NFL standings ordered by forced turnovers: Saints remain elite at taking the ball

The New Orleans Saints are currently on a two-game skid, losing in their last two outings after starting the season 2-2. Throughout all four weeks of the season, the defense has been playing really good football, allowing just 17.5 points a game, which is good for sixth in the NFL.

Unfortunately, the Saints defense hasn’t been good in the clutch, allowing game-winning drives in both of the losses this season. While that’s something New Orleans needs to get figured out, the defense can hang its hat on the fact the unit is still doing one thing at an elite level: taking the ball away.

Every season, the Saints are one of the best teams in the league when it comes to forcing turnovers. That has carried over into this season, with New Orleans already having eight takeaways in four games. That ranks the team third in the NFL. Here’s a look at the full standings.

NFL standings based on forced turnovers

1. Green Bay Packers: 12
2. Minnesota Vikings: 10
3. New Orleans Saints: 8
Chicago Bears: 8
5. Buffalo Bills: 7
Los Angeles Chargers: 7
San Francisco 49ers: 7
8. Indianapolis Colts: 6
9. Carolina Panthers: 5
Denver Broncos: 5
Detroit Lions: 5
Pittsburgh Steelers: 5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 5
14. Arizona Cardinals: 4
Atlanta Falcons: 4
Baltimore Ravens: 4
Cincinnati Bengals: 4
Dallas Cowboys: 4
Miami Dolphins: 4
New England Patriots: 4
New York Giants: 4
New York Jets: 4
23. Cleveland Browns: 3
Houston Texans: 3
Kansas City Chiefs: 3
Los Angeles Rams: 3
Seattle Seahawks: 3
28. Las Vegas Raiders: 2
Philadelphia Eagles: 2
Tennessee Titans: 2
Washington Commanders: 2
32. Jacksonville Jaguars: 1

New Orleans’ eight turnovers in four games is just four behind the most in the league. The Saints have forced a turnover in each game this season, and currently have six interceptions, and two fumble recoveries. The team’s six interceptions is third most in the league.

Tyrann Mathieu is leading the way with two interceptions, and a forced fumble that he recovered. Paulson Adebo also has two interceptions, and Will Harris and Jordan Howden have one each.

At every level of football, turnovers usually decide the game. So if the Saints can keep taking the ball away, while the offense and special teams do their job of protecting the ball, New Orleans should win a lot more games this season.

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