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Last year, NFL defenses registered 71 interception-return touchdowns, breaking a league record that stood for 35 years (60 in 1967). Sixty players posted at least one interception-return touchdown last season, the most in a season in NFL history.

The Chicago Bears, who snagged an NFL-best 24 interceptions in 2012, led the league with eight INT-TDs, tied for the secondmost by a team in a single season in NFL history. Bears linebacker LANCE BRIGGS (bottom left) credited his defense's scoring success to its effort… with a touch of chance.

"Of course, there's a little bit of luck, but a lot of that stuff really comes just from playing hard," says Briggs, who recorded INT-TDs in back-to-back games last year (Weeks 4 and 5). "If I'm not running to the ball when the ball is tipped in Jacksonville, there is no interception. It's about how we play the game. If you play the game hard, there are some opportunities there. Just don't miss the opportunities."

In Weeks 4 and 5, Briggs and cornerback Charles Tillman each had an interception-return touchdown, becoming the first set of teammates to each return an interception for a touchdown in consecutive games. The Bears also became the first team in NFL history to return seven interceptions for touchdowns in the first eight games to start a season.

The most combined interception-return touchdowns in NFL history and players with at least one interception-return touchdown since 1970:

Most Combined INT-Return TDs (NFL history)

Season Total
Source: NFL
201271
196760
200159
200358
199958

 

Most Players To Record INT-Return TD (Since 1970)

Season Total
Source: NFL
201260
201053
200352
199951
200449

 

NFL teams with the most interception-return TDs in one season

Team Season INT-TDs
Source: NFL
San Diego19619
Chicago20128
Seattle19988
St. Louis19997
Seattle19847

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