The sixteenth week of NFL it is virtually within the books, with just one recreation left to play. Several gamers had unbelievable performances, together with shocking outcomes from a number of groups.
Arguably one of the best efficiency got here from Jayden Daniels and the Commanders, who defeated the Eagles regardless of permitting greater than 30 factors and committing 5 turnovers. Entering Sunday, groups which have allowed 30 factors and dedicated 5 giveaways have been 1-158 since 2003, with the Commanders recording their second such win in that span. Before the sport, Philadelphia was 32-0 since 1960 when scoring 30-plus factors and forcing 5 or extra takeaways.
Daniels led Washington to their first 10-win season since 2012, and this was additionally the primary time they recorded 10 wins of their first 15 video games since 1991. He additionally grew to become the second participant in NFL historical past with over 250 passing yards, Over 75 speeding yards and 5 passing touchdowns in a single recreation, becoming a member of Cam Newton who did so in 2015.
The former Heisman winner can be the third participant in NFL historical past to have a recreation with 5 passing scores and 75-plus speeding yards, becoming a member of Lamar Jackson (twice in 2019) and Cam Newton (2015). Both Jackson and Newton gained MVP of their respective seasons. Additionally, he linked with Terry McLaurin for the twelfth time this season, which is now probably the most by a rookie quarterback at a single receiver all-time, breaking a tie with Joe Namath and Don Maynard (linked for 11 in 1965) . McLaurin additionally tied the Commanders’ single-season file for landing receptions within the course of, and would surpass it along with his subsequent landing reception.
Daniels and the Commanders weren’t the one highlights this weekend. FOX Sports Research has damaged down ten extra eye-opening nuggets for you. Let’s have a look:
1. The Lions proceed to interrupt information
The Lions are the co-favorites with the Chiefs to win the Super Bowl, at present at +450 on DraftKings Sportsbook. They are the sixth staff in NFL historical past to go from a 13-loss season to a 13-win season in three years or much less (1998-99 Colts, 1996-98 Falcons, 1979-81 49ers, 2016-19 49ers, 1989 49ers – 92 Cowboys). On an identical word Dan Campbell is now the fourth coach in NFL historical past with a 13-win season for a similar franchise for which he had a 13-loss season in his first yr as a full-time head coach. The different three are all within the Pro Football Hall of Fame and have gained a number of Super Bowls: Chuck Noll, Bill Walsh, Jimmy Johnson.
Amon-Ra St. Brown completed with six receptions for 70 yards and a landing, making him the primary participant in Lions historical past to have a number of seasons with 100+ receptions, 1,000+ receiving yards, and 10+ receiving scores (he did additionally final yr). The solely different Lions participant to have such a season was Herman Moore in 1995.
St. Brown can be simply the sixth participant within the final 30 years to have back-to-back such seasons, becoming a member of Marvin Harrison (1999-02), Antonio Brown (2014-16), Davante Adams (2020-22), Brandon Marshall (2012-). 13) and Stefon Diggs (2021-22).
And then there’s Jahmyr Gibbs, who grew to become the fourth Lions participant with greater than 1,500 scrimmage yards and greater than 15 scrimmage touchdowns in a season, becoming a member of Calvin Johnson (2011), Barry Sanders (1990, 1991) and Billy Sims (1980, 1981).
Takeaway: Lions vs Chiefs within the Super Bowl? We can solely hope for such fireworks.
2. Saquon is simply too good
Saquon Barkley completed with 150 speeding yards and two speeding scores within the loss to the Commanders. He is now the fourth participant in NFL historical past to have 2,000 scrimmage yards in a multi-franchise season (he additionally did it in 2018 as a rookie with the Giants), and in addition the fourth non-rookie in NFL historical past to have 2,000 scrimmage yards of their first season with a staff: becoming a member of Marshall Faulk (2,429 in 1999), Priest Holmes (2,169 in 2001) and Ricky Williams (2,216 in 2002).
He ripped off a 68-yard rating towards Washington, giving him his fourth 60-plus yard speeding landing of the season, tying Jim Brown (1963) and Adrian Peterson (2012) for probably the most such touchdowns in a single season in historical past of the NFL. Peterson and Brown every gained MVP that season, with “AP” receiving the award from the Associated Press whereas Brown obtained it from United Press International.
For your consideration: Saquon is 268 yards away from breaking Eric Dickerson’s single-season speeding file. Can he do it?
3. Historic model for Myles Garrett
Myles Garrett has terrorized defenses his total profession, and he joined a particular group on Sunday towards the Bengals. He recorded his a centesimal profession sack, tied with Bruce Smith because the fourth-fastest participant to succeed in that milestone, and did so in 115 video games. What’s much more spectacular is that he grew to become the primary participant in NFL historical past to succeed in 100 sacks earlier than his twenty ninth birthday, which was December twenty ninth.
