NFL 2009 SEASON IN REVIEW
2009 NFL Season in Review
01/07/2010
WOW, WAS ’09 FINE!
The NFL was fine in 2009!
Passing records broken…historic rushing milestones reached… the Colts and Saints flirting with perfection…new teams making the playoffs… the Chargers streaking to the finish with 11 consecutive wins…CHRIS JOHNSON putting on a weekly show…impact rookies… and it all came down to Week 17 with 17 teams still in Super Bowl XLIV contention!
“Any time you get a win in this league, it’s big,” says Indianapolis Colts head coach JIM CALDWELL, whose club opened the season with a 14-game winning streak.
Wins came in bunches for the Colts and New Orleans Saints. They became the first pair of teams to go 13-0 in the same season, part of an NFL-record 23 consecutive regular-season wins for Indianapolis and a franchise-best 13-game winning streak for New Orleans.
Both teams were among the five new division winners in 2009 and their first losses came at the hands of two of the six new playoff participants, the New York Jets (Indianapolis) and Dallas Cowboys (New Orleans).
“It’s so funny how things can change in a week in this league,” says THOMAS JONES of the Jets.
The NFL is always full of surprises, and that leads to the excitement we witnessed in the fine 2009:
· For the 14th consecutive season, at least five teams made the playoffs that were not in them the year before. Six clubs – Cincinnati, Dallas, Green Bay, New England, New Orleans and the New York Jets – accomplished the feat this year.
· New Orleans rebounded to win the NFC South after a last-place finish in 2008. This marked the NFL-record seventh consecutive season that a team went from “worst-to-first” in its division. Of the 32 teams to go from “worst-to-first” in NFL annals, 15 of them have done so in this decade (2000-2009).
· There were five new division winners – Cincinnati, Dallas, Indianapolis, New England, and New Orleans – on the heels of the recording-tying six from last season (since realignment in 2002).
· “You only get 16 games and you never know what can happen in the National Football League,” says Monday Night Football analyst JON GRUDEN. Nothing exhibits that more than the tightness of NFL games. In 2009, 34 percent were decided in the last two minutes or overtime. In 14 percent of the games, a potential game-winning/tying drive or actual game-winning drive reached the red zone with two minutes to go.
Games continued to be thisclose. Nearly 65% were within one score in the fourth quarter:
GAMES DECIDED BY ONE SCORE —-
GAMES WITHIN ONE SCORE
AT ANY POINT IN 4TH QUARTER
POINTS
GAMES
PCT.
8 or Less
120 of 256 ONE SCORE
46.9%
8 or Less
166 of 256 ANY POINT
64.8%
7 or Less
110 of 256 ONE SCORE
42.9%
7 or Less
160 of 256 ANY POINT
62.5%
3 or Less
54 of 256 ONE SCORE
21.1%
3 or Less
113 of 256 ANY POINT
44.1%
· 2009 was most certainly the Year of the Quarterback. Net passing yards were the highest they have ever been (111,853) league-wide. Games averaged 436.9 passing yards per game, the second-most in NFL history (441.6 in 1995). For just the third time in NFL history, more than 700 passing touchdowns were thrown (710; 732 in 2004, 720 in 2007).
· A record 10 quarterbacks passed for over 4,000 yards – MATT SCHAUB (4,770), PEYTON MANNING (4,500), TONY ROMO (4,483), AARON RODGERS (4,434), TOM BRADY (4,398), DREW BREES (4,388), BEN ROETHLISBERGER (4,328), PHILIP RIVERS (4,254), BRETT FAVRE (4,202) and ELI MANNING (4,021) – in 2009, surpassing the previous best of seven in 2007.
· A record 12 quarterbacks threw for 25+ passing touchdowns – Brees (34), Favre (33), P. Manning (33), Rodgers (30), Schaub (29), Brady (28), Rivers (28), JAY CUTLER (27), E. Manning (27), Roethlisberger (26), Romo (26) and KURT WARNER (26) – topping 2007’s 10.
· A record five quarterbacks had a passer rating over 100.0. The five quarterbacks to do so – Brees (109.6), Favre (107.2), Rivers (104.4), Rodgers (103.2) and Roethlisberger (100.5) – surpassed the previous record of four set in 1998 and equaled in 2004.
· Tennessee Titans RB CHRIS JOHNSON became the sixth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards (2,006). He broke the scrimmage yards record (2,509) previously held by MARSHALL FAULK (2,429 in 1999). Johnson rushed for 100+ yards in 11 consecutive games to end the season, tying MARCUS ALLEN for the second-longest streak in NFL history (BARRY SANDERS, 14 in 1997).
The 590 yards between Johnson (2,006) and the number two rusher in the NFL (STEVEN JACKSON, 1,416) is the largest since 1973 (859-yard difference; O.J. SIMPSON 2,003, JOHN BROCKINGTON 1,144).
· Speaking of rushing, the Carolina Panthers had two teammates become the first running back duo in history to each rush for 1,100 yards. JONATHAN STEWART totaled 1,133 yards and DE ANGELO WILLIAMS posted 1,117. The Panthers led the NFC in rushing with 156.1 yards per game.
And “All Day” just kept going. Minnesota Vikings running back ADRIAN “ALL DAY” PETERSON rushed for 1,383 yards and 18 touchdowns — becoming only the third player in history to rush for 1,300+ yards and 10+ touchdowns in each of his first three seasons (EARL CAMPBELL, four seasons, 1978-81 and BARRY SANDERS, 1989-91).
· There were seven 200-yard rushing performances in 2009, tied for the second-most in a season in NFL history (1997). The record was set in 2000 (11).
· Wide receivers ANDRE JOHNSON, WES WELKER and BRANDON MARSHALL all had historic seasons. Johnson became the second player in NFL history to record back-to-back 1,500 receiving yard seasons (MARVIN HARRISON) and the second since 1970 to lead the NFL in receiving in consecutive seasons (JERRY RICE). Welker’s 123 receptions tied for second-most in a single-season (HERMAN MOORE) and marked his third consecutive 100-reception season. Along with Welker, Marshall (101 receptions) joined Harrison (four), Rice (three) and Moore (three) as the only players to record three consecutive 100-reception seasons.
· Three players totaled over 2,500 combined yards in 2009, matching the total that had accomplished the feat in the previous 89 seasons. Buffalo RB/KR FRED JACKSON (2,516) became the first player in NFL history with 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 kick return yards in the same season. Cleveland WR/PR/KR JOSHUA CRIBBS (2,510) and Tennessee’s Johnson (2,509) also reached the milestone. Eight players totaled 2,000 combined yards, tied for the most such players in NFL history (2006).
