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You probably have not given much thought to Ty Law since he retired, and you almost certainly haven’t given much thought to what Law did as a member of the Jets in 2005. But it was a pretty remarkable season.

Law had 10 interceptions that year. That number may not sound like a lot to you — it’s not a record, and we rarely focus on interception totals — but no player has had more than 10 interceptions in a season since 1981. Since Everson Walls of the Cowboys recorded 11 interceptions in 1981, eleven players have intercepted exactly ten passes in a single season. Of those, Law played on the team that faced by far the fewest passes, and he did so in an era where it was very difficult to record interceptions. That’s why, by the metric I’ll describe below, it’s the most impressive interception season in NFL history.

First, I calculated each player’s individual interception rate, defined as his number of interceptions divided by his team’s pass attempts faced. [1]Perhaps in a future version, I will adjust for games missed due to injury. The record here was set in 1946 by Pittsburgh’s Bill Dudley, a former first overall pick. That year, Dudley led the NFL in rushing… and punt return yards… and interceptions! Dudley intercepted 10 passes, while the Steelers faced just 162 pass attempts, giving him an interception on 6.2% of opponent dropbacks. Perhaps most amazing, the Steelers leading receivers each had just ten catches, which means Dudley caught as many passes on defense as any Pittsburgh player did on offense in 1946.

Law’s 10 interceptions came against 463 opponent pass attempts, giving him an interception on 2.2% of opposing pass plays. That remains the highest rate in a single season since Walls picked off a pass on 2.4% of opponent pass plays in 1982. But obviously interception rates have been sharply declining, which is what makes Law’s accomplishment so remarkable.

I calculated the league average interception rate for every league [2]That is, treating the AFL and AAFC as separate. and every season since 1940. Then, for each league season, I adjusted each player’s interception rate based on the ratio of the average interception rate since 1940 and the league average rate for that season. So, for example, players in 2014 get a multiplier of 2.15, since interceptions are so rare now, while players in 2005 receive a multiplier of 1.76, and players in 1978 get a multiplier of exactly 1.00. Unfortunately for Dudley, he gets a multiplier of 0.60.

So with Dudley, his 6.2% gets adjusted down to 3.7%. For Law, his 2.2% gets adjusted up to 3.8%. And that’s how Law jumps Dudley into the top spot.

The table below shows the top 200 seasons of all time. The table is fully sortable and searchable, and you can change the number of seasons viewed by using the dropdown button on the left.

