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DE LANO HULL FROM LOS ANGELES, CA: We all knew of and loved the exploits of our vaunted "Steel Curtain" defense. What were their rankings in total defense from 1970-80?

ANSWER: Before getting to your question, a point of clarification. While the nickname "Steel Curtain" came to refer to the Steelers defense over time, initially that name only applied to the front four, which competed in the same era of the NFL as Los Angeles' Fearsome Foursome and Minnesota's Purple People Eaters.

Here are where the Steelers defenses ranked from 1970-80, and when you refer to total defense, that means yards allowed in the NFL:

• 1970: No. 14

• 1971: No. 18

• 1972: No. 8

• 1973: No. 4

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