Who Has the Most Sacks in an NFL Season?
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There’s no question that defense wins championships in the NFL. And a big part of that is getting to the quarterback. That’s why we wanted to take a look at which player has the most sacks in a single season.
Michael Strahan – 2001
Michael Strahan set the Sack Record in 2001 with 22.5 sacks He played for the New York Giants his entire 15 year career. He was a 1st round pick in 1993 and was selected for the Pro Bowl 7 times. He was also named Defensive Player of the Year in 2001, the same year he set the Sack Record.
Jared Allen – 2011
In 2011, Jared Allen of the Minnesota Vikings recorded 22 sacks, the most in a single season since the sack became an official NFL statistic in 1982. Allen’s total was one shy of Michael Strahan’s single-season record set in 2001.
DeMarcus Ware – 2012
With 20 sacks in 2012, DeMarcus Ware of the Dallas Cowboys holds the NFL record for most sacks in a season. He was also named the Defensive Player of the Year that season.
Jason Pierre-Paul – 2011
In 2011, Jason Pierre-Paul set the New York Giants’ franchise record for sacks in a season with 16.5. He broke Michael Strahan’s previous record of 15.5 sacks, which had stood for 11 years. Pierre-Paul’s 16.5 sacks also ranked second in the NFL that season, behind only Green Bay Packers’ defensive end Jared Allen, who had 22.
Elvis Dumervil – 2009
In 2009, Elvis Dumervil had a monster year, setting the NFL single-season sack record with 17. He was a one-man wrecking crew for the Denver Broncos, and his performances helped them to a surprising playoff berth. Dumervil’s exploits that season were all the more impressive because he was just 5’11” and 250 pounds – relatively small for an NFL defensive end.
