ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Las Vegas Raiders have re-signed free agent WR De’Mornay Pierson-El, the club announced Thursday.
Pierson-El enters his second stint with the Raiders, having spent training camp in 2019 on the team’s roster and appearing in all four preseason games, tallying nine receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown, while also taking over punt return duties, logging 15 returns for 81 yards.
A 5-foot-8, 194-pound wide receiver, Pierson-El most recently appeared in the XFL as a member of the St. Louis BattleHawks. In five contests for the club, Pierson-El hauled in 23-of-26 targets for 209 yards (9.1 avg.) and added two receiving touchdowns.
Prior to joining the Silver and Black during the 2019 offseason, he spent time with the Salt Lake Stallions in the Alliance of American Football, recording 36 receptions for 414 yards (11.5 avg.) and one touchdown. Pierson-El’s receptions and receiving yards both led the team through eight contests. Ahead of his time with the AAF, Pierson-El was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Washington Redskins and also appeared with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.
A native of Alexandria, Va., Pierson-El played four seasons (2014-17) at Nebraska. He appeared in 43 games and recorded 100 receptions for 1,309 yards (13.1 avg.) and added 11 touchdown receptions, while also rushing 26 times for 67 yards.
Press Release Courtesy of the Oakland Raiders Media Relations
NEW FACES ON CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND: The NFL will have a new Super Bowl Champion for a 15th consecutive season as four teams vie to secure their place in Super Bowl LIV. In the AFC Championship Game, presented by Intuit TurboTax, the TENNESSEE TITANS (11-7) take on the KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (13-4), while the GREEN BAY PACKERS (14-3) travel to Levi’s Stadium to take on the SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (14-3) in the NFC Championship Game, presented by Intuit TurboTax.
Of the teams appearing on Championship Sunday, three teams – Green Bay, San Francisco and Tennessee – missed the postseason in 2018, marking the sixth time that at least three teams have advanced to the Championship games after failing to make the postseason the previous year since the NFL instituted the 12-team playoff format in 1990 and the second time in the past three seasons.
— CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS —
ON THE ROAD AGAIN: With a 28-12 victory over the No. 1 seed Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional Playoffs, the TENNESSEE TITANS (11-7) became the sixth No. 6 seed to advance to a Conference Championship since the NFL instituted the current 12-team playoff format in 1990 and first since the GREEN BAY PACKERS and NEW YORK JETS in 2010.
With a win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday (3:05 PM ET, CBS), Tennessee would join the 2010 GREEN BAY PACKERS and the 2005 PITTSBURGH STEELERS as the only No. 6 seeds to appear in the Super Bowl since 1990 when the NFL instituted the current 12-team playoff format. Both the Packers and Steelers would go on to win the Super Bowl in those seasons.
The No. 6 seeds to reach the Super Bowl since the NFL instituted the current 12-team playoff format in 1990:
SEASON
TEAM
CONFERENCE
ADVANCED TO
2010
Green Bay
NFC
Won Super Bowl XLV
2005
Pittsburgh
AFC
Won Super Bowl XL
2019
Tennessee
AFC
??
Additionally, Tennessee could also join the 2010 Green Bay Packers and 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers as the only teams to defeat each of the top three seeds in their conference in a single postseason since 1990.
— CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS —
KING HENRY CONTINUES HIS REIGN: Tennessee running back DERRICK HENRY rushed for a postseason franchise-record 195 yards in the Titans’ Divisional Playoff win last week. After rushing for 182 yards and a touchdown on Wild Card Weekend against New England, Henry became the first player with at least 180 rushing yards in consecutive postseason games in NFL history.
With at least 150 rushing yards on Sunday, Henry would join Pro Football Hall of Famer TERRELL DAVIS (1998-99) as the only players with at least 150 rushing yards in three consecutive postseason games in NFL history.
With at least 123 rushing yards on Sunday against Kansas City (3:05 PM ET, CBS), Henry would join Pro Football Hall of Famers JOHN RIGGINS (610 rushing yards in 1982) and TERRELL DAVIS (581 in 1997) as the only players with at least 500 rushing yards in a single postseason in NFL history.
