As posted on Behind the Steel Curtain, a comparison of the weekly performances of three Pittsburgh Steelers' defenses: the 2010 unit that's largely been responsible for the team's 3-0 start, the 2008 defense that led the league in almost every significant defensive category, and the 1976 group that is often described as the best in franchise history.
| Year | Points | Pts/Game | Yards/Game | Pass Y/G | Rush Y/G | Turnovers | Sacks |
| 2010 (3-0) | 33 | 11 | 278.66 | 219 | 59.66 | 10 | 10 |
| 2008 (2-1) | 38 | 12.67 | 234 | 169.67 | 64.33 | 8 | 10 |
| 1976 (1-2) | 75 | 25 | 389.66 | 255.33 | 134.33 | 12 | N / A * |
*Sacks, of course, had not yet become an official stat in 1976, so we unfortunately can't track and compare that category.