RkPlayerTmYearPosINTTm AttINT RtYr MultAdj Rate
1Ty LawNYJ2005LCB104632.2%1.76%3.8%
2Bill DudleyPIT1946TB101626.2%0.6%3.7%
3Deltha O'NealCIN2005LCB105191.9%1.76%3.4%
4Jack ButlerPIT1957DB102344.3%0.78%3.3%
5Nnamdi AsomughaOAK2006LCB84102%1.7%3.3%
6Aeneas WilliamsARI1994LCB94651.9%1.72%3.3%
7Paul KrauseWAS1964RS124063%1.12%3.3%
8Asante SamuelNWE2006LCB/rcb105181.9%1.7%3.3%
9Ed ReedBAL2008FS95281.7%1.92%3.3%
10Dan SandiferWAS1948RH132894.5%0.73%3.3%
11Ronde BarberTAM2001RCB104932%1.6%3.3%
12Champ BaileyDEN2006LCB105381.9%1.7%3.2%
13Tim JenningsCHI2012LCB95921.5%2.05%3.1%
14Antonio CromartieSDG2007rcb105551.8%1.72%3.1%
15Jimmy PattonNYG1958DB113113.5%0.88%3.1%
16Stevie BrownNYG2012SS85341.5%2.05%3.1%
17Mark CarrierCHI1990FS104952%1.52%3.1%
18Darryl WilliamsSEA1997FS84621.7%1.77%3.1%
19Emmitt ThomasKAN1974RCB124082.9%1.04%3.1%
20Lem BarneyDET1967LCB103123.2%0.95%3.1%
21Jairus ByrdBUF2009FS95191.7%1.75%3%
22Mike ReinfeldtHOU1979FS124652.6%1.17%3%
23Ed ReedBAL2004SS95011.8%1.69%3%
24Tony GreeneBUF1974FS93112.9%1.04%3%
25Richard ShermanSEA2013LCB85241.5%1.95%3%
26Everson WallsDAL1982LCB72892.4%1.23%3%
27Darren SharperMIN2005FS95331.7%1.76%3%
28Ryan McNeilSTL1997RCB95431.7%1.77%2.9%
29Sammy BaughWAS1943TB111935.7%0.51%2.9%
30Lester HayesOAK1980LCB135242.5%1.18%2.9%
31Charles WoodsonGNB2009LCB95401.7%1.75%2.9%
32Richard ShermanSEA2012LCB85641.4%2.05%2.9%
33Anthony HenryCLE2001cb105521.8%1.6%2.9%
34Tony ParrishSFO2003SS95141.8%1.66%2.9%
35Patrick PetersonARI2012LCB74971.4%2.05%2.9%
36Pat FischerSTL1964LCB103892.6%1.12%2.9%
37Bill BradleyPHI1972FS93182.8%1.01%2.9%
38Night Train LaneRAM1952DB143603.9%0.73%2.8%
39Lindon CrowCRD1956DB112873.8%0.74%2.8%
40Monte JacksonRAM1976RCB103972.5%1.12%2.8%
41Mel BlountPIT1975RCB113962.8%1.01%2.8%
42Paul KrauseMIN1975FS103602.8%1.01%2.8%
43Brian RussellMIN2003FS95311.7%1.66%2.8%
44Deltha O'NealDEN2001LCB95151.7%1.6%2.8%
45Mark McMillianKAN1997cb85071.6%1.77%2.8%
46Bobby DillonGNB1955DB92593.5%0.8%2.8%
47Brian KellyTAM2002LCB85101.6%1.77%2.8%
48Dave BakerSFO1960LS102933.4%0.81%2.8%
49Ken RileyCIN1976RCB93642.5%1.12%2.8%
50Ray BrownATL1974SS83022.6%1.04%2.8%
51Darren SharperNOR2009FS95741.6%1.75%2.7%
52Scott CaseATL1988RCB105042%1.38%2.7%
53Howard HartleyPIT1951DB102663.8%0.73%2.7%
54Eric WeddleSDG2011FS74781.5%1.86%2.7%
55Willie WilliamsNYG1968RCB103642.7%0.99%2.7%
56Asante SamuelPHI2009LCB95801.6%1.75%2.7%
57Everson WallsDAL1981LCB115112.2%1.26%2.7%
58Jerry NortonSTL1960LS103003.3%0.81%2.7%
59Mark LeeGNB1986LCB94482%1.35%2.7%
60Thom DardenCLE1974FS83082.6%1.04%2.7%
61Jack ChristiansenDET1957DB102903.4%0.78%2.7%
62Darren SharperGNB2000FS95571.6%1.66%2.7%
63Tony GreeneBUF1977FS93162.8%0.94%2.7%
64Bibbles BawelPHI1955DB92723.3%0.8%2.6%
65Richard JohnsonHOU1990RCB84601.7%1.52%2.6%
66Charles WoodsonGNB2006LCB85151.6%1.7%2.6%
67Dick WestmorelandMIA1967RCB103492.9%0.92%2.6%
68O.J. AtogweSTL2007FS85231.5%1.72%2.6%
69Eric TurnerCLE1994FS95871.5%1.72%2.6%
70Walt HarrisSFO2006RCB85181.5%1.7%2.6%
71Bobby BoydBAL1964LCB93852.3%1.12%2.6%
