NFL 2016: The Week That Was - Week 9

NFL 2016: The Week That Was - Week 9

It's time to get caught up on The Week That Was for Week 9 of the NFL 2016 Season.

[ Related: NFL 2016: Week 10 NFL Preview ]

Remarkable Raider

Oakland running back Latavius Murray rushed for 114 yards and three touchdowns in the Raiders' 30-20 victory against Denver.

Murray's performance marked the third time a player has rushed for at least 100 yards and three touchdowns against the defending Super Bowl champions, joining DE ANGELO WILLIAMS (2008) and WARRICK DUNN (2000).

 

Latavius Murray Profile & Statistics

 

Players to rush for 100 yards and 3 TDs against defending Super Bowl champions

 

NFC North Drama

Detroit kicker Matt Prater converted a game-tying 58-yard field goal as time expired in regulation to force overtime in the Lions' 22-16 win at Minnesota.

Prater, who is now 23 of 23 on game-tying or go-ahead field-goal attempts in the fourth quarter or overtime in his career, holds the record for the two longest game-tying field goals in the final minute of the fourth quarter in NFL history. Prater converted a 59-yarder with three seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to force overtime on December 11, 2011 with the Denver Broncos.

Before Prater's kick, Minnesota tight end RHETT ELLISON had a one-yard touchdown run to give the Vikings a 16-13 lead with 23 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Ellison, whose touchdown run was the first carry of his five-year career, became the first player in NFL history to score a go-ahead touchdown in the final minute of regulation on the first carry of his career.

 

 

Rising Rookies

Dallas rookie quarterback Dak Prescott passed for 247 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions for a 141.8 passer rating in the Cowboys' 35-10 win at Cleveland. Cowboys rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott, who leads the NFL with 891 rushing yards, rushed for 92 yards and two touchdowns in the victory.

The game marked the second time in NFL history in which a rookie passed for three touchdowns and a rookie teammate rushed for two touchdowns in the same game.

The feat was last accomplished on November 21, 1948, when New York Giants rookie quarterback CHARLIE CONERLY threw three touchdown passes and rookie running back RAY COATES rushed for two touchdowns in the Giants' 49-3 win at Green Bay.

 

Dak Prescott Profile & Statistics

 

Ezekiel Elliott Profile & Statistics

 

Close Games

There have been 99 games within one score in the fourth quarter through Week 9, the most such games in the first nine weeks of a season in NFL history. Four teams -- BALTIMORE, DETROIT, the NEW YORK GIANTS and WASHINGTON -- have had all of their games within one score in the fourth quarter this season.

 

Most games within one score in the 4th quarter through Week 9

 

Additionally, there have been 77 games decided by eight points or fewer and 71 games decided by seven points or fewer through Week 9, both the most such games in the first nine weeks of a season in league annals.

 

Most games decided by eight points or fewer through Week 9

 

Most games decided by seven points or fewer through Week 9

 

Flying Falcons

Atlanta quarterback MATT RYAN completed 25 of 34 passes (73.5 percent) for 344 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions for a 144.7 passer rating in the Falcons' 43-28 win at Tampa Bay.

Ryan, who has 3,133 career completions, surpassed PEYTON MANNING (3,131) for the most completions in a player's first nine seasons in NFL history.

 

QBs with the most pass completions in their first 9 NFL seasons

 

Matt Ryan Profile & Statistics

 

Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones had eight receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown in the victory. Jones, who was playing in his 74th career game, has 465 career receptions and surpassed ANQUAN BOLDIN (462) for the most receptions in a player's first 75 career games.

 

Players with the most receptions in their first 75 games

 

Julio Jones Profile & Statistics

 

Miraculous Vance McDonald

San Francisco tight end Vance McDonald had three receptions for 84 yards, including a 65-yard touchdown catch, in the 49ers' 41-23 loss to New Orleans.

McDonald, who had a 75-yard touchdown reception in Week 2, became the fourth tight end since 1970, and the first since 1997, with two touchdown catches of at least 65 yards in the same season.

 

Vance McDonald Profile & Statistics

 

Tight Ends with 2 TD catches of at least 65 yards in the same season since 1970

 

Next: NFL 2016: Week 10 NFL Preview

[ Top 20 Passing, Rushing and Receiving leaders ]

 

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