· Through all the offense, defenses were heard from as well. The New York Jets led the NFL in total defense and scoring defense, the first time a rookie head coach has led his team to that feat (REX RYAN). The Jets also led the NFL in rushing offense, marking the eighth time since 1970 a team has led in rushing offense and total defense. All eight to do so made the playoffs.
The Green Bay Packers led the NFC in total defense and also led the league with an NFL-best 30 interceptions, including nine (including three INT-TDs) from CHARLES WOODSON, who has tied for the NFC lead in each of the past two seasons…Denver Broncos linebacker ELVIS DUMERVIL (17) set the franchise’s sack record…and the Washington Redskins placed two players in the top 10 in sacks (ANDRE CARTER, 11 and BRIAN ORAKPO, 11) – the only team with two in the top-10.
· It was a historic season for rookie head coaches. Two of them – JIM CALDWELL and JOSH MC DANIELS – started 6-0, making them the first pair of rookie head coaches to each start a season 6-0 since the 1970 merger. Caldwell proceeded to set the record at 14-0.
· And speaking of rookies: wow, did they do fine in ’09! Eleven rookie wide receivers topped 500 receiving yards, the most in NFL history. Defensively, two rookies recorded double-digit sacks (Orakpo, 11; CLAY MATTHEWS, 10) in a season for just the eighth time since 1982 and the first time since 2006. In addition, rookies led or tied for the team lead in interceptions (JAIRUS BYRD, Buffalo; DEREK COX, Jacksonville; BRIAN CUSHING, Houston and VONTAE DAVIS, Miami), sacks (Orakpo and Matthews, Green Bay), and tackles (Cushing and JAMES LAURINAITIS, St. Louis) in 2009.
· The outstanding competition on the field kept fans tuning in on TV. ESPN, FOX, NBC and NFL Network each had its most-viewed NFL season ever, while CBS had its most-watched season ever with the AFC package. In addition, NFL regular-season games rank as the 11 most-watched and 22 of the 25 most-watched sporting events since Super Bowl XLIII.
A sampling of NFL records set and milestones reached in 2009:
THE TEAMS
ARIZONA CARDINALS
· Won back-to-back division titles for the first time since 1974-75.
· Recorded 10 wins for the first time since 1976.
· The only team not to lose back-to-back games this season.
· QB KURT WARNER recorded eight 100+ passer rating games, tied for most in franchise history (NEIL LOMAX, 1984).
· WR ANQUAN BOLDIN became first player in team history to record five 1,000-yard receiving seasons.
· WR LARRY FITZGERALD moved into third-place for receptions in franchise history (523). His 13 touchdown receptions marked a career-high and tied for the league lead in 2009.
· S ADRIAN WILSON became just the 10th player to record 20 sacks (20.5) and 20 interceptions (23) in his career.
ATLANTA FALCONS
· Finished 9-7 to clinch the first back-to-back winning seasons in franchise history (11-5 in 2008).
· QB MATT RYAN has a career record of 13-1 at home, including 6-0 in 2009.
· WR RODDY WHITE became the first player in team history with three consecutive 80+ reception and 1,100+ receiving yard seasons.
· White had a franchise-record 210 receiving yards in Week 5 vs. San Francisco. In that game, Ryan and White connected on a 90-yard touchdown pass, the third-longest team history.
· TE TONY GONZALEZ set a franchise record for receptions by a tight end (83).
BALTIMORE RAVENS
· QB JOE FLACCO set the Ravens’ single-season record for passer rating (88.9) and completion percentage (63.1) and finished second in completions (315) and yards per attempt (7.24).
· RB RAY RICE finished second in franchise history with 2,043 scrimmage yards (JAMAL LEWIS, 2,271 in 2003).
· Rice rushed for 1,339 yards, becoming second Raven to rush for 1,300+ (Lewis).
· For the first time in franchise history the Ravens have a 3,000-yard passer (Flacco), 1,000-yard rusher (Rice) and a 1,000-yard receiver (DERRICK MASON).
· Mason, who has 863 career receptions, became just the 22nd player in NFL history to record 800 receptions and 10,000 receiving yards (11,089) in a career.
· TE TODD HEAP (427 and 4,893) and Mason (410 and 4,975) are the only players in Ravens history with more than 400 receptions and 4,000 receiving yards.
· RB WILLIS MC GAHEE had 14 touchdowns (12 rushing, two receiving) to tie the team record set by MICHAEL JACKSON (1996) and Lewis (2003).
BUFFALO BILLS
· RB FRED JACKSON became sixth player in franchise history to rush for 200+ yards in a single game (212 in Week 17).
· Jackson rushed for 1,000 yards for first time in career and became the first player in NFL history with 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 kick return yards in the same season.
· Rookie S JAIRUS BYRD set the team rookie record and finished third in franchise history in a single-season with nine interceptions.
· WR TERRELL OWENS became the sixth player in NFL history with 1,000 career receptions (1,006).
· WR LEE EVANS moved into third place in team history in receiving yards (5,356) and receiving touchdowns (39).
CAROLINA PANTHERS
· Had two teammates become the first running back duo in history to each rush for 1,100 yards in one season. JONATHAN STEWART rushed for 1,133 yards and
DE ANGELO WILLIAMS added 1,117 yards.
· Williams became Panthers’ all-time leading rusher with 3,850 career rushing yards.
· MUHSIN MUHAMMAD became the first Panthers receiver to reach 50 career touchdowns in Week 16. STEVE SMITH caught his 50th career touchdown later in same game.
CHICAGO BEARS
· QB JAY CUTLER became the first Bears quarterback since 1970 to have a 100-plus passer rating in three consecutive games.
· Cutler became the first Bears quarterback to throw four touchdown passes in back-to-back games.
· Cutler threw for second-most passing yards (3,666) and third-most passing touchdowns (27) in single-season in Bears history.
· JOHNNY KNOX became first Bears rookies since WALTER PAYTON to record a touchdown in four consecutive games.
· RB MATT FORTÉ is one of just three players in team history to have multiple seasons with 1,400-plus yards from scrimmage, joining Payton and NEAL ANDERSON.
· TE GREG OLSEN recorded 60 receptions and eight touchdowns, both second for a tight end in franchise history (MIKE DITKA).
CINCINNATI BENGALS
· The Bengals’ nine victories through Week 13 were an eight-win improvement over last season (1-10-1) through the first 12 games. Cincinnati is tied with the 1963 Oakland Raiders (0-12 in 1962; 8-4 in 1963) and the 1999 Indianapolis Colts (2-10 in 1998; 10-2 in 1999) for the best win improvement through 12 games from one season to the next in NFL history.