The players with the most rushing yards in a single postseason in NFL history:
PLAYER
TEAM
SEASON
RUSHING YARDS
John RigginsHOF
Washington
1982
610
Terrell DavisHOF
Denver
1997
581
Terrell DavisHOF
Denver
1998
468
Marcus AllenHOF
LA Raiders
1983
466
Eddie George
Tennessee
1999
449
Derrick Henry
Tennessee
2019
377*
*Entering Sunday
Henry has 561 rushing yards in four career postseason games. With at least 112 rushing yards on Sunday, he would surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer TERRELL DAVIS (672 yards) for the most rushing yards through a player’s first five career postseason games in NFL history.
Henry led the NFL with 1,540 rushing yards in the regular season in 2019. With a win on Sunday, Henry would join Pro Football Hall of Famers TERRELL DAVIS (1998) and EMMITT SMITH (1992-93, 1995), as well as SHAUN ALEXANDER (2005) as the only single-season rushing leaders to reach the Super Bowl in the same season.
The single-season rushing leaders to reach the Super Bowl in the same season:
PLAYER
TEAM
SEASON
RUSHING YARDS
SUPER BOWL
Shaun Alexander
Seattle
2005
1,880
XL
Terrell DavisHOF
Denver
1998
2,008
XXXIII
Emmitt SmithHOF
Dallas
1995
1,773
XXX
Emmitt SmithHOF
Dallas
1993
1,486
XXVIII
Emmitt SmithHOF
Dallas
1992
1,713
XXVII
— CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS —
AFC GOES THROUGH CHIEFS KINGDOM: The KANSAS CITY CHIEFS advanced to their second consecutive AFC Championship Game for the first time in franchise history with a 51-31 win over Houston in the Divisional Playoffs. In the victory, Kansas City became the first team to win a game by at least 20 points after trailing by at least 20 points in the same game in NFL history.
Kansas City’s comeback in the Divisional Playoffs marked the second comeback of at least 16 points in the postseason this year after the HOUSTON TEXANS erased a 16-point deficit in an overtime win over Buffalo on Wild Card Weekend. This marks the second time in which there have been two comebacks of at least 16 points in a single postseason in NFL history (2002).
Kansas City quarterback PATRICK MAHOMES led the comeback with 321 passing yards and five touchdowns without an interception for a 134.6 passer rating and added 53 yards on the ground, becoming the first player with at least 300 passing yards, five touchdown passes, and 50 rushing yards in a single postseason game in NFL history.
If Mahomes, who has eight touchdown passes in three career postseason games, has at least three touchdown passes on Sunday against Tennessee (3:05 PM ET, CBS), he would tie Pro Football Hall of Famer KURT WARNER (11) for the most touchdown passes through a player’s first four career postseason games in NFL history.
The quarterbacks with the most touchdown passes in their first four postseason games in NFL history:
PLAYER
TEAM
TOUCHDOWN PASSES
Kurt WarnerHOF
St. Louis Rams
11
Dan MarinoHOF
Miami
10
Aaron Rodgers
Green Bay
10
Alex Smith
San Francisco, Kansas City
10
Patrick Mahomes
Kansas City
8*
*In three games
Additionally, with at least four touchdown passes, Mahomes would become the first player with at least four touchdown passes in consecutive postseason games in NFL history.
Chiefs tight end TRAVIS KELCE recorded postseason career-highs in receptions (10), receiving yards (134) and receiving touchdowns (three) last week, becoming the third tight end with at least three touchdown receptions in a single postseason game in the Super Bowl era.
If Kelce, who has three career postseason games with at least 100 receiving yards, has at least 100 receiving yards against Tennessee (3:05 PM ET, CBS), he would tie for the most such career postseason games by a tight end in NFL history.
The tight ends with the most career postseason games with at least 100 receiving yards in NFL history:
PLAYER
TEAM
GAMES WITH 100+ RECEIVING YARDS
Vernon Davis
San Francisco
4
Rob Gronkowski
New England
4
Keith Jackson
Philadelphia, Miami, Green Bay
4
Dallas Clark
Indianapolis
3
Travis Kelce
Kansas City
3*
Greg Olsen
Chicago, Carolina
3
*Entering Sunday
— CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS —
HUNTING MORE TITLES IN TITLETOWN: The GREEN BAY PACKERS advanced to their first Conference Championship since 2016 with a 28-23 victory over Seattle in the Divisional Playoffs. With the victory, Green Bay tied the DALLAS COWBOYS (35 wins) for the third-most postseason victories in NFL history.
