Tag: NFL history

Looking at the top 10 seasons by a rookie TE in NFL history

As Pitts looks to climb the ranks of NFL history, let’s take a look at the top 10 single-season yardage leaders among rookie tight ends.

After the Falcons lost their first two games of the season, many around the league began to question the team’s decision to use the No. 4 overall pick on Kyle Pitts, the highest a tight end has ever been selected in the history of the NFL draft. That skepticism is quickly disappearing after Pitts exploded for 17 catches, 282 yards and a touchdown over the past two weeks combined.

The Falcons’ Week 7 win over the Dolphins couldn’t have happened without the rookie’s career-high 163-yard performance. He caught two key passes on the team’s game-winning drive and looks like he’s ready to be Atlanta’s No. 1 option even with Calvin Ridley on the field.

Through six games, Pitts has 31 catches, 471 receiving yards and one touchdown. At this pace, the former Florida Gators standout will finish the year with 88 catches for 1,335 yards — which would be the most ever by a rookie tight end by quite a bit.

As Pitts looks to climb the ranks over the remainder of the year, let’s take a look at the top 10 single-season yardage totals for rookie tight ends in NFL history.

Matt Ryan eclipses Drew Brees in passing yards through 14 seasons

The Falcons have little going for them at the moment, but on Sunday, Matt Ryan surpassed Drew Brees for most passing yards through 14 seasons.

The Atlanta Falcons have very little going for them at the moment, but on Sunday, quarterback Matt Ryan became the most prolific passer in NFL history through 14 seasons in terms of passing yards. Ryan surpassed Drew Brees for the most passing yards through a quarterback’s first 14 seasons during the first half of Atlanta’s Week 2 matchup against Tampa Bay.

The previous record held by Brees was 56,033 passing yards.

Ryan hasn’t had a great start to the 2021 season, but after a poor first quarter against the Buccaneers on Sunday, he was more effective in the second. He’s thrown for 151 yards as the Falcons trail, 21-10, on the verge at halftime.

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Updated research crowns Lions DE Bubba Baker as the single-season sack king

Lions great Bubba Baker verifiably holds the (unofficial) record with 23 sacks in 1978

The NFL has not kept sacks as an official statistic for its entire 75-year existence. The league only started officially tracking the sack in 1982, which leaves out a ton of accomplished pass rushers in the modern (1960-present) era of professional football.

New research from Pro Football Researchers Association, published via Pro Football Reference, meticulously updates the sack records going back to 1960. It’s still not officially recognized by the NFL, but crediting sacks off game tape is pretty standard practice, and the PFRA has pored over the game film dating back to 1960 and updated the records.

And those records indicate that Lions defensive end Al “Bubba” Baker is the single-season sack master. Baker bagged 23 sacks in 1978, his rookie season. That figure eclipses the NFL’s official record set by Michael Strahan in 2001, when the Giants standout hit 22.5 sacks.

Baker was a featured performer in the famed “Silver Rush” defense, and he was the most prolific rusher in the NFL from 1978-1980. During those three seasons, Baker unofficially — but verifiably — notched seasons of 23, 16 and 17.5 sacks. He led the NFL in both 1978 and 1980, again unofficially but verifiably.

In five seasons with the Lions, Baker recorded 74 sacks. Alas, his final year in Detroit was 1982, the first year the league kept sacks as an officially recognized statistic.

Jarvis Landry set apart in NFL history through his first seven seasons

Jarvis Landry is set apart in NFL history through his first seven seasons doing something no other player has ever done.

When the Cleveland Browns acquired Jarvis Landry in a trade with the Miami Dolphins, Landry was playing on the franchise tag that he signed with the Dolphins after four seasons. Shortly after, Browns general manager John Dorsey signed Landry to a five-year contract worth over $75 million.

The $47 million guaranteed was quite surprising at the time.

Going into 2021, Landry has two years left on his deal. He has already made just over $47 million with just over $13 million in cash due to him this year and another $15 million due next season.

During his three seasons in Cleveland, Landry has caught 236 passes for just under 3,000 yards and 13 touchdown receptions. Landry has also rushed for two touchdowns and thrown for a touchdown.

In the playoffs last year, Landry caught 12 passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns.

Landry producing is nothing new for the LSU product as he is the only player in NFL history to be as consistent as he has been in his first seven seasons:

 

While Landry will never be a top receiving threat, his ability to stay healthy, play while dinged up, and produce consistent numbers is impressive. That no other player has done what he has done is not arguable. While he is likely overpaid, his production is unmatched.

In year two under Kevin Stefanski, with his buddy Odell Beckham Jr. returning and Anthony Schwartz added in the third round of the NFL draft, Landry will hope to push his number to eight straight seasons to start a career.

Chargers QB Justin Herbert looking to reach major milestone vs. Raiders

Justin Herbert can continue to write his name in the history book on Thursday night.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is on his way to being crowned Offensive Rookie of the Year. But he’s also looking to make history in the final three games of the season.

Herbert, who’s already written his name in the history books multiple times this season, can do it once again tonight against the Raiders.