· Earned 10 wins for the first time since 2005.
· WR CHAD OCHOCINCO extended his franchise records in receptions (684) and receiving yards (9,952). He is second in receiving touchdowns with 62 (CARL PICKENS, 63).
· RB CEDRIC BENSON became the fourth player in team history to rush for 1,200 yards (1,251).
· For the first time in club annals, three different backs (Benson, BERNARD SCOTT, LARRY JOHNSON) rushed for 100 yards each over a three-game span.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
· Set a team record for wins in the month of December (four).
· Became second team since 1978 to win last four games of season after starting 1-11 (New England, 1993).
· RB JEROME HARRISON rushed for 286 yards and three touchdowns in the Browns’ 41-34 win at Kansas City in Week 15 and surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer JIM BROWN (237 in 1957 and 1961) for the most rushing yards in a single-game in franchise history.
· KR/WR JOSHUA CRIBBS recorded 2,510 combined yards, placing him fifth all-time in a single season in NFL history
· Cribbs became the first player in NFL history to amass five 1,000 kick return yard seasons to start a career.
· WR MOHAMMED MASSAQUOI became the fourth Browns rookie to lead the team in receiving yards in club history. His 18.4 yards per catch average set the Browns record previously held by Pro Football HOFer PAUL WARFIELD (17.7 in 1964).
DALLAS COWBOYS
· The Cowboys became the 20th NFL team to open a new stadium since 1992. An NFL regular-season record 105,121 fans attended the regular-season home opener against the New York Giants on September 20, topping the previous high of 103,467 that turned out to see the 49ers-Cardinals game in Mexico City in 2005.
· Qualified for the playoffs, marking their 30th postseason appearance, tied for most in NFL history.
· QB TONY ROMO threw for 4,483 yards, the most passing yards in a single-season in franchise history. He also set the single-season club records for completions (347) and attempts (550).
· WR MILES AUSTIN posted 81 receptions for 1,320 yards and 11 TDs, becoming the third player in team history with 80+ receptions, 1,300 receiving yards and 10+ touchdowns in a season (MICHAEL IRVIN, TERRELL OWENS).
· Romo (Eastern Illinois) and Austin (Monmouth) combined for most touchdowns (11) by an undrafted quarterback and wide receiver duo in a season.
· TE JASON WITTEN became the third tight end in NFL history with multiple seasons of 90+ receptions and 1,000+ receiving yards (TONY GONZALEZ, four; TODD CHRISTENSEN, two)
DENVER BRONCOS
· Head coach JOSH MC DANIELS started his rookie season 6-0, tying the record for best start to a season by a rookie head coach since 1970. Colts head coach JIM CALDWELL later extended the record to 14-0.
· QB KYLE ORTON set the team record for most passing yards by a player in his first year with the club (3,802). His 10 games with a 90+ passer rating tied the team record for a season.
· DE ELVIS DUMERVIL set the Broncos single-season sack record with 17. He became the first Bronco to lead the NFL in sacks.
· WR BRANDON MARSHALL is one of five players to record 100+ receptions in three consecutive seasons.
· RB KNOWSHON MORENO became the fifth Broncos rookie running back to lead all rookies in rushing (947).
DETROIT LIONS
· Rookie S LOUIS DELMAS became the first rookie in NFL history to register an interception return for a touchdown (100 yards, vs. Arizona, 12/20/09), a safety (vs. Green Bay, 11/26/09) and a fumble return for a touchdown (65, at New Orleans, 9/13/09) in the same season.
· MATTHEW STAFFORD became the second rookie quarterback in NFL history to throw five touchdown passes in a game, joining RAY BUIVID of the Chicago Bears who had five TD passes on December 5, 1937.
· WR CALVIN JOHNSON surpassed 3,000 receiving yards for his career (3,081) on 193 receptions, the most receptions and receiving yards for a player in his first three seasons in club history.
GREEN BAY PACKERS
· Became the second NFL team with 650 regular-season victories (654; Chicago, 693).
· QB AARON RODGERS passed for 4,434 yards this season, second-highest in team history (LYNN DICKEY, 4,458) and had a passer rating of (103.2) becoming the second Packers quarterback with a passer rating of 100+ (BART STARR).
· With 8,322 rushing yards with the Packers, AHMAN GREEN surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer JIM TAYLOR (8,207) for the most rushing yards in franchise history
· WR DONALD DRIVER broke the all-time record for receptions by a Packer (647). Driver’s six consecutive 1,000 yard seasons also set a franchise record.
· The Packers had a 4,000-yard passer (Rodgers), two 1,000-yard receivers (GREG JENNINGS, Driver) and a 1,200-yard rusher (RYAN GRANT) for the second consecutive season, marking the first time a team has done this in NFL history.
· CB CHARLES WOODSON recorded three INT-TDs, tying for most in a season in club history. His eight defensive touchdowns as a Packer are a franchise record.
HOUSTON TEXANS
· Finished 9-7 for their first winning season in franchise history.
· QB MATT SCHAUB threw for a franchise-best 4,770 yards, 29 touchdowns and 98.6 passer rating.
· Schaub’s nine 300-yard games tied for third best in a single season in NFL history (RICH GANNON, DREW BREES, 10).
· Schaub (4,770) and WR ANDRE JOHNSON (1,569) led the NFL in passing yards and receiving yards, becoming the first teammates to accomplish this feat since 1998 (Green Bay, BRETT FAVRE, ANTONIO FREEMAN).
· LB BRIAN CUSHING recorded four interceptions, tying the franchise record for a linebacker. Cushing was named AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2009.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
· Won an NFL-record 23 consecutive regular-season games, surpassing the 2006-08 New England Patriots for the longest streak in history.
· Became the first team in NFL history with seven consecutive 12-win seasons.
· Joined the San Francisco 49ers (1997), Philadelphia Eagles (2004) and New England Patriots (2007) as the only teams since 1990 to clinch their divisions by their 11th game of the season.
· Became first team in NFL history to win five in a row when trailing in the fourth quarter in each contest (Weeks 7-12). Finished season with seven fourth-quarter comeback wins, the most in NFL history.
· Indianapolis has 115 regular-season wins since the start of the 2000 season, the most by a team in a single decade. The San Francisco 49ers registered 113 wins in the 1990s.
· QB PEYTON MANNING moved past JOHNNY UNITAS and FRAN TARKENTON into fourth-place all-time in wins by a starting quarterback (131).
· WR REGGIE WAYNE recorded 100+ receptions for the second time in his career.
