Takeaways Declined Through the Decades

[plasticman]

During the 60's and 70's defenses used to be outright feared. There wasn't the protective rules we have today. Imagine an NFL and quarterbacks of today without the "in the grasp" or "helmet to helmet" or the more strict "unnecessary roughness" interpretations. Quarterbacks got hurt. Defensive lines earned nicknames like the "Fearsome Foursome" of the Rams and "Purple People Eaters" of the Vikings.

Receivers didn't have the freedom they have today with the five yard rule regarding contact. There was no such thing as "unprotected receiver". If you were attempting a reception in the air you got hit before your feet went to the ground, whether you caught the ball or not.

During that period, when the future health of the players were not considered, there were far more turnovers as you can probably imagine. An offensive player was more inclined to be separated from the ball. Quarterbacks were getting rid of the ball under circumstances that where, shall we say, less favorable.

During the 70's to the late 80's NFL teams averaged 34 takeaways for 14 game seasons, expanded to 39 for 16 games. in the early 90's they averaged 32, in the 2000's they averaged 29 and for the past three seasons they have averaged 22 takeaways per season.

During the 60's to the 80's it wasn't too unusual for a QB to throw 5 or more INT's in a game. During those 3 decades it happened 75 times, an average of 25 times per decade. During the 2010's it happened 3 times.

Turnovers are very hard to come by these days. However, in 2019, teams that got 25 or more takeaways averaged 11 wins. Today's turnovers are generated more by technique than physical play due to the rule changes. Hopefully, our new coaches are more innovative when it comes to teaching technique

 

[JoeKing]

There is no "decline through the years" and there is no carryover from one year to the next. Each season's stats is its own adventure. It's more like a roller coaster with peaks and valleys. Takeaways are just another stat that doesn't tell the whole story.

 

[DogFace]

There is no "decline through the years" and there is no carryover from one year to the next. Each season's stats is its own adventure. It's more like a roller coaster with peaks and valleys. Takeaways are just another stat that doesn't tell the whole story.

 

[Zekeats]

There is no "decline through the years" and there is no carryover from one year to the next. Each season's stats is its own adventure. It's more like a roller coaster with peaks and valleys. Takeaways are just another stat that doesn't tell the whole story.

BS! Takeaway have declined for all teams as the years go on because of analytics. Besides that aspect our team has struggled big time with forcing turnovers. Im hopeful that changes with Garrett and his deceptive defense gone.

 

[Jfconrow]

I just wish they would do away with pass interference.

 

[GINeric]

I think that two other things factor into that as well.... back in the days, rainy games were more sloppy than nowadays.... back then, everybody was covered in mud and the field was choppy and puddled, but not any more!!!

I think another improvement over the days of old that helped cut down on turnovers is the sticky *** gloves that receivers and running backs wear.... they damn near can catch a cold with these gloves, so the ball is much more secure once caught.

I also believe it has alot to do with all of these one handed catches as well!! The strength and conditioning of these athletes compared to 20 and 30 years ago is much different too.

 

[plasticman]

There is no "decline through the years" and there is no carryover from one year to the next. Each season's stats is its own adventure. It's more like a roller coaster with peaks and valleys. Takeaways are just another stat that doesn't tell the whole story.

Generally speaking, there has been a decline. Obviously, it's not going to be a smooth linear decline as you say. However, I just proved that there is a decline but let me expand:

Rk ___ Tm ___ Year ___ TO
1 ___ SDG ___ 1961 ___ 66
2 ___ SEA ___ 1984 ___ 63
3 ___ WAS ___ 1983 ___ 61
4 ___ BUF ___ 1965 ___ 56
5 ___ PHI ___ 1989 ___ 56
6 ___ DEN ___ 1984 ___ 55
7 ___ PIT ___ 1973 ___ 55
8 ___ WAS ___ 1964 ___ 55
9 ___ CHI ___ 1963 ___ 54
10 ___ CHI ___ 1985 ___ 54
11 ___ GNB ___ 1981 ___ 54
12 ___ NYG ___ 1961 ___ 54
13 ___ HOU ___ 1977 ___ 54
14 ___ SEA ___ 1983 ___ 54
15 ___ DAL ___ 1981 ___ 53
16 ___ DEN ___ 1964 ___ 53
17 ___ MIA ___ 1978 ___ 53
18 ___ MIN ___ 1988 ___ 53
19 ___ HOU ___ 1962 ___ 52
20 ___ OAK ___ 1963 ___ 52
21 ___ OAK ___ 1980 ___ 52
22 ___ DAL ___ 1971 ___ 51
23 ___ KAN ___ 1983 ___ 51
24 ___ HOU ___ 1960 ___ 51
25 ___ BUF ___ 1962 ___ 50
26 ___ GNB ___ 1962 ___ 50
27 ___ GNB ___ 1965 ___ 50
28 ___ NWE ___ 1976 ___ 50
29 ___ NYG ___ 1963 ___ 50
30 ___ HOU ___ 1963 ___ 50
31 ___ HOU ___ 1979 ___ 50
32 ___ BUF ___ 1960 ___ 49
33 ___ CLE ___ 1966 ___ 49
34 ___ KAN ___ 1967 ___ 49
35 ___ KAN ___ 1968 ___ 49
36 ___ KAN ___ 1986 ___ 49
37 ___ BAL ___ 2000 ___ 49
38 ___ SFO ___ 1986 ___ 49
39 ___ ATL ___ 1977 ___ 48
40 ___ STL ___ 1983 ___ 48
41 ___ DAL ___ 1967 ___ 48
42 ___ DAL ___ 1983 ___ 48
43 ___ DAL ___ 1985 ___ 48
44 ___ DTX ___ 1960 ___ 48
45 ___ DTX ___ 1962 ___ 48
46 ___ MIN ___ 1983 ___ 48
47 ___ NOR ___ 1987 ___ 48
48 ___ NOR ___ 1991 ___ 48
49 ___ HOU ___ 1961 ___ 48
50 ___ PHI ___ 1978 ___ 48
51 ___ PHI ___ 1987 ___ 48
52 ___ PHI ___ 1991 ___ 48
53 ___ PIT ___ 1972 ___ 48
54 ___ PIT ___ 1978 ___ 48
55 ___ RAM ___ 1976 ___ 48
56 ___ SDG ___ 2007 ___ 48
57 ___ SEA ___ 1981 ___ 48
58 ___ SFO ___ 1981 ___ 48
59 ___ WAS ___ 1962 ___ 48
60 ___ BUF ___ 1993 ___ 47
61 ___ CHI ___ 1962 ___ 47
62 ___ CHI ___ 1976 ___ 47
63 ___ CHI ___ 1986 ___ 47
64 ___ BAL ___ 1977 ___ 47
65 ___ DAL ___ 1980 ___ 47
66 ___ DEN ___ 1983 ___ 47
67 ___ DEN ___ 1987 ___ 47
68 ___ DET ___ 1962 ___ 47
69 ___ GNB ___ 1978 ___ 47
70 ___ KAN ___ 1969 ___ 47
71 ___ KAN ___ 1981 ___ 47
72 ___ BOS ___ 1964 ___ 47
73 ___ NWE ___ 1985 ___ 47
74 ___ NYT ___ 1961 ___ 47
75 ___ PHI ___ 1971 ___ 47
76 ___ PHI ___ 1981 ___ 47
77 ___ PIT ___ 1974 ___ 47
78 ___ OAK ___ 1962 ___ 47
79 ___ OAK ___ 1977 ___ 47
80 ___ WAS ___ 1976 ___ 47
81 ___ WAS ___ 1979 ___ 47
82 ___ ATL ___ 1969 ___ 46
83 ___ ATL ___ 1981 ___ 46
84 ___ CLE ___ 1968 ___ 46
85 ___ DEN ___ 1962 ___ 46
86 ___ DEN ___ 1981 ___ 46
87 ___ DET ___ 1965 ___ 46
88 ___ GNB ___ 1961 ___ 46
89 ___ MIA ___ 1966 ___ 46
90 ___ MIA ___ 1972 ___ 46
91 ___ PHI ___ 1999 ___ 46
92 ___ PIT ___ 1976 ___ 46
93 ___ PIT ___ 1981 ___ 46
94 ___ OAK ___ 1979 ___ 46
95 ___ RAM ___ 1966 ___ 46
96 ___ RAM ___ 1985 ___ 46
97 ___ STL ___ 2003 ___ 46
98 ___ SDG ___ 1979 ___ 46
99 ___ TAM ___ 1981 ___ 46
100 ___ BUF ___ 1975 ___ 45

This is the list of top 100 teams in takeaways since 1960. Keep in mind that they played 14 games until 1978. How many teams do you see from the 21st century? I counted three, none from the 2010's. The 2000 SB champion Ravens are 37th place.

