NFL By the Numbers: What to Look For – Week 11

Hope is alive!

Since the current playoff format was instituted in 1990, 20 clubs with a losing record after nine games have made the playoffs. 

Most recently in 2013, the Philadelphia Eagles (4-5) and San Diego Chargers (4-5) both had losing records through nine games before advancing to the postseason. 

The 20 clubs to qualify for the playoffs since 1990 with a losing record through nine games:

1990 Houston Oilers 4-5 (Finished 9-7) Wild Card
1990 New Orleans 4-5 (Finished 8-8) Wild Card
1992 San Diego 4-5 (Finished 11-5) Divisional
1994 Detroit 4-5 (Finished 9-7) Wild Card
1994 New England 3-6 (Finished 10-6) Wild Card
1995 Detroit 3-6 (Finished 10-6) Wild Card
1995 San Diego 4-5 (Finished 9-7) Wild Card
1996 Jacksonville 3-6 (Finished 9-7) AFC Championship
1997 Detroit 4-5 (Finished 9-7) Wild Card
2001 Tampa Bay 4-5 (Finished 9-7) Wild Card
2002 Cleveland 4-5 (Finished 9-7) Wild Card
2002 NY Jets 4-5 (Finished 9-7) Divisional
2003 Green Bay 4-5 (Finished 10-6) Divisional
2008 San Diego 4-5 (Finished 8-8) Divisional
2009 NY Jets 4-5 (Finished 9-7) AFC Championship
2011 Denver 4-5 (Finished 8-8) Divisional
2012 Cincinnati 4-5 (Finished 10-6) Wild Card
2012 Washington 3-6 (Finished 10-6) Wild Card
2013 Philadelphia 4-5 Finished 10-6) Wild Card
2013 San Diego 4-5 (Finished 9-7) Divisional

Sunday Funday

This Sunday will feature four games between teams with winning percentages of .667 or better, the first time this has happened this late in a season in NFL history.

The four matchups between teams with .667 or better winning percentages:

Seattle Seahawks 6-3 (.667) 
Kansas City Chiefs 6-3 (.667)

Philadelphia Eagles 7-2 (.778)
Green Bay Packers 6-3 (.667)

Detroit Lions 7-2 (.778)
Arizona Cardinals 8-1 (.889)

New England Patriots 7-2 (.778)
Indianapolis Colts 6-3 (.667)

Tom Terrific 

New England quarterback TOM BRADY has passed for 300 yards in 62 career games, tied with BRETT FAVRE for the fourth-most such games in NFL history. With at least 300 yards on Sunday Night Football against Indianapolis, Brady can tie Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO (63) for the third-most such games all-time.

The most career 300-yard passing games in NFL history:

Peyton Manning* 89
Drew Brees* 83
Dan Marino 63
Tom Brady* 62
Brett Favre 62

* Active

Catching On

Denver wide receiver DEMARYIUS THOMAS extended his streak of 100+ yard receiving games to six last week with 11 receptions for 108 yards in the Broncos’ 41-17 win over Oakland.

With at least 100 receiving yards on Sunday at St. Louis, Thomas can tie CHARLEY HENNIGAN and Pro Football Hall of Famer MICHAEL IRVIN (seven) for the second-longest streak of 100-yard receiving games in NFL history. 

The players with the most consecutive 100-yard receiving games in NFL history:

Calvin Johnson Detroit (2012) 8
Michael Irvin Dallas (1995) 7
Charley Hennigan Houston (1961) 7
Demaryius Thomas Denver (2014) 6*
Mike Wallace Pittsburgh (2010-11) 6
Isaac Bruce St. Louis (1995) 6
Pat Studstill Detroit (1966) 6
Bill Groman Houston 1961 6
Raymond Berry Baltimore (1960) 6

* Active streak

Young Steeler

Pittsburgh rookie wide receiver MARTAVIS BRYANT (Round 4, No. 118 overall) made his NFL debut in Week 7 in the Steelers’ 30-23 win over Houston. Bryant has six touchdown receptions this season – including at least one TD catch in each of his first four career games – the most ever by an NFL player in his first four games.

With a touchdown catch at Tennessee on Monday Night Football, Bryant can tie BILLY HOWTON and CHARLIE BROWN (five) for the most consecutive games with a touchdown reception to start a career in NFL history.

The players with the longest streaks of consecutive games with a touchdown catch to start a career in NFL history:

Billy Howton Green Bay (1952) 5
Charlie Brown Washington (1982) 5
Martavis Bryant Pittsburgh (2014) 4*
Steve Lach Chicago Cardinals (1942) 4
Donte' Stallworth New Orleans (2002) 4

* Active streak

100 Points 

Indianapolis kicker ADAM VINATIERI ranks second in the NFL this season with 92 points and is tied with JASON ELAM (16) for the most seasons with at least 100 points scored in NFL history.

With at least eight points against New England on Sunday Night Football, Vinatieri can become the only player in NFL history to score 100 points in 17 different seasons. 

The most seasons with 100 or more points scored in NFL history:
Adam Vinatieri* 16
Jason Elam 16
Gary Anderson 14
Morten Andersen 14

* Active

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