the changing of guards occurred. Giants D-Coordinator, Steve Spags came up with a plan to full out blitz Brady from start to finish. Ever since that game, that has been the blueprint to beat the Pats.

Pretty much the same thing the Chargers do to beat Peyton Manning almost every time.

 

[The Insider]

The problem is like with most of anything from warfare to sports. Its easier to defend then to attack. Its harder for you to run past a guy then it is harder for him to stop you.

 

[Rey]

the 1984 dolphins are proof that to win the big one a great offense isn't enough.in fact dan's career is proof that without at least a good defense you are screwed. take a good look at the saints this year. i love their offense and especially the QB. lets see how far they can go with that D. if it's the same D as last year they wont get too far especially in the playoffs. if their D this year is at least decent they will be one of the NFC favs for sure.

 

[salsadancer7]

Typically, when a dominant offense faces a dominant defense, more often than not, the defense will win out- it does win championships.

But nothing lasts forever, plus there have been some exceptions to this rule:

The Edmonton Oiler dynasty of the 1980s
1999 Rams
Nebraska's 1995 National Champions
Florida's 1996 National Champions
Miami in 2001

The evidence of prolific offense not being able to win it all is pretty damning- 2007 Patriots, Oklahoma football last year, 2001 Rams, 2002 Raiders, Air-Coryell Chargers, etc.

Someday, do you think it'll ever happen?

Will there come a day when someone can silence the "defense wins championships" mantra, or will it go on forever?

Sorry, the prolific Raiders in 2002 lost in the Super Bowl because Callahan REFUSED to change the playbook and Gruden knew EVERY single play that was coming. Even the TB players knew this. Hell, Callahan didn't even change the hand signals for the plays.