72Otto SchnellbacherNYY1948113413.2%0.81%2.6%
73Keith LyleSTL1997FS85431.5%1.77%2.6%
74Sam MadisonMIA1998RCB85041.6%1.64%2.6%
75Terrell BuckleyMIA1998LCB85041.6%1.64%2.6%
76Rashean MathisJAX2006LCB85231.5%1.7%2.6%
77Kwamie LassiterARI2001FS95561.6%1.6%2.6%
78Ty LawNWE1998LCB95701.6%1.64%2.6%
79Charles WoodsonGNB2008LCB75181.4%1.92%2.6%
80Nick CollinsGNB2008FS75181.4%1.92%2.6%
81Tory JamesCIN2004RCB85201.5%1.69%2.6%
82Goose GonsoulinDEN1960RS113872.8%0.91%2.6%
83Tom KeaneBAL1953DB113213.4%0.75%2.6%
84Don BurroughsPHI1960LS92833.2%0.81%2.6%
85Nate OdomesBUF1993RCB95821.5%1.66%2.6%
86Keith LyleSTL1996FS95581.6%1.59%2.6%
87Orlando ThomasMIN1995FS96201.5%1.76%2.6%
88Nathan VasherCHI2005RCB85501.5%1.76%2.6%
89Jack ChristiansenDET1953DB123543.4%0.75%2.6%
90Fred GlickHOU1963RS124242.8%0.9%2.6%
91Rod WoodsonPIT1993LCB85211.5%1.66%2.6%
92Kenny EasleySEA1984SS105211.9%1.33%2.5%
93Johnny RobinsonKAN1970FS104082.5%1.04%2.5%
94Ron BoltonNWE1973RCB62402.5%1.02%2.5%
95Kwamie LassiterARI1998fs85181.5%1.64%2.5%
96Glover QuinDET2014FS75921.2%2.15%2.5%
97Tyrone BraxtonDEN1996SS95661.6%1.59%2.5%
98Bill BradleyPHI1971FS114072.7%0.93%2.5%
99Dick AndersonMIA1973FS83222.5%1.02%2.5%
100Don DollDET1949KR113123.5%0.72%2.5%
101Joey BrownerMIN1990SS74221.7%1.52%2.5%
102Troy PolamaluPIT2008SS75331.3%1.92%2.5%
103Joe LavenderWAS1976RCB83542.3%1.12%2.5%
104Lem BarneyDET1969LCB83502.3%1.1%2.5%
105Dick LeBeauDET1970RCB93712.4%1.04%2.5%
106Doug EvansCAR2001RCB85101.6%1.6%2.5%
107Eugene RobinsonSEA1993FS95951.5%1.66%2.5%
108Will ShermanRAM1955DB113513.1%0.8%2.5%
109John HarrisSEA1981FS105022%1.26%2.5%
110Corey ChavousMIN2003SS85311.5%1.66%2.5%
111Samari RolleTEN2000RCB74661.5%1.66%2.5%
112James HunterDET1976FS73132.2%1.12%2.5%
113Dexter McCleonSTL2000RCB85341.5%1.66%2.5%
114Rod WoodsonOAK2002FS85701.4%1.77%2.5%
115William ThomasPHI1995RLB74991.4%1.76%2.5%
116Rosey TaylorCHI1963RS93532.5%0.97%2.5%
117Ed ReedBAL2007FS74901.4%1.72%2.5%
118Norb HeckerWAS1956DB82403.3%0.74%2.5%
119Lyle BlackwoodBAL1977FS103822.6%0.94%2.5%
120Ed ReedBAL2010FS85961.3%1.83%2.5%
121Tom JanikBUF1967LS103772.7%0.92%2.4%
122Willie ClayDET1995FS85801.4%1.76%2.4%
123Nate WrightMIN1976LCB73232.2%1.12%2.4%
124Ronnie LottRAI1991SS85131.6%1.54%2.4%
125Mel RenfroDAL1969RS104582.2%1.1%2.4%
126Ryan McNeilSDG2001RCB85351.5%1.6%2.4%
127Asante SamuelPHI2010LCB75361.3%1.83%2.4%
128Jimmy AllenDET1981FS94751.9%1.26%2.4%
129Ken HoustonHOU1971SS93542.5%0.93%2.4%
130Bobby BoydBAL1965LCB94002.3%1.05%2.4%
131Dick LynchNYG1963RCB93682.4%0.97%2.4%
132Jack ButlerPIT1958DB93342.7%0.88%2.4%
133Tom KeaneDTX1952DB103103.2%0.73%2.4%
134Deron CherryKAN1988FS74101.7%1.38%2.4%
135Thomas HowardOAK2007RLB64391.4%1.72%2.4%
136Larry WilsonSTL1966RS104432.3%1.04%2.3%
137Frank ReaganNYG1947PR/P102763.6%0.65%2.3%
138Michael GriffinTEN2008FS75751.2%1.92%2.3%
139Darren SharperGNB2002FS75311.3%1.77%2.3%
140Chris GambleCAR2005RCB75281.3%1.76%2.3%
141Sam MadisonMIA1999RCB74841.4%1.61%2.3%
142Willie WilliamsPIT1995LCB75311.3%1.76%2.3%
