Fantasy Index

Factoid

Houston Texans

Only 11 takeaways all of last season

Should the Texans select Jadaveon Clowney No. 1? They need to find a quarterback, but they might be able to get one who works out OK at the start of the second round. (Maybe they figure there isn’t that much difference between the quarterback they select at No. 33 relative to what they would take at No. 1.) Or maybe they can trade down a few spots, select the quarterback they want, and pick up some extra draft picks.

Clowney is appealing because he’s seen as one of the best pass-rushers to come along in ages, and Houston’s defense was sadly short on mayhem last year. The Texans finished with only 32 sacks, one more than last in the league. They finished with only 7 interceptions and 4 fumbles. The combined 11 takeaways was the fewest by any team in this century.

Houston finished minus-20 in turnovers, and it’s tough to win with that kind of ratio.

Since 2000, only 14 teams have failed to generate more than a turnover per game. I’m a little surprised to see that four of those teams were able to finish with a winning record and make the playoffs anyway.

Since 2000, 44 teams have finished with under 20 takeaways, and four of them (in bold) came from last year.

UNDER 20 TAKEAWAYS IN A SEASON
YearTeamRecordIntFumTotal
2013Houston2-147411
2006Washington5-116612
2012Kansas City2-147613
2012Philadelphia4-128513
2008Denver8-86713
2013NY Jets8-813215
2012Indianapolis11-512315
2011Pittsburgh12-411415
2004St. Louis8-86915
2004Green Bay10-68715
2012Miami7-910616
2012Dallas8-87916
2011New Orleans13-39716
2005Houston2-147916
2013San Diego9-711617
2012Detroit4-1211617
2011Indianapolis2-148917
2009Washington4-1211617
2008Jacksonville5-1113417
2011St. Louis2-1412618
2011Denver8-89918
2010Denver4-1210818
2010Houston6-1013518
2010Jacksonville8-813518
2008San Francisco7-912618
2008Washington8-813518
2008Atlanta11-510818
2005New England10-610818
2004Oakland5-119918
2003Buffalo6-1010818
2001Minnesota5-1181018
2000Minnesota11-581018
2013New Orleans11-512719
2012Oakland4-1211819
2011Miami6-1016319
2011Arizona8-810919
2010Miami7-911819
2009Cleveland5-1110919
2007Philadelphia8-811819
2006New Orleans10-611819
2005New Orleans3-1310919
2005Oakland4-1251419
2002Buffalo8-810919
2001Buffalo3-1311819

—Ian Allan

Fantasy Index