Passing Fancy

Quarterbacks have been historically efficient through Week 6 of the 2012 season, combining for a league-wide passer rating of 86.3 and a completion percentage of 61.9. Both are on pace to be the highest of any season in NFL history and would surpass records set in 2011 (84.3 passer rating) and 2007 (61.2 completion percentage), respectively.

The league-wide yards-per-pass attempt average, currently at 7.27, is also on pace to be the highest of any season in the Super Bowl era.

The seasons with the highest league-wide yard-per-pass attempt average in the Super Bowl era (since 1966):

Season	Yards/Pass Attempt
* Through Week 6 - Source: NFL
2011	7.20
1983	7.18
1989	7.15
1984	7.14
2004	7.05
2012*	7.27

 

What a Kick

In the interest of player health and safety, the spot of the kickoff was moved up five yards from the 30- to the 35-yard line prior to the 2011 season. But there has been plenty of excitement on kickoffs since.

The league-wide kickoff-return average of 24.7 yards is on pace to be the highest of any season in NFL history, which would eclipse the previous record set last season (23.8).

Baltimore's JACOBY JONES helped buoy the average with a 108-yard kickoff-return touchdown in the Ravens' 31-29 win over Dallas this past week, tying for the longest kick-return touchdown in NFL history.

 

Patriot Way

New England has amassed at least 350 total net yards in 15 consecutive games, the second-longest streak in NFL history. With 350 total yards this Sunday against the New York Jets, the Patriots would tie the St. Louis Rams (1999-2000) for the longest such streak in NFL annals.

New England currently leads the NFL in total offense with 445.3 yards per game in 2012.

The teams with the most consecutive games with 350+ total net yards in NFL history:

Team	Years	Consecutive 350-Yard Games
* Active streak - Source: NFL
St. Louis Rams	1999-2000	16
New England Patriots	2011-2012	15*
San Diego Chargers	1982-1983	14
San Diego Chargers	1981-1982	13
Indianapolis Colts	2008-2009	13

 

Mr. Rodgers' Neighborhood

This past Sunday night against Houston, Green Bay quarterback AARON RODGERS became the first player in NFL history with at least six touchdown passes against an undefeated team with a 5-0 or better record.

When the Packers visit St. Louis in Week 7, Rodgers can join Pro Football Hall of Famer LEN DAWSON as the only players in NFL history to throw at least four touchdown passes in a game following a six-touchdown pass performance.

After a six-touchdown outing against Denver on November 1, 1964, Dawson threw four TD passes the following week against Oakland.

[ Check Out: Rodgers Six Scoring Strikes Help Packers Hand Texans First Loss ]

 

Hey, Rookie

Two of the top rookie quarterbacks will meet in Week 7 when Indianapolis hosts Cleveland. BRANDON WEEDEN (1,519 passing yards) of the Browns and ANDREW LUCK (1,488) of the Colts rank No. 1 and 2, respectively, in passing yards among this year's impressive crop of rookie QBs.

Luck is already one of three rookies in NFL history with at least three individual 300-yard passing games, joining PEYTON MANNING (four, 1998) and CAM NEWTON (three, 2011). With at least 300 yards against Cleveland, Luck would equal Manning's record mark.

Weeden and Washington's ROBERT GRIFFIN III also have two individual 300-yard passing games apiece in 2012. Griffin and the Redskins will face the New York Giants on Sunday.

The rookie quarterbacks with the most 300-yard passing games in NFL history:

Player	Year	Team	300-Yard Games
* Active rookie - Source: NFL
Peyton Manning	Indianapolis	1998	4
Andrew Luck*	Indianapolis	2012	3
Cam Newton	Carolina	2011	3
Robert Griffin III*	Washington	2012	2
Brandon Weeden*	Cleveland	2012	2

 

World Wide Wes

New England wide receiver WES WELKER has 16 career games with at least 10 receptions, tied with MARVIN HARRISON for the second most of any player in NFL history.

Welker needs needs 10 catches this Sunday against the New York Jets to tie Pro Football Hall of Famer JERRY RICE (17) for the most such games all-time.

ANDRE JOHNSON of Houston and REGGIE WAYNE of Indianapolis are also tied for fourth on the all-time list with 15 career 10-catch games each. On Sunday, Johnson's Texans will host Baltimore, while Wayne's Colts face Cleveland.

Welker can also become the fourth player in NFL history with at least 10 receptions in three consecutive games. Following a 13-catch performance against Denver in Week 5, Welker notched 10 catches in Seattle in Week 6.

 

Prolific Passers

Three active quarterbacks rank among the all-time leaders in career 300-yard passing games. Denver's PEYTON MANNING (67 games) holds the record, while New Orleans' DREW BREES (61) ranks fourth and New England's TOM BRADY (49) is tied with Pro Football Hall of Famer WARREN MOON for seventh-most in NFL history.

Brees will face Tampa Bay on Sunday and can tie BRETT FAVRE (62) for the third-most 300-yard passing games in NFL history.

Against the Jets at home this week, Brady can become the seventh player in NFL history with 50 career 300-yard passing games.

Manning, whose Broncos have a bye this week, has passed for at least 300 yards in each of his past four games, the longest active streak in the NFL.

The players with the most 300-yard passing games in NFL history:

Player	300-Yard Games
* Active - Source: NFL
Peyton Manning*	67
Dan Marino	63
Brett Favre	62
Drew Brees*	61
Kurt Warner	52
Dan Fouts	51
Tom Brady*	49
Warren Moon	49

 

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