With a win against the 49ers, who rank fifth on the all-time list with 31 postseason wins, on Sunday (6:40 PM ET, FOX), the Packers would tie the PITTSBURGH STEELERS (36 wins) for the second-most postseason victories in NFL history.
The teams with the most postseason wins in NFL history:
TEAM
WINS
SUPER BOWL WINS
New England
37
6
Pittsburgh
36
6
Dallas
35
5
Green Bay
35
4
San Francisco
31
5
Green Bay head coach MATT LAFLEUR became the first head coach to reach a Conference Championship in his first season since JIM HARBAUGH led San Francisco to the NFC Championship Game in 2011.
With a win on Sunday, LaFleur would become the sixth rookie head coach to appear in the Super Bowl.
The rookie head coaches to appear in the Super Bowl:
HEAD COACH
TEAM
SEASON
RESULT
Don McCafferty
Baltimore Colts
1970
W 16-13, Super Bowl V
Red Miller
Denver
1977
L 27-10, Super Bowl XII
George Seifert
San Francisco
1989
W 55-10, Super Bowl XXIV
Bill Callahan
Oakland
2002
L 48-21, Super Bowl XXXVII
Jim Caldwell
Indianapolis
2009
L 31-17, Super Bowl XLIV
Matt LaFleur
Green Bay
2019
??
With LaFleur (40 years, 66 days old) and San Francisco head coach KYLE SHANAHAN (40 years, 36 days old), Sunday’s NFC Championship Game will be the first Conference Championship Game featuring two head coaches under the age of 41 since 1970.
Green Bay quarterback AARON RODGERS passed for 243 yards and two touchdowns without an interception for a 113.7 passer rating last week, marking Rodgers’ sixth consecutive postseason game with at least two touchdown passes.
With at least two touchdown passes on Sunday, Rodgers would tie Pro Football Hall of Famers TERRY BRADSHAW (seven games) and JOE MONTANA (seven), as well as DREW BREES (seven), for the second-longest streak of postseason games with at least two touchdown passes in NFL history. Only JOE FLACCO (eight games) had a longer such streak in league history.
Additionally, with two touchdown passes, Rodgers would tie PEYTON MANNING (40) for the fourth-most career postseason touchdown passes in NFL history.
The players with the most career postseason touchdown passes in NFL history:
PLAYER
TEAM(S)
TOUCHDOWN PASSES
Tom Brady
New England
73
Joe MontanaHOF
San Francisco, Kansas City
45
Brett FavreHOF
Green Bay, Minnesota
44
Peyton Manning
Indianapolis, Denver
40
Aaron Rodgers
Green Bay
38*
*Entering Sunday
Rodgers, who has 4,700 passing yards in 17 career postseason starts, needs at least 300 passing yards on Sunday to become the sixth player with at least 5,000 career postseason passing yards in NFL history, joining TOM BRADY (11,388), PEYTON MANNING (7,339), Pro Football Hall of Famers BRETT FAVRE (5,855) and JOE MONTANA (5,772), and BEN ROETHLISBERGER (5,256).
— CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS —
NEW GOLDEN ERA: With a 27-10 win over Minnesota in the Divisional Playoffs, the SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS became the fifth team since 1990 to advance to a Championship Game after winning four-or-fewer games the previous season, and the second team in three years, joining the JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS in 2017.
With a victory on Sunday against Green Bay (6:40 PM ET, FOX), San Francisco head coach KYLE SHANAHAN, whose father – MIKE SHANAHAN – won Super Bowl XXXII and XXXIII as head coach of the DENVER BRONCOS, would become the first father-son duo to each appear in a Super Bowl as a head coach in NFL history.
In their Divisional Playoff victory, the 49ers defense tallied six team sacks, tied for the second-most in a single postseason game in franchise history.
With at least six sacks on Sunday against Green Bay, the 2019 San Francisco 49ers would join the 1984 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS as the only teams with at least six sacks in two consecutive postseason games in the Super Bowl era.
