Teams seem to be doing a better job of hanging onto the football nowadays. The rules making it harder for safeties to blow up receivers coming across the middle probably have something to do this with this. Teams might also be doing a better job of coaching individuals the proper techniques for hanging onto the ball.
Whatever the reason, five teams last year lost fewer than 6 fumbles. In the previous 14 seasons of this century, only 20 teams had lost fewer than 6 fumbles in a season.
LOST FUMBLES SINCE 2000 | ||
---|---|---|
Year | team | Fum |
2014 | Minnesota | 2 |
2002 | Kansas City | 2 |
2008 | NY Giants | 3 |
2014 | New England | 4 |
2013 | Indianapolis | 4 |
2012 | Houston | 4 |
2012 | Atlanta | 4 |
2003 | Detroit | 4 |
2014 | Arizona | 5 |
2014 | Denver | 5 |
2014 | San Diego | 5 |
2012 | Baltimore | 5 |
2012 | New Orleans | 5 |
2011 | San Francisco | 5 |
2011 | New England | 5 |
2011 | New Orleans | 5 |
2011 | Buffalo | 5 |
2010 | New England | 5 |
2009 | Indianapolis | 5 |
2009 | Tampa Bay | 5 |
2008 | Indianapolis | 5 |
2007 | Indianapolis | 5 |
2007 | Dallas | 5 |
2006 | Atlanta | 5 |
2004 | NY Jets | 5 |
—Ian Allan