· TE DALLAS CLARK became the third tight end in NFL history to record 90+ receptions, 1,000+ receiving yards and 10+ touchdowns in one season (TONY GONZALEZ, TODD CHRISTENSEN). Became second tight end in NFL history to record 100+ receptions in a season (Gonzalez).
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
· MAURICE JONES-DREW set a franchise record with his 15th rushing TD in 2009. FRED TAYLOR had 14 in 1998.
· Jones-Drew’s 1,391 rushing yards ranks 3rd in team annals for a single-season.
· WR MIKE THOMAS set the franchise rookie record with 48 receptions. His 453 receiving yards were second-most by a rookie in club history (PETE MITCHELL, 527 in 1995).
· The Jaguars rushed for 217 yards in Week 10 vs. Tennessee. Their 13.6 yards per carry average in that game was the highest in the NFL since 1970.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
· RB JAMAAL CHARLES rushed for a franchise-record 259 yards in Week 17 vs. Denver.
· Charles became the fifth player in franchise history to rush for 1,000+ yards with a 5.0 yards per carry average.
· LB DERRICK JOHNSON tied an NFL record with two INT-TDs in Week 17 vs. Denver.
· QB MATT CASSEL tied for third most touchdowns by a first-year Chief (16, STEVE DE BERG).
· “Mr. Irrelevant,” K RYAN SUCCOP set a Chiefs rookie record with 25 field goals (in 29 attempts) and tied for second-most points by a Chiefs rookie (104, JACK SPIKES).
MIAMI DOLPHINS
· JASON TAYLOR became the fourth Dolphin to play for the team in three different decades (1990s, 2000s and 2010s).
· WR DAVONE BESS recorded 76 receptions on season, becoming the fifth Dolphin in franchise history with 75+ receptions.
· SEAN SMITH became first rookie CB in franchise history to start all 16 games.
· CB VONTAE DAVIS became the first rookie to lead the team in interceptions since 1989 (LOUIS OLIVER, four).
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
· Won back-to-back division titles for the first time since 1977-78.
· RB ADRIAN PETERSON set the franchise record for most TDs in a single season with 18.
· QB BRETT FAVRE recorded a team-record 10 games with a passer rating of 100+.
· WR SIDNEY RICE became the third player in team history to amass 80+ receptions (83) and 1,300+ receiving yards (1,312) in a season (RANDY MOSS, CRIS CARTER).
· WR/KR PERCY HARVIN set a team rookie record with 2,081 combined yards. Harvin’s 60 receptions set a Vikings rookie record.
· TE VISANTHE SHIANCOE set the club record for touchdowns by a tight end with 11.
· DE JARED ALLEN tied his career-high with an NFC-best 14.5 sacks.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
· Won AFC East division title for seventh time in the past nine seasons.
· Have won at least nine games in nine consecutive seasons.
· Won 17 consecutive regular-season games against the NFC, the longest winning streak any team has posted against the opposite conference since the 1970 merger, before falling to the New Orleans Saints in Week 12.
· QB TOM BRADY recorded his 30th 300-yard passing game of his career, surpassing DREW BLEDSOE (26) for the most 300-yard games in franchise history.
· WR WES WELKER finished second in team history with 1,348 receiving yards and tied for second all-time with 123 receptions. His 8.8 receptions per game average is second in NFL history (MARVIN HARRISON, 8.9; min. 10 games played).
· WR RANDY MOSS has recorded 35 games with two or more touchdown receptions, second-most in NFL history (JERRY RICE, 44). Moss also became the seventh player to reach the 14,000 receiving yard milestone (14,465), and now ranks sixth on the all-time list.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
· DREW BREES has more passing yards (14,579) than any other player in his first 50 games with a new team (rookies and veterans) in NFL history.
· Was the first team to score at least 45 points in each of the first two games of a season since the 1968 Oakland Raiders.
· The Saints became the fourth team since 1970 to have seven different players score a rushing or receiving touchdown in a game when they beat the Giants in Week 6. The Seattle Seahawks (10/30/1977 vs. Buffalo Bills), Cincinnati Bengals (12/17/1989 vs. Houston Oilers) and Jacksonville Jaguars (12/23/2007 vs. Oakland) also accomplished the feat.
· Scored the ninth-most points in a season in NFL history (510).
· Started the season at 13-0, best start in franchise history, before falling to Dallas in Week 15.
NEW YORK GIANTS
· By beating the Cowboys in Week 2, the Giants became the fifth visiting team to win in the past six stadium-opening games.
· QB ELI MANNING (4,021) became the third player in franchise history to throw for over 4,000 yards (KERRY COLLINS, 4,073 and PHIL SIMMS, 4,044).
· Manning is the first Giant to pass for 3,000+ yards and 20+ touchdown passes in five consecutive seasons.
· WR STEVE SMITH caught a club record 107 passes and became the fourth player in team history to record 1,200 receiving yards.
· P JEFF FEAGLES is the second player in NFL history to play in four different decades (SAMMY BAUGH).
NEW YORK JETS
· Became the eighth team since 1970 to lead the NFL in rushing yards per game (172.3) and total defense (252.3).
· Set team record for rushing yards in a season with 2,765, topping the 2,646 of 1979.
· Head coach REX RYAN became the first coach to lead his team to the top defense by yards and scoring in his rookie season.
· QB MARK SANCHEZ became the first New York Jets rookie quarterback to start a game since MATT ROBINSON on November 13, 1977 against the Seattle Seahawks. Sanchez ended the Jets’ streak of 491 consecutive games without starting a rookie quarterback (previously the longest in the NFL). (Week 1)
· Became the second team since 1960 to record at least 300 rushing yards in consecutive games – Weeks 6 and 7 – in a season (Buffalo, 1975).
· Went 10 straight games eclipsing 100 yards on the ground, their longest streak since nine straight games in 1991.
· RB THOMAS JONES set the record for most rushing touchdowns in franchise history (14), breaking his own record from 2008 (13). With 1,402 yards, Jones became the second Jet to rush for 1,400+ yards (CURTIS MARTIN).
OAKLAND RAIDERS
· Became the third team since 1977 to start two rookie wide receivers on Kickoff Weekend (DARRIUS HEYWARD-BEY, LOUIS MURPHY).
· PR/KR JOHNNIE LEE HIGGINS moved into eighth in franchise-history in punt return yards (863) and ties for first in club annals with three punt return touchdowns.
· TE ZACH MILLER became third tight end in club history with 800+ receiving yards in a season (805).
· P SHANE LECHLER set the NFL record for net punting average in a season (43.9) and recorded the second-highest yards (51.1) per punt average (SAMMY BAUGH, 51.4).
