The NFL and lower levels of football are steadfast in their approach to make the game of football safer and less traumatic on a person’s head. As a result, the game has become heavily tailored to the offense and allowed for elite talents to flourish more than ever. Slowly but surely, defense is becoming a lost art in the sport. The game in both college and the pros, features high-powered offenses with regularity. The revolution is aesthetically pleasing to the fan and has created a fervor that has shifted focus away from the ability to line up “mono y mono” and stop someone. Yet, in an age dominated by offensive football, defense still remains the key ingredient for championship success. The advantage of a dominant defense is now more notable than ever. Team speed, and a dominant pass rush will disrupt any good offense and that won’t change no matter the era.
The mantra “Defense wins championships” has held true for as long as anyone can remember. Recently ideals have shifted as teams are now focused on finding the next great offensive mind to cultivate success for fun, attacking football. I would argue that in today’s game it actually is the defensive minds who should be cherished and coveted. Whether you look into the professional or college game, the way to get to the top is through defense. Championship football at the college ranks starts and ends with Alabama. Every year they boast a defense that is nurtured with incredible talent and hyper-focused coaches. When it’s not been Alabama, it has been a team with an elite defense that is comparable. (Clemson and Ohio State) Let’s move to the recent 2018 Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Backup QB Nick Foles played admirably but it was a dominant defense led by the defensive line that created pressure at every turn. This defense hindered Tom Brady, who many considered the greatest QB of all time, just enough to hand him his third loss as a favorite in the big game. The 2016 Denver Broncos, led by an immobile Peyton Manning, were also reliant on a dominant defense from front to back. Defense still reigns supreme when the game matters most.
There are many different reasons to explain the offensive explosion football has experienced over the last 15 years. New schemes and rules have created a distinct advantage for the offensive skill player. There is a formula to offset the increased advantage enjoyed by the offense. The most efficient way to slow down an elite offense is to create disruption in the pocket during a quarterback’s drop back. Offensive systems are predicated on short timed routes designed to get speed in space. Real estate becomes hard to come by when timing is thrown off and players are no longer in their comfort zone. The most important position group to create an environment for sustained playoff success is not the Quarterback. It is not any position on offense. It is the defensive line and their ability to create pressure.
The art of defense is fighting an uphill battle in a land where offense reigns supreme. Do not buy into all the media hype. The ability to stop someone, is still the most beautiful art in the sport. This doesn’t stand to change any time soon with rule changes changing the way players are groomed. See article https://wisedudesports.com/the-nfl-is-getting-it-wrong-again/Offensive skill, schemes and stats will continue to be on the rise league-wide and as a result generate more pressure to play sound defense and stop the opponent. The NFL world will become enamored with high octane offenses to score points and put fans in the seat. An old saying will always hold true and be associated with Super Bowl victories. Defense wins championships and always will.