When looking at fantasy defenses, there's a lot to be said for simply chasing sacks. Get after the quarterback successfully and you'll generally come away with not only sacks but turnovers on rushed passes or disrupted plays. Interceptions, fumbles, defensive touchdowns -- they don't always follow, statistically, but it's nice to take your chances with a defense that can harass opposing quarterbacks.
Over the last 20 years, 44 defenses have recorded at least 50 sacks -- so, an average of just over 2 per season. Two of the top 10 performances in that time period came last year: Carolina (60) and Buffalo (57). There have been offseason changes and preseason injuries affecting those teams, but we expect them to be among the league leaders in sacks yet again.
All of the 50-sack seasons by defenses in the last 20 years are presented below, with 2013 teams in bold.
50-SACK SEASONS, 1994-2013 | ||
---|---|---|
Year | Team | Sack |
2000 | New Orleans | 66 |
2006 | San Diego | 61 |
2013 | Carolina | 60 |
2006 | Baltimore | 60 |
1996 | Carolina | 60 |
2008 | Dallas | 59 |
1997 | New Orleans | 59 |
2013 | Buffalo | 57 |
1999 | St. Louis | 57 |
1999 | Jacksonville | 57 |
2002 | Philadelphia | 56 |
2001 | Pittsburgh | 55 |
2000 | Tampa Bay | 55 |
2000 | Tennessee | 55 |
1997 | Atlanta | 55 |
1994 | Pittsburgh | 55 |
1999 | Tennessee | 54 |
1998 | NY Giants | 54 |
1997 | NY Giants | 54 |
1997 | San Francisco | 54 |
1997 | Kansas City | 54 |
2013 | St. Louis | 53 |
2007 | NY Giants | 53 |
2001 | New Orleans | 53 |
1998 | Seattle | 53 |
2012 | Denver | 52 |
2012 | St. Louis | 52 |
2002 | Carolina | 52 |
2001 | Green Bay | 52 |
2012 | Cincinnati | 51 |
2008 | Pittsburgh | 51 |
2000 | St. Louis | 51 |
2000 | Kansas City | 51 |
1998 | San Francisco | 51 |
1996 | Pittsburgh | 51 |
2011 | Philadelphia | 50 |
2011 | Minnesota | 50 |
2005 | Seattle | 50 |
2002 | Pittsburgh | 50 |
2000 | Philadelphia | 50 |
1999 | Detroit | 50 |
1999 | Denver | 50 |
1998 | St. Louis | 50 |
1998 | Green Bay | 50 |
--Andy Richardson