143Dave WhitsellNOR1967LCB104102.4%0.95%2.3%
144Erik McMillanNYJ1988FS84761.7%1.38%2.3%
145Felix WrightCLE1989SS95401.7%1.39%2.3%
146Marcus ColemanHOU2003RCB75021.4%1.66%2.3%
147Barry WilburnWAS1987RCB95271.7%1.35%2.3%
148Gill ByrdSDG1990LCB74621.5%1.52%2.3%
149Deion SandersATL1993RCB75051.4%1.66%2.3%
150Carl LeeMIN1988RCB84801.7%1.38%2.3%
151David FulcherCIN1989SS84821.7%1.39%2.3%
152Ray BuchananIND1994FS/lcb85981.3%1.72%2.3%
153Champ BaileyDEN2005LCB86131.3%1.76%2.3%
154Aeneas WilliamsARI1995LCB64611.3%1.76%2.3%
155Don PaulCLE1956DB72263.1%0.74%2.3%
156Milt DavisBAL1957DB103422.9%0.78%2.3%
157Eugene RobinsonSEA1992FS74281.6%1.4%2.3%
158Ronnie LippettNWE1986LCB84731.7%1.35%2.3%
159Jerry DavisCRD1950DB92693.3%0.68%2.3%
160Mike WagnerPIT1973SS83592.2%1.02%2.3%
161Wayne HaddixTAM1990RCB74711.5%1.52%2.3%
162Bob JeterGNB1967RCB83372.4%0.95%2.3%
163Gary BarbaroKAN1977FS83332.4%0.94%2.3%
164Darren PerryPIT1994FS75321.3%1.72%2.3%
165Gary BarbaroKAN1980FS105231.9%1.18%2.3%
166Willie WoodGNB1962RS93552.5%0.89%2.3%
167Lemar ParrishWAS1979LCB94701.9%1.17%2.2%
168Dick AndersonMIA1968RS/ls83422.3%0.96%2.2%
169Rod PerryRAM1976LCB83972%1.12%2.2%
170Bob NussbaumerCRD1949123833.1%0.72%2.2%
171Tony ParrishSFO2002SS75521.3%1.77%2.2%
172John SymankGNB1957DB93142.9%0.78%2.2%
173Bobby DillonGNB1957DB93142.9%0.78%2.2%
174Thomas DeCoudATL2012FS65511.1%2.05%2.2%
175Jake ScottMIA1974FS83722.2%1.04%2.2%
176Dean DerbyPIT1959DB72852.5%0.91%2.2%
177Ashley AmbroseCIN1996LCB85711.4%1.59%2.2%
178Ronnie LottSFO1986FS106041.7%1.35%2.2%
179Spec SandersNYY1950DB133963.3%0.68%2.2%
180Dennis ThurmanDAL1981RCB95111.8%1.26%2.2%
181Donnell WoolfordCHI1992LCB74421.6%1.4%2.2%
182Ray RamseyCRD1953DB103412.9%0.75%2.2%
183Brig OwensWAS1968LS83592.2%0.99%2.2%
184Mike SensibaughKAN1972FS83682.2%1.01%2.2%
185Maurice HurstNWE1994RCB75451.3%1.72%2.2%
186Dwight HicksSFO1981FS95141.8%1.26%2.2%
187Paul KrauseMIN1968RS73152.2%0.99%2.2%
188Audray McMillianMIN1992RCB85081.6%1.4%2.2%
189Richie PetitbonCHI1963LS83532.3%0.97%2.2%
190Tashaun GipsonCLE2014FS65871%2.15%2.2%
191Brian WalkerMIA2000SS75301.3%1.66%2.2%
192Patrick SurtainMIA2003LCB75291.3%1.66%2.2%
193Night Train LaneCRD1954DB103562.8%0.78%2.2%
194Ed ReedBAL2003SS75311.3%1.66%2.2%
195Tom ColellaCLE1946P102993.3%0.65%2.2%
196Issiac HoltMIN1986LCB84941.6%1.35%2.2%
197Spider LockhartNYG1968RS83642.2%0.99%2.2%
198Don McNealMIA1982LCB42261.8%1.23%2.2%
199Bobby DillonGNB1953DB93122.9%0.75%2.2%
200Casey HaywardGNB2012rcb65681.1%2.05%2.2%

Ed Reed leads the list with five top-200 appearances. Only two linebackers — William Thomas and Thomas Howard — make the cut. And Deion makes just one appearance on the list, showing that interceptions are only a small part of defensive back play.

What do you think of this methodology? What stands out to you?

References

References
1 Perhaps in a future version, I will adjust for games missed due to injury.
2 That is, treating the AFL and AAFC as separate.
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