The Green Bay Packers needed only eight games in 2026 to top last season's takeaway total. Jonathan Gannon's defense created two more takeaways during Thursday night's win over the Carolina Panthers, pushing the team's total to 15 -- which leads the NFL (entering Sunday) and is already one more than last season's total of 14.
The Packers have created multiple takeaways in five straight games. Green Bay is 4-1 in those games, reviving the season after a 1-2 start.
Last season, the Packers produced only seven interceptions in 17 games. Through eight games in 2026, the Packers have an NFL-high 10 interceptions.
Gannon's scheme is aggressive, and he's been unafraid to blitz, so it comes as no surprise that pressure is helping create turnovers. Per
Next Gen Stats, pressure has helped caused six of the 15 takeaways, and Devonte Wyatt and Lukas Van Ness have both created a pair of turnovers off pressure.
Takeaways are incredibly important to wins and losses but also incredibly volatile year over year. In 2024, Jeff Hafley's first-year Packers defense produced 31 takeaways. A year later, and after adding Micah Parsons, the total dropped to only 14. Now, Gannon's Packers defense is on pace for 32 takeaways through eight games.
Can the Packers continue to take the football away?
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers defense has already passed 2025 team in this important category