 

[Aviano90]

Generally speaking, there has been a decline. Obviously, it's not going to be a smooth linear decline as you say. However, I just proved that there is a decline but let me expand:

Rk ___ Tm ___ Year ___ TO
1 ___ SDG ___ 1961 ___ 66
2 ___ SEA ___ 1984 ___ 63
3 ___ WAS ___ 1983 ___ 61
4 ___ BUF ___ 1965 ___ 56
5 ___ PHI ___ 1989 ___ 56
6 ___ DEN ___ 1984 ___ 55
7 ___ PIT ___ 1973 ___ 55
8 ___ WAS ___ 1964 ___ 55
9 ___ CHI ___ 1963 ___ 54
10 ___ CHI ___ 1985 ___ 54
11 ___ GNB ___ 1981 ___ 54
12 ___ NYG ___ 1961 ___ 54
13 ___ HOU ___ 1977 ___ 54
14 ___ SEA ___ 1983 ___ 54
15 ___ DAL ___ 1981 ___ 53
16 ___ DEN ___ 1964 ___ 53
17 ___ MIA ___ 1978 ___ 53
18 ___ MIN ___ 1988 ___ 53
19 ___ HOU ___ 1962 ___ 52
20 ___ OAK ___ 1963 ___ 52
21 ___ OAK ___ 1980 ___ 52
22 ___ DAL ___ 1971 ___ 51
23 ___ KAN ___ 1983 ___ 51
24 ___ HOU ___ 1960 ___ 51
25 ___ BUF ___ 1962 ___ 50
26 ___ GNB ___ 1962 ___ 50
27 ___ GNB ___ 1965 ___ 50
28 ___ NWE ___ 1976 ___ 50
29 ___ NYG ___ 1963 ___ 50
30 ___ HOU ___ 1963 ___ 50
31 ___ HOU ___ 1979 ___ 50
32 ___ BUF ___ 1960 ___ 49
33 ___ CLE ___ 1966 ___ 49
34 ___ KAN ___ 1967 ___ 49
35 ___ KAN ___ 1968 ___ 49
36 ___ KAN ___ 1986 ___ 49
37 ___ BAL ___ 2000 ___ 49
38 ___ SFO ___ 1986 ___ 49
39 ___ ATL ___ 1977 ___ 48
40 ___ STL ___ 1983 ___ 48
41 ___ DAL ___ 1967 ___ 48
42 ___ DAL ___ 1983 ___ 48
43 ___ DAL ___ 1985 ___ 48
44 ___ DTX ___ 1960 ___ 48
45 ___ DTX ___ 1962 ___ 48
46 ___ MIN ___ 1983 ___ 48
47 ___ NOR ___ 1987 ___ 48
48 ___ NOR ___ 1991 ___ 48
49 ___ HOU ___ 1961 ___ 48
50 ___ PHI ___ 1978 ___ 48
51 ___ PHI ___ 1987 ___ 48
52 ___ PHI ___ 1991 ___ 48
53 ___ PIT ___ 1972 ___ 48
54 ___ PIT ___ 1978 ___ 48
55 ___ RAM ___ 1976 ___ 48
56 ___ SDG ___ 2007 ___ 48
57 ___ SEA ___ 1981 ___ 48
58 ___ SFO ___ 1981 ___ 48
59 ___ WAS ___ 1962 ___ 48
60 ___ BUF ___ 1993 ___ 47
61 ___ CHI ___ 1962 ___ 47
62 ___ CHI ___ 1976 ___ 47
63 ___ CHI ___ 1986 ___ 47
64 ___ BAL ___ 1977 ___ 47
65 ___ DAL ___ 1980 ___ 47
66 ___ DEN ___ 1983 ___ 47
67 ___ DEN ___ 1987 ___ 47
68 ___ DET ___ 1962 ___ 47
69 ___ GNB ___ 1978 ___ 47
70 ___ KAN ___ 1969 ___ 47
71 ___ KAN ___ 1981 ___ 47
72 ___ BOS ___ 1964 ___ 47
73 ___ NWE ___ 1985 ___ 47
74 ___ NYT ___ 1961 ___ 47
75 ___ PHI ___ 1971 ___ 47
76 ___ PHI ___ 1981 ___ 47
77 ___ PIT ___ 1974 ___ 47
78 ___ OAK ___ 1962 ___ 47
79 ___ OAK ___ 1977 ___ 47
80 ___ WAS ___ 1976 ___ 47
81 ___ WAS ___ 1979 ___ 47
82 ___ ATL ___ 1969 ___ 46
83 ___ ATL ___ 1981 ___ 46
84 ___ CLE ___ 1968 ___ 46
85 ___ DEN ___ 1962 ___ 46
86 ___ DEN ___ 1981 ___ 46
87 ___ DET ___ 1965 ___ 46
88 ___ GNB ___ 1961 ___ 46
89 ___ MIA ___ 1966 ___ 46
90 ___ MIA ___ 1972 ___ 46
91 ___ PHI ___ 1999 ___ 46
92 ___ PIT ___ 1976 ___ 46
93 ___ PIT ___ 1981 ___ 46
94 ___ OAK ___ 1979 ___ 46
95 ___ RAM ___ 1966 ___ 46
96 ___ RAM ___ 1985 ___ 46
97 ___ STL ___ 2003 ___ 46
98 ___ SDG ___ 1979 ___ 46
99 ___ TAM ___ 1981 ___ 46
100 ___ BUF ___ 1975 ___ 45

