NFL Football 2011

NFL 2011 - Big Play Excitement
Darren McFadden

One big offensive play can ignite the fans and the coaches, providing the team momentum that could determine a game's final outcome.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver MIKE WALLACE and Oakland Raiders running back DARREN MC FADDEN created plenty of excitement for their teams and supporters in 2010 as they led the NFL in 20-yard receptions and 20-yard carries, respectively. Wallace hauled in 26 receptions of 20 yards or more while McFadden registered 14 rushes of at least 20 yards.

While a player may yearn for the top play on the weekend's highlight reel, McFadden recognizes that patience and self-assurance must work together.

"If there's a big play there, you just have to take it as it comes to you," says McFadden. "Once you get it going and get running with confidence, confidence is a hard thing to stop."

The top five "big play" rushers and receivers in 2010:

Most 20+ Yard Receptions

Player, Team 20+ Long Rec. Yards TD
Source: NFL
Mike Wallace, Pit.2656t601,25710
Brandon Lloyd, Den.2371771,44811
DeSean Jackson, Phi.2191t471,0566
Greg Jennings, GB2186t761,26512
Hakeem Nicks, NYG2046t791,05211

 

Most 20+ Yard Rushes

Player, Team 20+ Long Att Yards TD
Source: NFL
Darren McFadden, Oak1457t2231,1577
Ahmad Bradshaw, NYG1348t2761,2358
Chris Johnson, Ten.1376t3161,36411
Arian Foster, Hou.1274t3271,61616
Rashard Mendenhall, Pit.1157t3241,27313

 

Many Happy Returns

NFL 2011 - Big Play Excitement
Leon Washington

The 2010 season marked the first since 1970 with at least one kickoff-return touchdown in each of the first five weeks. In total, there were 23 kickoff-return-touchdowns scored, the second-most since 1970 (25 in 2007).

In Oakland, rookie JACOBY FORD recorded three kickoff-return touchdowns for the Raiders, already the most in a career by any player in club history. Meanwhile in Seattle, LEON WASHINGTON recorded three kickoff-return touchdowns of his own. He became the only player in NFL history to record three kickoff-return touchdowns in two different seasons (New York Jets, 2007). His seven career kickoff-return touchdowns are the second-most all-time (JOSHUA CRIBBS, eight).

"When you have a guy like Leon Washington, he can change the game in one play," says St. Louis Rams head coach STEVE SPAGNUOLO. "We've got a lot of respect for him."

The players with the most kickoff-return touchdowns in NFL history:

Player Team(s) Years KR TDs
* Active (Source: NFL)
Joshua CribbsCleveland2005-20108*
Leon WashingtonNY Jets, Seattle2006-20107*
Mel GrayNew Orleans, Detroit, Houston, Tennessee, Philadelphia1986-19976
Dante HallKansas City, St. Louis2000-20086
Ollie MatsonChicago Cardinals, L.A. Rams, Detroit, Philadelphia1952-19666
Gale SayersChicago1965-19716
Travis WilliamsGreen Bay, Los Angeles1967-19716

 

NFL 2011 - Big Play Excitement on Offense