Who Has The Most Sacks In The NFL?

A look at the NFL sack leaders and what defensive players are doing to get to the quarterback.

J.J. Watt

In a season that has been defined by injuries to some of the game’s biggest stars, one player has been dominating on the defensive side of the ball. That player is J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans. Watt has been a force to be reckoned with, recording 12.5 sacks so far this season.

2011 season

During the 2011 season, his second season in the NFL, Watt collected 69 tackles, 12 sacks, six pass deflections, an interception, and a forced fumble. He was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Month for November after recording five sacks and three pass deflections in four games. For his efforts, he was named first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press (AP), Sporting News, and Pro Football Focus (PFF). He was also named to the PFWA All-AFC team. He was selected as a starter for the 2012 Pro Bowl.

2012 season

J.J. Watt had a break-out year in 2012, his second season in the NFL. The defensive end for the Houston Texans racked up 20.5 sacks, 77 tackles, 16 pass deflections, and 4 forced fumbles. He was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and helped lead the Texans to their first ever divisional title.

2013 season

In his 2013 season, J.J. Watt had a then-career-high 20.5 sacks, which led the NFL and set a new franchise record for the Houston Texans. He also had a franchise record 10 sacks in a single game against the Tennessee Titans. He was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year for his performance that season.

DeMarcus Ware

DeMarcus Ware is a name that any diehard NFL fan should know. A defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys, Ware has been terrorizing quarterbacks since he entered the league in 2005. In his career, he has amassed over 100 sacks, and is currently ranked 5th all time in sacks.

2005 season

In 2005, his second season in the NFL, Ware started all 16 games and had 11.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.

2006 season

In the 2006 season, DeMarcus Ware had 14.5 sacks for the Dallas Cowboys. This was the most sacks in the NFL that season.

2007 season

In 2007, his fourth NFL season, Ware recorded a career-high 20 sacks, leading the league in that category. He also had 56 tackles (36 solo), one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries, one of which he returned for a touchdown. As a result of his stellar play, Ware was selected to his first Pro Bowl, and was also named First-team All-Pro. He was a key player on a defense that helped the Cowboys to a 13–3 record and the top seed in the NFC playoffs.

Jared Allen

As of September 2013, the player with the most sacks in the NFL is Jared Allen. He is a defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings. As of September 2013, he has 149.5 career sacks.

2008 season

In 2008, Allen had another great statistical year. He played in all 16 games and recorded 60 tackles, 14.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, and one interception, which he returned for a touchdown.Those numbers made him one of the league’s most dominant defensive ends and helped him earn his second consecutive trip to the Pro Bowl.

2009 season

In 2009, Allen had 14.5 sacks, leading the league for the second time in his career. He also had 66 tackles and four forced fumbles.

2010 season

2010 was Allen’s final season with the Vikings. He recorded double-digit sacks for the fifth consecutive season, finishing with 11.5. Allen’s production helped the Vikings finish first in the NFL in sacks (48) for the second consecutive season.