The 1969 Vikings And The Best Pass Defenses At Preventing First Downs

by Chase Stuart on October 17, 2017

The Purple People Eaters

Last Monday, I provided some initial thoughts on the relative values of completion and passing first down percentage. The next day, I looked at how teams with disparate performances in those two metrics. And last Wednesday, I looked at the best passing offenses in NFL history in first down rate on passing plays.

Today? A look at the best pass defenses at preventing first downs. This time, I am also going to era adjust these ratings. In 1969, the Vikings faced 459 pass plays (410 pass attempts, 49 sacks) but allowed only 88 passing first downs. That’s a remarkable rate of just 19.2%, the best since World War II. It’s also the best rate on an era-adjusted basis. The league average in the NFL in 1969 was 29.0%, which means this iteration of the Purple People Eaters was 9.8% better than league average, the highest differential ever.

Rk	Tm	Year	1D Pass	Pass Att	Sk	1D/PP	LgAvg	Diff
1	MIN	1969	88	410	49	19.2%	29%	-9.8%
2	GNB	1963	87	378	39	20.9%	29.5%	-8.6%
3	MIN	1971	88	405	27	20.4%	28.1%	-7.7%
4	NYJ	2009	128	501	32	24%	31.7%	-7.7%
5	PHI	1954	84	345	43	21.6%	29.3%	-7.6%
6	OAK	1967	103	459	67	19.6%	27.2%	-7.6%
7	GNB	1962	94	355	42	23.7%	30.9%	-7.3%
8	PIT	1975	97	396	43	22.1%	29.2%	-7.1%
9	PIT	1974	83	339	52	21.2%	28.3%	-7.1%
10	ATL	1977	76	320	42	21%	28%	-7%
11.5	GNB	1967	78	337	29	21.3%	28.2%	-6.8%
11.5	RAM	1967	104	445	43	21.3%	28.2%	-6.8%
13	TAM	2002	131	510	43	23.7%	30.5%	-6.8%
14	PHI	1949	68	303	45	19.5%	26.3%	-6.8%
15	CHI	1984	122	435	72	24.1%	30.7%	-6.7%
16	MIA	1973	78	322	45	21.3%	27.9%	-6.6%
17	CLE	1954	73	300	22	22.7%	29.3%	-6.6%
18	DEN	2004	130	484	38	24.9%	31.5%	-6.6%
19	MIN	1970	89	367	49	21.4%	27.9%	-6.5%
20	CHI	1958	84	327	47	22.5%	28.9%	-6.4%
21	PHI	2008	144	525	48	25.1%	31.5%	-6.4%
22	DEN	2015	162	573	52	25.9%	32.3%	-6.4%
23	CHI	1962	101	363	48	24.6%	30.9%	-6.4%
24	BAL	2000	135	528	35	24%	30.3%	-6.3%
25	TAM	1999	144	573	43	23.4%	29.7%	-6.3%
26	MIN	1975	93	360	46	22.9%	29.2%	-6.3%
27	TAM	1979	111	436	40	23.3%	29.6%	-6.2%
28	CHI	1985	141	522	64	24.1%	30.3%	-6.2%
29	DET	1962	105	367	57	24.8%	30.9%	-6.2%
30	PIT	2008	149	533	51	25.5%	31.5%	-6%
31	DET	1976	76	313	28	22.3%	28.2%	-6%
32	ATL	1978	113	444	47	23%	29%	-5.9%
33	DAL	2003	127	492	32	24.2%	30.2%	-5.9%
34	WAS	1991	151	548	50	25.3%	31.2%	-5.9%
35	MIN	1989	140	488	71	25%	30.9%	-5.9%
36	RAM	1980	141	510	56	24.9%	30.7%	-5.8%
37	DAL	1977	94	370	53	22.2%	28%	-5.8%
38	OAK	1969	107	422	47	22.8%	28.6%	-5.8%
