The answer depends on which type of interception you mean. Jim Hardy holds the NFL record for most interceptions thrown by one quarterback in a game, with eight for the Chicago Cardinals against the Philadelphia Eagles on September 24, 1950. Philadelphia won 45–7. The Pro Football Hall of Fame identifies Hardy as the only quarterback to throw eight interceptions in one NFL game.
If you mean the most interceptions made by one defensive player, the record is four in a game, shared by 12 players. Cornerback DeAngelo Hall is one of them; he made all four of his interceptions against the Chicago Bears on October 24, 2010.pro-football-reference+1
That distinction matters because “most interceptions in a game” can refer to a quarterback throwing interceptions, a defender making interceptions, or an entire team recording takeaways.
Quick Record Summary
| Record category | Record | Player | Game |
| Most interceptions thrown by one quarterback | 8 | Jim Hardy | Chicago Cardinals vs. Philadelphia Eagles, Sept. 24, 1950 |
| Most interceptions made by one defensive player | 4 | 12-player tie, including DeAngelo Hall | Washington vs. Chicago, Oct. 24, 2010 |
| Most by a cornerback in one game | 4 | DeAngelo Hall and other defensive backs | Multiple games |
| Most recent seven-interception passing game | 7 | Ty Detmer | Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns, Sept. 23, 2001 |
| Most interceptions made by DeAngelo Hall in one game | 4 | DeAngelo Hall | Washington defeated Chicago 17–14 |
Jim Hardy Threw Eight Interceptions
The record game
Jim Hardy set the NFL record on September 24, 1950, when the Chicago Cardinals played the Philadelphia Eagles.
His passing line was:
| Statistic | Jim Hardy |
| Completions | 12 |
| Attempts | 39 |
| Passing yards | 193 |
| Touchdowns | 1 |
| Interceptions | 8 |
| Final result | Lost 45–7 |
The Pro Football Hall of Fame describes Hardy as the only quarterback in NFL history to throw eight interceptions in one game. It also notes that he lost two fumbles in the same contest.
The game was especially damaging because Philadelphia turned Chicago’s mistakes into a decisive victory. However, the record should not be interpreted as a complete evaluation of Hardy’s career. Historical games can produce extreme statistical performances, and one box score does not describe a quarterback’s entire ability.
Hardy’s unusual rebound
The record became even more memorable because Hardy responded with a remarkable performance the following week. NFL historical coverage notes that he threw six touchdown passes against Baltimore after the eight-interception game.
That contrast illustrates why single-game records need context. A record-setting performance can represent a disastrous day without proving that the player was consistently poor.
What Does “Interceptions” Mean?
An interception occurs when a defensive player catches a pass intended for the offense. In statistics, the same play can be described from two perspectives:
- The quarterback is charged with an interception thrown.
- The defender is credited with an interception made.
These are related but different records.
| Statistic | What it measures | Example |
| Quarterback interceptions thrown | Passes from one quarterback caught by the defense | Jim Hardy’s 8 |
| Defensive interceptions | Passes caught by one defender | DeAngelo Hall’s 4 |
| Team interceptions thrown | Combined interceptions from one team’s quarterbacks | Requires adding all quarterbacks in the game |
| Team defensive interceptions | Total passes picked off by one defense | May involve several defenders |
| Total turnovers | Interceptions plus lost fumbles | Broader than interceptions alone |
When someone searches for the most interceptions in a game, the standard NFL record question usually means interceptions thrown by one quarterback. But the related search “most interceptions in a game by a cornerback” refers to defensive interceptions.
Most Interceptions by a Cornerback in NFL History
DeAngelo Hall’s four-interception game
DeAngelo Hall tied the NFL single-game defensive interception record on October 24, 2010. Playing for Washington, Hall intercepted four passes thrown by Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler.
Washington won the game 17–14. Hall:
- Made all four interceptions in the second half.
- Returned one interception 92 yards for a touchdown.
- Recorded seven solo tackles.
- Became the first player since 2001 to make four interceptions in one game.nfl+1
The Pro Football Hall of Fame reported that Hall became just the 19th player in NFL history at the time to record four interceptions in a single game.
Is four the cornerback record?
Yes, four interceptions is the single-game record for a defensive back or cornerback in the NFL record data. StatMuse lists 12 players tied at four defensive interceptions in one game, including DeAngelo Hall, Deltha O’Neal, and Kwamie Lassiter.
The term “cornerback” can create a classification issue because defensive positions and alignments have changed. Some players may have been listed as defensive backs, safeties, or cornerbacks depending on the source and era. For accuracy, verify the player’s position in the relevant game and database.
Defensive interception leaderboard context
| Player | Interceptions | Date | Team | Opponent |
| DeAngelo Hall | 4 | Oct. 24, 2010 | Washington | Chicago |
| Deltha O’Neal | 4 | Oct. 7, 2001 | Denver | New England |
| Kwamie Lassiter | 4 | Dec. 27, 1998 | Arizona | San Diego |
| Other players | 4 | Various dates | Various teams | Various opponents |
The complete list includes 12 players tied with four interceptions. A full leaderboard should be checked against an updated statistical database before publication because records and classifications can be revised.
Quarterback Record vs. Defensive Record
The numbers eight and four are not competing versions of the same record.
Jim Hardy’s eight refers to passes he threw that the defense intercepted. DeAngelo Hall’s four refers to passes he caught as a defender.
A quarterback can throw four interceptions while a defender on the opposing team catches all four. In that case, the quarterback is credited with four interceptions thrown, and the defensive player is credited with four interceptions made.
Example
Suppose Quarterback A throws four interceptions in one game:
- Quarterback A receives 4 interceptions in the passing statistics.
