NFL Top 5: The League's Best in Turnover Margin
By JON KUIPERIJ
Delicacies at the bakery, turnovers can also be tasty treats for football bettors. Giveaways and takeaways are often the fine line between winning and losing, or covering and not covering, in the NFL.
Consider that the top five teams in turnover ratio so far this season are a combined 21-2 straight up and 19-3-1 against the spread.
Here's a look at the teams that have flourished by taking the ball away from their opponent while protecting it themselves.
Minnesota Vikings (plus-8)
After bringing in gunslinger Brett Favre and his 312 career interceptions, turnovers were a potential problem for the Vikings this season. But Favre has thrown only two picks in five games and the Minnesota defense has generated 12 takeaways, helping the Vikings race out to a 5-0 start.
At the heart of Minnesota's ball-hawking defense has been pass rusher Jared Allen. The menacing defensive end has already forced three fumbles, including one that he returned for a touchdown Sunday against the Rams. His six sacks and constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks have also helped the Minnesota secondary intercept six passes.
The Vikings have only outgained their opponents by 12 yards a game this season, so the turnovers have been a major key to their 4-1 mark against the spread.
Green Bay Packers (plus-7)
Favre's successor in Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers, has done an excellent job taking care of the ball for the Pack. Rodgers has been intercepted just once in four games, leading an offense that has committed a league-low three turnovers this season. Two of those three turnovers came in a 30-23 loss to the Vikings in Week 4.
The Packers defense, meanwhile, has taken the ball away from its opponents 10 times. Star cornerback Charles Woodson has three of the Packers' seven interceptions, taking one back to the house. Defensive end Cullen Jenkins has forced two fumbles.
Despite its advantage in turnovers, Green Bay is only 2-2 straight up and against the spread this season.
New Orleans Saints (plus-7)
After rolling up 45-plus points in each their first two games, the Saints appeared to be all about offense. But much of their 4-0 SU and ATS start can be attributed to the league-leading 13 turnovers they've forced in just four games.
Safety Darren Sharper has been the key to New Orleans' early defensive success. He's picked off five passes and returned two of them for touchdowns, including a 99-yard return against the Jets in Week 4 that was pivotal in a 24-10 Saints victory.
The baker's dozen of turnovers has more than offset six giveaways by the New Orleans offense.
Denver Broncos (plus-6)
A radical difference in turnover ratio and a vastly improved defense are the reasons the Broncos are the biggest surprise in the NFL so far.
Denver had the 29th-ranked defense in the league last year and forced a league-low 13 turnovers. This season, the Broncos have already taken the ball away 11 times and lead the NFL in fewest points allowed, helping them go 5-0 SU and ATS.
The team has also gone under the total in all five of its games. Six different Denver players have intercepted passes this season.
New quarterback Kyle Orton (one interception) and the Broncos offense have done their part by protecting the ball well.
New York Giants (plus-6)
As if outgaining their opponents by nearly a 2-1 ratio this season isn't enough, the Giants have also enjoyed a significant advantage in turnovers.
New York's excellent pass rush has helped the team force nine fumbles (recovering six) and intercept five passes in its first five games.
Turnovers played an important role in the Giants' biggest victory so far, a 33-31 road win over Dallas in Week 2. New York had three interceptions (returning one for a TD) and recovered a fumble on defense, while the Giants offense did not turn the ball over at all.
Defensive end Justin Tuck and safety C.C. Brown have each forced a pair of fumbles, helping New York start the year 5-0 SU and 4-0-1 ATS.