— The Super Bowl winner with the best defense over the past nine years was the 2008 Steelers, who had an average rank of 4.8 in the defensive categories. That Steelers team also had the worst offense, with 18.8 ranking in the offensive categories.
— The team with the best offense over the past nine years was the 2006 Colts, who had an average rank of 5.0. The 2006 Colts also had the worst defense, with an average rank of 21.9.
— Five of nine teams had a top 10 average ranking on the defensive side of the ball. Three teams had a top 10 average ranking on the offensive side.
— On defense, it appears that pressuring the quarterback and creating turnovers are more important than total points allowed. The past nine champs had the most statistical success in sacks, total takeaways and interceptions. Six teams (2011 Giants, 2010 Packers, 2008 Steelers, 2007 Giants, 2005 Steelers, 2004 Patriots, 2003 Patriots) ranked in the top three in the league in sacks. Only one team ranked in the bottom half, the 2006 Colts. (But that Colts team did sack Tom Brady three times in the AFC championship game to finally get past their nemesis.)
— For takeaways and interceptions, six teams also ranked in the top 10. The 2009 Saints were one of the worst recent champs in points allowed (20th in the league), but they were second in the league in takeaways. Those Saints also had the second best offense of the past nine champs, behind only the 2006 Colts.
— For points allowed, five teams ranked in the top four. However, three teams (2011 Giants, 2009 Saints, 2006 Colts) were 20th or worse.
- On offense, the highest averages were points scored and red zone offense. In each category, six of the nine teams ranked in the top 10.
