The vintage football bromide, attributed to former Alabama coaching great Bear Bryant, is that offense sells tickets and defense wins championships.
It’s a concept that is as true as it is old, and it’s never been more relevant than in the 2023 NFL season.
Both the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers, the No. 1 seeds in their respective conferences, are also ranked No. 1 in least points allowed in each conference. They are also the Maryland sports betting favorites to win the Super Bowl.
San Francisco, the NFC No. 1 seed with a home game coming up against Green Bay, is +175 to win the Super Bowl at DraftKings Maryland.
Baltimore, the AFC No. 1 seed with an upcoming home game against Houston, is +275 to win the Lombardi Trophy at BetMGM Maryland.
Utilizing NFL.com, BetMaryland.com charted the teams in the previous 10 Super Bowls to see if this year is part of a pattern. Spoiler alert – it is.
How Champs Ranked in Points Allowed
| Season | AFC Champ, Rank | NFC Champ, Rank |
| 2022-23 | Chiefs, 9th | Eagles, 3rd |
| 2021-22 | Bengals, 9th | Rams, 8th |
| 2020-21 | Chiefs, T5 | Buccaneers, 4th |
| 2019-20 | Chiefs, 5th | 49ers, 2nd |
| 2018-19 | Patriots, 5th | Rams, 10th |
| 2017-18 | Patriots, 3rd | Eagles, 2nd |
| 2016-17 | Patriots, 1st | Falcons, 14th |
| 2015-16 | Broncos, 3rd | Panthers, 3rd |
| 2014-15 | Patriots, 6th | Seahawks, 1st |
| 2013-14 | Broncos, 9th | Seahawks, 1st |
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What History Tells Us About Points Allowed
Over the last 10 seasons, of the 20 Super Bowl teams 13 finished fifth or better in their respective conferences in points allowed.
Three times a Super Bowl team finished No. 1 in its conference in points allowed on the way to the Super Bowl, the 2016-17 New England Patriots and the 2013-14 and 2014-15 Seattle Seahawks.
In last year’s Super Bowl, the winning Kansas City Chiefs had finished No. 9 in the AFC in points allowed and the runner-up Philadelphia Eagles had finished No. 3 in the NFC.
Baltimore fans will recall that the Super Bowl-winning 2000-01 Ravens famously led the NFL in points allowed, just 10.3 points per game.
Baltimore bettors should recall that they can count on BetMaryland.com for Maryland sportsbook promos.
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