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PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 21:  Jason Campbell #8 of the Oakland Raiders has the ball stripped from his hand by James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game on November 21, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Jared Wick
PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 21: Jason Campbell #8 of the Oakland Raiders has the ball stripped from his hand by James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game on November 21, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared WickJared Wickerham/Getty Images

NFL Difference-Makers: 10 Players Who Change Games By Creating Turnovers

Philip DodsonDec 28, 2010

A telling number in correlation to the success of an NFL team is turnover margin. Winning teams take care of the football, and create scoring opportunities by stealing possession from the opposition.

Some excel at forcing fumbles, many block punts and others intercept passes. Here is a look at the 10 best players of 2010 in regards to creating turnovers. 

Charles Woodson, Green Bay Packers

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GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 03: Charles Woodson #21 of the Green Bay Packers breaks up a pass intended for Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions by taking him to the ground at Lambeau Field on October 3, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated th
GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 03: Charles Woodson #21 of the Green Bay Packers breaks up a pass intended for Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions by taking him to the ground at Lambeau Field on October 3, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated th

While his interception totals have dipped since 2009, the reigning defensive player of the year has still been opportunistic. A Heisman trophy winner in Ann Arbor, the Green Bay defensive back has once again shown his impact.

He has 86 tackles with one sack, two interceptions and five forced fumbles on the season. He returned a pick 48 yards for a touchdown during a Week 4 victory over Detroit. 

Osi Umenyiora, New York Giants

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SEATTLE - NOVEMBER 07:  Quarterback Charlie Whitehurst #6 of the Seattle Seahawks is tackled by Osi Umenyiora #72 of the New York Giants after recovering his own fumble at Qwest Field on November 7, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Giants defeated the Sea
SEATTLE - NOVEMBER 07: Quarterback Charlie Whitehurst #6 of the Seattle Seahawks is tackled by Osi Umenyiora #72 of the New York Giants after recovering his own fumble at Qwest Field on November 7, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Giants defeated the Sea

A second-round selection in 2003, the Giants defensive end lineman continues to build his legacy in New York. Providing leadership with Justin Tuck, Umenyiora has done his best to keep the Giants in the playoff picture.

He currently has 43 tackles, 10 sacks and leads the league with eight forced fumbles on the season. 

Charles Tillman, Chicago Bears

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CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 12: Charles Tillman #33 of the Chicago Bears waits for an instant replay call near the end of the NFL season opening game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field on September 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Lio
CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 12: Charles Tillman #33 of the Chicago Bears waits for an instant replay call near the end of the NFL season opening game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field on September 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Lio

A mainstay in the Chicago secondary, Tillman has been a force since the team drafted him out of Louisiana-Lafayette in 2003.

Preparing for a trip to the playoffs, he currently has 79 tackles, four interceptions and three fumble recoveries on the season. 

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Justin Tuck, New York Giants

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 05:  Justin Tuck #91 of the New York Giants sacks Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins who fumbles and loses the ball during their game on December 5, 2010 at The New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jerse
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 05: Justin Tuck #91 of the New York Giants sacks Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins who fumbles and loses the ball during their game on December 5, 2010 at The New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jerse

Anchoring a strong defensive line with Osi Umenyiora, Tuck has been wrecking havoc on offensive lines for several years.

The former Notre Dame standout has 48 tackles and leads the Giants with 11 sacks on the season. More importantly, he has given the New York offense plenty of opportunities with six forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries on the season. 

DeAngelo Hall, Washington Redskins

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LANDOVER - SEPTEMBER 12:  DeAngelo Hall #23 of the Washington Redskins defends during the NFL season opener against the Dallas Cowboys at FedExField on September 12, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins defeated the Cowboys 13-7. (Photo by Larry Frenc
LANDOVER - SEPTEMBER 12: DeAngelo Hall #23 of the Washington Redskins defends during the NFL season opener against the Dallas Cowboys at FedExField on September 12, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins defeated the Cowboys 13-7. (Photo by Larry Frenc

In his seventh year in the league, Hall has been a solid performer in the Redskin secondary all season.

The former Hokie currently sits with 89 tackles, six interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 2010. A true difference-maker, Hall also returned an interception 92 yards for a touchdown.

