Josh Allen interceptions streak: How Bills QB compares to Joe Namath, Terry Bradshaw, other NFL turnover machines

Edward Sutelan

Josh Allen interceptions streak: How Bills QB compares to Joe Namath, Terry Bradshaw, other NFL turnover machines image

The Bills don't have any problem letting Josh Allen put on the superhero cape and make some incredible plays. But there's often some collateral damage that can come when he tries to be the hero.

Only Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has more touchdown passes in 2023 than Josh Allen. Only Sam Howell has more interceptions. Only Prescott has more big-time throws per PFF. He also ranks tied for 16th in turnover-worthy plays.

During Allen's career, the amazing has almost always come with the mistakes. He cut down on the interceptions in 2020, when he threw only 10 in 16 games, but he has since surpassed that total in every season, including already in 2023 despite having played in four fewer games.

This season, Allen's interceptions haven't come in bunches. But rather it's just been a steady flow of picks. Outside of Week 2 against the Raiders and Week 4 against the Dolphins, Allen has thrown at least one interception in each contest. That has included a now-lengthy streak of picks.

How does Allen's interception streak rank among players all time? Here's what you need to know.

Josh Allen interceptions streak

Allen threw an interception early in the fourth quarter against the Jaguars in Week 5. Since then, he's logged an interception in every game.

He has thrown at least one interception, including a pair of picks in a loss to the Broncos in Week 10, in nine consecutive games, his latest coming against the Chiefs in Week 14.

Allen's nine-game interception streak is the longest since Peyton Manning threw nine straight from Sept. 13, 2015, through Nov. 15, 2015, according to Stathead.

Longest interception streaks

It might feel like nine games with an interception is a long stretch. But in the history of the NFL, it's not even halfway to the record.

Stathead, which dates back to 1970, records Jets quarterback Joe Namath as holding the record for the longest interception streak at 20 consecutive games. He began the streak Oct. 10, 1970, and threw his final interception in the streak on Sept. 17, 1973. During that run, he threw 37 total picks and 25 touchdown passes.

Next up behind Namath is another Hall of Famer, Terry Bradshaw. Bradshaw had 17 straight with an interception from Nov. 4, 1979, to Nov. 16, 1980. He had 30 interceptions and 32 touchdown passes.

PlayerTeamINT streakStart dateEnd datePass TDsINTs
Joe NamathJets20Oct. 10, 1970Sept. 17, 19732537
Terry BradshawSteelers17Nov. 04, 1979Nov. 16, 19803230
Bert JonesColts/Rams16Sept. 13, 1981Sept. 19, 19822223
Phil SimmsGiants15Nov. 18, 1979Nov. 09, 19801625
Norm SneadGiants15Dec. 03, 1972Sept. 22, 19741129
Troy AikmanCowboys14Dec. 16, 1989Nov. 22, 1990922
Vince FerragamoBills/Rams14Dec. 11, 1983Nov. 03, 1985827
Bill TroupColts/Packers14Sept. 10, 1978Sept. 21, 19801024
Jim ZornSeahawks14Nov. 20, 1977Oct. 29, 19781623
Dennis ShawBills14Nov. 08, 1970Oct. 31, 19711225

Since 2000, there have been 13 players reach double-digit length interception streaks, according to Stathead. John Skelton, Rex Grossman, Drew Brees, Jon Kitna, Brett Favre and Tim Couch are tied for the longest pick runs with 12-game streaks.

PlayerTeamINT streakStart dateEnd datePass TDsINTs
John SkeltonCardinals12Nov. 13, 2011Nov. 04, 20121219
Rex GrossmanRedskins12Sept. 18, 2011Jan. 01, 20121420
Drew BreesSaints12Oct. 10, 2010Jan. 02, 20112620
Jon KitnaLions12Sept. 24, 2006Dec. 17, 20061421
Brett FavrePackers12Oct. 30, 2005Sept. 17, 2006924
Tim CouchBrowns12Nov. 18, 2001Oct. 13, 20021022
Marc BulgerRams11Nov. 02, 2003Sept. 19, 20041317
Jon KitnaBengals11Oct. 21, 2001Jan. 06, 2002618
Ryan LeafChargers11Sept. 03, 2000Dec. 24, 20001118
Joe FlaccoRavens10Nov. 27, 2016Oct. 01, 20171412
Donovan McNabbRedskins10Sept. 26, 2010Dec. 05, 20101115
Anthony WrightRavens10Nov. 30, 2003Oct. 16, 20051013
Vinny TestaverdeJets10Oct. 23, 2000Dec. 24, 20001519

Edward Sutelan

Edward Sutelan joined The Sporting News in 2021 after covering high school sports for PennLive. Edward graduated from The Ohio State University in 2019, where he gained experience covering the baseball, football and basketball teams. Edward also spent time working for The Columbus Dispatch and Cape Cod Times.