49ers rookie defensive lineman NICK BOSA recorded two sacks in his postseason debut last week. With at least two sacks on Sunday, Bosa would join LAMARR WOODLEY as the only players with at least two sacks in each of their first two postseason games since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic. Bosa would also become the first rookie to accomplish the feat since 1982.
Press Release Courtesy of the NFL Communications Media Relations
New teams making the playoffs, terrific turnarounds, consistent teams excelling again, records falling and young players making their mark. The 2019 season had it all.
Youth and success at the quarterback position highlighted the 2019 regular season as 208 games featured at least one starting quarterback under the age of 27, the most in a single season in NFL history. In total, quarterbacks under the age of 27 started 287 games and recorded 144 wins in those starts this season, both the highest single-season totals since 1970. Three quarterbacks under the age of 25 – Baltimore’s LAMAR JACKSON (2018 NFL Draft), Kansas City’s PATRICK MAHOMES (2017 NFL Draft) and Houston’s DESHAUN WATSON (2017 NFL Draft) – have led their respective teams to division titles in each of the past two seasons.
Competitiveness was a constant theme throughout the regular season as 68 percent of games (174 of 256) were within one score (eight points) in the fourth quarter, tied for the fifth-most such games in a single season in NFL history, while 52.3 percent of games (134 of 256) were decided by eight-or-fewer points, also tied for the fifth-most such games in single season in league annals. Additionally, 57 games saw a team come back to win or tie after trailing in the fourth quarter.
Week 17 came down to the wire, as two playoff spots and two divisions titles – the NFC East and NFC West – were decided on the final day of the season. Sunday’s excitement was due in part to having 16 divisional games played on the season’s final day, a tradition instituted in 2010.
Five of the 12 playoff teams are new to the postseason in 2019: BUFFALO, GREEN BAY, MINNESOTA, SAN FRANCISCO and TENNESSEE. Since 1990 – a streak of 30 consecutive seasons – at least four teams have qualified for the playoffs in every season that were not in the postseason the year before.
Both the Green Bay Packers (NFC North) and San Francisco 49ers (NFC West) won their division after missing the postseason in 2018 and at least two teams have won their divisions the season after missing the playoffs in 16 of the past 17 years.
Teams to win their division a season after missing the postseason since 2003:
SEASON
NEW DIVISION WINNERS AFTER MISSING POSTSEASON THE PREVIOUS SEASON
2019
Green Bay, San Francisco
2018
Baltimore, Chicago*, Dallas, Houston*
2017
Jacksonville*, L.A. Rams, New Orleans, Minnesota, Philadelphia*
Baltimore*, New Orleans*, Philadelphia*, San Diego
2005
Chicago*, Cincinnati, New York Giants, Tampa Bay*
2004
Atlanta*, Pittsburgh, San Diego*
2003
Baltimore, Carolina*, Kansas City*, New England, St. Louis Rams
*Worst to first
OFFENSIVE TRENDS: The 2019 season will go down as one of the most prolific offensive seasons in league history.
Teams combined to score 1,332 total touchdowns, the third-most in a single season in NFL history, while the 11,680 total points were tied for the third-most in league annals.
MOST TOUCHDOWNS, NFL HISTORY
MOST TOTAL POINTS, NFL HISTORY
SEASON
TOUCHDOWNS
SEASON
TOTAL POINTS
2018
1,371
2013
11,985
2013
1,338
2018
11,952
2019
1,332
2019
11,680
2015
1,318
2015
11,680
With five teams – BALTIMORE (33.2 points per game), SAN FRANCISCO (29.9), NEW ORLEANS (28.6), TAMPA BAY (28.6) and KANSAS CITY (28.2) – averaging at least 28 points per game, the 2019 season joined 2014 (six teams) as the only seasons with at least five teams averaging at least 28 points per game since 1970.
The Ravens, who scored at least 40 points in five different games this season, led the NFL with 3,296 rushing yards and surpassed the 1978 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (3,165) for the most rushing yards by a team in a single season in NFL history.
PROLIFIC PASSERS: In 2019, league-wide passing numbers continued to trend at a historic pace, as the marks for passer rating (90.4 – second), completion percentage (63.5 percent – second), total completions (11,331 – fourth) and touchdown passes (797 – fifth) were all ranked in the top five for highest in a single season in NFL history.
