What is an Interception
When a defensive player catches a forward pass thrown by the quarterback, immediately giving the defense possession.
An interception occurs when a defensive player catches a forward pass intended for an offensive receiver. When an interception is made, possession immediately transfers to the defensive team, who can attempt to advance the ball toward the opposing end zone. Interceptions are among the most momentum-shifting plays in football.
How an Interception Happens
An interception results when the quarterback throws a pass that is caught by a defensive player — typically a cornerback, safety, or linebacker — rather than an intended offensive receiver. The defensive player must get both feet (or one knee) in bounds and maintain control of the ball to complete the interception.
After the interception, the intercepting player can run with the ball. If they return it to the opponent's end zone, the result is a pick-six — six points for the defense.
Why Interceptions Are Costly
An interception is one of the most damaging events in football for the offense. It simultaneously:
- Ends the offensive possession
- Gives the opposing team the ball (often in good field position)
- Creates a scoring threat for the defense
Quarterbacks with high interception rates are typically considered liabilities. Interception rate (interceptions per passing attempt) is a key metric used to evaluate quarterback performance.
Famous Interceptions
Some of the most memorable moments in football history are interceptions. Malcolm Butler's goal-line interception in Super Bowl XLIX remains one of the most stunning plays in NFL history, denying the Seattle Seahawks a likely game-winning touchdown in the final seconds.
Defending Against Interceptions
Quarterbacks use several techniques to minimize interceptions:
- Ball placement — Throwing to specific zones that only the intended receiver can reach
- Throw-aways — Intentionally throwing incomplete passes out of bounds to avoid sacks or risky throws
- Pre-snap reads — Identifying defensive coverage before the snap to avoid throwing into coverage
Career Interception Records
Brett Favre threw the most career interceptions in NFL history with 336, while interceptions are also tallied for defenders. Paul Krause leads all-time with 81 career interceptions as a defensive player.