Herbert is three touchdowns away from breaking Browns QB Baker Mayfield’s record for most touchdowns throw in a single rookie season (27).

Last weekend against the Falcons, Herbert inched closer after tossing a pair. In his previous start against the Raiders, he had 326 yards and two touchdowns.

Facing a depleted secondary, there’s a good chance that the first-round pick can accomplish this feat tonight.

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce leads NFL in receiving yards, on record-breaking pace

Travis Kelce is pacing to do things that have never been done in the history of the NFL.

Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce woke up on Monday morning as the NFL’s receiving leader through Week 14.

It’s a significant achievement for the eighth-year pro because that’s never happened for a player at the tight end position before. With three games left to go, Kelce is pacing to make some more significant NFL history. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid spoke about his performance up to this point of the season after the game against the Dolphins.

“He’s done a nice job,” Reid said. “Like any game, there are things that he can do better, but I mean let’s not slight him, he’s done great and he’s loving every minute of it. He and the quarterback have a good relationship. They’re working it together, they have a lot of trust in each other.”

That trust has helped Kelce achieve 1,250 receiving yards, which leads the rest of the league by 70 yards. He needs just 128 yards to beat the single-season receiving record by a tight end, set by George Kittle back in 2018 (1,377). Kelce previously held that record for a few hours before Kittle surpassed him.

Right now, Kelce’s on pace to exceed 1,500 receiving yards on the year. If he keeps his current pace through the next three weeks, he could become the first tight end to ever to lead the NFL in receiving yards. That’d be a historic achievement and add to a campaign shaping up to be worthy of Offensive Player of the Year honors. If he were to win that award, he’d also make history as no tight end has ever won the award.

Chiefs CEO and Chairman Clark Hunt also had a chance to speak about the season that Kelce’s having after Week 14. While he’s elated for the success on the field, the thing that continues to impress him most is Kelce’s growth off the field. It’s one of the reasons he was chosen to be the Chiefs’ nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.

“First of all, congratulations to the year that he’s having, his success on the field,” Hunt said following the game. “Over a thousand yards again— on pace to break a bunch of records, getting that nod from Madden as a 99, tremendous accomplishment by him and he’s such an important part of the offense and the success that we have had, really, for all five years that we have won the division. But probably what I’m most impressed by has been his growth off the field. He’s a leader in the locker room, but he’s also a leader in the community, committed to making a difference in communities in Kansas City and Ohio for underprivileged families, underprivileged children; and I’m just so proud of everything that he’s accomplished in that regard and everything that he’s doing. He’s a very deserving nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.”

Shifting back to Kelce’s record-breaking statistical year, he’ll also come close to breaking the NFL record for receptions by a tight end. He currently has 90 receptions on the year and needs just 24 more to exceed the record set by Eagles TE Zach Ertz in 2019. He’s averaging around 6.5 receptions per game this season, but he’s averaged eight or more receptions per game since Week 8.

To add a little more context to Kelce’s year, the next closest player in terms of receiving yards and receptions at the tight end position is Raiders TE Darren Waller. He has six fewer receptions on the season, but only 817 yards on the year.

Kelce is truly proving to be one-of-one in the NFL at the tight end position. He’s on his way to having the best season the position has ever seen, but he doesn’t want any of the glory yet. Just like the rest of the team, he knows that job isn’t done.

“[I’m] trying to take advantage of the opportunity that I have here in Kansas City every single day both on and off the field,” Kelce said. “That’s my goal.”

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Chiefs’ Travis Kelce crosses 1000 yards for fifth consecutive season

Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce owns another piece of NFL history.

Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce owns yet another piece of NFL history after his performance on “Sunday Night Football” against the Denver Broncos.

With 37 receiving yards so far on Sunday night, Kelce has become the only tight end in the history of the NFL to record five consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards. Last year, Kelce became the only player in NFL history to reach four consecutive seasons 1,000 receiving yards. The year prior, he joined Greg Olsen as the only two tight ends in NFL history with three seasons of 1000 receiving yards.

Former Chiefs legend Tony Gonzalez only had four 1,000 yard receiving seasons in his entire career. Kelce is following the example that Gonzalez set during his time in Kansas City. He’s going to work with the goal of getting better every day and making history in the process. He did it with Alex Smith as his quarterback and now he’s doing it with Patrick Mahomes too.

This isn’t the only piece of history that Kelce is in the running for today either. He needs just 4 more catches to reach his fifth season of 80 or more catches. He’ll become just the third TE in NFL history, joining both Gonzalez and Olsen as the only players to ever have five such seasons.

We’re witnessing something rare here. Kelce is making a legitimate case to be recognized as the greatest tight end to ever play the game at the professional level. At 31 years old, Kelce has shown no signs of slowing down. It’s part of the reason that the Chiefs decided to extend Kelce this offseason, attaching him to the franchise through the 2025 NFL season. So long as he stays healthy, he’ll have a chance to continue making history in Kansas City.

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Bo Knows History: Raiders’ Jackson trampled Seahawks on Monday Night Football 33 years ago

Former Los Angeles Raiders running back Bo Jackson collected 235 scrimmage yards and three total touchdowns in a 34-17 rout of the Seattle Seahawks.

