Only six players in NFL history have eclipsed the 300-yard receiving mark in a single game, with just two of those instances coming this century. Julio Jones and Calvin Johnson had two of the best receiving performances in recent memory, but neither player was able to match Flipper Anderson’s game in 1989.
Against the Saints 30 years ago on November 26, Anderson went off for 336 yards receiving – an NFL record that still stands today. He caught 15 passes that day with his longest reception going for 50 yards, though he only scored one touchdown in the Rams’ 20-17 win.
As favorable as the rules are for passing attacks today, no receiver has been able to break Anderson’s record – though Johnson’s 329 yards against the Cowboys in 2013 came close.
Check out highlights from his performance below.
336 RECEIVING YARDS…
29 years ago today, Willie "Flipper" Anderson set an NFL record that still stands.
(Nov. 26, 1989) @RamsNFL pic.twitter.com/ZfacrpS67s
— NFL Throwback (@nflthrowback) November 26, 2018
Anderson finished that season with 44 catches for 1,146 yards and five touchdowns, leading the league in yards per reception (26). He topped the NFL in that same category the following year, averaging 21.5 yards per catch.
Although he never made the Pro Bowl, Anderson’s career will always be remembered for that 336-yard performance against the Saints.