How the Peanut Punch Is Driving NFL Fumbles Higher

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The “Peanut Punch” Is Forcing NFL Running Backs to Protect the Ball

More than 200 fumbles were recorded in the NFL through the fifth week, the second-highest total in league history behind the record set in 2022. One reason for the increase may be a defensive technique known as the “peanut punch.”

Instead of trying to pull the football away from a runner, defenders punch directly at the ball to knock it loose. Running backs often carry the ball with one hand to maintain their freedom of movement, but the technique is forcing them to secure it with both hands more frequently.

When the ball comes loose, players scramble to recover it while officials determine whether the runner’s knee was already down. In one recent play involving a Chicago running back, the ball suddenly came out even though no one appeared to touch him—a “phantom peanut punch.”

With defenders punching at the ball from every direction, running backs must be stronger, smarter, and more careful. There is also a risk that a defender could miss the football, strike a helmet, and injure a hand.

The resulting pileups can be chaotic. Anyone who has played football knows that being trapped at the bottom of the pile is not a comfortable experience, with plenty being said and players getting grabbed in all sorts of places.