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[QUOTE="Scooch, post: 1651628, member: 628"]
The stat is that the league's #1 ranked defense is 10-2 in Super Bowls.  Which means that the league's #1 ranked defense didn't make the Super Bowl 38 times.
 
Going back 10 years to when the major defensive rule changes were implemented here are the defensive rankings for Super Bowl champs...

2015: Broncos #1
2014: Patriots #13
2013: Seahawks #1
2012: Ravens #17
2011: Giants #27
2010: Packers #5
2009: Saints #25
2008: Steelers #1
2007: Giants #7
2006: Colts #21

As many teams have won a Super Bowl with a sub-20th ranked D as have teams with the #1 ranked D.  Average rank is 12th.

Interesting to look at offensive rank too, and see that the average rank is... 12th.

2015: Broncos #16
2014: Patriots #11
2013: Seahawks #18
2012: Ravens #16
2011: Giants #8
2010: Packers #9
2009: Saints #1
2008: Steelers #22
2007: Giants #16
2006: Colts #3

The team's that won the SB and had #1 ranked D's had the luxury of having mediocre offenses (16, 18, 22).  Remove those and the average O was ranked 9th.

So I think the point is that you [I]can[/I] win a title if you have a league leading defense.  But you also [I]can[/I] win a title with a pedestrian defense too.  Lots of ways to skin a cat, essentially.

And to Millhouse's point, offense is more predictable and sustainable year-to-year.  Take a look at Denver's current odds to win the SB next season as evidence of that.
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