3-4 Defenses Top 4-3s in 2018 Regular Season
By Chris Malumphy
Teams that used a base 3-4 defense did better than those typically in a 4-3 alignment in 2018. The four teams allowing the fewest points during the regular season all used a 3-4 defense. Overall, 3-4 teams allowed 22.5 points per game and finished with a 104-86-2 (.547) record. Teams using a 4-3 allowed 23.9 points per game average, 1.4 points than 3-4 teams, and were 150-168-2 (.472) overall. Twelve teams used 3-4 schemes versus 20 using the 4-3 alignment as a base defense.
Of the twelve teams that made the playoffs, five used the 3-4 alignment. Thus, 5/12 or nearly 42% of the teams that used the 3-4 scheme made the playoffs. Conversely, 7/20 or 35% of the 4-3 teams made the playoffs. However, after losses by the Bears, Ravens and Texans, the only 3-4 teams still with a chance to go to Super Bowl LIII are the Chiefs and the Rams.
Points Allowed by Team with Type of Defense | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team | Defense | PA | Defensive Passing Rating | Defensive ANY/A | Defensive Rushing Avg | Record |
Bears | 3-4 | 283 | 72.9 | 4.12 | 3.77 | 12-4-0 (0.750) |
Ravens | 3-4 | 287 | 80.6 | 5.22 | 3.75 | 10-6-0 (0.625) |
Titans | 3-4 | 303 | 88.4 | 5.94 | 4.34 | 9-7-0 (0.563) |
Texans | 3-4 | 316 | 92.7 | 6.36 | 3.44 | 11-5-0 (0.688) |
Jaguars | 4-3 | 316 | 84.4 | 5.52 | 4.31 | 5-11-0 (0.313) |
Cowboys | 4-3 | 324 | 95.7 | 6.52 | 3.78 | 10-6-0 (0.625) |
Patriots | 4-3 | 325 | 85.4 | 5.87 | 4.92 | 11-5-0 (0.688) |
Chargers | 4-3 | 329 | 89.1 | 6.01 | 4.29 | 12-4-0 (0.750) |
Vikings | 4-3 | 341 | 83.3 | 5.24 | 4.13 | 8-7-1 (0.531) |
Colts | 4-3 | 344 | 93.5 | 6.12 | 3.92 | 10-6-0 (0.625) |
Seahawks | 4-3 | 347 | 94.3 | 6.49 | 4.95 | 10-6-0 (0.625) |
Eagles | 4-3 | 348 | 92.6 | 6.36 | 4.67 | 9-7-0 (0.563) |
Broncos | 3-4 | 349 | 90.6 | 6.20 | 4.46 | 6-10-0 (0.375) |
Saints | 4-3 | 353 | 100.3 | 7.01 | 3.60 | 13-3-0 (0.813) |
Redskins | 3-4 | 359 | 95.1 | 6.28 | 4.50 | 7-9-0 (0.438) |
Lions | 4-3 | 360 | 102.7 | 7.17 | 4.37 | 6-10-0 (0.375) |
Steelers | 3-4 | 360 | 95.2 | 6.27 | 4.17 | 9-6-1 (0.594) |
Bills | 4-3 | 374 | 82.6 | 4.90 | 4.18 | 6-10-0 (0.375) |
Panthers | 4-3 | 382 | 99.6 | 6.92 | 4.70 | 7-9-0 (0.438) |
Rams | 3-4 | 384 | 93.8 | 6.25 | 5.07 | 13-3-0 (0.813) |
Browns | 4-3 | 392 | 83.4 | 5.70 | 4.71 | 7-8-1 (0.469) |
Packers | 3-4 | 400 | 100.9 | 7.07 | 4.29 | 6-9-1 (0.406) |
Giants | 3-4 | 412 | 89.8 | 6.45 | 4.27 | 5-11-0 (0.313) |
Chiefs | 3-4 | 421 | 92.7 | 6.27 | 5.00 | 12-4-0 (0.750) |
Falcons | 4-3 | 423 | 98.3 | 6.65 | 4.89 | 7-9-0 (0.438) |
Cardinals | 4-3 | 425 | 96.1 | 6.07 | 4.86 | 3-13-0 (0.188) |
Dolphins | 4-3 | 433 | 94.1 | 6.69 | 4.79 | 7-9-0 (0.438) |
49ers | 4-3 | 435 | 105.2 | 7.46 | 4.09 | 4-12-0 (0.250) |
Jets | 3-4 | 441 | 93.1 | 6.54 | 4.59 | 4-12-0 (0.250) |
Bengals | 4-3 | 455 | 100.0 | 7.32 | 4.72 | 6-10-0 (0.375) |
Buccaneers | 4-3 | 464 | 110.9 | 7.74 | 4.65 | 5-11-0 (0.313) |
Raiders | 4-3 | 467 | 101.0 | 8.00 | 4.69 | 4-12-0 (0.250) |