· K SEBASTIAN JANIKOWSKI kicked a franchise-record long 61 yard field goal in Week 16.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
· QB DONOVAN MC NABB became one of just four players in NFL history to have at least 30,000 passing yards (32,873), 200 touchdowns passes (216), 3,000 rushing yards (3,249) and 20 rushing touchdowns (28). McNabb joined Pro Football Hall of Famers JOHN ELWAY, FRAN TARKENTON, and STEVE YOUNG in accomplishing the milestone.
· McNabb played in his 148th game as an Eagle, tying BOBBY WALSTON and KEN CLARKE for 10th place in team history and most by an Eagles quarterback.
· WR DE SEAN JACKSON became only the second player in team history to have a rushing and receiving touchdown of 50-plus yards in the same game in Week 7. (BOSH PRITCHARD on 10/23/49 vs. Washington – 75-yard reception, 77-yard rush).
· Jackson had the highest yards per touchdown average in NFL history with a minimum of 10 touchdowns (52.6). Jackson’s eight touchdowns of 50+ yards tied an NFL-record.
· RB LE SEAN MC COY set Eagles rookie rushing record with 637 rushing yards on the season.
· TE BRENT CELEK recorded 76 receptions, second-most among tight ends in club history (KEITH JACKSON, 81 in 1988).
· Became the first team in NFL history with three players that are 24 years-or-younger with 50-plus catches, 750-plus yards and four-plus touchdowns (WR JEREMY MACLIN – 21 years old; Jackson – 23 years old; Celek – 24 years old).
· QB KEVIN KOLB became the first quarterback in NFL history to pass for 300 yards in each of his first two career starts.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
· QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER became the first Steelers QB pass for 4,000 yards in a season (4,108)
· Had two 1,000-yard receivers (SANTONIO HOLMES, HINES WARD), a 1,000-yard rusher (RASHARD MENDENHALL) and a 4,000-yard passer (Roethlisberger) for the first time in franchise history.
· Ward has caught at least one pass in a team-record 178 consecutive games, good for sixth on the all-time list.
· Mendenhall became seventh running back in team history to rush for 1,000 yards (1,108).
· WRs Ward and Holmes and TE HEATH MILLER all recorded 70+ receptions, the first time three Steelers teammates have done so in franchise history.
· LB LA MARR WOODLEY finished the season with eight consecutive games with 0.5+ sacks, the most in team history (GREG LLOYD, six).
ST. LOUIS RAMS
· RB STEVEN JACKSON became the first player in team history to rush for 1,000+ yards in five consecutive seasons (ERIC DICKERSON, four).
· Jackson (1,416) became the fourth Ram to lead the NFC in rushing (CHARLES WHITE, ERIC DICKERSON, LAWRENCE MC CUTCHEON).
· WR/KR DANNY AMENDOLA (2,302) became the fourth Ram to surpass 2,000 combined yards in a season (Dickerson, Jackson, MARSHALL FAULK).
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
· Tied franchise-record with 11 consecutive wins.
· Scored 20+ points in an NFL-record 22 consecutive games.
· Won NFL-record 18 consecutive games in December and tied the 1970-74 Miami Dolphins (18 in November) for the most consecutive games won in a calendar month since 1970.
· QB PHILIP RIVERS became first Charger to record consecutive 100+ passer rating seasons. Rivers’ career-high 4,155 passing yards ranks third in club history.
· WR VINCENT JACKSON (1,167) and TE ANTONIO GATES (1,157) each eclipsed 1,150 receiving yards, only the second time that has been accomplished in team history (1980; JOHN JEFFERSON, 1,340 and KELLEN WINSLOW, 1,290).
· RB LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON rushed for 12 touchdowns, his NFL-record ninth consecutive season with 10+ touchdowns.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
· RB FRANK GORE rushed for a career-high 10 touchdowns, tying the single-season franchise record.
· Gore had five 100-yard rushing games in 2009, giving him 20 total for his career. This ties him with Pro Football HOFer JOE PERRY for most in franchise history. Gore became the first 49er to rush for four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
· TE VERNON DAVIS recorded 13 touchdown receptions, tied for most in season by tight end in NFL history (ANTONIO GATES, 2004).
· Led NFL in games in which they did not allow a touchdown (five).
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
· QB MATT HASSELBECK threw for 3,029 yards, his sixth career 3,000 yard season, most in franchise history.
· Hasselbeck passed Ring of Honor member DAVE KRIEG for first place in most attempts (3,806), completions (2,293) and yardage (26,433) in club history.
· TE JOHN CARLSON caught 51 passes for 574 yards, both second-most by a tight end in franchise history. His seven touchdowns was a Seahawks tight end record.
· K OLINDO MARE made 19 consecutive field goals, a club record.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
· QB JOSH FREEMAN set a franchise rookie record with 1,857 passing yards and 10 touchdown passes.
· TE KELLEN WINSLOW had 884 yards receiving, breaking the single-season franchise record for tight ends that had been held by JIMMIE GILES, who had 786 yards in 1981. His 77 receptions also set a team tight end record.
· Became first team in NFL history to have three different return specialists win NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors (SAMMIE STROUGHTER, CLIFTON SMITH and MICHEAL SPURLOCK).
· CB AQIB TALIB tied a franchise record with three interceptions in one game.
· K CONNOR BARTH tied an NFL record with three field goals of 50+ yards in one game.
TENNESSEE TITANS
· Became the first team to reach .500 after starting the season 0-6, finishing 8-8.
· First team in NFL history to win five consecutive games after an 0-6 start.
· CHRIS JOHNSON (2,006, 14) broke Campbell’s franchise rushing record and rushing touchdown records (1,934, 13).
· QB VINCE YOUNG is 26-13 (.667) as Titans starter, the highest winning percentage of any quarterback in franchise history (min. 20 starts).
· TE BO SCAIFE (215) moved into second-place on the franchise’s tight end receptions list (FRANK WYCHECK, 482).
· WR KENNY BRITT recorded 701 receiving yards on 42 receptions, good for fifth and sixth on the franchise’s rookie receiving list, respectively.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
· Placed two players in the top 10 in sacks (ANDRE CARTER, 11 and BRIAN ORAKPO, 11) – the only team with two in the top-10.
· Orakpo’s 11 sacks are a franchise rookie record, and his four sacks in one game tied a franchise record.
· QB JASON CAMPBELL became fifth Redskins quarterback with 1,000 completions (JOE THEISMANN, SONNY JURGENSEN, SAMMY BAUGH, MARK RYPIEN).