SEASON
RATING
SEASON
COMPLETION PCT.
SEASON
COMPLETIONS
SEASON
TD PASSES
2018
92.9
2018
64.9
2015
11,527
2018
847
2019
90.4
2019
63.5
2016
11,526
2015
842
2015
90.2
2016
63.0
2018
11,462
2014
807
2016
89.3
2015
63.0
2019
11,331
2013
804
2014
88.9
2014
62.6
2014
11,200
2019
797
Eleven quarterbacks passed for at least 4,000 yards in 2019, including four with at least 4,500 passing yards: Tampa Bay’s JAMEIS WINSTON (5,109), Dallas’ DAK PRESCOTT (4,902), the Los Angeles Rams’ JARED GOFF (4,638) and the Los Angeles Chargers’ PHILIP RIVERS (4,615).
Twelve quarterbacks threw at least 25 touchdown passes this season, including four with at least 30 touchdown passes: Baltimore’s LAMAR JACKSON (36), Winston (33), Seattle’s RUSSELL WILSON (31) and Prescott (30).
Three rookie quarterbacks – New York Giants’ DANIEL JONES, Jacksonville’s GARDNER MINSHEW and Arizona’s KYLER MURRAY– each passed for at least 20 touchdowns this season, marking the second season in league annals in which at least three rookie quarterbacks each passed for at least 20 touchdowns (2012 – ROBERT GRIFFIN III, ANDREW LUCK and RUSSELL WILSON).
Nine quarterbacks had a passer rating of 100 or higher in 2019, including three with a passer rating of at least 110: Tennessee’s RYAN TANNEHILL (117.5), New Orleans’ DREW BREES (116.3) and Jackson (113.3). The nine quarterbacks with a passer rating of 100 or higher were tied with the 2018 season for the most in a single season in NFL history.
The seasons with the most quarterbacks having a passer rating of 100 or higher in NFL history:
SEASON
QUARTERBACKS WITH 100+ PASSER RATING
2019
9
2018
9
2013
7
ALL-PURPOSE BACKS: Sixteen players rushed for at least 1,000 yards, including four players with at least 1,300 rushing yards, this season: Tennessee’s DERRICK HENRY (1,540), Cleveland’s NICK CHUBB (1,494), Carolina’s CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY (1,387) and Dallas’ EZEKIEL ELLIOTT (1,357).
Seven players recorded at least 10 rushing touchdowns in 2019: Henry (16), Green Bay’s AARON JONES (16), McCaffrey (15), Minnesota’s DALVIN COOK (13), Elliott (12), the Los Angeles Rams’ TODD GURLEY (12) and Baltimore’s MARK INGRAM (10).
Twenty-six running backs totaled at least 1,000 scrimmage yards, including eight with at least 1,500 scrimmage yards, this season: McCaffrey (2,392), Elliott (1,777), Chubb (1,772), Henry (1,746), Jacksonville’s LEONARD FOURNETTE (1,674), Cook (1,654), Jones (1,558) and the Los Angeles Chargers’ AUSTIN EKELER (1,550).
Three running backs – Jones (19 scrimmage touchdowns), McCaffrey (19) and Henry (18) – each recorded at least 18 scrimmage touchdowns this season.
2019 was the third season in NFL history with three players totaling at least 18 scrimmage touchdowns each, joining 2005 (SHAUN ALEXANDER, LARRY JOHNSON and Pro Football Hall of Famer LADAINIAN TOMLINSON) and 1962 (Pro Football Hall of Famers JIM BROWN and JIM TAYLOR, and ABNER HAYNES).
RIDICULOUS RECEIVERS: Twenty-nine players had at least 1,000 receiving yards, including five with at least 1,200 receiving yards this season: New Orleans’ MICHAEL THOMAS (1,725), Atlanta’s JULIO JONES (1,394), Tampa Bay’s CHRIS GODWIN (1,333), Kansas City’s TRAVIS KELCE (1,229) and Miami’s DEVANTE PARKER (1,202).
Five players had at least 100 receptions in 2019: Thomas (single-season NFL record 149), Carolina’s CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY (116), the Los Angeles Chargers’ KEENAN ALLEN (104), Houston’s DEANDRE HOPKINS (104) and New England’s JULIAN EDELMAN(100).
