All of Troy Polamalu’s Sacks, FFs, INTs, and TD’s broken down
Selfishly, we wished his career would have been longer, but it was inevitable that it was over with his injuries and recent average play. He has made major pivotal game changing plays in his career like this Sack fumble on Joe Flacco and this unbelievable interception against the Chargers in the Playoffs.
This is not another debate as to who was better: Dawkins, Reed, or Polamalu. Polamalu is definitely in the Hall of Fame, but I feel that Troy may be one of the best, and most fun to watch defensive athletes ever (Sideline to sideline running, snap counting, hitting ability, acrobatics, interceptions, and Tasmanian deviling).
According to NFL.com, in 158 Games he has: 12 sacks, 32 Interceptions (3 for a touchdown), 14 Forced Fumbles, 7 Fumble Recoveries (2 for touchdowns). I just wanted to give his numbers more visual appeal.
There are so many things that are not accounted for, like quarterback hurries, blowing up plays in the backfield, deflected passes, or great plays/tackles made down field. After I finished gathering the information, and watching so many highlight videos, I am still not satisfied with this list. If you have a link to a play that I have not included, let me know.
2003
Week 13, Bengals – Sack1 – Jon Kitna
Week 16, Chargers – Sack2 / FF1 – Drew Brees
2004
Week 3, Dophins – INT1 – AJ Feeley, intended for Chris Chambers
Week 4, Bengals – INT2 / TD1 – Carson Palmer, intended for Houshmandzadeh
With 2:19 left in the game, CIN has the ball on their 20yd line, down 17-21. Palmer’s pass is intercepted by Polamalu, and returned for the TD; securing the victory for PITT.
Week 8, Patriots – FF2 – KR Bethel Johnson
Week 10, Browns – INT3 – Jeff Garcia, intended for Antonio Bryant
Week 10, Browns – INT4 – Kelly Holcomb, intended for Frisman Jackson
Week 14, Jets – INT5 – Chad Pennington, intended for Santana Moss
Week 17, Bills – Sack3 – Drew Bledsoe
Divisional, Jets – INT6 – Chad Pennington, intended for Santana Moss
2005
Week 1, Titans – INT7 – Steve McNair, intended for Drew Bennett
Week 2, Texans – 3 Sacks4,5,6 – David Carr
Week 12, Colts – INT8 – Peyton Manning, intended for Marvin Harrison
Week 17, Lions – FF3 – RB Paul Smith
2006
Week 1, Dolphins – FF4 – Ronnie Brown
Week 1, Dolphins – INT9 – Duante Culpepper, intended for Chris Chambers
Week 6, Chiefs – INT10 – Damon Huard, intended for R. Gardner
Week 7, Falcons – INT11 – Michael Vick, intended for Roddy White
Week 11, Browns – Sack7 – Charlie Frye
2007
Week 4, Cardinals – FF5 – Edgerrin James
Week 9, Ravens – FF6 – Willis McGahee
Week 16, Rams – FF7 – Steven Jackson
2008
Week 1, Texans – INT11 – Matt Schaub, intended for Andre Johnson
Week 2, Browns – INT12 – Derek Anderson, intended for Syndric Steptoe
With :08 left in the 1st half, CLE has the ball on the PITT 11yd line. Anderson is intercepted by Polamalu on the 3, and prevents CLE from scoring. Cleveland goes into halftime losing 7-0.
Week 3, Eagles – INT13 – Kevin Kolb, intended for LJ Smith
Week 11, Chargers – INT14 – Philip Rivers, intended for Vincent Jackson
Week 12, Bengals – INT15 – Ryan Fitzpatrick, intended for Houshmandzadeh
Week 13, Patriots – INT16 – Matt Cassel, intended for Benjamin Watson
Week 14, Cowboys – INT17 – Tony Romo, intended for Terrell Owens
AFC Title, Ravens – INT18 / TD2 – Joe Flacco, intended for Derrick Mason
With 4:39 left in the game, BAL is trailing PITT 14-16. Flacco’s pass is intercepted by Polamalu on the BAL40, and returned for a TD. This TD secured the victory for PITT, and sent them to SB43.
2009
Week 1, Titans – INT19 – Kerry Collins, intended for Kenny Britt
Week 6, Browns – INT21 – WR Josh Cribbs, intended for Stuckey
Week 9, Broncos – INT22 – Kyle Orton, intended for Brandon Marshall
2010
Week 1, Falcons – INT23 – Matt Ryan, intended for Roddy White
With 1:45 left in the game, Falcons had a 9-6 lead over the Steelers. ATL was on their 21yd line when Ryan’s pass was intercepted by Polamalu on the ATL30. This INT led to a PITT FG to tie in regulation, and PITT went on to win in OT.
Week 2, Titans – INT24 – Vince Young, intended for Nate Washington
Week 11, Raiders – INT25 – Bruce Gradkowski, intended for Jacoby Ford
Week 12, Bills – INT26 – Ryan Fitzpatrick, intended for Stevie Johnson
Week 13, Ravens – Sack8 / FF8 – Joe Flacco
With 3:22 left in the game, BAL had a 10-6 lead over the Steelers. The Ravens had the ball on their own 43 when Flacco dropped back to pass. Polamalu got a Sack/FF on the play, and Woodley recovered the ball and returned it to the BAL9. This led to a Steelers TD 3 plays later. Pittsburgh won the game 13-10.
Week 14, Bengals – INT27 / TD3 – Carson Palmer, intended for Terrell Owens
Week 14, Bengals – INT28 – Carson Palmer, intended for Terrell Owens
Week 17, Browns – INT29 – Colt McCoy, intended for Benjamin Watson
2011
Week 2, Seahawks – Sack9 – Tavaris Jackson
Week 14, Browns – INT30 – Colt McCoy, intended for Evan Moore
Week 17, Browns – INT31 – Seneca Wallace, intended for Evan Moore
2012
Week 16, Bengals – Sack10 – Andy Dalton
Week 17, Browns – INT32 – Thad Lewis, intended for Travis Benjamin
2013
Week 8, Raiders – INT33 – Terrelle Pryor, intended for B Butler
Week 8, Raiders – Sack11 – Terrelle Pryor
Week 9, Partiots – FF9 – Steven Ridley
Week 12, Browns – FF10 – Obgonnaya
Week 12, Browns – Sack12 /FF11 – Brandon Weeden
Week 14, Dophins – INT34 / TD4 – Ryan Tannehill, intended for Brian Hartline
Week 15, Bengals – FF12 – Jermaine Gresham
Week 16, Packers – FF13 – Matt Flynn
With 2:00 left in the game, GB and PITT were tied at 31. Flynn scrambled and was hit, Polamalu forced a fumble that was recovered by the Steelers on the GB 17. A few short plays later, Pittsburgh scored a touchdown and won the game, 38-31.
2014
Week 8, Colts – FF14 – Ahmad Bradshaw
For his retirement, the NFL put together a highlight reel for Troy, which included many of the plays mentioned above. He was an exceptional player, and there will not be another like him!