Defensive Notes
Detroit's defense has been about the best in the league to match offensive players up against in recent years. Especially quarterbacks: In each of the last two seasons, the Lions have been the only team in the league to allow opponents to compile a passer rating of over 100. They've intercepted just 13 passes, total, the last two years, by far the lowest figure in the league.
Considering how inept they are at recording interceptions -- the NFL average per season is 16.5, while Detroit has averaged a woeful 6.5 the last two years -- it's stunning that the Lions have been unparalleled in forcing and recovering fumbles. Over the last five seasons, the Lions have recovered 77 fumbles, ranking them 1st in the league.
Close to last in interceptions, first in fumbles recovered? We can't explain it, beyond theorizing that the Lions spend a lot more time practicing getting balls that are already in the hands of opponents than are in the air. Interestingly, two other teams -- Baltimore and Jacksonville -- are at the opposite end of the spectrum, ranking very favorably in interceptions, but among the worst teams in forcing fumbles.
Fumbles (2004-2008)
77 Detroit
72 Chicago
71 Carolina
68 Minnesota
67 Kansas City
64 Arizona
64 Denver
64 St. Louis
62 Miami
60 San Diego
60 Indianapolis
60 Seattle
59 Tampa Bay
59 Atlanta
58 Dallas
58 Cincinnati
57 Pittsburgh
57 Houston
56 NY Giants
55 Philadelphia
53 San Francisco
53 Buffalo
52 NY Jets
52 Tennessee
51 New England
50 Baltimore
47 New Orleans
47 Oakland
46 Green Bay
44 Cleveland
39 Washington
36 Jacksonville
Interceptions (2004-2008)
105 Baltimore
104 Green Bay
100 Cincinnati
99 Chicago
88 Tennessee
87 Philadelphia
87 Jacksonville
86 Buffalo
86 Indianapolis
85 San Diego
85 Carolina
85 Tampa Bay
83 Minnesota
83 Arizona
83 NY Jets
83 Cleveland
83 New England
79 NY Giants
78 Pittsburgh
75 New Orleans
74 Denver
73 Kansas City
72 San Francisco
71 Dallas
70 Seattle
69 Miami
69 Atlanta
68 St. Louis
65 Oakland
61 Detroit
60 Washington
55 Houston
--Andy Richardson
- Comments [2]
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Posted by Moishe Steigmann | Mar. 29 at 12:24 AM
Hey Andy, Interesting stat. You wrote, "Interestingly, two other teams -- Baltimore and Jacksonville -- are at the opposite end of the spectrum, ranking very favorably in interceptions, but among the worst teams in forcing fumbles." Well, Green Bay is even a better example if you look at the numbers.
Posted by ANDY RICHARDSON | Mar. 29 at 12:32 AM
You're right of course. Green Bay didn't leap out at me when I looked at the numbers initially. It's interesting how some really bad defenses rank favorably in fumbles. New theory: they get more fumbles because the opposing offenses have the ball so often. How else to explain St. Louis and Kansas City also ranking favorably in fumbles? Special mention should also be given here to Washington and Oakland, both of whom are in the bottom 5 in both categories.