Misplaced Pages

List of NFL annual sacks leaders

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
(Redirected from List of National Football League season sacks leaders)

Michael Strahan holding a microphoneT. J. Watt in Pittsburgh Steelers attireMichael Strahan (left) and T. J. Watt (right) hold the official single-season record for sacks with 22.5.

This is a list of National Football League (NFL) players who have led the regular season in sacks each year. Sacks became an official statistic in 1982 and sacks from years prior do not count towards a player's career total. Michael Strahan of the New York Giants and T. J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers hold the official record with 22.5, which Strahan set during the 2001 season, and Watt matched during the 2021 season. In 2013, the NFL created the Deacon Jones Award to recognize the annual leader in sacks. Since 1982, there have only been two players who have led the league in sacks with two different teams, Jared Allen (2007 with the Chiefs and 2011 with the Vikings) and Kevin Greene (1994 with the Steelers and 1996 with the Panthers). The Chiefs and the Vikings have had the most players lead the NFL in sacks with four. Seven players have been the league leader in sacks twice, while T. J. Watt has led the league three times.

NFL annual sacks leaders

Jared Allen in a Minnesota Vikings jersey and helmet
Jared Allen led the league in sacks in 2007 and 2011.
Al Baker headshot in a Detroit Lions jersey
Al Baker is the unofficial NFL record holder with 23 sacks during the 1978 NFL season.
Deacon Jones headshot
The Deacon Jones Award, given annually to the player who leads the league in sacks, is named after Deacon Jones. Jones unofficially led the league in sacks 5 times.
Key
Symbol Meaning
Leader The player who recorded the most sacks in the NFL
Sacks The total number of sacks the player had
GP The number of games played by a player during the season
† Pro Football Hall of Fame member
^ The player is an active player
* Player set the single-season sacks record
(#) Denotes the number of times a player appears in this list

Note that the sack totals from 1960 to 1981 are considered unofficial by the NFL.

