What To Look For Week 9
What To Look For Week 9

Here's what to look for during Week 9 of the 2015 NFL Season

Fantastic Follow-Ups

Saints quarterback DREW BREES completed 39 of 50 passes (78.0 pct.) for 505 yards and seven touchdowns in the Saints' 52-49 Week 8 victory over the New York Giants.

With at least four touchdown passes against Tennessee on Sunday, Brees would surpass NICK FOLES (three) AND Y.A. TITTLE (three) for the most touchdown passes following a seven touchdown performance in NFL History.

With at least 350 passing yards on Sunday, Brees would surpass his own performance (349 in 2006) for the second-most passing yards following a 500-yard performance in NFL history.

Still In The Mix

History shows that a losing record at this point in the season does not negate a team's chances of making the playoffs.

Since 2000, 35 teams have reached the halfway point of their season with a .500 or below winning percentage and proceeded to the playoffs, including at least one in each season.

Of those 35 clubs, five have advanced to the Conference Championship Game, including the 2001 New England Patriots, who won Super Bowl XXXVI.

7-0 Starts

The Green Bay Packers and the Indianapolis Colts both face opponents with 6-0 records or better for the second consecutive week.

Previously, only the 1934 Detroit Lions and 2004 Pittsburgh Steelers have played teams 6-0 or better in consecutive games.

The Packers, who played the 6-0 Broncos in Week 8, travel to Carolina (7-0), while the Colts, who played the 6-0 Panthers on Monday Night Football last week, host Denver (7-0).

Marvelous Manning

Denver Broncos quarterback PEYTON MANNING, who has 71,555 career passing yards, would surpass BRETT FAVRE (71,838) for the most career passing yards in NFL history with 284 yards on Sunday against Indianapolis.

The NFL quarterbacks with the most career passing yards in NFL history:

 

Quarterback Seasons Career
Passing Yards
*Active (Source: NFL)
Brett Favre1991-201071,838
Peyton Manning*1998-present71,555
Dan Marino1983-199961,361
Drew Brees*2001-present58,409
Tom Brady*2000-present55,668

 

Manning, who will play in his 264th career game on Sunday, would surpass Favre's (302) record in 38 fewer games.

Manning already holds the record for most career passing touchdowns (537), surpassing Favre (508) in Week 7 of 2014.With a victory on Sunday, Manning (186) can also surpass Favre for the most career regular season wins of any starting quarterback in NFL history.

The quarterbacks with the most regular season wins:

 

Quarterback Team(s) Seasons Wins
*Active (Source: NFL)
Peyton Manning*Indianapolis, Denver1998-present186
Brett FavreGreen Bay, New York Jets, Minnesota1991-2010186
Tom Brady*New England2000-present167
John ElwayDenver1983-98148
Dan MarinoMiami1983-99147

 

Rolling Rivers

San Diego Chargers quarterback PHILIP RIVERS has passed for at least 300 yards and two touchdowns in five consecutive games.

With another performance of 300+ yards and two touchdowns against Chicago on Monday Night Football, Rivers would become the fourth quarterback in NFL history to accomplish the feat in six straight games. DREW BREES (eight), PEYTON MANNING (seven) and Pro Football Hall of Famer STEVE YOUNG (six) are the only other quarterbacks to pass for 300 yards and two touchdowns in at least six consecutive games.

Home Success

Pittsburgh quarterback BEN ROETHLISBERGER has thrown at least one touchdown pass in 34 consecutive home games.

With at least one touchdown pass in Week 9 against Oakland, Roethlisberger would tie AARON RODGERS (35) for the fourth-longest streak of consecutive home games with at least one touchdown pass.

New Orleans quarterback DREW BREES, who has 50 consecutive games at home with at least one touchdown pass, can extend his record streak in Week 9 when the Saints host Tennessee.

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NFL Football: "What To Look For Week 9"