Three players had at least 10 touchdown catches this season: Detroit’s KENNY GOLLADAY (11), Baltimore’s MARK ANDREWS (10) and the Los Angeles Rams’ COOPER KUPP (10).
Five rookies recorded at least seven touchdown receptions in 2019: Tennessee’s A.J. BROWN (eight), the New York Giants’ DARIUS SLAYTON (eight), Baltimore’s MARQUISE BROWN (seven), Washington’s TERRY MCLAURIN (seven) and Seattle’s DK METCALF(seven). In total, rookies combined for 110 touchdown receptions in 2019 and surpassed 2014 (109 touchdown catches) for the most combined touchdown receptions by rookies in a single season since 1970.
DOMINANT DEFENDERS: Eighteen players recorded at least 10 sacks, including five with at least 14 sacks, in 2019: Tampa Bay’s SHAQUIL BARRETT (19.5), Arizona’s CHANDLER JONES (19), New Orleans’ CAMERON JORDAN (15.5), Minnesota’s DANIELLE HUNTER (14.5) and Pittsburgh’s T.J. WATT (14.5).
Five players registered at least five forced fumbles this season: Jones (eight), Watt (eight), Barrett (six), Washington’s RYAN ANDERSON (five) and Chicago’s KHALIL MACK (five). 2019 was the first season since 2002 (DWIGHT FREENEY and LEONARD LITTLE) that two players had at least eight forced fumbles in the same season.Ten players recorded at least five interceptions, including three with six interceptions, this season: New England’s STEPHON GILMORE (six), Minnesota’s ANTHONY HARRIS (six) and Buffalo’s TRE’DAVIOUS WHITE (six).
Press Release Courtesy of the NFL Communications Media Relations
PLAYOFF PUSH: All 16 games are division contests in Week 17 and there are still 15 teams in contention for a trip to Super Bowl LIV.
In 15 of the past 16 years, at least two teams have won their division the season after missing the playoffs. With a win over Minnesota on Monday Night Football in Week 16, the GREEN BAY PACKERS (12-3) clinched the NFC North.
If the SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (12-3)defeat the SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (11-4) on Sunday Night Football (8:20 PM ET, NBC), the 49ers would clinch the NFC West, marking the 16th time in the last 17 seasons at least two teams have won their division the season after missing the playoffs.
For the full Week 17 playoff scenarios, click here.
In the AFC, five teams have already punched their tickets to the postseason, including all four division winners: the BALTIMORE RAVENS (13-2, AFC North and homefield advantage), HOUSTON TEXANS(10-5, AFC South), KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (11-4, AFC West), NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (12-3, AFC East) and BUFFALO BILLS (10-5, playoff berth).
Five teams have also locked up playoff berths in the NFC: the GREEN BAY PACKERS (12-3, NFC North), NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (12-3, NFC South), MINNESOTA VIKINGS (10-5, playoff berth), SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (12-3, playoff berth) and SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (11-4, playoff berth).
With a win over San Francisco on Sunday Night Football (8:20 PM ET, NBC), Seattle will capture the NFC West division title and Wilson will earn his 87th regular-season win, surpassing TOM BRADY (86 wins) for the most regular-season wins by a quarterback through his first eight seasons in NFL history.
— NFL —
SAINTS GO MARCHING INTO RECORD BOOKS: New Orleans quarterback DREW BREES passed for 279 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions in a Week 16 victory, as the Saints earned at least 12 wins in consecutive seasons for the first time in franchise history.
With another performance of at least three touchdown passes and zero interceptions on Sunday at Carolina (1:00 PM ET, FOX), Brees will become the fourth player with at least three touchdown passes and zero interceptions in at least four consecutive games in a single season in NFL history.
The players with the most consecutive games with at least three touchdown passes and zero interceptions in a single season in NFL history:
New Orleans wide receiver MICHAEL THOMAS leads the NFL with 145 receptions in 2019 and surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer MARVIN HARRISON (143 in 2002) for the most receptions in a single season in NFL history. Both Thomas and Houston wide receiver DEANDRE HOPKINS have recorded at least five receptions in all 15 games this season.
