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| Defense Records: First Downs | Records updated through the 2006 season |
| First Downs |
| Fewest First Downs Allowed Season |
| 77 | Detroit, 1935 |
| 79 | Boston, 1935 |
| 82 | Washington, 1937 |
| Most First Downs Allowed, Season |
| 406 | Baltimore, 1981 |
| 371 | Seattle, 1981 |
| 368 | Cleveland, 1999 |
| Fewest First Downs Allowed, Rushing, Season |
| 35 | Chi. Bears, 1942 |
| 40 | Green Bay, 1939 |
| 41 | Brooklyn, 1944 |
| Most First Downs Allowed, Rushing, Season |
| 179 | Detroit, 1985 |
| 178 | New Orleans, 1980 |
| 175 | Seattle, 1981 |
| Fewest First Downs Allowed, Passing, Season |
| 33 | Chi. Bears, 1943 |
| 34 | Pittsburgh, 1941 |
| | Washington, 1943 |
| 35 | Detroit, 1940 |
| | Philadelphia, 1940, 1944 |
| Most First Downs Allowed, Passing, Season |
| 230 | Atlanta, 1995 |
| 227 | Kansas City, 2002 |
| 221 | Detroit, 2002 |
| | N.Y. Jets, 1986 |
| Fewest First Downs Allowed, Penalty, Season |
| 1 | Boston, 1944 |
| 3 | Philadelphia, 1940 |
| | Pittsburgh, 1945 |
| | Washington, 1957 |
| 4 | Cleveland, 1940 |
| | Green Bay, 1943 |
| | N.Y. Giants, 1943 |
| Most First Downs Allowed, Penalty, Season |
| 56 | Kansas City, 1998 |
| 48 | Houston, 1985 |
| 46 | Houston, 1986 |
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