What’s the formula to winning on a consistent basis in the NFL? Turnovers.
“Turnovers are a huge emphasis for every team in the league,” says Buffalo head coach REX RYAN, whose defense notched three interceptions in the Bills’ 41-14 road win at Miami in Week 3, including a 43-yard interception return touchdown by linebacker PRESTON BROWN. “I think that’s the number one correlation between winning and losing, more than any other statistic.”
Through Week 3 of the 2015 season, teams winning the turnover battle are 33-5 (.868).
Five AFC teams have a positive turnover differentials this season – Denver (+6), Buffalo (+5), the New York Jets (+5), New England (+3), and Cincinnati (+2). All five clubs have winning records at this point in the season, including the undefeated Bengals, Broncos and Patriots, and have a combined record of 13-2 (.867).
The AFC clubs with a positive turnover differential:
TEAM TAKEAWAYS GIVEAWAYS NET DIFFERENTIAL 2015 RECORD
Denver Broncos 10 4 +6 3-0
Buffalo Bills 8 3 +5 2-1
New York Jets 11 6 +5 2-1
New England Patriots 5 2 +3 3-0
Cincinnati Bengals 6 4 +2 3-0
Coaches across the league understand the value of turnovers and continually make it a point of emphasis with players.
“Creating turnovers is something that we stress,” says Jets defensive coordinator KACY RODGERS, whose team leads the NFL in total turnovers (11) and points allowed (13.7 per game) this season. “That’s just something that helps win games in this league.”
Denver, which leads the league in total defense (259.0 yards per game), also ranks second in the NFL with total 10 takeaways.
The Broncos’ defense has been instrumental in the club’s 3-0 start and has produced two game-winning touchdowns this season, including a 51-yard interception return-touchdown by AQIB TALIB in the third quarter against the Ravens in Week 1 and a 21-yard fumble return-touchdown by BRADLEY ROBY versus the Chiefs in Week 2.
“As a defense, that is what we plan to do. We try to force turnovers,” says Denver linebacker BRANDON MARSHALL. “We want to lead the league in turnovers and help the offense as much as possible.”
Since the beginning of the 2010 season, the New England Patriots lead the NFL in turnover differential (+94) and regular-season winning percentage (.795). The Green Bay Packers (+55, .717) rank second in each category during that span.
The teams with the best turnover margin since 2010:
TEAM TAKEAWAYS GIVEAWAYS NET DIFFERENTIAL RECORD (WIN PCT.)
New England Patriots 172 78 +94 66-17-0 (.795)
Green Bay Packers 146 91 +55 59-23-1 (.717)
San Francisco 49ers 146 95 +51 51-31-1 (.620)
Seattle Seahawks 151 108 +43 51-32-0 (.614)
Atlanta Falcons 144 109 +35 49-34-0 (.590)
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