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To say that defensive lines anchored some of the most dominant defenses in the history of the NFL would be an understatement. They are the first line of "defense" against running backs in the ground games and quarterbacks in the passing game.

If you are unable to put pressure on the quarterback, your secondary isn't going to be too successful. If you are unable to stop the run, your defense is going to struggle a great deal. This has been repeated over and over again throughout the modern history of the NFL.

This season saw two teams, the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers, make it to the NFC Championship game based in large part on the play of their defensive line. Those units consisted of "mutters" and "dynamos." Individuals that either fought tooth and nail along the interior of the line or made larger headlines on the outside getting after the quarterback.

This morning I am going to focus on the 25 best defensive lines in the history of the NFL. You will see many units on this list that helped their teams get the Lombardi, while you will also see units that have been caught under the dust jacket of mediocrity because their teams just weren't that good.

Either way, this should be interesting.