This posting will focus on a debate that has been discussed for a very long time. What is better to have, offense or defense? The answer is simple: DEFENSE! Teams win championships by having a strong defense. I know there have been recent NFL teams that have won championships with great offenses (2000 St. Louis Rams & 2007 Indianapolis Colts) but don't forget their defenses came through when they needed them too. The 2000 Rams defense only gave up sixteen points in Super Bowl XXXIV while the 2007 Colts defense surrendered just seventeen points and forced five turnovers in Super Bowl XLI. Great teams and dynasties throughout NFL history have won championships because of defense.The 1970's Pittsburgh Steelers won four super bowl championships because of their "Steel Curtain" defenses. The 1980's San Francisco 49ers and the 1990's Dallas Cowboys dynasty teams combined for seven super bowl titles because of great defenses. The Super Bowl XXXV (2001) winner Baltimore Ravens is also considered the greatest defensive football team of all time. All this proves is that a team usually needs a good defense in order to win a super bowl. This is a key ingredient all four remaining teams in this year’s NFL playoffs have.
The Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, and Pittsburgh Steelers have tremendous defenses. All three were ranked in the top ten this season and the Ravens and Steelers each had the league’s number one run defenses at different points in the season. The fourth team in this equation is the Arizona Cardinals. All year long the Cardinals defense was terrible but that has changed. They now have the number one ranked defense in the playoffs and have forced the most turnovers. Everyone knows the Cardinals wouldn't be in the NFC Championship if it wasn't for their defense. The Cardinals remind me of the Super Bowl XXXIV champion Colts team that had a great offense but it was their defense that dominated the postseason.
My philosophy as a coach focuses around defense. Teams fear a good defense and it translates in all sports at all levels. This year’s NFL playoffs are no different. Three teams that have played good defense (defensive philosophy) all year and one that has peaked at the right time remain standing. With that being said, I pick the Cardinals and Ravens to pull the upsets this weekend. What are your thoughts and predictions?
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