James Harrison, Pittsburgh Steelers

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NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 19:  James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers forces a fumble by quarterback Vince Young #10 of the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on September 19, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Steelers won 19-11.  (Photo by Grant Halvers
NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 19: James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers forces a fumble by quarterback Vince Young #10 of the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on September 19, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Steelers won 19-11. (Photo by Grant Halvers

Widely regarded as one of the best defensive players in the NFL, Harrison has not disappointed in 2010. Through 15 games, he and Troy Polamalu have once again led one of the strongest defensive units in the nation.

Harrison has recorded 94 tackles with 11 sacks, two interceptions, six forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. 

Tramon Williams, Green Bay Packers

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TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 08:  Linebacker Adam Hayward #57 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tackles return man Tramon Williams #38 of the Green Bay Packers during the game at Raymond James Stadium on November 8, 2009 in Tampa, Florida.  (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Ima
TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 08: Linebacker Adam Hayward #57 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tackles return man Tramon Williams #38 of the Green Bay Packers during the game at Raymond James Stadium on November 8, 2009 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Ima

In his fourth year out of Louisiana Tech, Williams has proven he is more then a one-year wonder following last season. Along with Charles Woodson, the Green Bay secondary has been instrumental in keeping the team in the playoff picture.

Williams has recorded 54 tackles with one sack, six interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery so far this season. 

Asante Samuel, Philadelphia Eagles

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21:  Asante Samuel #22 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after an interception in the second quarter against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Nick Lah
PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21: Asante Samuel #22 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after an interception in the second quarter against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Lah

A household name for most NFL fans, Samuel is once again putting together a solid season. An eight-year veteran from Central Florida he had led the improving Eagle defense in 2010.

His impact commonly comes with passes defended and interceptions. Playing in only 10 games this season he has 25 tackles with seven interceptions and one fumble recovery. 

Devin McCourty, New England Patriots

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DETROIT - NOVEMBER 25:  Devin McCourty #32 of the New England Patriots returns a fourth quarter interception in front of Nate Burleson #13 of the Detroit Lions on November 25, 2010 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. New England won the game 45-24.  (Phot
DETROIT - NOVEMBER 25: Devin McCourty #32 of the New England Patriots returns a fourth quarter interception in front of Nate Burleson #13 of the Detroit Lions on November 25, 2010 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. New England won the game 45-24. (Phot

A candidate for rookie of the year, McCourty has shined in first season in Foxboro. A first-round selection from Rutgers the defensive back has put together a solid 2010 campaign.

He has recorded 81 tackles with one sack, six interceptions and two forced fumbles this season. 

Terrell Thomas, New York Giants

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 05:  Terrell Thomas #24  of the New York Giants intercepts the ball against the Washington Redskins during their game on December 5, 2010 at The New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.  (Photo by Al Bello/Get
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 05: Terrell Thomas #24 of the New York Giants intercepts the ball against the Washington Redskins during their game on December 5, 2010 at The New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Get

In a breakout season for one of the league's best defensive units, Thomas has made an impact in several different ways.

The third-year defensive back from USC has had a hand in 10 turnovers this season. Along with 91 tackles, he has five interceptions, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick. 

Honorable Mentions

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TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 17:  Defenders Roman Harper #41 and Jabari Greer #33 of the New Orleans Saints tackle Arrelious Benn #17 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as he fumbles during the game at Raymond James Stadium on October 17, 2010 in Tampa, Florida.  (Photo
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 17: Defenders Roman Harper #41 and Jabari Greer #33 of the New Orleans Saints tackle Arrelious Benn #17 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as he fumbles during the game at Raymond James Stadium on October 17, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo

Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers—Once again steady, Polamalu has six interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery this season.

Ed Reed, Baltimore Ravens—A defensive legend, the former Hurricane has six interceptions and one fumble recovery in 2010.

Aqib Taleb, Tampa Bay Buccaneers—Playing for the surprising Bucs, Taleb has contributed with six interceptions. 

James Hall, St. Louis Rams—One of the most underrated players in the NFL, Hall has 10 sacks, and six forced fumbles for the Rams. 

Roman Harper, New Orleans Saints—The veteran safety currently sits at 71 tackles, three sacks, one interception, six forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries on the season. 

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