This is the list of top 100 teams in takeaways since 1960. Keep in mind that they played 14 games until 1978. How many teams do you see from the 21st century? I counted three, none from the 2010's. The 2000 SB champion Ravens are 37th place.

Nope, no proof of decline there. You’re going to have to do better than using facts.

 

[Future]

Turnovers are an offensive stat, and teams have gotten very good at not doing that.

 

[JoeKing]

BS! Takeaway have declined for all teams as the years go on because of analytics. Besides that aspect our team has struggled big time with forcing turnovers. Im hopeful that changes with Garrett and his deceptive defense gone.

I've acknowledged the peaks and valleys these stats take over the course of time. We are just in a valley now. You say BS, but not said anything to dispute what I've said.

 

[JoeKing]

Generally speaking, there has been a decline. Obviously, it's not going to be a smooth linear decline as you say. However, I just proved that there is a decline but let me expand:

Rk ___ Tm ___ Year ___ TO
1 ___ SDG ___ 1961 ___ 66
2 ___ SEA ___ 1984 ___ 63
3 ___ WAS ___ 1983 ___ 61
4 ___ BUF ___ 1965 ___ 56
5 ___ PHI ___ 1989 ___ 56
6 ___ DEN ___ 1984 ___ 55
7 ___ PIT ___ 1973 ___ 55
8 ___ WAS ___ 1964 ___ 55
9 ___ CHI ___ 1963 ___ 54
10 ___ CHI ___ 1985 ___ 54
11 ___ GNB ___ 1981 ___ 54
12 ___ NYG ___ 1961 ___ 54
13 ___ HOU ___ 1977 ___ 54
14 ___ SEA ___ 1983 ___ 54
15 ___ DAL ___ 1981 ___ 53
16 ___ DEN ___ 1964 ___ 53
17 ___ MIA ___ 1978 ___ 53
18 ___ MIN ___ 1988 ___ 53
19 ___ HOU ___ 1962 ___ 52
20 ___ OAK ___ 1963 ___ 52
21 ___ OAK ___ 1980 ___ 52
22 ___ DAL ___ 1971 ___ 51
23 ___ KAN ___ 1983 ___ 51
24 ___ HOU ___ 1960 ___ 51
25 ___ BUF ___ 1962 ___ 50
26 ___ GNB ___ 1962 ___ 50
27 ___ GNB ___ 1965 ___ 50
28 ___ NWE ___ 1976 ___ 50
29 ___ NYG ___ 1963 ___ 50
30 ___ HOU ___ 1963 ___ 50
31 ___ HOU ___ 1979 ___ 50
32 ___ BUF ___ 1960 ___ 49
33 ___ CLE ___ 1966 ___ 49
34 ___ KAN ___ 1967 ___ 49
35 ___ KAN ___ 1968 ___ 49
36 ___ KAN ___ 1986 ___ 49
