NFL Game Changers: Turnovers Key To Victory
NFL Game Changers: Turnovers Key To Victory

What is one of the secrets to success in the NFL? Winning the turnover battle certainly ranks high on the list.

"If you win the turnover ratio, you have a good chance of winning games," says Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, whose team led the NFL last season with a +14 net turnover differential. "This game is about making big plays, taking care of the football and taking it away. Those are critical components."

Last season, four of the five top teams in net turnover differential -- Green Bay (+14), New England (+12), Seattle (+10) and Arizona (+8) -- made the playoffs and combined for a 47-17 record (.734).

 

Top 5 NFL teams net turnover differential (2014)

Team Takeaways Giveaways Differential Record
*Qualified for playoffs (Source: NFL)
Green Bay*2713+1412-4
Houston3422+129-7
New England*2513+1212-4
Seattle*2414+1012-4
Arizona*2517+811-5

"Turnovers are huge," says BILL BELICHICK, head coach of the Super Bowl XLIX champion New England Patriots. "There's no statistic that correlates more to winning than turnovers."

Last year, the Super Bowl champion Patriots and the NFC North champion Packers had only 13 giveaways, tied for the thirdfewest giveaways in a 16-game season in NFL history.

 

Fewest Giveaways in 16-Game NFL Season

Season Team Giveaways
*Qualified for playoffs (Source: NFL)
2011San Francisco10
2010New England10
2014Green Bay13
2014New England13
2008Miami13
2008New York Giants13

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