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Worst run defenses in NFL history
Cold, Hard Football Facts for January 1, 2007
The 2006 Colts will go down in the record books as the team with the 7th worst rush defense in NFL history. As we noted earlier this season, most of the teams at the top of the list had deep institutional reasons for their inability to stop the run.
The 1934 Cincinnati Reds, the 1950 N.Y. Yanks and 1950 Colts each went out of business soon after finding they were unable to compete in the NFL. The 1961 Vikings, meanwhile, were an expansion team that season. That leaves only the 1958 49ers and 1959 Redskins as functioning NFL teams who fielded run defenses worse than the 2006 Colts.
The Saints and Rams each flirted with making this list, as well. But both ended the season allowing a shade under 5.0 YPA.
The worst run defenses in pro football history (5.0 YPA or worse)
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|
Team |
Record |
Attempts |
Yards |
YPA |
|
1 |
1934 Cincinnati Reds |
0-8 |
255 |
1,631 |
6.40 |
|
2 |
1950 N.Y. Yanks |
7-5 |
434 |
2,445 |
5.63 |
|
3 |
1950 Colts |
1-11 |
514 |
2,857 |
5.56 |
|
4 |
1959 Redskins |
3-9 |
404 |
2,214 |
5.48 |
|
5 |
1961 Vikings |
3-11 |
493 |
2,667 |
5.41 |
|
6 |
1958 49ers |
6-6 |
380 |
2,038 |
5.36 |
|
7 |
2006 Colts |
12-4 |
519 |
2,768 |
5.33 |
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
9 |
1955 Bears |
8-4 |
398 |
2,100 |
5.28 |
|
10 |
1951 Bears |
7-5 |
372 |
1,958 |
5.26 |
|
11 |
1953 Colts |
3-9 |
445 |
2,315 |
5.20 |
|
12 |
2003 Chiefs |
13-3 |
453 |
2,344 |
5.17 |
|
13 |
1976 Chiefs |
5-9 |
555 |
2,861 |
5.15 |
|
14 |
1956 Packers |
4-8 |
512 |
2,619 |
5.12 |
|
15 |
1961 Raiders (AFL) |
1-13 |
478 |
2,440 |
5.10 |
|
16 |
1973 Patriots |
5-9 |
560 |
2,850 |
5.09 |
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17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
18 |
1960 Cowboys |
0-11-1 |
447 |
2,242 |
5.02 |
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