39	STL	1966	109	443	52	22%	27.8%	-5.7%
40	PHI	1991	133	467	55	25.5%	31.2%	-5.7%
41	HOU	2012	167	581	44	26.7%	32.4%	-5.7%
42	GNB	2008	141	518	27	25.9%	31.5%	-5.6%
43	MIN	1972	82	331	21	23.3%	28.9%	-5.6%
44	GNB	2002	143	531	43	24.9%	30.5%	-5.6%
45	HOU	1969	93	371	32	23.1%	28.6%	-5.5%
46	NOR	1991	139	491	50	25.7%	31.2%	-5.5%
47	CHI	2006	159	581	40	25.6%	31.1%	-5.5%
48	HOU	1976	90	345	50	22.8%	28.2%	-5.5%
49	CHI	1959	91	333	32	24.9%	30.4%	-5.5%
50	JAX	2006	143	523	35	25.6%	31.1%	-5.4%
51	OAK	1973	92	370	40	22.4%	27.9%	-5.4%
52	WAS	1976	91	354	44	22.9%	28.2%	-5.4%
53	DEN	1971	91	356	44	22.8%	28.1%	-5.4%
54	CLE	1957	66	242	26	24.6%	29.9%	-5.3%
55	BAL	1999	158	599	49	24.4%	29.7%	-5.3%
56	NYG	1961	110	386	50	25.2%	30.5%	-5.3%
57	BAL	2003	144	531	47	24.9%	30.2%	-5.2%
58	RAM	1975	103	387	43	24%	29.2%	-5.2%
59	SFO	1952	76	342	36	20.1%	25.3%	-5.2%
60	CIN	1972	92	350	38	23.7%	28.9%	-5.2%
61	KAN	1969	111	426	48	23.4%	28.6%	-5.2%
62	DEN	1989	142	504	47	25.8%	30.9%	-5.1%
63	PIT	1976	96	373	41	23.2%	28.2%	-5.1%
64	RAI	1984	147	508	64	25.7%	30.7%	-5%
65	PHI	1981	137	507	40	25%	30.1%	-5%
66	BUF	2014	171	559	54	27.9%	32.9%	-5%
67	PHI	1955	69	272	27	23.1%	28.1%	-5%
68	BUF	1980	120	433	33	25.8%	30.7%	-5%
69	CHI	2005	153	550	41	25.9%	30.9%	-5%
70	TEN	2007	165	569	40	27.1%	32%	-4.9%
71	MIN	1988	132	480	37	25.5%	30.4%	-4.9%
72	CIN	2013	178	614	43	27.1%	32%	-4.9%
73	NYG	1959	85	304	29	25.5%	30.4%	-4.9%
74	RAM	1977	94	370	36	23.2%	28%	-4.9%
75	MIA	1982	65	226	29	25.5%	30.3%	-4.8%
76	CHI	1963	96	353	36	24.7%	29.5%	-4.8%
77	SFO	1976	102	374	61	23.4%	28.2%	-4.8%
78	PHI	1979	125	459	45	24.8%	29.6%	-4.8%
79	PIT	1956	66	234	25	25.5%	30.2%	-4.8%
80	GNB	1996	151	544	37	26%	30.7%	-4.7%
81	CLE	1973	79	312	29	23.2%	27.9%	-4.7%
82	CLE	1951	81	330	54	21.1%	25.8%	-4.7%
83	NYG	2010	159	539	46	27.2%	31.9%	-4.7%
84	TEN	2008	166	575	44	26.8%	31.5%	-4.7%
85	PIT	1973	91	359	33	23.2%	27.9%	-4.7%
86	NYG	1958	80	311	19	24.2%	28.9%	-4.7%
87	PHI	2002	160	563	56	25.8%	30.5%	-4.6%
88	RAM	1985	155	548	56	25.7%	30.3%	-4.6%
89	WAS	2007	174	602	33	27.4%	32%	-4.6%
90	MIN	1977	80	312	30	23.4%	28%	-4.6%
91	PHI	1992	146	517	55	25.5%	30.1%	-4.6%
92	PIT	2011	156	530	35	27.6%	32.2%	-4.6%
93	TEN	2000	134	466	55	25.7%	30.3%	-4.6%
94	RAM	1973	87	328	45	23.3%	27.9%	-4.6%
95	NYG	1963	106	368	57	24.9%	29.5%	-4.5%
96	BAL	2006	151	509	60	26.5%	31.1%	-4.5%
97	PIT	1990	130	460	34	26.3%	30.8%	-4.5%
98	STL	1961	112	389	42	26%	30.5%	-4.5%
99	SFO	1986	169	604	51	25.8%	30.3%	-4.5%
100	DEN	1997	145	526	44	25.4%	29.9%	-4.5%
101	SEA	2013	156	524	44	27.5%	32%	-4.5%
