If u had to pick one, would u pick superior Defense or superior Offense?

Question

This should get some good debates going between the offensive-minded and the defensive-minded. All in the love and advancement of football! Please elaborate and if u can, give some NFL history to back up your opinions. Thanks....

Have fun...

12 answers at this point and the score is: Defense 7 - Offense 5. Very close. There were some excellent points given about the reasoning behind taking a superior defense.

Answer 1

We alway hear that "defense wins championships" but I remember the Cowboys of the early 90's that won with a solid defense and a great offense. Defenses knew exactly what the Cowboys were going to do - the offense was completely predictable - yet still couldn't stop them. That was fun to watch. So, I'll go with offense since it's so much more entertaining than a great defense.

Answer 2

Well, History has shown that you can win either way... As long as it is a given that whatever side is not superior, offense or defense, is at least going to be average... The Rams and Colts won with an average defense and superior offense. On the other side, there have been many teams that have won it all with superior defenses and average offenses.... Most recently TB and Balt. You can go back to the great Steelers teams of the 70s too, no one ever accused them of having a high powered offense...

The key is field position... If you have a superior offense and average defense you will definitely have an exciting team, but having to continuously drive 80 plus yards to score will ultimately come back to bite you... Superior defenses, not only stop the other team from scoring, but generally stop them from moving the ball which creates a short field for the offense... Even an average offense will have success if they are constantly receiving the ball beyond the 40 yard line. In this scenario the offense is only asked not to lose the game. Take that short field and put about 21 points on the board and the defense will do the rest....

In a perfect world we would like to have both, but the salary cap has made that a virtual impossibility to sustain. So if you can only have one, history has shown, take the DEFENSE!!!

Answer 3

I think you have to have a superior defense or at least a pretty good defense. Everybody can score these days in the NFL but you have to be able to stop someone at some point. All of your Dynasty teams had a great defense or al least a pretty good one. Look at the Steelers of the 70's with the Steel Curtain. The Packers of the 60's had a great defense. And yes I know the 49ers had a great offense in the 80's but in all their SB wins held down some pretty good offense. The 85 Bears were lead by their defense as was the 2000 Ravens team. The Giants of 86 and 90 were lead by their D. So I know I would go with defense.

Answer 4

I would pick a superior offense. The offensive line usually lasts a decade. A superior offense is usually comprised of a great QB and RB. A good WR is also usually in the mix. A superior offense lasts longer than a superior defense. You always have the draft to build a defense. Look at Seattle. They built a superior offense and while they were a joke on defense they now have a potent young defense. Offense last longer than defense and provides the opportunity to build a good defense if you have the pieces in place. Also a superior offense controls the clock and keeps the defense on the sidelines which is also good for a suspect defense.

Answer 5

Have to go with the offense. An offense can win with 4 great plays a game. A defense has to stop an average of 35 to 40 plays in order to get a shut out, which is very rare. A superior offense that can control the ball, and wear down the defense, will eventualy be able to find an opening to score.

Answer 6

Good question...Id have to say defense because with a strong D the opponent cant score. Another reason is that great defenses score point as well ie the Tampa Bay super bowl win...The tough defenses also controll field position which is major a bad offense can score from the 20... Just my opinion but if the bears wouldve had everyone healthy the Colts wouldve been in some trouble.

Answer 7

I'd take superior defense. If you have good defense, You are always going to be in the game. Which is why it is so critical in terms of wining a championship. Yeah it might not make for the most entertaining of games. But if you got a good defense you can always play a feild position game, and manufacture points. If your defense sucks, then all you can do is win in a shootout. and having to score constantly cause your defense cant stop anyone is a lot of pressure to put on an offense.

Answer 8

i would pick a superior defense. The Ravens won the Super Bowl with the best defense and the worst offense in the world. I don't think that offense could have scored on a team of girl scouts.

Defense wins championship. Offense win fans and cheers.

Answer 9

I think we saw the answer to this question this past Superbowl. They say "defense win championships", but we saw that an incredible offensive team can beat the toughest defenesive team when they don't have point support. That's also why the Pats won 3, good defense but an offense that consistantly puts up points especially in the 4th quarter. Even though the Ravens won with defense, that still gives defense one SB against at least 20 for offense. Even the Steel Curtain had offensive support. Stellar Ds win one SB (Bears, Ravens), great offenses win multiple SBs (Pats, 49ers, Cowboys).

Answer 10

Well since my team ( The Saints ) has the superior offense already,I'll take a superior defense to go along with it! Seriously though!!! Give me a superior "D" B/c look at the Ravens! Had no offense! And dominated that year! Another example,last years Bears!