· LB LONDON FLETCHER has started 151 consecutive games, fourth-most among active players.
THE PLAYERS
PLAYER
ACCOMPLISHMENT(S)
MILES AUSTIN
WR, Dallas Cowboys
· In a Week 5 OT victory over Kansas City, he became the 10th player in NFL history to record at least 10 catches, 250 yards and two touchdowns in a game. He is the only one of those 10 to record the game-winning score in overtime. His 250 receiving yards was a single-game team record.
· Recorded 482 receiving yards in his first three NFL starts, the most of any player since 1970.
· Posted 81 receptions for 1,320 yards and 11 TDs, becoming the third player in team history with 80+ receptions, 1,300+ receiving yards and 10+ touchdowns in a season (MICHAEL IRVIN, TERRELL OWENS).
RONDE BARBER
CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
· Barber is tied for the third-most return touchdowns all-time with 13. He trails only DEION SANDERS (19) and Pro Football Hall of Famer ROD WOODSON (17) for the most return touchdowns in NFL history.
TOM BRADY
QB, New England Patriots
· Became the first quarterback in NFL history with five touchdown passes in a quarter, throwing six total in a Week 6 win over Tennessee.
· Brady (20) tied Pro Football Hall of Famer BOB GRIESE and RANDALL CUNNINGHAM for the third-most consecutive home wins as a starting quarterback since 1970. He also became the fifth quarterback to win 20 or more consecutive home games since 1970.
DREW BREES
QB, New Orleans Saints
· Set the NFL record for completion percentage in a season (70.62).
· Extended his consecutive 4,000 passing yard seasons to four, a franchise record.
· Became the first player in NFL history to throw six touchdown passes on Kickoff Weekend.
· With nine touchdown passes through Week 2, Brees tied St. Louis’ CHARLEY JOHNSON (1965) for the most TD passes through the first two games of a season.
· Became the fastest quarterback to reach 15,000 passing yards with a team when the Saints beat the Giants in Week 6. The previous mark was 56 games set by Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO (Miami) and MARC BULGER (St. Louis).
JAIRUS BYRD
S, Buffalo Bills
· Byrd recorded an interception in five consecutive games and is one of only two players since 1970 to accomplish the feat in their first season in the NFL. The other was Kansas City’s ERIC HARRIS in 1980 (six in a row).
JOHN CARNEY
K, New Orleans Saints
· Became fourth player in NFL history to surpass 2,000 career points (2,044).
JOSHUA CRIBBS
WR/KR/PR, Cleveland Browns
· Recorded his seventh and eighth career kickoff-return touchdowns (both in Week 15), the most in NFL history. Cribbs entered the game tied with five other players – Pro Football Hall of Famers OLLIE MATSON and GALE SAYERS and TRAVIS WILLIAMS, MEL GRAY and DANTE HALL – for the most kickoff-return touchdowns in league annals with six.
· Became the second player in NFL history with two touchdowns of at least 100 yards in the same game in Week 15. Miami’s TED GINN, JR. accomplished the feat in Week 8. Cribbs is also the ninth player in NFL history with two kickoff-return touchdowns in a game.
· Recorded 2,510 combined yards placing him fifth all-time in a single season.
VERNON DAVIS
TE, San Francisco 49ers
· Tied ANTONIO GATES for the most touchdown receptions in a single-season among tight ends with 13.
DWIGHT FREENEY
DE, Indianapolis Colts
· Recorded a sack in each of the Colts’ first eight games of the season and tied teammate ROBERT MATHIS (eight games, 2005) for the longest such streak since the sack became an official statistic in 1982. In addition, Freeney recorded a sack in nine consecutive games overall, tying him with Pro Football Hall of Famer BRUCE SMITH and KEVIN GREENE for the third-longest streak since 1982.
BRETT FAVRE
QB, Minnesota Vikings
· Played in his 287th consecutive regular-season game, surpassing JIM MARSHALL for the longest consecutive game streak in NFL history by a non-kicker/punter.
· Passed for 33 touchdowns, his NFL-record ninth 30+ touchdown season.
· Has recorded 61 career 300-yard passing performances, the fourth-most in NFL history.
· Favre has thrown for at least four touchdowns 23 times in his career topping Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO and PEYTON MANNING (21) for the most such games in NFL history.
· His 33-to-seven touchdown-to-interception ratio (4.71) is the fourth best in NFL history among passers with a minimum of 20 TD passes (TOM BRADY, 2007, 6.50; STEVE DE BERG, 1990, 5.75; Manning, 2004, 4.90).
· Favre’s 392 yards passing in Week 11 are the second-most passing yards ever in a game by a 40-year old quarterback. He trails only Pro Football Hall of Famer WARREN MOON (409 on October 26, 1997).
· Became the 12th 40-year-old quarterback to start an NFL game in the Super Bowl era (since 1966), leading the Vikings to a 38-10 road victory over the Rams in Week 5.
· Favre returned to Lambeau Field for the first time as a visiting player. During his 16-year career in Green Bay, Favre won 89 games at Lambeau. Favre is the first player since 1970 to total 90 wins at a stadium with wins as both a home and visiting player.
· Became the first quarterback to beat all 32 current teams when the Vikings beat the Packers in Week 4.
· Favre passed for at least two touchdowns in 11 consecutive games at the Metrodome (eight with Green Bay, three with Minnesota), tied for the third-longest streak (JIM EVERETT, Anaheim Stadium, 1989-90) with the most consecutive games with multiple TD passes at one stadium. Favre (Lambeau Field, 1994-96) and KURT WARNER (Trans World Dome/Edward Jones Dome, 1999-2000) each had a streak of 12 games, the longest in NFL history.
LARRY FITZGERALD
WR, Arizona Cardinals
· At 26 years, 13 days old, became the second-youngest player in NFL history to reach 6,000 receiving yards (6,046). Trails only RANDY MOSS, who reached the milestone at 25 years, 270 days old.
· Recorded 501 receptions in 87 career games, becoming the second fastest wide receiver in NFL history to reach 500 catches, trailing only teammate ANQUAN BOLDIN (80 games).
TED GINN, JR.
WR/KR, Miami Dolphins
· Became the first player in NFL history with two touchdowns of 100 yards in the same game and the eighth player (see Cribbs note) in NFL history with two kick-return touchdowns in a game (Week 8 against N.Y. Jets). Ginn also became the first player to record two KR-TDs in the same quarter since Green Bay’s TRAVIS WILLIAMS in 1967.