Bo Jackson posted 221 rushing yards and three total touchdowns in his Monday Night Football debut as the Los Angeles Raiders crushed the Seattle Seahawks 34-17 33 years ago today.

Jackson, who was also a member of the Kansas City Royals in Major League Baseball, was a phenomenal athlete at 6-1, 227 pounds. The former Auburn Tiger was a perfect combination of power and speed.

After his first four games with the Raiders, which couldn’t begin until baseball season was, starting in Week 7, the club sustained a four-game losing streak. Jackson had yet to record 100 yards rushing, and he was carrying fewer than 15 times per game.

Jackson didn’t get going against the Seahawks until the second quarter amid a 7-7 game at the Kingdome. In the second quarter, Jackson caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Marc Wilson to extend Los Angeles’ lead 14-7.

One of the most iconic moments of Jackson’s NFL career also occurred in the second quarter when the former Heisman Trophy winner sprinted 91 yards for a touchdown, and continued his gallop all the way to the tunnel.

The second quarter was the turning point in the game as kicker Chris Bahr added three field goals to build a 27-7 Raiders lead at the break.

However, Jackson wasn’t done putting his stamp on the Seahawks, and introducing himself to the NFL.

On a goal-to-go from the 2-yard line in the third quarter, Jackson bullied rookie linebacker Brian Bosworth and carried him into the end zone for his third score of the night.

Bahr added another field goal, and Seahawks quarterback Dave Kreig completed a 3-yard touchdown pass to tight end Mike Tice to set the game’s 34-17 final score.

The Raiders’ rookie running back rushed 18 times for 221 yards and two touchdowns, and also caught a 14-yard pass for a touchdown. Not a bad way for Jackson to celebrate his 25th birthday.

Jackson’s career was cut short with a hip injury in the 1990 playoffs, the Kingdome demolished in 2000, and the Raiders now playing in Las Vegas. Yet no one will ever forget what Jackson did to the Seahawks on Monday Night Football on Nov. 30, 1987.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes continues to make NFL history

Mahomes made a bit more NFL history with his epic performance against the New York Jets on Sunday.

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Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes keeps finding new ways to get his name stamped in the NFL history books.

Mahomes’ dominant performance against the New York Juts culminated in 416 passing yards and five passing touchdowns on the day. The passing touchdowns brought his season total to 21 and a single interception. ESPN’s Stats & Information page discovered via the Elias Sports Bureau that this marks the first time in NFL history that any player has at least 20 touchdown passes and one interception through the first eight games to start a season. He also became the first player in Chiefs history to ever throw for 400 passing yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions in a game.

Check it out:

The crazy thing about this is that Mahomes didn’t even play the full game in each of the past two weeks, with Chad Henne relieving him in the fourth quarter of each game after a large enough lead was secured.

This wasn’t the only impressive feat accomplished by Mahomes this week either. He’s now tied for third in NFL history with 21 games passing for 300 or more yards. He now has 10 career games where he has thrown at least four touchdown passes, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer QB Dan Marino as the only quarterbacks in NFL history with 10 such games in their first four seasons of their careers. It also marks the most such games by a quarterback in Chiefs franchise history. Len Dawson previously held that record with nine games.

Mahomes also needs just three passing touchdowns to reach 100 career passing touchdowns. If he can throw for those three touchdowns within the next five games, he’ll beat Marino’s pace record to become the quickest QB to throw 100 career passing touchdowns in NFL history. Mahomes could very well get those three passing touchdowns against the Carolina Panthers in Week 9.

It’d be a great way for the Chiefs’ quarterback to head into the bye week, with a little boost to his confidence heading into the final stretch of the 2020 season.

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Alvin Kamara has the most fantasy points of all time, behind Emmitt Smith and… Alvin Kamara

New Orleans Saints star Alvin Kamara has scored the third-most fantasy football points in NFL history among running backs through 4 weeks.

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Alvin Kamara was already among rare company after his impressive play in the first three weeks of the 2020 season, but the New Orleans Saints superstar has leveled up even further with four games behind him. Through four games, he has now put up the third-most fantasy football points among running backs in NFL history. And one of the two seasons ahead of him is his own 2018 campaign.

In 2020, Kamara has scored 127.7 fantasy points for lucky owners. That’s good enough to rank third-best, behind Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith in second place, who racked up 130.3 fantasy points in the first four games of the 1995 season. Smith of course was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

But the top spot belongs to Kamara’s 2018 season, when he scored 136.1 fantasy points in the opening four weeks. That stretch included games where Kamara gained 100-plus yards through the air (Weeks 1 and 3) and on the ground (Week 4’s famous walk-off touchdown run against the New York Giants), with six touchdown-scoring plays from scrimmage. He finished the year with a combined 18 touchdowns. In 2020, Kamara has already scored seven times.

So pat yourself on the back if you wisely invested in Kamara at your fantasy football draft earlier this summer. The early returns suggest he couldn’t have been picked early enough, and there may not be a limit to how great he can be.

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