Turnovers have always shaped NFL games, but some matchups produced chaos at a level rarely seen. From double-digit giveaways in early league history to shocking modern collapses, the NFL has witnessed unforgettable turnover-heavy performances. This article covers the biggest team and individual turnover records, recent examples—including 2025 events—and the rarest turnover streaks ever recorded.
Historic Overview of Turnover Records
Turnovers include interceptions and lost fumbles. They are game-changing mistakes, and at times, teams have produced staggering numbers in a single outing.
Most Turnovers in a Single NFL Game (Team): All-Time
Detroit Lions – 12 Turnovers
The highest confirmed team total in a modern-box-score game:
| Team | Opponent | Date | Result | Interceptions | Lost Fumbles | Total Turnovers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Lions | Chicago Bears | Nov 22, 1942 | L 0–42 | 7 | 5 | 12 |
This game featured cold weather, constant pressure, and a historically bad passing day that still stands as one of the worst offensive collapses ever.
Other 12-Turnover Games
Multiple teams match the 12-turnover mark:
- Chicago Cardinals vs Philadelphia – Sept 24, 1950
- Pittsburgh Steelers vs Philadelphia – Dec 12, 1965
These remain the highest turnover totals ever recorded by a team.
Most Combined Turnovers in a Game (Both Teams)
Detroit Lions vs Chicago Bears – 17 Total Turnovers
Date: Nov 22, 1942
| Team | Turnovers |
|---|---|
| Detroit | 12 |
| Chicago | 5 |
| Total | 17 |
This remains one of the most chaotic games ever played, with both teams struggling in frigid temperatures.
Most Turnovers in a Modern NFL Game (Last 20 Years)
From 2005 to 2025, no team reached the double-digit mark, but several games came close.
Most in Last 20 Years – 8 Turnovers
Three teams share the modern-era lead:
| Team | Date | Opponent | Result | Total Turnovers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Jets | Sept 25, 2016 | @ Chiefs | L 3–24 | 8 |
| Arizona Cardinals | Dec 9, 2012 | @ Seahawks | L 0–58 | 8 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Nov 25, 2012 | @ Browns | L 14–20 | 8 |
These were blowout or near-blowout performances where offenses completely collapsed.
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Most Turnovers in a Single Game by an Individual Player
Jim Hardy – 10 Turnovers (NFL All-Time Record)
Chicago Cardinals vs Philadelphia – Sept 24, 1950
- 8 interceptions thrown
- 2 lost fumbles
- Final: Cardinals lost 45–7
This is the worst single-game turnover performance in league history.
Modern Era Individual Turnover Meltdowns
Several quarterbacks in recent years have hit 5–6 turnovers:
6-Turnover Games (Examples):
- Jameis Winston – 2019 (vs Panthers)
- Kurt Warner – 2008 & 2009
- Tony Romo – 2007
- Peyton Manning – 2007
- Philip Rivers – 2012
- Ryan Fitzpatrick – 2016
- Gus Frerotte – 2007
- Chris Chandler – 2004
5-Turnover Modern Games
Includes:
- Jared Goff (twice: 2024 & 2025)
- Daniel Jones (2025)
- Jalen Hurts (2025)
- Ben Roethlisberger (2018)
- Justin Fields (2021)
- Trevor Lawrence (2022)
- Joe Burrow (2022)
- Blake Bortles (2018)
Most Turnovers in an NFL Playoff Game (Individual Players)
Playoff games are single-elimination, meaning one bad performance can end a team’s season immediately. Because of this pressure, turnover-heavy playoff games are remembered far more than regular-season mistakes.
Most turnovers by one player in an NFL playoff game:
6 Turnovers (All-Time Playoff Record)
- Carson Palmer – 2016 NFC Championship (Cardinals vs Panthers)
- 4 interceptions
- 2 lost fumbles
- Jake Delhomme – 2009 NFC Divisional Round (Panthers vs Cardinals)
- 5 interceptions
- 1 lost fumble
5 Turnovers
- Brian Hoyer – 2016 AFC Wild Card (Texans vs Chiefs)
- 4 interceptions
- 1 lost fumble
4 Turnovers (Playoff Games – Notable Examples)
Several elite quarterbacks have also recorded four turnovers in a single playoff game:
- Tom Brady
- Peyton Manning
- Brett Favre
- Ben Roethlisberger
- Russell Wilson
- Andrew Luck
- Eli Manning
These performances show that even Hall-of-Fame quarterbacks can struggle under intense playoff pressure.
Latest 2024–25 Turnover News
Jared Goff’s 2025 Christmas Collapse
In one of the most shocking recent games:
- Detroit Lions: 6 turnovers
- Goff: 2 interceptions, 3 lost fumbles (5 total)
- Lions lost 23–10 to Minnesota
- Eliminated from playoff contention
- Packers clinched a postseason berth
Detroit entered the game with only 8 turnovers all season, the fewest in the league, before suffering their worst outing in years.
Bengals vs Titans – Most Combined Turnovers Since 2007
In December 2024:
- 10 total turnovers
- First NFL game since 2007 with 10+ turnovers and 25+ penalties
- Multiple interceptions from Tennessee QBs Will Levis and Mason Rudolph
Fastest Turnover Stretch in NFL History
Some games produced rapid-fire mistakes:
Four Turnovers in Under Two Minutes
1975 AFC Championship – Steelers vs Raiders
A flurry of muffs, forced fumbles, and a legendary clothline hit on Lynn Swann produced an unforgettable turnover sequence.
Super Bowl XXVII – Turnover Frenzy in 4th Quarter
Cowboys vs Bills featured:
- Interception
- Fumbled snap
- Fumbled catch
- QB fumble
- Leon Lett’s infamous return blunder
Turnovers came in less than a five-minute span.
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Recent Team Turnover Leaders (2025 Season)
Best Turnover Differential
| Rank | Team | Differential |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago Bears | +21 |
| 2 | Houston Texans | +15 |
| 3 | LA Rams | +12 |
| 3 | Jacksonville Jaguars | +12 |
| 5 | Pittsburgh Steelers | +9 |
Worst Single-Game Turnover Margin of 2025
- Detroit Lions: -6 in their loss to Minnesota
- Tied for worst margin in any NFL game in the last 9 years
Summary
Turnovers define games, championships, and careers. From the early 1940s chaos to modern quarterback meltdowns, the NFL continues to witness unbelievable turnover performances. Whether it’s a 12-turnover disaster by a team, a 10-turnover nightmare by a single quarterback, or a string of rapid turnovers within minutes, these moments remain unforgettable chapters in league history.
Turnovers don’t just change games — sometimes, they change seasons.