102	CHI	1967	98	384	30	23.7%	28.2%	-4.5%
103	OAK	1968	113	446	49	22.8%	27.3%	-4.5%
104	PIT	1978	119	442	44	24.5%	29%	-4.5%
105	BAL	2008	152	528	34	27%	31.5%	-4.5%
106	BUF	2013	170	561	57	27.5%	32%	-4.5%
107	SEA	1982	68	246	17	25.9%	30.3%	-4.4%
108	NOR	1992	146	511	57	25.7%	30.1%	-4.4%
109	NYG	1990	139	496	30	26.4%	30.8%	-4.4%
110	NYG	1957	64	226	25	25.5%	29.9%	-4.4%
111	HOU	2016	157	522	31	28.4%	32.8%	-4.4%
112	PIT	2007	158	536	36	27.6%	32%	-4.4%
113	CLE	1956	62	226	14	25.8%	30.2%	-4.4%
114	GNB	1961	117	414	34	26.1%	30.5%	-4.4%
115	HOU	1995	157	553	30	26.9%	31.3%	-4.4%
116	WAS	1985	134	465	52	25.9%	30.3%	-4.4%
117	CHI	1960	84	291	53	24.4%	28.8%	-4.4%
118	DEN	2016	169	552	42	28.5%	32.8%	-4.4%
119	PIT	1994	156	532	55	26.6%	30.9%	-4.3%
120	CRD	1956	79	287	18	25.9%	30.2%	-4.3%
121	PIT	1959	80	285	22	26.1%	30.4%	-4.3%
122	OAK	1975	113	398	55	24.9%	29.2%	-4.2%
123	TAM	2004	131	436	45	27.2%	31.5%	-4.2%
124	STL	2001	153	541	45	26.1%	30.3%	-4.2%
125	NYJ	1998	150	544	36	25.9%	30.1%	-4.2%
126	SFO	1987	132	467	37	26.2%	30.4%	-4.2%
127	DAL	1984	155	527	57	26.5%	30.7%	-4.2%
128	BUF	1960	109	429	36	23.4%	27.6%	-4.2%
129	PHI	1956	69	243	22	26%	30.2%	-4.2%
130	CHI	1981	144	525	31	25.9%	30.1%	-4.2%
131	SFO	1997	145	509	54	25.8%	29.9%	-4.2%
132	DET	1960	94	354	28	24.6%	28.8%	-4.2%
133	ARI	2011	174	578	42	28.1%	32.2%	-4.1%
134	NYG	1987	148	508	55	26.3%	30.4%	-4.1%
135	GNB	1997	156	563	41	25.8%	29.9%	-4.1%
136	NYG	2016	191	630	35	28.7%	32.8%	-4.1%
137	HOU	1986	137	490	32	26.2%	30.3%	-4.1%
138	CHI	1986	151	513	62	26.3%	30.3%	-4.1%
139	PIT	1979	135	480	49	25.5%	29.6%	-4%
140	WAS	1977	102	380	45	24%	28%	-4%
141	BAL	1971	95	361	33	24.1%	28.1%	-4%
142	DAL	1970	105	399	41	23.9%	27.9%	-4%
143	PHI	1980	157	543	44	26.7%	30.7%	-4%
144	NYJ	1968	104	403	43	23.3%	27.3%	-4%
145	RAM	1988	166	571	56	26.5%	30.4%	-3.9%
146	DET	1967	85	312	39	24.2%	28.2%	-3.9%
147	SDG	1998	149	530	39	26.2%	30.1%	-3.9%
148	SFO	1981	144	514	36	26.2%	30.1%	-3.9%
149	WAS	2004	153	515	40	27.6%	31.5%	-3.9%
150	SDG	1979	132	472	42	25.7%	29.6%	-3.9%
151	PHI	2000	159	552	50	26.4%	30.3%	-3.9%
152	WAS	2000	134	462	45	26.4%	30.3%	-3.9%
153	PHI	2004	165	550	47	27.6%	31.5%	-3.8%
154	PHI	2006	154	525	40	27.3%	31.1%	-3.8%
155	SDG	1980	156	519	60	26.9%	30.7%	-3.8%
156	MIN	1993	139	478	45	26.6%	30.4%	-3.8%
157	CAR	2015	198	650	44	28.5%	32.3%	-3.7%
158	BAL	2011	166	535	48	28.5%	32.2%	-3.7%
159	NYJ	1995	149	497	43	27.6%	31.3%	-3.7%
160	BAL	1968	119	432	45	24.9%	28.7%	-3.7%
161	DET	1963	109	378	45	25.8%	29.5%	-3.7%
162	HOU	2011	166	538	44	28.5%	32.2%	-3.7%