37 ___ BAL ___ 2000 ___ 49
38 ___ SFO ___ 1986 ___ 49
39 ___ ATL ___ 1977 ___ 48
40 ___ STL ___ 1983 ___ 48
41 ___ DAL ___ 1967 ___ 48
42 ___ DAL ___ 1983 ___ 48
43 ___ DAL ___ 1985 ___ 48
44 ___ DTX ___ 1960 ___ 48
45 ___ DTX ___ 1962 ___ 48
46 ___ MIN ___ 1983 ___ 48
47 ___ NOR ___ 1987 ___ 48
48 ___ NOR ___ 1991 ___ 48
49 ___ HOU ___ 1961 ___ 48
50 ___ PHI ___ 1978 ___ 48
51 ___ PHI ___ 1987 ___ 48
52 ___ PHI ___ 1991 ___ 48
53 ___ PIT ___ 1972 ___ 48
54 ___ PIT ___ 1978 ___ 48
55 ___ RAM ___ 1976 ___ 48
56 ___ SDG ___ 2007 ___ 48
57 ___ SEA ___ 1981 ___ 48
58 ___ SFO ___ 1981 ___ 48
59 ___ WAS ___ 1962 ___ 48
60 ___ BUF ___ 1993 ___ 47
61 ___ CHI ___ 1962 ___ 47
62 ___ CHI ___ 1976 ___ 47
63 ___ CHI ___ 1986 ___ 47
64 ___ BAL ___ 1977 ___ 47
65 ___ DAL ___ 1980 ___ 47
66 ___ DEN ___ 1983 ___ 47
67 ___ DEN ___ 1987 ___ 47
68 ___ DET ___ 1962 ___ 47
69 ___ GNB ___ 1978 ___ 47
70 ___ KAN ___ 1969 ___ 47
71 ___ KAN ___ 1981 ___ 47
72 ___ BOS ___ 1964 ___ 47
73 ___ NWE ___ 1985 ___ 47
74 ___ NYT ___ 1961 ___ 47
75 ___ PHI ___ 1971 ___ 47
76 ___ PHI ___ 1981 ___ 47
77 ___ PIT ___ 1974 ___ 47
78 ___ OAK ___ 1962 ___ 47
79 ___ OAK ___ 1977 ___ 47
80 ___ WAS ___ 1976 ___ 47
81 ___ WAS ___ 1979 ___ 47
82 ___ ATL ___ 1969 ___ 46
83 ___ ATL ___ 1981 ___ 46
84 ___ CLE ___ 1968 ___ 46
85 ___ DEN ___ 1962 ___ 46
86 ___ DEN ___ 1981 ___ 46
87 ___ DET ___ 1965 ___ 46
88 ___ GNB ___ 1961 ___ 46
89 ___ MIA ___ 1966 ___ 46
90 ___ MIA ___ 1972 ___ 46
91 ___ PHI ___ 1999 ___ 46
92 ___ PIT ___ 1976 ___ 46
93 ___ PIT ___ 1981 ___ 46
94 ___ OAK ___ 1979 ___ 46
95 ___ RAM ___ 1966 ___ 46
96 ___ RAM ___ 1985 ___ 46
97 ___ STL ___ 2003 ___ 46
98 ___ SDG ___ 1979 ___ 46
99 ___ TAM ___ 1981 ___ 46
100 ___ BUF ___ 1975 ___ 45

This is the list of top 100 teams in takeaways since 1960. Keep in mind that they played 14 games until 1978. How many teams do you see from the 21st century? I counted three, none from the 2010's. The 2000 SB champion Ravens are 37th place.

That doesn't prove anything other than your dedication to waste time.

