In the National Football League (NFL), a forced fumble refers to a defensive play wherein a defensive player successfully causes the offensive player to lose the football from their grasp when the ball is in their possession. The defensive play is aimed at bringing about a turnover and giving the defensive team an opportunity to gain possession of the ball to play offense.
After a forced fumble, the ball is considered to be “loose'' At this point either the defense or the offense can try to gain possession of the ball. The team that recovers the ball after the fumble gains possession of the ball and will play offense on the next play.
There are unique defensive strategies used to cause fumbles. These include low tackles, ball swipes or tactfully delivering a hard blow to the hands of the offensive player so as to weaken or lose his grip on the ball. The player who recovers the ball after the forced fumble is credited with what is called the fumble recovery while the player who caused the fumble is credited with the forced fumble. The NFL maintains career and single-season records of both these statistics.
Forced fumbles can have major impacts on the game. They can completely alter the outcome of a game even in the dying seconds of any game. They disrupt the offensive team's ability to make their plays. However, the game does not end just because of the forced fumble. The purpose of the forced fumble and the aftermath of the same are as important as causing the fumble.
Which Player Leads the NFL in Annual Interceptions?
| Year | Player | Forced Fumbles |
| 1981 | Rickie Jackson | 2 |
| 1982 | Rickie Jackson, Ronnie Lott | 1 |
| 1983 | Clay Matthews | 4 |
| 1984 | Richard Dent, Rickey Jackson | 4 |
| 1985 | Richard Dent | 7 |
| 1986 | Rickey Jackson | 6 |
| 1987 | Chris Doleman | 6 |
| 1988 | Jim Jeffcoat, Tim McDonald, Henry Thomas | 4 |
| 1989 | Greg Townsend | 6 |
| 1990 | Derrick Thomas | 6 |
| 1991 | Broderick Thomas | 7 |
| 1992 | Derrick Thomas | 8 |
| 1993 | Lonnie Marts | 6 |
| 1994 | Greg Lloyd, Neil Smith, Bruce Smith | 5 |
| 1995 | Greg Lloyd, Ed McDaniel, Anthony Pleasant, Clyde Simmons | 6 |
| 1996 | Tony Brackens, Kevin Carter, Jason Sehorn, Bruce Smith | 5 |
| 1997 | Roy Barker | 8 |
| 1998 | Michael Sinclair | 6 |
| 1999 | Tony Brackens, Jevon Kearse | 8 |
| 2000 | Trace Armstrong | 7 |
| 2001 | John Abraham, Michael Strahan | 6 |
| 2002 | Dwight Freeney, Leonard Little | 9 |
| 2003 | LaVar Arrington, Leonard Little, Simeon Rice | 6 |
| 2004 | Robert Mathis, Will Smith | 6 |
| 2005 | Robert Mathis | 8 |
| 2006 | Jason Taylor | 9 |
| 2007 | Chris Harrison | 8 |
| 2008 | James Harrison | 7 |
| 2009 | Shaun Phillips | 7 |
| 2010 | Osi Umenyiora | 10 |
| 2011 | Terrell Suggs | 7 |
| 2012 | Charles Tillman | 10 |
| 2013 | Robert Mathis | 10 |
| 2014 | Ryan Kerrigan, Robert Quinn, Daryl Smith | 5 |
| 2015 | Jamie Collins | 5 |
| 2016 | Vic Beasley, Bruce Irvin | 6 |
| 2017 | Yannick Ngakoue | 6 |
| 2018 | Dee Ford, JJ Watt | 7 |
| 2019 | Chandler Jones, TJ Watt | 8 |
| 2020 | Marlon Humphrey | 8 |
| 2021 | Shaquille Leonard | 8 |
| 2022 | Alex Highsmith, Haason Reddick | 5 |
Forced fumbles constitute an important aspect of the game of football. It makes the game more interesting and can change the game at any point in time. There have been instances where games have been won by an interception. It will be interesting to see who will lead the league in forced fumbles in the 2023-24 NFL season.
FAQs
A. Robert Mathis has the most number of career forced fumbles in the NFL. He has recorded 52 forced fumbles.
A. Alex Highsmith and Haason Reddick together led the league in forced fumbles in the 2022 NFL season. Each of them recorded 5 forced fumbles.
A. Brett Favre is known for fumbling the ball. He leads the league in most number of fumbles ever with 166 fumbles.
A. Charles Tillman, Osi Umenyiora and Robert Mathis are tied for most number of forced fumbles recorded in a singles season. Each of them have recorded 10 forced fumbles in a single season.