163	CHI	1957	96	306	60	26.2%	29.9%	-3.7%
164	MIA	1972	96	348	33	25.2%	28.9%	-3.7%
165	SFO	1951	84	353	27	22.1%	25.8%	-3.7%
166	PIT	2004	146	484	41	27.8%	31.5%	-3.7%
167	DEN	1976	104	391	32	24.6%	28.2%	-3.7%
168	PHI	2001	150	517	45	26.7%	30.3%	-3.7%
169	CLE	1987	134	467	34	26.7%	30.4%	-3.7%
170	PHI	1986	156	532	53	26.7%	30.3%	-3.6%
171	KAN	1995	178	596	47	27.7%	31.3%	-3.6%
172	RAM	1978	113	399	47	25.3%	29%	-3.6%
173	PIT	1966	105	397	38	24.1%	27.8%	-3.6%
174	DEN	2003	141	495	36	26.6%	30.2%	-3.6%
175	CAR	1996	167	556	60	27.1%	30.7%	-3.6%
176	DET	1956	84	297	18	26.7%	30.2%	-3.6%
177	NYG	1981	156	544	44	26.5%	30.1%	-3.6%
178	MIN	1973	99	377	30	24.3%	27.9%	-3.6%
179	CLE	1955	83	323	15	24.6%	28.1%	-3.6%
180	CHI	1988	158	545	43	26.9%	30.4%	-3.5%
181	RAM	1981	128	439	43	26.6%	30.1%	-3.5%
182	CAR	2006	149	500	41	27.5%	31.1%	-3.5%
183	SFO	1996	164	558	45	27.2%	30.7%	-3.5%
184	BAL	1970	120	452	41	24.3%	27.9%	-3.5%
185	MIN	1976	91	323	45	24.7%	28.2%	-3.5%
186	BAL	2001	161	555	45	26.8%	30.3%	-3.5%
187	NYG	1962	136	450	46	27.4%	30.9%	-3.5%
188	PIT	2016	184	590	38	29.3%	32.8%	-3.5%
189	DET	2012	167	544	34	28.9%	32.4%	-3.5%
190	GNB	1966	106	390	47	24.3%	27.8%	-3.5%
191	DEN	1996	165	566	40	27.2%	30.7%	-3.5%
192	RAM	1950	88	385	37	20.9%	24.3%	-3.5%
193	CAR	2002	155	522	52	27%	30.5%	-3.5%
194	SFO	2009	176	580	44	28.2%	31.7%	-3.5%
195	PIT	2010	182	593	48	28.4%	31.9%	-3.5%
196	GNB	2010	163	527	47	28.4%	31.9%	-3.5%
197	CIN	1975	107	389	27	25.7%	29.2%	-3.5%
198	DET	1969	101	350	46	25.5%	29%	-3.5%
199	GNB	1964	91	318	45	25.1%	28.5%	-3.5%
200	DEN	1981	142	497	36	26.6%	30.1%	-3.4%

The table above shows the top 200 pass defenses at preventing first downs.

Since 2010, the best pass defenses were, in order, the 2015 Broncos, 2012 Texans, and 2014 Bills.
In the ’00s, the best pass defenses were the 2009 Jets, 2002 Bucs, 2004 Broncos, 2008 Eagles, 2000 Ravens, and 2008 Steelers.
In the 1990s, the best pass defenses were the 1999 Bucs, 1991 Redskins, 1991 Eagles, 1991 Saints, and 1999 Ravens.
The ’80s? The ’84 Bears, ’85 Bears, ’89 Vikings, ’80 Rams, ’89 Broncos, and ’84 Raiders.
The ’70s? The ’71 Vikings, ’75 Steelers, ’74 Steelers, ’77 Falcons (of course), ’83 Dolphins, ’70 Vikings, ’75 Vikings, and ’79 Bucs.
The ’60s? The ’69 Vikings, ’63 Packers, ’67 Raiders, ’62 Packers, ’67 Packers, ’67 Rams, and ’62 Bears and Lions.
The ’50s? The ’54 Eagles, ’54 Browns, ’58 Bears, ’59 Bears, ’57 Browns, and ’52 49ers.

As always, please leave your thoughts in the comments.

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