GREEN BAY—The Packers are one of the top turnover-causing teams in the league in 2014, with 18 takeaways on defense through nine games.
Which one was the best of the bunch? Described below are the top five turnovers to this point in the season, in chronological order, as selected by packers.com. Cast a vote for your favorite in the poll on the right.
Tramon Williams, INT vs. N.Y. Jets, Week 2
The Packers were in trouble, trailing the Jets 21-9 late in the second quarter, and New York was threatening to score again, with a first down at the Green Bay 27-yard line. But as Packers defensive lineman Mike Daniels hit Jets QB Geno Smith, his deep pass intended for tight end Zach Sudfeld fluttered toward the goal line, and Williams was there to pick it off. The Packers then drove 97 yards for a TD in the final two minutes of the half to close the deficit.
Clay Matthews, INT at Chicago, Week 4
In a back-and-forth ballgame, the Packers led 24-17 midway through the third quarter, and the Bears were driving for the tying score. On first down from the Green Bay 24, Williams jumped a slant route by receiver Josh Morgan and deflected Bears QB Jay Cutler's pass up into the air. Matthews caught the deflection, turned and ran the other way, 40 yards in all to the Chicago 35, setting up another Packers TD.
Sam Shields, INT at Chicago, Week 4
On Chicago's very next possession, Cutler and receiver Brandon Marshall were not on the same page, and Cutler's throw went right to Shields, who returned it 62 yards, all the way to the Chicago 11. Four plays later, the Packers were in the end zone again and had a commanding 21-point lead.
Julius Peppers, INT-TD vs. Minnesota, Week 5
The Packers already led 14-0 in the second quarter when Vikings QB Christian Ponder was hit by Packers defensive lineman Luther Robinson – an undrafted rookie who had just been activated from the practice squad earlier that day – while trying to throw to receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. Peppers intercepted the ball at the Minnesota 49, cut across the field to his left and then ran away from the Vikings pursuers up the sideline for the score. The interception was the 10th of Peppers' career, making him the first player in NFL history with 100 sacks and 10 INTs.
Casey Hayward, INT-TD vs. Chicago, Week 10
The Packers were blowing out the Bears in prime time at Lambeau Field when Hayward added a pick-six for good measure. Cutler's pass bounced off the helmet of one of his own linemen, and Hayward snagged the deflection, taking off untouched down the far sideline for an 82-yard touchdown return. It put the Packers ahead 55-7 in the fourth quarter.
Cast your vote in the poll on the right.
