Does Defense Win Championships?

[MedicTJ]

One could argue that it does when you look at what teams are left in the playoffs. Minnesota is the only team left that doesn't have a defense that can dominate a game by itself. Does this leave the Vikings out of the picture?

Last season, the Rams weren't quite as bad on defense as they were this year, but they weren't dominating either.

I have a feeling that the remaining playoff games, including the Super Bowl, are going to be low-scoring affairs.

[iFroggy]

Well... a really dominating defense can. A really dominating offense can. A mixture of both can. :)

I think a really great defense, coupled with an efficent offense can win.

[Edited by iFroggy on 01-04-2001 at 01:26 AM]

[Marc]

I don't believe in all the "defense win championships" talk. In my mind, it's a combination and a well-rounded team that wins championships. They have you to be disciplined, well-coached, good offensively, and obviously, good on defense.


[Edited by M. James on 01-06-2001 at 09:33 PM]

[MedicTJ]

Well, the Vikes weren't out of the picture today. They manhandled the Saints. Culpepper is gonna be a treat to watch for seasons to come. And, as a Bears fan, it hurts to say that! Best QB in the NFC? Not yet. But he's getting close.

[Tom Baker]

This thread seems geared to the NFL, but we all saw what a great defensive performance coupled with just enough offense can do in the Orange Bowl. The Oklahoma offense wasn't great, but it was good enough to score points. The Sooner defense was stifling.

The key is just the right mix. When the Rams won the SB last year, their defense wasn't great, but it was just good enough. This year their offense was just as high-powered (when everyone was on the field) but the defense was worse than last year, and they are out of the playoffs.