NFL 2016: What To Look for Week 16

NFL 2016: What To Look for Week 16 (Photo: Flickr/ Brook Ward

Here's what to look for during Week 16 of the NFL 2016 regular season.

[ Related: NFL 2016: Week 16 NFL Preview | NFL Playoff Picture & Seedings ]

 

Frank Gore Soars

Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore has 1,142 scrimmage yards (891 rushing, 251 receiving) this season and has recorded at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage in 11 consecutive seasons beginning in 2006.

With 58 scrimmage yards on Saturday at Oakland, Gore would become the first player in NFL history with at least 1,200 scrimmage yards in 11 consecutive seasons, surpassing Pro Football Hall of Famers CURTIS MARTIN (1995-2004), EMMITT SMITH (1991-2000) and BARRY SANDERS (1989-1998), who each accomplished the feat in 10 consecutive seasons.

 

Consecutive NFL seasons with at least 1,200 scrimmage yards

 

Frank Gore Profile & Stats

 

Ezekiel Elliott: Rising Rookie

Dallas rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 159 yards and a touchdown in the Cowboys' 26-20 victory over Tampa Bay in Week 15, tying Pro Football Hall of Famer ERIC DICKERSON (1983) and MIKE ANDERSON (2000) for the most games (five) with at least 130 rushing yards by a rookie in NFL history.

Elliott leads the NFL in rushing so far this season with 1,551 yards. With 49 rushing yards on Monday night against Detroit, he would become the fifth rookie in NFL history with 1,600 rushing yards in a season.

Elliott needs 258 rushing yards over the Dallas Cowboys' final two games to surpass Dickerson (1,808) as the NFL's all-time rookie season rushing leader.

 

NFL Rookies with the most rushing yards

 

Elliott ranks second in the league with 1,902 yards from scrimmage (1,551 rushing, 351 receiving). With 98 scrimmage yards against Detroit on Monday night, he would become the third rookie in NFL history to reach 2,000 scrimmage yards, joining Dickerson (2,212 in 1983) and EDGERRIN JAMES (2,139 in 1999).

 

NFL Rookies with the most yards from scrimmage

 

Ezekiel Elliott Profile & Stats

 

Flying Falcons

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan passed for 286 yards and two touchdowns for a 144.5 rating and running back DEVONTA FREEMAN had 139 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the Falcons' 41-13 victory over San Francisco in Week 15.

With at least 40 points at Carolina on Saturday, the Falcons, who have scored 40+ points in a league-leading five games this season, would tie the NFL record for the most games in a single season with at least 40 points.​

 

NFL teams with the most 40+ point games in a single season

 

Catching On: Larry Fitzgerald and Antonio Brown

Arizona wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (98) and Pittsburgh wide receiver Antonio Brown (96) rank first and second, respectively, in the NFL in receptions this season.

Fitzgerald and Brown can each record their fourth career season with at least 100 receptions, tying Pro Football Hall of Famers MARVIN HARRISON and JERRY RICE, and REGGIE WAYNE for the fourth-most 100-catch seasons in NFL history.

 

NFL players with the most 100-catch seasons

 

With four receptions on Sunday, Brown would record his fourth consecutive season with at least 100 receptions, tying Harrison (four from 1999-2002) for the most consecutive 100-catch seasons in NFL history.

 

NFL players with the most consecutive 100-catch seasons

 

Antonio Brown Profile & Stats

 

Larry Fitzgerald Profile & Stats

 

David Johnson Doing It All

Arizona running back David Johnson leads the NFL with 1,938 scrimmage yards (1,138 rushing, 800 receiving) this season and has recorded at least 100 yards from scrimmage in each of the Cardinals' first 14 games, becoming the first player in NFL history to begin a season with 14 consecutive games with at least 100 scrimmage yards.

With 62 rushing yards on Saturday at Seattle, Johnson would become the fourth different player in NFL history with at least 1,200 rushing yards and 800 receiving yards in the same season. Pro Football Hall of Famer MARSHALL FAULK accomplished the feat in three consecutive seasons from 1998-2000.

 

NFL players with 1,200+ rushing yards & 800+ receiving yards in single season

 

David Johnson Profile & Stats

 

Greg Olsen: That's Tight

Carolina's Greg Olsen leads all NFL tight ends with 992 receiving yards and ranks first among tight ends with 4,763 receiving yards since 2012.

With eight receiving yards against Atlanta on Saturday, Olsen, who has 1,000 receiving yards in each of the past two seasons, would become the first tight end in NFL history to record three consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards.

 

Tight Ends: Most consecutive seasons with 1,000 receiving yards

 

Greg Olsen Profile & Stats

 

Next: NFL 2016: Week 16 NFL Preview

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