1.   The defense had shut down the multifaceted Detroit offense.

2.   And the defense shut down Aikman on a Tim McDonald interception in the closing seconds.

3.   Behind captain Dan Calichman, the defense has shut down opponents.

4.   But the Spurs defense shut down the Clippers the rest of the way as the Clippers lacked a go-to guy.

5.   Could their own defense shut down a competent quarterback?

6.   Early in the game, the Texas defense shut down the Colorado running game much as it has opposing defenses all season.

7.   The defense shut down the Chiefs in the first half and came up with two big fourth-down stops in the fourth quarter.

8.   The defense has shut down the running attacks of Washington and New York.

9.   The Patriot defense shut down Davis but allowed wide receiver Ed McCaffrey to find open space time and again.