When it comes to football, nothing gets fans hyped like a hard-hitting sack. Sure, quarterbacks may steal the spotlight, but it’s the defenders who take them down that often change the game. Pass rushers make sure quarterbacks are always on their toes.
We’ve all heard it: offense wins games, but defense wins championships. In the NFL, a team’s defense can be the difference between a win and a loss. And one of the most exciting ways to make that happen? It’s a crushing sack that stops the offense in its tracks.
What is a Sack?
A sack occurs when a defensive player tackles the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage before they have a chance to throw a forward pass. It’s a significant defensive play, causing the offense to lose yardage and down. Defenders can sack any offensive player attempting to pass the ball, not just quarterbacks. Tackling a non-quarterback behind the line while they try to pass still counts as a sack. However, if the player isn’t attempting a pass, the play is classified as a tackle for loss.
Another scenario that counts as a sack is when a quarterback is pressured out of bounds behind the line of scrimmage. Defensive players applying this pressure force the quarterback to scramble, and if they can’t find an escape, they end up losing yards without even getting the ball out. This makes sacks one of the most disruptive defensive plays, often putting the offense in a worse field position.
Strip Sacks and Turnovers
Beyond just tackling the quarterback, a sack can have even more devastating consequences for the offense when it results in a fumble. This type of sack called a strip sack, occurs when the defender brings down the quarterback and forces him to lose possession of the football. The defense then has the opportunity to recover the fumble, which could lead to an immediate turnover. If the ball is picked up and returned for a touchdown, the sack shifts the game’s momentum entirely.
Strip sacks are a high-reward play for the defense, turning a fundamental loss of yards into a chance to score or at least regain possession. Quarterbacks must be especially wary of these types of sacks, as they can instantly undo all the progress their offense has made.
Sack Records and Leaders
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Over the decades, many defensive players have mastered the art of sacking quarterbacks. The all-time sack leader in NFL history is Bruce Smith, who recorded an astounding 200 sacks between 1985 and 2003. Smith’s ability to constantly get through offensive lines and take down quarterbacks set him apart as one of the greatest pass rushers the NFL has ever seen. His record remains a benchmark for defensive players aspiring to dominate the league.
Other notable sack leaders include Reggie White, who ranks second with 198 career sacks, and Kevin Greene with 160. The 2024 sack leaders are Lions’ Aidan Hutchinson and Jets’ Will McDonald, both with 5.5 sacks.
Also Read: Who Are The Top Five Sack Leaders In The NFL?
Unique Sack Situations
While most sacks involve traditionally tackling the quarterback, there are unique situations where sacks can occur differently. One such instance is when a quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage without attempting a clear forward pass. If a quarterback is still in the “pocket” and hesitating to throw, the defense has an opportunity to bring him down for a sack. Similarly, it counts as a sack when defenders bring down a quarterback behind the line after he can’t find an open receiver or chooses to keep the ball.
Defensive pressure also forces some quarterbacks to scramble, and if they run out of bounds behind the line of scrimmage due to the pressure, it counts as a sack. While these plays might look different from traditional sacks, they are equally valuable for the defense, pushing the offense further away from the goal line and closer to losing possession.
When defenders tackle a quarterback in his own end zone, they record a sack and score a safety. The defending team earns two points, and the offense must kick the ball back to them. This rare play can dramatically shift the course of the game, not only adding points but also putting the defense in a prime position to score again.
The Biggest Sack in NFL History
Not every sack results in just a few lost yards. In some cases, the quarterback can be driven back a long distance. The biggest sack in NFL history happened to Patrick Mahomes, one of the most elusive quarterbacks in the league. In a 2020 game against the Miami Dolphins, linebacker Jerome Baker sacked Mahomes for a loss of 30 yards.
The Statistical Side of Sacks
For a sack to officially count, the quarterback must intend to throw a forward pass. If the play is designed for the quarterback to run and they are tackled behind the line, it’s recorded as a tackle for loss rather than a sack. Statisticians rely on various factors to determine whether a play is a sack or a tackle for loss, such as the blocking scheme of the offensive line and the quarterback’s body language.
Interestingly, when multiple defenders bring down the quarterback, they share the sack, and each player receives credit for half a sack. This ensures that everyone involved in the play receives proper recognition for their effort.
In the NFL, teams count sacks as part of their passing statistics, subtracting the yards lost from their total passing yardage. However, individual passing statistics for the quarterback remain unaffected. Conversely, the NCAA counts sack yardage against the quarterback’s rushing total, which can sometimes skew their rushing stats.
Sack yards can accumulate over a game or season, contributing significantly to a team’s defensive dominance. The NFL records sacks for zero yards when defenders tackle the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage without causing a significant loss of ground.
Also Read: Grading All 32 NFL Teams’ Head Coaches After Week 2 Games Of The 2024 Season
History and Evolution of the Sack
The term “sack” wasn’t always part of football lingo. It was first introduced by Deacon Jones, a Hall of Fame defensive end, in the 1960s. Jones compared sacking a quarterback to sacking a city in warfare—completely devastating the offense. Before Jones popularized the term, players and commentators called it “dumping the passer.” Jones’ imagery stuck, and soon enough, the term “sack” became an integral part of football language.
The NFL began tracking yardage lost by quarterbacks in 1961, but defensive players didn’t receive credit for sacks until 1982. Before that, sack stats were buried under general statistics, leaving players like Deacon Jones without official numbers for their sack totals. However, researchers have since estimated that Jones recorded an impressive 173.5 sacks over his career, which would place him among the greatest pass rushers in NFL history.
Sack Rule Changes
In recent years, the NFL has implemented rule changes to protect quarterbacks from excessive hits. In 2018, the league introduced a controversial rule preventing defenders from landing with their full weight on a quarterback after a sack. This rule, intended to reduce injuries, especially to star quarterbacks, has led to numerous roughing-the-passer penalties, much to the frustration of defensive players.
The new rule makes it more difficult for defenders to finish off a sack without risking a penalty. Some argue that the game is becoming too soft, while others point out that quarterbacks are essential to a team’s success and need added protection. Regardless, the evolution of sack rules has become a significant talking point, influencing how defenses approach the quarterback and changing the game’s dynamics.
Also Read: Which QB Holds The Record For The All-Time Highest Rushing Yards In NFL History?