Takeaway: Garrett is a future Hall of Famer. The actual query is whether or not or not he can break Bruce Smith’s file of 200 profession appearances.
4. Joe Burrow in tears
Joe Burrow performed like one of the best quarterback within the NFL this season. He leads the league in passing yards (4,229) and passing touchdowns (39), and after his efficiency towards the Browns on Sunday he grew to become the primary quarterback in NFL historical past with a minimum of seven consecutive video games with 250-plus passing yards and three passing scores. The seven consecutive video games with three landing passes make him the fifth participant ever to succeed in that mark, after Tom Brady (10 in 2007), Andrew Luck (eight in 2018), Peyton Manning (eight in 2004) and Dan Marino ( seven from 1986-87).
Bottom line: Burrow is undoubtedly elite, however will the Bengals proceed to construct round him within the coming seasons?
5. Jonathan Taylor makes historical past
Jonathan Taylor had arguably one of the best recreation of his profession Sunday towards the Titans, speeding for 218 yards and three speeding scores. He is just the second participant in Colts historical past to have a recreation with 200+ speeding yards and three speeding touchdowns, becoming a member of Edgerrin James who did so in 2000. This was additionally his second profession recreation with 200+ speeding yards speeding, tying James for probably the most yards. in Colts historical past. Two of his scores got here from over 65 yards, which had solely occurred as soon as in franchise historical past (Lenny Moore in 1956). Anthony Richardson additionally completed with 70 yards speeding, making them the primary pair of quarterback working backs in NFL historical past with 200 yards speeding and 70 yards speeding in a recreation. This was additionally the second consecutive season by which the Colts swept the Titans.
Bottom line: Given the large impression defenders like Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley have had on their new groups this season, is it potential somebody will finally commerce for Taylor?
6. Age like good wine
Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield are each on their respective Scarers’ fourth staff, and each have thrown over 32 touchdowns this season. Only two different quarterbacks in NFL historical past have caught greater than 32 passes with their fourth profession staff: Brett Favre in 2009 and Steve Beuerlein in 1999. What’s much more fascinating is that each have been members of the Panthers. Mayfield and Darnold each surpassed the 30-touchdown passing threshold in 2024, whereas Carolina has solely seen two situations of a quarterback throwing that many touchdowns in a single season ever (Beuerlein in 1999 and Cam Newton in 2015).
Bottom line: Experience actually issues, as does consistency, and we’re seeing that come to fruition with Darnold and Mayfield.
7. NFC North is nice
The NFC North has a complete of 40 wins at this level within the season, and that does not even embrace the Packers taking over the Saints on Monday evening. Those 40 wins together with the 67.8% win price the division has as an entire are each the very best the NFC North has ever had by means of the primary 15 video games of the season. And when the Vikings face the Lions in Week 18, the loser of that recreation will a minimum of tie the NFL file for many wins by a staff that did not win its division (the 1999 Titans went 13-3 , 2nd within the AFC Central). behind the Jaguars’ 14-2).
Detroit posted a franchise-record 13 wins, whereas Minnesota posted its greatest begin in 15 video games since 1998 (began 14-1). Kevin O’Connell’s staff can be on an eight-game successful streak, the Vikings’ longest since 2017. And do not forget the Packers, who’re 10-4 getting into Monday Night Football.
Bottom line: This is one of the best division in soccer. The prime three groups will most likely make the playoffs and nobody will wish to play in them.
8. How about Jonnu Smith?
Jonnu Smith had 802 receiving yards on the yr, setting the single-season file for a good end in Dolphins historical past. He surpassed Randy McMichael who had 791 receiving yards within the 2004 season. Smith has already shattered his profession excessive of 582 receiving yards (set final season) and wishes a landing reception to even match Miami’s file in a single season with a good finish (seven).
Bottom line: Tua has discovered one other offensive weapon. Miami might want to safe different components of its roster to assist future success.
9. BTJ is a star within the making
Brian Thomas Jr. has been an absolute stud all season and final week he formally grew to become one of the best rookie receiver in Jaguars historical past. After his nine-catch efficiency that lasted for 132 yards and a landing, he set Jacksonville rookie information for receptions (73), receiving yards (1,088) and receiving touchdowns (9). He additionally joined Odell Beckham Jr. as the one rookies because the 1970 merger with 9 or extra receptions, 100+ receiving yards and a landing catch in consecutive video games.
Take away:
10. The giants preserve dropping
With a 34-7 loss to the Falcons, the Giants are actually 2-13, tied for his or her worst 15-game begin in franchise historical past (in addition they began 2-13 in 2017). New York at present holds the No. 1 choose within the draft and has by no means been No. 1 total within the Common Draft period (since 1966). The final time they held the primary choose was in 1965, once they chosen working again Tucker Frederickson out of Auburn.
Takeaway: Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward, Travis Hunter, or another person? That’s the one factor the entrance workplace is considering proper now.
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