TONY GONZALEZ
TE, Atlanta Falcons
· Became the first tight end in NFL history – and the 21st player overall – to reach 11,000 career receiving yards (11,807). (Week 1)
FRANK GORE
RB, San Francisco 49ers
· Became the first player since BARRY SANDERS on October 12, 1997 to record two rushing touchdowns of 75-plus yards in a single game. (Week 2)
JEROME HARRISON
RB, Cleveland Browns
· His 286 rushing yards in Week 15 were the third-most in a game in NFL history, trailing only ADRIAN PETERSON (296 in 2007) and JAMAL LEWIS (295 in 2003).
PERCY HARVIN
WR, Minnesota Vikings
· Joined FELIX JONES (2008) as the only rookies in the past five years to score a touchdown in each of the first three games of a season.
· Ranks first in franchise history with 2,081 total combined yards as a rookie.
TORRY HOLT
WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
· With 920 career receptions, surpassed wide receiver KEENAN MC CARDELL (883) and moved into 11th place on the all-time receptions list.
· Holt, who had 12,670 receiving yards in 10 seasons with the Rams, became the first player in NFL history to post 100 yards in his first game against a team for which he had at least 10,000 receiving yards in the Jaguars Week 6 win over St. Louis.
· Holt also reached 13,000 receiving yards (13,066) in his 164th career game, becoming the third-fastest to accomplish the feat. Only JERRY RICE (154) and MARVIN HARRISON (162) reached 13,000 yards in fewer games. (Week 6)
· Reached 902 career receptions in 166 games, ranking second in NFL history for the fewest number of games to reach 900 catches. Holt trails only MARVIN HARRISON, who accomplished the feat in 149 games.
DE SEAN JACKSON
WR, Philadelphia Eagles
· First player in NFL history with a 60+ yard TD in each of his team’s first three games of a season.
· Tied NFL record with eight touchdowns of 50+ yards (ELROY “CRAZYLEGS” HIRSCH, 1951; DEVIN HESTER, 2007).
· Became just the second player in NFL history with six touchdowns (four receiving, one rushing, and one punt return) of at least 50 yards in his team’s first seven games of a season. Jackson joins Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Hirsch, who had six touchdowns of at least 50 yards in 1951 with the Los Angeles Rams, as the only players to accomplish the feat.
· Had the highest yards per touchdown average in NFL history with a minimum of 10 touchdowns (52.6). “I’ve just been put in some great positions to score long touchdowns,” says Jackson. “Whatever we need to do to make it work, that’s what we’re going to do. I want to keep winning, keep making plays and hopefully make it to the Super Bowl.”
CHRIS JOHNSON
RB, Tennessee Titans
· Became the sixth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards (2,006). He broke the scrimmage yards record (2,509) previously held by MARSHALL FAULK (2,429 in 1999).
· Recorded 11th consecutive 100-yard game, tied for the second-longest streak in NFL history (MARCUS ALLEN). Pro Football Hall of Famer BARRY SANDERS (1997) holds the NFL record with 14 100-yard rushing games in a row.
· Posted at least 125 rushing yards in six consecutive games, tying the NFL record set by Pro Football Hall of Famers EARL CAMPBELL (1980) and ERIC DICKERSON (1984). Johnson is the first player in NFL history with six consecutive games of 125+ rushing yards and a 5.0+ yards per carry average in each of those games. Pro Football Hall of Famer JIM BROWN (1958) accomplished this feat in five consecutive games.
· Johnson has rushed for 800 yards in November, the most by a player in a calendar month since 1970.
· In Week 2, became first player in NFL history to record a 90-plus yard rushing touchdown (91), 50-plus yard rushing touchdown (57), and 60-plus yard receiving touchdown (69) in a game.
· Joined Pro Football Hall of Famer JIM BROWN (1963) and Vikings running back ADRIAN PETERSON (2007) as the only players in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards and average 6.4 yards per carry in a team’s first nine games of a season.
· Became only the fifth player in NFL history to rush for 1,500 yards in his team’s first 12 games. He joins Pro Football Hall of Famers JIM BROWN, WALTER PAYTON and O.J. SIMPSON and former Denver running back TERRELL DAVIS as the only players to accomplish the feat.
· Became only the fifth player in NFL history to reach 2,000 scrimmage yards in his team’s first 13 games. He joins Pro Football Hall of Famers JIM BROWN (2,008 in 1963), WALTER PAYTON (2,051 in 1977) and O.J. SIMPSON (2,120 in 1975) and former Kansas City running back PRIEST HOLMES (2,104 in 2002) as the only players to accomplish the feat
· Became the seventh player in NFL history with 3,000 rushing yards in his first 30 career games.
ANDRE JOHNSON
WR, Houston Texans
· With 500 career receptions in 88 games through Week 2, he ranked second in NFL history for the fewest number of games to reach 500 receptions (ANQUAN BOLDIN, 80).
· Johnson, who now has 7,948 career receiving yards, reached the 7,000-yard mark in his 93rd game, tying CHAD OCHOCINCO for the seventh-fewest games to reach the milestone.
· Joined MARVIN HARRISON (2001-02) as the only players in NFL history to record at least 1,500 receiving yards in consecutive seasons.
· Joined JERRY RICE as the only players since 1970 to lead NFL in receiving yardage in consecutive seasons. Rice (1989-90, 1993-95) accomplished the feat twice.
THOMAS JONES
RB, New York Jets
· Recorded 1,402 rushing yards, setting a career-high and breaking the 1,000-yard plateau for a fifth straight season.
· Set franchise record with 14 rushing touchdowns in 2009.
PEYTON MANNING
QB, Indianapolis Colts
· Manning (50,128) joined BRETT FAVRE (69,329), and Pro Football Hall of Famers DAN MARINO (61,361) and JOHN ELWAY (51,475) as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to reach 50,000 career passing yards. Manning also became the fastest to reach the 50,000-yard mark, accomplishing the feat in 191 career games (Marino, 193).
· Passed FRAN TARKENTON (342) for third on the all-time passing touchdowns list. Manning now has 366.
· Became the first player in NFL history with 40,000 passing yards in one decade after passing for 318 yards in a win over the Houston Texans in Week 9.
· Became the first player all-time to pass for at least 3,500 yards in 12 consecutive seasons and is also the first player in NFL history to throw at least 25 touchdown passes in 12 seasons in a row
· Extended his consecutive 4,000 passing yard seasons to four. Manning has 10 4,000-yard passing seasons, the most in NFL history.
· Joined BRETT FAVRE (nine) as the only quarterbacks in NFL history with five seasons with at least 30 touchdown passes.
