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2008 Steelers: The last team to allow 14 PPG or less?
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2025 2:06 pm
by SeahawkFever
Just did a look at Pro Football Reference and noted which teams allowed 14 points per game or less in a season.
The most recent one was the 2008 Steelers, a team that had three pro bowlers, a fourth player who had double digit sacks and ultimately a team that allowed ten points or less in eight games.
Out of curiosity could the 08 Steelers be the last NFL team to allow 14 points per game or less in a season? It is longer now, and quarterback safety rules were implemented the following year I believe.
Re: 2008 Steelers: The last team to allow 14 PPG or less?
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2025 3:08 pm
by Brian wolf
The 2013 Seahawks were very close according to PFR ... allowing 14.4 per game, the second of four straight years leading in scoring defense.
*edited ... the Steelers were fewest in 2011 as well at 14.2
Re: 2008 Steelers: The last team to allow 14 PPG or less?
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2025 3:18 pm
by 74_75_78_79_
Anything is possible. It’s not the most undoable future accomplishment. But pretty likely, I think, we’ll see stronger defenses than the ’08 Steelers if there haven’t been some already (without looking at or going by stats, I simply place ’13 Hawks & ’24 Eagles defenses above theirs for starters), but for one to hold all opponents to that few points per game, especially with the rules being more and more offense-friendly along with that extra 17th game, it’s going to be too tall an order. Other defensive stats, ok, but points will be tough. Unless new rules at a later time ever go in-reverse in favor of defense.
Re: 2008 Steelers: The last team to allow 14 PPG or less?
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2025 3:32 pm
by Brian wolf
Close by a hair ... the 2008 Steelers gave up 223 points. The 2019 Patriots gave up 225 at 14.1 ...
Re: 2008 Steelers: The last team to allow 14 PPG or less?
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2025 5:56 pm
by 74_75_78_79_
Brian wolf wrote: ↑Sun Jul 20, 2025 3:32 pm
Close by a hair ... the 2008 Steelers gave up 223 points. The 2019 Patriots gave up 225 at 14.1 ...
But wasn't the bulk of that within their 8-0 start (perhaps, the 'last breath' of the Dynasty)? Yes, it did look scary at first, but then giving up 37 at Baltimore in that Wk#9 defeat and, from there, still solid defense to be played, but not like that first half of the season.
Re: 2008 Steelers: The last team to allow 14 PPG or less?
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2025 6:23 pm
by Brian wolf
Yeah, the Patriots collapsed after a 10-1 start losing the #2 seed to the Chiefs by getting upset by the Dolphins that final weekend of the regular season. Brady had an interception ran back for a TD. The same thing happened to Brady in the upset playoff loss to the Titans. After being fed up and leaving the Patriots, Brady's first game as a Buccaneer is another loss with him throwing another pick-six. What an incredible three-game span for him. He recovered nicely though, but what if he had stayed with NE?
Re: 2008 Steelers: The last team to allow 14 PPG or less?
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2025 2:16 am
by SeahawkFever
74_75_78_79_ wrote: ↑Sun Jul 20, 2025 3:18 pm
Anything is possible. It’s not the most undoable future accomplishment. But pretty likely, I think, we’ll see stronger defenses than the ’08 Steelers if there haven’t been some already (without looking at or going by stats, I simply place ’13 Hawks & ’24 Eagles defenses above theirs for starters), but for one to hold all opponents to that few points per game, especially with the rules being more and more offense-friendly along with that extra 17th game, it’s going to be too tall an order. Other defensive stats, ok, but points will be tough. Unless new rules at a later time ever go in-reverse in favor of defense.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that there hasn’t been an NFL defense as good as the 08 Steelers since they played, just as that what they did feels more unreachable because of the longer season and more rules changes that have helped offenses since.
I broke down the full list of teams since 1936 that averaged 14 points per game or less in another thread.