NFL 2014: December Playoff Push
NFL 2014: December Playoff Push

 

The NFL season enters the December home stretch with 26 teams still in contention for a trip to Super Bowl XLIX. The final quarter of the season kicks off this week with playoff berths on the line.

"The games in December are the most important regular-season games by far," says NFL Network analyst and former NFL head coach STEVE MARIUCCI. "It's extremely important to win in December and to make a run at the playoffs and show improvement. You want your team to peak in December. It's important to stay healthy and keep your players fresh. You remember what happens in December."

Over the past five seasons (since 2009), the New England Patriots (21-4, .840) own the best record in the month, which also includes regular-season games played in January. The Green Bay Packers (18-6, .750) lead the NFC.

"We're into December football now," says Packers quarterback AARON RODGERS, "and everything is in front of us."

Team Wins Losses Pct
Source: NFL
New England Patriots214.840
San Diego Chargers196.760
Green Bay Packers186.750
Indianapolis Colts178.680
San Francisco 49ers178.680

 

"We want to keep building and keep growing," says Seattle Seahawks quarterback RUSSELL WILSON, who is 8-2 in the month of December. "We're going in the right direction. We have a lot more left and a lot more to do. It's one game at a time, one practice at a time, one day at a time, one step at a time. We're looking forward to that."

With four games remaining, 21 teams are either in or within one game of a playoff spot.

"We are right in the mix," says Atlanta Falcons quarterback MATT RYAN. "December football is tough. You're going up against good football teams. You've got to play well."

The leaders among active players in December/January over the past five seasons (since 2009):

Player Passing Yards
Source: NFL
Drew Brees7,375
Tom Brady6,892
Eli Manning6,209
Philip Rivers6,091
Ben Roethlisberger5,707

 

Player Rushing Yards
Source: NFL
Chris Johnson2,127
Jamaal Charles2,110
Marshawn Lynch1,841
Matt Forte1,682
Steven Jackson1,592

 

Player Receiving Yards
Source: NFL
Calvin Johnson2,249
Andre Johnson2,034
Roddy White2,002
Brandon Marshall1,932
Larry Fitzgerald1,717

 

Player Overall TDs
Source: NFL
Marshawn Lynch21
Jamaal Charles20
Chris Johnson17
Roddy White16
Marques Colston15
Brandon Marshall15
LeSean McCoy15
Calvin Johnson2,249

 

Player Sacks
Source: NFL
Jared Allen25.5
Tamba Hali21.5
Justin Tuck18.0
Jason Babin17.5
DeMarcus Ware17.0

 

Player INTs
Source: NFL
Richard Sherman10
Tarell Brown7
Vontae Davis7
Brent Grimes7
Reggie Nelson7
Troy Polamalu7
Sam Shields7

 

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NFL 2014 - December Playoff Push