· Manning, who now has 4,232 completions in his career, reached the 4,000-completion mark in his 183rd career game, the fastest in NFL history (Week 8). Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback DAN MARINO reached 4,000 completions in 193 games. Manning is one of only four players in NFL history to record 4,000 completions, joining current Vikings quarterback BRETT FAVRE (6,083) and Hall of Famers Marino (4,967) and JOHN ELWAY (4,123).
· Became the third player in NFL history to start a season with five consecutive 300-yard passing games. Only KURT WARNER (2000) and STEVE YOUNG (1998) had longer streaks in NFL history (six consecutive games).
· Has recorded 56 career 300-yard passing games, the fourth-most in NFL history.
· Won 14 consecutive games when passing for 300 yards, tying TOM BRADY for the second-most consecutive wins when reaching the 300-yard passing mark.
· Recorded 12th consecutive 20-touchdown pass season, tying BRETT FAVRE for most all-time.
BRANDON MARSHALL
WR, Denver Broncos
· Recorded 21 receptions for 200 receiving yards and two touchdowns against Indianapolis in Week 14, setting an NFL record for most catches in a game. TERRELL OWENS previously held the record with 20 receptions on December 17, 2000 with the San Francisco 49ers.
· Joined MARVIN HARRISON (4), JERRY RICE (3), HERMAN MOORE (3) and WES WELKER (3) as the only players to have 100 receptions in at least three consecutive seasons.
· Became the only player in NFL history with 18 or more receptions in one game twice.
DONOVAN MC NABB
QB, Philadelphia Eagles
· Became one of just four players in NFL history to have at least 30,000 passing yards (32,873), 200 touchdowns passes (216), 3,000 rushing yards (3,249) and 20 rushing touchdowns (28). McNabb joined Pro Football Hall of Famers JOHN ELWAY, FRAN TARKENTON, and STEVE YOUNG in accomplishing the milestone.
RANDY MOSS
WR, New England Patriots
· Has 149 career touchdowns and now ranks fourth all-time for the most career TDs.
· Moss, has 148 career touchdown receptions, ranking second all-time. JERRY RICE holds the NFL record with 197 career touchdown receptions.
· Recorded 1,264 receiving yards this year and joined JERRY RICE (14) as the only players in NFL history to record 10 1,000-yard seasons.
TERRELL OWENS
WR, Buffalo Bills
· Has recorded 26 career 50-yard touchdowns from scrimmage (rushing or receiving), passing Pro Football Hall of Famer LENNY MOORE (25) for the fourth-most in NFL history.
· Ranks fifth all-time for most career touchdowns in NFL history (147), and third in receiving touchdowns (144).
· Became the sixth player in NFL history with 1,000 career receptions (1,006).
· Moved into third place on all-time receiving yards list (14,951).
CARSON PALMER
QB, Cincinnati Bengals
· This was his fourth season of 20-plus TD passes.
WILLIE PARKER
RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
· Moved into third-place all-time among undrafted NFL rushers (5,378). Pro Football Hall of Famer JOE PERRY is the all-time leader in rushing yards for an undrafted player with 8,378 yards.
ADRIAN PETERSON
RB, Minnesota Vikings
· Rushed for 1,383 yards and 18 touchdowns, becoming only the third player in history to rush for 1,300+ yards and 10+ touchdowns in each of his first three seasons (EARL CAMPBELL, four seasons, 1978-81 and BARRY SANDERS, 1989-91).
· Rushed for 180 yards against Cleveland in Week 1. Peterson has reached the 100-yard mark in three consecutive games on Kickoff Weekend (103 in 2007; 103 in 2008; 180 in 2009
and joined WILLIE PARKER (four consecutive, 2005-2008) and EDGERRIN JAMES (three consecutive, 1999-2001) as only the third player in NFL history to rush for 100 yards in each of the first three Kickoff Weekend games in which they appeared. Peterson also became the first player in NFL history to rush for at least 180 yards and three touchdowns on Kickoff Weekend.
· Had the third highest rushing yards per game average (110.9) for any running back in his first 30 starts since 1970 (ERIC DICKERSON, 120.0, LARRY JOHNSON, 117.1) .
AARON RODGERS
QB, Green Bay Packers
· Passed for 4,434 yards this season and is the first player in NFL history to throw for at least 4,000 yards in each of the first two seasons in which he started a game.
· With a 30-seven touchdown-to-interception ratio (4.29), he became one of seven quarterbacks in NFL history with a ratio greater than 4.0 (min. 20 touchdown passes).
EDDIE ROYAL
WR, Denver Broncos
· Became the third wide receiver in NFL history to reach 100 catches in 20 or fewer games, joining Arizona’s ANQUAN BOLDIN (16 games) and former New England wide receiver TERRY GLENN (20).
BEN ROETHLISBERGER
QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
· Led the Steelers to a 27-14 victory over Cleveland in Week 6 to win each of his first 10 starts against the Browns. He is only the second player since 1970 to win each of his first 10 regular-season starts against one team (JOHN ELWAY against New England).
· Passed for 503 yards against Green Bay, Roethlisberger joined Pro Football Hall of Famers Y.A. TITTLE (1962) and WARREN MOON (1990) as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to throw for at least 500 yards and three touchdowns without an interception in a game. He became just the 10th player in NFL history to throw for at least 500 yards in a game and the ninth to do it in a non-overtime game.
MARK SANCHEZ
QB, New York Jets
· Became the first rookie quarterback since Pro Football Hall of Famer ROGER STAUBACH of the Dallas Cowboys (1969) to start on Kickoff Weekend for a team that finished the previous season with a winning record.
· Became the first rookie quarterback since 1970 to start and win his team’s first three games of a season.
DARREN SHARPER
S, New Orleans Saints
· Joined Pro Football Hall of Famer ROD WOODSON (12) as the only players in NFL history to record at least 10 career INT-TDs.
· Joins DEION SANDERS (1994) as the only players in league annals with two INT-TDs of at least 90 yards in one season.
· Recorded nine interceptions for 376 yards, the most INT return yards in single-season in NFL history.
· Tied RONNIE LOTT for sixth on the all-time interceptions list (63).
STEVE SMITH
WR, New York Giants
· Set franchise-record with 107 receptions.
· Became fourth Giants receiver to record 1,200 receiving yards in one season.
MATT STOVER
K, Indianapolis Colts
· Became the fifth player in NFL history with 2,000 career points (2,004).
MATTHEW STAFFORD
QB, Detroit Lions
· His 422 passing yards in Week 11 were the most by a rookie in a single game in NFL history, besting the mark set by Arizona’s MATT LEINART (405 yards; November 26, 2006).
&midd
Leave Your Comments