Arizona - Preseason Week 1.indd - NFL.com

CARDINALS AT PACKERS – PRESEASON WEEK 1
PICKING PACK
Green Bay had 18 INTs last season, which was tied for No. 8 in the
NFL:
Team
Interceptions
1. Chicago 24
2. Arizona 22
3t. N.Y. Giants, Washington 21
5t. Atlanta, New England 20
7. Tennessee 19
8t. Green Bay, Seattle, Tampa Bay 18
The Packers have finished in the top eight in the league in INTs every
season under Head Coach Mike McCarthy (2006-12), the only team
in the league to do so over that span.
The Packers lead the NFL with 49 interceptions since 2011:
Team Interceptions (Since 2011)
1. Green Bay 49
2. Chicago 44
3. New England 43
In 2011, the Packers led the league in interceptions (31) for the second
time in three seasons (2009).
Green Bay's interception total in 2011 was the best by the team since the
1970 AFL-NFL merger and the most since the Packers also recorded 31
INTs in 1962. A look at the best team totals since 1970:
Season
Interceptions
1. 2011 31
2t. 1981 30
2t. 2009 30
The Packers’ two INTs for touchdowns in Week 9 at San Diego in 2011
gave them three for the season, their franchise-record fourth straight
season recording at least three interception returns for TDs. The last NFL
team to register four straight seasons with at least three INT returns for
TDs was the Los Angeles Rams from 1983-86.
The Packers’ 1,948 INT return yards from 2008-11 were the most by
an NFL team over a four-year period since the merger. A look
at where Green Bay ranks in several categories since 2008:
Team
Interceptions
1. Green Bay 125
2t. Chicago, New England 100
4. Baltimore 95
Team
Interception TDs
1. Green Bay 17
2. Chicago 15
3. Tampa Bay 14
Team
INT Return Yardage
1. Green Bay 2,194
2. Tampa Bay 1,624
3. Tennessee 1,519
TAKE IT AWAY NOW
Since Head Coach Mike McCarthy took over in 2006, Green Bay has
been one of the most productive teams in the league when it comes to
taking the ball away from its opponents.
Last season, Green Bay recorded 23 takeaways (tied for No. 18 in the
NFL). The Packers have generated 222 takeaways since ’06, No. 3 in
the league over that span:
Team Total Takeaways Since 2006
1. Chicago 247
2. New England 229
3. Green Bay 222
Since Dom Capers took over as defensive coordinator in 2009, the
Packers have posted at least 32 takeaways in three of four seasons
(2009-11):
Team Total Takeaways Since 2009
1. New England 141
2. Chicago 138
3. Green Bay 133
Green Bay’s takeaway total of 110 from 2009-11 was the best three-year
mark by the club since it generated 116 turnovers from 2001-03.
The Packers have a 55-12 record (.821) when they record at least
two takeaways in a game under McCarthy. A look at the Packers’
record by the number of takeaways they have in a game since 2006:
Takeaways In Game GB Record Since 2006
None 1-13 (.071)
One 18-13 (.581)
Two 24-7 (.774)
Three-plus 31-5 (.861)
STINGY STARTS
In 2012, the Packers were one of the best defenses in the league when it
came to limiting scoring early in games.
Green Bay did not allow a point on an opening possession until the
Giants scored a TD on the first drive in Week 12. The Packers were the
last team in the league to give up points on an opening drive in 2012:
Team
Points Allowed On Opening Poss.
1t. Arizona, Chicago 10
3. Miami 13
4. Cincinnati 15
5. Denver 16
6t. Green Bay, Seattle 17
It was an area Green Bay’s defense struggled with in 2011, as it allowed
45 points on opening drives (No. 30 in the NFL).
Green Bay allowed 53 points in the first quarter last season:
Team
Points Allowed (First Quarter)
1. Cincinnati 42
2. Chicago 48
3. Seattle 51
4. Green Bay 53
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