NFL annual sacks leaders by season
Season Leader Sacks GP Team Refs
1960 Gino Marchetti† 11.0* 12 Baltimore Colts
1961 Gene Lipscomb 17.5* 14 Pittsburgh Steelers
1962 Jim Katcavage 16.0 14 New York Giants
1963 Jim Katcavage (2) 20.5* 14 New York Giants
1964 Deacon Jones† 22.0* 14 Los Angeles Rams
1965 Deacon Jones† (2) 19.0 14 Los Angeles Rams
1966 George Andrie 18.5 14 Dallas Cowboys
1967 Deacon Jones† (3) 21.5 14 Los Angeles Rams
1968 Deacon Jones† (4) 22.0 14 Los Angeles Rams
1969 Carl Eller† 15.0 14 Minnesota Vikings
Deacon Jones† (5) Los Angeles Rams
1970 Tony Cline 17.5 14 Oakland Raiders
1971 Cedrick Hardman 18.0 14 San Francisco 49ers
1972 Jack Gregory 18.5 14 New York Giants
1973 Bill Stanfill 18.5 14 Miami Dolphins
1974 Fred Dryer 15.0 14 Los Angeles Rams
Jack Youngblood†
1975 John Dutton 18.0 14 Baltimore Colts
1976 Coy Bacon 21.5 14 Cincinnati Bengals
1977 Harvey Martin 20.0 14 Dallas Cowboys
1978 Al Baker 23.0* 16 Detroit Lions
1979 Jack Youngblood† (2) 20.5 16 Los Angeles Rams
1980 Al Baker (2) 17.5 15 Detroit Lions
Gary Johnson San Diego Chargers
1981 Joe Klecko† 20.5 16 New York Jets
1982 Doug Martin 11.5 9 Minnesota Vikings
1983 Mark Gastineau 19.0 16 New York Jets
1984 Mark Gastineau (2) 22.0 16 New York Jets
1985 Richard Dent† 17.0 16 Chicago Bears
1986 Lawrence Taylor† 20.5 16 New York Giants
1987 Reggie White† 21.0 12 Philadelphia Eagles
1988 Reggie White† (2) 18.0 16 Philadelphia Eagles
1989 Chris Doleman† 21.0 16 Minnesota Vikings
1990 Derrick Thomas† 20.0 15 Kansas City Chiefs
1991 Pat Swilling 17.0 16 New Orleans Saints
1992 Clyde Simmons 19.0 16 Philadelphia Eagles
1993 Neil Smith 15.0 16 Kansas City Chiefs
1994 Kevin Greene† 14.0 16 Pittsburgh Steelers
1995 Bryce Paup 17.5 15 Buffalo Bills
1996 Kevin Greene† (2) 14.5 16 Carolina Panthers
1997 John Randle† 15.5 16 Minnesota Vikings
1998 Michael Sinclair 16.5 16 Seattle Seahawks
1999 Kevin Carter 17.0 16 St. Louis Rams
2000 La'Roi Glover 17.0 16 New Orleans Saints
2001 Michael Strahan† 22.5 16 New York Giants
2002 Jason Taylor† 18.5 16 Miami Dolphins
2003 Michael Strahan† (2) 18.5 16 New York Giants
2004 Dwight Freeney† 16.0 16 Indianapolis Colts
2005 Derrick Burgess 16.0 16 Oakland Raiders
2006 Shawne Merriman 17.0 12 San Diego Chargers
2007 Jared Allen 15.5 14 Kansas City Chiefs
2008 DeMarcus Ware† 20.0 16 Dallas Cowboys
2009 Elvis Dumervil 17.0 16 Denver Broncos
2010 DeMarcus Ware† (2) 15.5 16 Dallas Cowboys
2011 Jared Allen (2) 22.0 16 Minnesota Vikings
2012 J. J. Watt 20.5 16 Houston Texans
2013 Robert Mathis 19.5 16 Indianapolis Colts
2014 Justin Houston 22.0 16 Kansas City Chiefs
2015 J. J. Watt (2) 17.5 16 Houston Texans
2016 Vic Beasley 15.5 16 Atlanta Falcons
2017 Chandler Jones 17.0 16 Arizona Cardinals
2018 Aaron Donald 20.5 16 Los Angeles Rams
2019 Shaquil Barrett 19.5 16 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2020 T. J. Watt^ 15.0 15 Pittsburgh Steelers
2021 T. J. Watt^ (2) 22.5 15 Pittsburgh Steelers
2022 Nick Bosa^ 18.5 16 San Francisco 49ers
2023 T. J. Watt^ (3) 19.0 17 Pittsburgh Steelers

AFL annual sacks leaders

Key
Symbol Meaning
Leader The player who recorded the most sacks in the AFL
Sacks The total number of sacks the player had
GP The number of games played by a player during the season
* Player set the single-season sacks record
(#) Denotes the number of times a player appears in this list
AFL annual sacks leaders by season
Season Leader Sacks GP Team Refs
1960 Mel Branch 10.0* 14 Dallas Texans
Riley Morris 12 Oakland Raiders
1961 Ed Husmann 8.0 14 Houston Oilers
Ron Nery San Diego Chargers
1962 Ed Husmann (2) 10.0 14 Houston Oilers
1963 Larry Eisenhauer 8.0 14 Boston Patriots
1964 Tom Sestak 15.5* 14 Buffalo Bills
1965 Larry Eisenhauer (2) 9.5 14 Boston Patriots
1966 Verlon Biggs 12.5 14 New York Jets
1967 Ike Lassiter 17.0* 14 Oakland Raiders
1968 Gerry Philbin 14.0 14 New York Jets
1969 Steve DeLong 15.5 14 San Diego Chargers

Most seasons leading the league

Count Player Seasons Team(s) Ref.
5 Deacon Jones 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969 Los Angeles Rams
3 T. J. Watt 2020, 2021, 2023 Pittsburgh Steelers
2 Jared Allen 2007, 2011 Kansas City Chiefs / Minnesota Vikings
Al Baker 1978, 1980 Detroit Lions
Mark Gastineau 1983, 1984 New York Jets
Kevin Greene 1994, 1998 Pittsburgh Steelers / Carolina Panthers
Jim Katcavage 1962, 1963 New York Giants
Michael Strahan 2001, 2003 New York Giants
DeMarcus Ware 2008, 2010 Dallas Cowboys
J. J. Watt 2012, 2015 Houston Texans
Reggie White 1987, 1988 Philadelphia Eagles
Jack Youngblood 1974, 1979 Los Angeles Rams

