The 1976 Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense is a historic unit with results unlikely to be replicated. Despite the video-game numbers posted, a new study argues it isn’t the No. 1 defense in NFL history. In fact, it isn’t even in the top five.
Analyst Aaron Schatz used Defense-Adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA), an advanced metric designed to judge team performance based on the era and opponents. The ’76 Steelers are rated high but not as high as fans would think. The group ranks 7th all-time in DVOA with a minus-28 percent overall figure (like golf, lower is better for this metric).