If Thomas has at least five receptions at Carolina and Hopkins has at least five receptions on Sunday against Tennessee (4:25 PM ET, CBS), they would become the fifth and sixth different receivers with at least five receptions in all 16 games of a regular season since 1978, when the 16-game schedule was implemented.
The players with at least five receptions in all 16 games of a regular season since 1978:
PLAYER
TEAM
SEASON
Jarvis Landry
Miami
2017
Antonio Brown
Pittsburgh
2014
Antonio Brown
Pittsburgh
2013
Pierre Garcon
Washington
2013
Jimmy Smith
Jacksonville
2001
DeAndre Hopkins
Houston
2019*
Michael Thomas
New Orleans
2019*
*In 15 games
Additionally, with at least 12 receptions on Sunday, Thomas would become the first player with at least 12 receptions in three consecutive games in NFL history.
— NFL —
DUAL-THREAT BACKS: Carolina running back CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY registered 173 scrimmage yards (119 receiving, 54 rushing) last week, his ninth game with at least 150 scrimmage yards this season.
With at least 150 scrimmage yards on Sunday against New Orleans (1:00 PM ET, FOX), McCaffrey, who leads the league with 2,294 scrimmage yards in 2019, would tie CHRIS JOHNSON (10 games in 2009) for the most games with at least 150 scrimmage yards in a single season in NFL history.
With at least 216 scrimmage yards on Sunday, McCaffrey would surpass Johnson (2,509 scrimmage yards in 2009) for the most scrimmage yards in a single season in league annals.
Additionally, McCaffrey ranks second among all running backs this season with 933 receiving yards, trailing only the Los Angeles Chargers’ AUSTIN EKELER (950). If McCaffrey has at least 67 receiving yards against New Orleans and Ekeler has at least 50 receiving yards at Kansas City (1:00 PM ET, CBS), they would become the fourth and fifth running backs with at least 1,000 receiving yards in a single season since 1970.
The running backs with at least 1,000 receiving yards in a season since 1970:
PLAYER
TEAM
SEASON
RECEIVING YARDS
Marshall FaulkHOF
St. Louis Rams
1999
1,048
Lionel James
San Diego
1985
1,027
Roger Craig
San Francisco
1985
1,016
Austin Ekeler
Los Angeles Chargers
2019
950*
Christian McCaffrey
Carolina
2019
933*
*Through 15 games
McCaffrey, who ranks second in the NFL with a career-high 1,361 rushing yards this season, can join ROGER CRAIG (1985) and Pro Football Hall of Famer MARSHALL FAULK (1999) as the only players with at least 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards in a single season in NFL history.
— NFL —
HISTORY DOWN SOUTH: In his 125th career game, Atlanta wide receiver JULIO JONES, who has 12,047 career receiving yards,had 10 catches for 166 yards in the Falcons’ Week 16 victory and surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer JERRY RICE (142 games) as the fastest player to reach 12,000 career receiving yards in NFL history.
Jones, who ranks third in the league with 1,316 receiving yards in 2019, needs at least 84 receiving yards on Sunday at Tampa Bay (1:00 PM ET, FOX), to tie Rice (six seasons) for the most seasons with at least 1,400 receiving yards in NFL history.
Tampa Bay quarterback JAMEIS WINSTON leads the league with a career-high 4,908 passing yards entering the season’s final week and has thrown for at least 375 yards in five different games in 2019.
With at least 375 passing yards on Sunday against Atlanta, Winston would tie PEYTON MANNING (six games in 2013) for the most games with at least 375 passing yards in a single season in NFL history.
The players with the most games with at least 375 passing yards in a single season in NFL history:
PLAYER
TEAM
SEASON
GAMES WITH 375+ PASSING YARDS
Peyton Manning
Denver
2013
6
Drew Brees
New Orleans
2013
5
Jameis Winston
Tampa Bay
2019
5*
*Through 15 games
— NFL —
REMARKABLE ROOKIE RECEIVERS: Tennessee’s A.J. BROWN (927 receiving yards) and Washington’s TERRY MCLAURIN (919) lead all rookies in receiving yards this season and each have a chance to reach 1,000 receiving yards in their first NFL seasons.