See also

References

  1. Smith, Michael David (12 July 2021). "Pre-1982 sack stats still unofficial, but now widely available". ProFootballTalk. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  2. ^ "NFL Sacks Single-Season Leaders (since 1960)". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 14 November 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  3. "Deacon Jones Award will honor future NFL sack leaders". National Football League. 2013-01-04. Archived from the original on 2023-05-30. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  4. "Pre-1982 Sacks Added To Pro Football Reference". Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2022-01-20. Retrieved 2022-01-15.
  5. Gordon, Grant (July 13, 2021). "Al 'Bubba' Baker on becoming unofficial single-season sack king: 'Tears just started running down my eyes'". National Football League. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  6. ^ "NFL Sacks Year-by-Year Leaders (since 1960)". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 5 December 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  7. "Gino Marchetti Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  8. "Gene Lipscomb Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  9. ^ "Jim Katcavage Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  10. ^ "Deacon Jones Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  11. "George Andrie Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  12. "Carl Eller Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  13. "Tony Cline Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 13 October 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  14. "Cedrick Hardman Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 12 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  15. "Jack Gregory Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  16. "Bill Stanfill Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 10 August 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  17. "Fred Dryer Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 4 December 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  18. ^ "Jack Youngblood Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  19. "John Dutton Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  20. "Coy Bacon Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 10 January 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  21. "Harvey Martin Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 1 February 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  22. ^ "Al Baker Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 2024-05-15. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  23. "Gary Johnson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 2023-04-09. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  24. "Joe Klecko Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 23 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  25. "Doug Martin Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 29 June 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  26. ^ "Mark Gastineau Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  27. "Richard Dent Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  28. "Lawrence Taylor Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 2024-06-24. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  29. ^ "Reggie White Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  30. "Chris Doleman Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  31. "Derrick Thomas Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  32. "Pat Swilling Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 25 October 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  33. "Clyde Simmons Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 25 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  34. "Neil Smith Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  35. ^ "Kevin Greene Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 19 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  36. "Bryce Paup Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  37. "John Randle Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  38. "Michael Sinclair Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 1 January 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  39. "Kevin Carter Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 2023-12-09. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  40. "La'Roi Glover Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 9 February 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  41. ^ "Michael Strahan Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  42. "Jason Taylor Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 4 August 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  43. "Dwight Freeney Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 16 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  44. "Derrick Burgess Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 31 December 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  45. "Shawne Merriman Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  46. ^ "Jared Allen Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  47. ^ "DeMarcus Ware Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 23 November 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  48. "Elvis Dumervil Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 27 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  49. ^ "J.J. Watt Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 16 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  50. "Robert Mathis Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 5 January 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  51. "Justin Houston Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 18 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  52. "Vic Beasley Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 27 January 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  53. "Chandler Jones Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  54. "Aaron Donald Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 21 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  55. "Shaquil Barrett Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 30 January 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  56. ^ "T.J. Watt Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 2024-05-27. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  57. "Nick Bosa Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 2024-06-28. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  58. "Mel Branch Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  59. "Riley Morris Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 20 April 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  60. ^ "Ed Husmann Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 13 October 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  61. "Ron Nery Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 22 August 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  62. ^ "Larry Eisenhauer Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  63. "Tom Sestak Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  64. "Verlon Biggs Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  65. "Ike Lassiter Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  66. "Gerry Philbin Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  67. "Steve DeLong Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on 12 February 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
NFL annual sacks leaders (Deacon Jones Award)
Sack totals from 1960 to 1981 are considered unofficial by the NFL. Starting in 2013, the sack leader is officially given the Deacon Jones Award
NFL records and leaders
General
Passing
Career
Annual
Game
Rushing
Career
Annual
Receiving
Career
Annual
Defense
Career
Annual
Special teams
Career
Annual
Scoring
Career
Annual
Game
NFL Honors
Ceremonies
AP awards
Other awards
Former awards
Category: