Super Bowl XLV is a matchup between the two top scoring defenses in the NFL. But what Super Bowl champion in the past 25 years had the best defense?
5. New York Giants (1990) » The Giants allowed only one team to score more than 21 points all season as they rode their defense and backup quarterback Jeff Hostetler to Super Bowl XXV.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2002) » The Bucs allowed just 12.2 points and 155.6 passing yards per game, by far the best in the NFL in 2002, and finished the season by forcing the Raiders' top-ranked offense into five turnovers to win Super Bowl XXXVII.
3. New York Giants (1986) » Lawrence Taylor recorded 20.5 sacks and became only the second defensive player to win league MVP. The Giants outscored the 49ers and Redskins 66-3 before defeating the Broncos 39-20 in Super Bowl XXI.
2. Baltimore Ravens (2000) » In 15 of their 20 games, the Ravens allowed 10 points or less -- including all four of their playoff victories. Baltimore also allowed a league-low 60.6 rushing yards per game. Linebacker Ray Lewis was named defensive player of the year and Super Bowl XXXV MVP.
1. Chicago Bears (1985) » The Bears allowed an NFL-low 12.4 points and 258.4 yards per game and their defense played even better in the playoffs. In three postseason games, Chicago allowed a total of 10 points and 434 yards. The Bears lost just one game in 1985 and dominated the Patriots in Super Bowl XX, allowing just seven yards rushing and forcing six turnovers.