NFL: Studying how turnovers affect winning percentage

Dec 22, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) and Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas (29) celebrate after Sherman intercepted a pass thrown by Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) (not pictured) during the second half at CenturyLink Field. Arizona defeated Seattle 17-10. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports /

5 of 7

Dec 29, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz hugs quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) following the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Lions 14-13. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2011-2012 Detroit Lions

2011: +11 turnover differential, 10-6 record
2012: -16 turnover differential, 4-12 record

Change in Turnover Differential: -27
Change in Win Total: -6

Much like the Houston Texans, the 2012 Lions failed to perform for their head coach, Jim Schwartz. Unlike the Texans who fired Kubiak after his letdown performance, the Lions gave Schwartz one more shot in 2013 only to see them finish near the bottom of the NFL in turnover differential (again) and miss the playoffs (again) before firing him this offseason. While QB Matt Stafford’s number of turnovers did not fluctuate much between 2011-2012, he did throw 21 less TD passes. That decrease in scoring by the offense put more pressure on Detroit’s defense and they crumbled under the pressure. After forcing 34 turnovers in 2011 they only mustered 17 in 2012.

Home/Detroit Lions