NFL 2013 Week 15: What to Look For

Stayin' Alive in the Playoff Chase

With three weeks to play in the regular season, 25 teams remain in contention for a trip to Super Bowl XLVIII.

That ties for the fourth-most teams remaining in contention with three weeks to play since the NFL instituted the 16-game schedule in 1978.

The most teams remaining in contention for a trip to the Super Bowl with three weeks to play since 1978:

Season Teams
Source: NFL
200427
199527
198227
201325
200625
199425

 

Plenty of Offense

Through Week 14 of the NFL 2013 regular season, NFL games have averaged of 701.8 total yards per game, which is on pace to surpass the single-season record set in 2012 (694.4 per game).

Four NFL teams -- the Denver Broncos (465.6), Detroit Lions (409.4), Philadelphia Eagles (409.3) and San Diego Chargers (400.5) -- are averaging more than 400 total yards per game, which is on pace for the most of any season in NFL history (three teams in 2011 and 2012).

The Broncos can challenge the single-season record for total yards per game, which was set in 2011 by the New Orleans Saints (467.1).

Here's the NFL teams with the most total yards per game in a single season:

Team Season Yards per Game
Source: NFL *Through 13 games
New Orleans Saints2011467.1
Denver Broncos2013465.6*
Los Angeles Rams1951450.8
San Diego Chargers1982449.8
Houston Oilers1961449.1

 

Tom Brady: Simply Terrific

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has won 146 regular-season games as a starting quarterback for the Patriots, the fifth-most of any player in NFL history.

With a win on this Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, Brady can tie Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino (147 wins) for fourth on the all-time wins list among starting quarterbacks.

The starting quarterbacks with the most regular-season wins in NFL history:

Quarterback Career wins
Source: NFL *Active
Brett Favre186
Peyton Manning*165
John Elway148
Dan Marino147
Tom Brady*146

 

During his stellar career, Tom Brady has led the Patriots to 10 division titles, the most of any starting quarterback in NFL history. He can extend his record on Sunday, when New England can clinch the AFC East division title with a win or tie.

With nine division titles to his credit, Denver's Peyton Manning is currently tied with Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Montana for the second most of any starting QB in NFL history.

Manning can join Brady as the only starting quarterbacks in history with 10 division titles. In Week 15, the Broncos would clinch the AFC West championship with a win against the Chargers and a Kansas City loss on Sunday.

The starting quarterbacks with the most division titles in NFL history:

Quarterback Career Division Titles
Source: NFL
Tom Brady10
Peyton Manning9
Joe Montana9
Brett Favre8
Terry Bradshaw7
John Elway7

 

Peyton Manning's MVP Candidacy

Denver quarterback PEYTON MANNING leads the NFL with 45 touchdown passes in 2013, which is already tied for the fifth-most in a season in NFL history.

Manning, who needs six more TD passes to surpass TOM BRADY's single-season NFL record of 50 in 2007, can move up the all-time single-season list against the Chargers tomorrow night on Thursday Night Football.

Manning has led the league in touchdown passes three times in his career and can tie DREW BREES, LEN DAWSON, BRETT FAVRE, JOHNNY UNITAS and STEVE YOUNG for the most seasons leading the league in touchdown passes (four).

Last week, Manning became the first player in NFL annals with at least 45 touchdown passes in two different seasons.

The players with the most touchdown passes in a season in NFL history:

Quarterback Team Season TD Passes
Source: NFL *Through 13 games
Tom Brady New England200750
Peyton Manning Indianapolis200449
Dan MarinoMiami198448
Drew BreesNew Orleans201146
Peyton Manning*Denver201345
Aaron RodgersGreen Bay201145

 

Flash Gordon

Cleveland wide receiver Josh Gordon has totaled at least 125 receiving yards in each of his past four games, tied for the third-longest streak in NFL history.

With 125 receiving yards on Sunday against Chicago, Gordon would tie CALVIN JOHNSON (five in 2012) and PAT STUDSTILL (five in 1966) for the longest such streak in NFL history.

The players with the most consecutive 125-yard receiving games:

Player Team Season Games
Source: NFL * Active streak
Pat StudstillDetroit19665
Calvin JohnsonDetroit20125
Josh Gordon*Cleveland20134

 

Gordon has seven total 125-yard receiving games in 2013, which is already tied with MARVIN HARRISON (seven in 2002) for the third-most such games in a single season.

Gordon can tie Johnson (eight in 2012) and Pro Football Hall of Famer LANCE ALWORTH (eight in 1965) for the most 125-yard receiving games in a season in NFL history.

The players with the most 125-yard receiving games in a season:

Player Team Season Games
Source: NFL *Through 13 games
Lance AlworthSan Diego19658
Calvin JohnsonDetroit20128
Josh Gordon*Cleveland20137
Marvin HarrisonIndianapolis20027
Many players  6

 

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NFL 2013 Week 15: What to Look For