NFL 2013 Week 8 Preview: What to Look For

Here's a preview of what to look for during the 8th week of the NFL 2013 regular season

Larry Legend

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald has 796 receptions for 10,835 yards and 81 touchdowns in his career.

With four catches on Sunday against the Falcons, Fitzgerald would become the youngest player in NFL history to reach 800 receptions. He will be 30 years and 57 days old at kickoff on Sunday.

The youngest players to reach 800 career receptions in the NFL:

Player Teams Years Days
Source: NFL *796 receptions
Jason WittenDallas30238
Andre JohnsonHouston31165
Torry HoltSt. Louis31208
Randy MossMinnesota, Oakland, New England31256
Tony GonzalezKansas City31285
Larry Fitzgerald*Arizona3057

 

Fitzgerald, who has played 147 career games, can also reach 800 receptions in the sixth-fewest games in NFL history. Former Indianapolis wide receiver Marvin Harrison recorded his 800th catch in his 131st game, the fewest of any NFL player.

The players to record 800 receptions in the fewest games in NFL history:

Player Team(s) Games
Source: NFL *796 receptions
Marvin HarrisonIndianapolis131
Andre JohnsonHouston137
Torry HoltSt. Louis142
Anquan BoldinArizona, Baltimore, 49ers146
Wes WelkerMiami, New England, Denver146
Larry Fitzgerald*Arizona147

 

Above Average

Eleven teams in 2013 are averaging at least 25 points per game, which is on pace to be the most in a season in NFL history.

2013 Points Per Game Leaders

Team Points Per Game*
Source: NFL *Through Week 7
Denver Broncos42.6
Chicago Bears30.4
Dallas Cowboys28.6
Green Bay Packers28.0
Seattle Seahawks27.3
New Orleans Saints26.8
Indianapolis Colts26.7
Detroit Lions26.6
Atlanta Falcons25.5
Washington Redskins25.3
San Francisco 49ers25.1

 

Most Teams to Average 25+ Points Per Game in a Season

Season Teams
Source: NFL *Through Week 7
20129
20089
20098
20078
19758
19678
2013*11

 

Mile-High Points

The Denver Broncos have scored 298 points (42.6 points per game) through the first seven weeks of 2013, the most points at this point of a season in NFL history. Denver has scored at least 30 points in all seven games.

With 30+ points this weekend against Washington, Denver can become the third team in NFL history to score at least 30 points in each of its first eight games. The 2007 New England Patriots and 2000 St. Louis Rams also accomplished the feat.

The teams with at least 30 points in each of their first eight games of a season in NFL history:

Team Season Games
Source: NFL *Active Streak
New England Patriots20078
St. Louis Rams20008
Denver Broncos*20137

 

Perfect Defense

The Kansas City Chiefs (7-0) sit atop the AFC West and are the only remaining undefeated team in the NFL. Kansas City's defense has allowed a league-low 81 points this season and 17 points or fewer in each of its first seven games.

If the Chiefs hold Cleveland to 17 points or fewer this Sunday, they would become the fourth team since 1970 to allow 17 points or fewer in each of their first eight games of a season. The 1977 Atlanta Falcons (nine games) were the most recent team to accomplish the feat.

The NFL teams to allow 17 points or fewer in each of their first eight games of a season since 1970:

Team Season Games
Source: NFL *Active streak
Atlanta Falcons19779
Miami Dolphins19718
Minnesota Vikings19708
Kansas City Chiefs*20137

 

Patriots Home Winning Streak

The New England Patriots have won 13 consecutive home games against AFC East opponents. With a win Sunday against Miami, New England can become the fifth team since 1970 to win at least 14 consecutive home games against division opponents.

The most consecutive home wins against division opponents since 1970:

Team Seasons Streak
Source: NFL *Active streak
Green Bay Packers1994-199818
Buffalo Bills1988-199217
Dallas Cowboys1991-199516
Miami Dolphins1971-197516
Many tied 13
New England Patriots*2009-present13

 

The New 30

The San Francisco 49ers, who have won four consecutive games, return to London this week to face the Jacksonville Jaguars in an International Series game at Wembley Stadium.

San Francisco head coach JIM HARBAUGH (29-9-1) has led the 49ers to 29 regular-season wins since being hired in 2011. With a win Sunday against Jacksonville, Harbaugh can become the fourth-fastest head coach to reach 30 wins since 1970.

The head coaches who made their debut since the merger with the fewest games to reach 30 wins:

Coach Team Seasons Fewest Games
Source: NFL *29 wins
George SeifertSan Francisco1989-199136
Chuck KnoxLos Angeles Rams1973-197538
Ted MarchibrodaBaltimore Colts1975-197738
Joe GibbsWashington1981-198341
Red MillerDenver1977-197941
Jim Harbaugh*San Francisco2011-present39

 

London Calling

In 2010, San Francisco played at London's Wembley Stadium and defeated the Denver Broncos 24-16. This weekend's contest will be the 14th international regular-season game in NFL history and the eighth played in the United Kingdom.

The regular-season NFL games played in the United Kingdom:

Date Team Score Team Score Attendance
Source: NFL
10/28/2007Giants13Dolphins1081,176
10/26/2008Chargers32Saints3783,226
10/25/2009Patriots35Buccaneers784,254
10/31/2010Broncos1649ers2483,941
10/23/2011Bears24Buccaneers1876,981
10/28/2012Patriots45Louis Rams784,004
9/29/2013Steelers27Vikings3483,518

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NFL 2013 Week 8 Preview: What to Look For