- The opposing defense receives 4 interceptions in defensive statistics.
- One cornerback may receive all 4 defensive interceptions.
- The team records 4 takeaways from interceptions.
The same plays appear in multiple statistical categories, but the records answer different questions.
Who Has Thrown Seven Interceptions?
Eight is the NFL single-game record for interceptions thrown by one quarterback. Seven is the next-highest total.
Pro-Football-Reference lists several quarterbacks with seven interceptions, including:
- Ty Detmer.
- Steve DeBerg.
- Ken Stabler.
- Tommy Wade.
- Zeke Bratkowski.
- Glenn Dobbs.
- Bob Waterfield.
- Frankie Sinkwich.
- Parker Hall.
Ty Detmer’s seven-interception game for the Detroit Lions against the Cleveland Browns on September 23, 2001, is the most recent seven-interception performance listed in the available leaderboard. According to official single-game interception records, Jim Hardy stands alone at the top of the leaderboard with eight passes intercepted in a single contest.
Do not confuse a seven-interception game with a quarterback’s total for an entire season. The single-game record measures one game only.
Why the Record Is So Rare
A game with eight interceptions requires an unusual combination of factors. Possible contributors include:
- Aggressive passing decisions.
- Defensive pressure.
- Coverage mistakes.
- Deflected passes.
- Poor field position.
- A team falling behind and throwing more often.
- Multiple interceptions returned or nullified by penalties.
- Weather or playing-condition issues.
- A quarterback remaining in the game despite repeated turnovers.
Historical comparisons also require caution. The NFL has changed substantially since 1950:
- Passing volume has increased.
- Offensive schemes have evolved.
- Quarterback coaching has changed.
- Defensive contact rules have changed.
- Teams use more specialized personnel.
- Coaches may replace a quarterback after several interceptions.
- Statistical tracking is more detailed today.
These factors may help explain why an eight-interception game is rare, but they do not prove that one specific rule or strategy caused the record.
Does the Record Include Defensive Interceptions?
Not when the phrase is used to describe the quarterback record.
For defensive interceptions, Pro-Football-Reference lists four as the single-game high and identifies DeAngelo Hall as one of the players tied at that number.
For quarterback interceptions, Pro-Football-Reference lists Jim Hardy at eight.
Record definitions at a glance
| Question | Correct category |
| Who threw the most interceptions? | Quarterback passing record |
| Who caught the most interceptions? | Defensive player record |
| Which team made the most interceptions? | Team defensive record |
| Which game had the most total picks? | Combined game statistic |
| Which game had the most picks before scoring? | Play-by-play sequence statistic |
A strong record article should state which category it is using before listing a number.
What About Team Interceptions?
A team can have more than one quarterback throw interceptions in the same game. A team-level record therefore requires adding every interception thrown by each quarterback who played.
That is different from Jim Hardy’s record because Hardy threw all eight interceptions himself.
Similarly, one defense may record several interceptions through multiple defensive backs. A team defensive total is not the same as one player’s total.
Before publishing a team record, verify:
- Every quarterback who appeared.
- Official passing statistics.
- Interceptions credited to each passer.
- Defensive interceptions credited to each player.
- Whether the game was regular season or postseason.
- Whether a penalty or replay changed the final statistic.
How Records Are Verified
Historical football records may differ slightly between databases because:
- Early box scores were less detailed.
- Team names and abbreviations changed.
- Position classifications changed.
- Some databases cover different seasons.
- Regular-season and postseason filters may differ.
- Play-by-play data is not equally complete across all eras.
Pro-Football-Reference notes that its single-game defensive leaderboard reflects seasons with mostly complete box-score data. The Pro Football Hall of Fame independently lists Jim Hardy’s eight interceptions as the quarterback record.profootballhof+1
For a trustworthy article, verify major claims through at least two strong sources and date the research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has thrown the most interceptions in an NFL game?
Jim Hardy holds the record with eight interceptions thrown for the Chicago Cardinals against the Philadelphia Eagles on September 24, 1950.
What was the final score of Jim Hardy’s record game?
The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Chicago Cardinals 45–7.
What is the most interceptions in a game by a cornerback?
The single-game record is four interceptions by one defensive player. DeAngelo Hall is one of 12 players tied at that total.statmuse+1
How many interceptions did DeAngelo Hall make in one game?
Hall made four interceptions against the Chicago Bears on October 24, 2010. He returned one 92 yards for a touchdown, and Washington won 17–14.nfl+1
Has any quarterback matched Jim Hardy’s eight interceptions?
No quarterback in the available NFL single-game record data has matched Hardy’s total. Seven interceptions is the next-highest listed total.
Who threw seven interceptions in an NFL game?
Several quarterbacks have thrown seven, including Ty Detmer, Steve DeBerg, Ken Stabler, Tommy Wade, and others. Ty Detmer’s 2001 game is the most recent seven-interception performance listed by Pro-Football-Reference.
Are interceptions thrown and interceptions made the same statistic?
No. Interceptions thrown are charged to the quarterback whose pass was picked off. Interceptions made are credited to the defender who caught the pass.
Conclusion
The answer to most interceptions in a game depends on the record category. For one quarterback, Jim Hardy holds the NFL record with eight interceptions thrown in the Chicago Cardinals’ 45–7 loss to Philadelphia on September 24, 1950.
For defensive players, the single-game high is four interceptions, shared by 12 players. DeAngelo Hall reached that mark as a cornerback against Chicago in 2010 on our blog.
Keeping these categories separate—quarterback interceptions thrown, defensive interceptions made, team totals, and play-by-play sequences—makes the record easier to understand and prevents the most common statistical confusion.
