After 14 games in the 2019 NFL season, former Ohio State standout wide receiver Michael Thomas had 133 receptions on the season. This season has already set records, and Thomas is very clearly the top receiver in the NFL right now, but the question was whether he would break Marvin Harrison’s single-season record of 143 receptions.
With two games, and Thomas average almost ten receptions a game, it seemed very likely. At halftime of the Week 16 game against Tennessee, Thomas was right around pace. However, after a slow third quarter, it looked like Thomas might have to wait until Week 17 against Carolina.
On a drive in the second half of the fourth quarter, Thomas was still three receptions short of the record. The Saints came out throwing, and three straight passes to Thomas meant that the record was now shared with him and Harrison. Ironically enough, the record-tying reception came on a pass from “Swiss army knife” backup quarterback Taysom Hill, not from Drew Brees.
That drive stalled on a failed fake punt attempt. Thomas didn’t have to wait long for the record, though. The Titans fumbled on the next play, and the next drive looked like it ended on a Michael Thomas touchdown reception–a fitting way to break a record that stood for 17 years. The touchdown was overturned (the ball was placed on the one-yard-line), but the record still belongs to Thomas, and it will likely stand for a long while.
And, in a fitting form of justice, the drive ended two plays later on a Thomas touchdown–and this one stood up.
Michael Thomas, into the history books.
Thomas breaks Marvin Harrison’s single-season all-time receptions record (143). pic.twitter.com/cc2hdhQROl
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) December 22, 2019