 

[lurkercowboy]

Yes turnovers have declined over the decades. Teams used to get and give up more turnovers than now.
Here are the average INT percentages for the league by decade.

2010s 2.57
2000s 3.16
1990s 3.36
1980s 4.18
1970s 5.2
1960s 5.59

Check the figures here
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/NFL/passing.htm

 

[acr731]

BS! Takeaway have declined for all teams as the years go on because of analytics. Besides that aspect our team has struggled big time with forcing turnovers. Im hopeful that changes with Garrett and his deceptive defense gone.

Garrett doesn't know squat about anything related to defenses. Never has and never will. Don't take this as a defense of him either, that pile of manure should have never been been hired in the first place and I'm ecstatic that he is finally gone. But he never had one iota of input on the defense. Maybe the coaches, but never the schemes or anything related to how a defense operates.

 

[jrumann59]

Turnovers are an offensive stat, and teams have gotten very good at not doing that.

Yes but the game has been softened too. For the longest time defenses wanted big hitters, players that intimidated players to shut off parts of the field. Now it is more technique and player safety. Not saying that is important but guys need to be faster and more agile and less brutish. Ronnie Lott would not exist in todays NFL.

 

[QuincyCarterEra]

That doesn't prove anything other than your dedication to waste time.

I'm going to refer to you as Joke King instead of Joe King, because it fits better. Lol.

 

[JoeKing]

I'm going to refer to you as Joke King instead of Joe King, because it fits better. Lol.

Whatever floats your boat, Quincy. lol

 

[blueblood70]

dont think its the physicality more so then scheme and yes you mentioned new rules on touching WRs.., offensive figured out the quick short passing game that Tom Brady and NE made famous, some call it dink and dunk but when done correctly it cuts down TOS a lot..

 

[buybuydandavis]

During the 60's and 70's defenses used to be outright feared. There wasn't the protective rules we have today. Imagine an NFL and quarterbacks of today without the "in the grasp" or "helmet to helmet" or the more strict "unnecessary roughness" interpretations. Quarterbacks got hurt. Defensive lines earned nicknames like the "Fearsome Foursome" of the Rams and "Purple People Eaters" of the Vikings.

Receivers didn't have the freedom they have today with the five yard rule regarding contact. There was no such thing as "unprotected receiver". If you were attempting a reception in the air you got hit before your feet went to the ground, whether you caught the ball or not.

During that period, when the future health of the players were not considered, there were far more turnovers as you can probably imagine. An offensive player was more inclined to be separated from the ball. Quarterbacks were getting rid of the ball under circumstances that where, shall we say, less favorable.

During the 70's to the late 80's NFL teams averaged 34 takeaways for 14 game seasons, expanded to 39 for 16 games. in the early 90's they averaged 32, in the 2000's they averaged 29 and for the past three seasons they have averaged 22 takeaways per season.

During the 60's to the 80's it wasn't too unusual for a QB to throw 5 or more INT's in a game. During those 3 decades it happened 75 times, an average of 25 times per decade. During the 2010's it happened 3 times.

Turnovers are very hard to come by these days. However, in 2019, teams that got 25 or more takeaways averaged 11 wins. Today's turnovers are generated more by technique than physical play due to the rule changes. Hopefully, our new coaches are more innovative when it comes to teaching technique

Shorter: New protective rules have shifted the game in favor of the offense, particularly for turnovers.

 

[buybuydandavis]

Yes turnovers have declined over the decades. Teams used to get and give up more turnovers than now.
Here are the average INT percentages for the league by decade.

2010s 2.57
2000s 3.16
1990s 3.36
1980s 4.18
1970s 5.2
1960s 5.59

Check the figures here
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/NFL/passing.htm

Great stat page at PFR. Never saw it before. Thanks!

 

[plasticman]

Shorter: New protective rules have shifted the game in favor of the offense, particularly for turnovers.

But is that all it is?

Minicamps, better off-season fitness programs, advanced training methods, more sophisticated college programs that make players more NFL ready, salary dynamics that allow players to concentrate on football year round.....did these not also contribute to less mistakes like turnovers?

True, new rules gave the offenses more advantages but so did the other elements mentioned above.