If Brown has at least 73 receiving yards at Houston (4:25 PM ET, CBS) and McLaurin has at least 81 receiving yards at Dallas (4:25 ET, FOX), the 2019 season would join 2014 and 1986 as the only seasons featuring multiple rookies with at least 1,000 receiving yards in NFL history.
The seasons featuring multiple rookies with at least 1,000 receiving yards in NFL history:
SEASON
ROOKIES
TEAM
RECEIVING YARDS
2014
Odell Beckham Jr.
New York Giants
1,305
Mike Evans
Tampa Bay
1,051
Kelvin Benjamin
Carolina
1,008
1986
Bill Brooks
Indianapolis
1,131
Ernest Givins
Houston Oilers
1,062
2019
A.J. Brown
Tennessee
927*
Terry McLaurin
Washington
919*
*Entering Week 17
Press Release Courtesy of the NFL Communications Media Relations
To help celebrate the NFL’s 100th season, each week will feature an NFL 100 Game of the Week. Each game is a nod to a momentous game played, a fierce rivalry that spans decades, a matchup of original teams and/or a game in which history was made . The NFL has designated the OAKLAND RAIDERS-LOS ANGELES CHARGERSmatchup as the NFL100 Game of the Week because the contest recognizes two original AFL teams, each with ties to late Pro Football Hall of Famer AL DAVIS. From 1957-60, Davis served as the line coach at the University of Southern California before Sid Gillman tabbed him as the Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive ends coach. After helping the Chargers to two division titles in three seasons, Davis had the opportunity to lead his own team in 1963. That’s when he took over the Oakland Raiders and changed the team colors to silver and black, then personified the rival league’s exciting new image by developing the vertical passing game. The upstart AFL finalized a formal merger with the NFL later in the decade and began playing as one league in 1970.
AND DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME: Seventeen teams remain in contention for a trip to Super Bowl LIV. Two playoff berths in each conference are up for grabs. Welcome to late December in the NFL.
The BUFFALO BILLS, GREEN BAY PACKERS and SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS have each qualified for the postseason after missing the playoffs last season. From 1990-2018 – a streak of 29 consecutive years – at least four teams have qualified for the playoffs in every season that were not in the postseason the year before.
The MINNESOTA VIKINGS can join that group with a win on Monday Night Football (8:15 PM ET, ESPN) at home against the Packers. Something significant will happen on Monday night. Either the Packers will clinch the division for the first time since 2016, or the Vikings will clinch a playoff berth.
It’s also a division clash featuring teams with 10-or-more wins. That has happened just three times since the beginning of the 2015 season, and for the second time the game is featuring the Packers and Vikings.
The last five games that featured teams with 10-or-more wins from the same division during the regular season:
DATE
DIVISION
TEAMS
RESULT
SEASON RESULT
12/13/2018
AFC West
L.A. Chargers (10-3)
LAC, 29-28
Advanced to AFC Divisional
at Kansas City (11-2)
Advanced to AFC Championship
1/1/2017
AFC East
New England (13-2)
NE, 35-14
Won Super Bowl LI
at Miami (10-5)
Advanced to AFC Wild Card
1/3/2016
NFC North
Minnesota (10-5)
MIN, 20-13
Advanced to NFC Wild Card
at Green Bay (10-5)
Advanced to NFC Divisional
12/28/2014
AFC North
Cincinnati (10-4-1)
PIT, 27-17
Advanced to AFC Wild Card
at Pittsburgh (10-5)
Advanced to AFC Wild Card
12/28/2014
NFC North
Detroit (11-4)
GB, 30-20
Advanced to NFC Wild Card
at Green Bay (11-4)
Advanced to NFC Championship
Green Bay head coach MATT LAFLEUR has an opportunity to become the 10th rookie head coach in NFL history to win at least 12 games in a season.
The rookie head coaches who have won at least 12 games in NFL history, by wins:
COACH, TEAM
W
L
T
PCT
SEASON
Jim Caldwell, Indianapolis
14
2
0
.875
2009
George Seifert, San Francisco
14
2
0
.875
1989
Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco
13
3
0
.813
2011
Steve Mariucci, San Francisco
13
3
0
.813
1997
John MaddenHOF, Oakland
12
1
1
.893
1969
Matt Nagy, Chicago
12
4
0
.750
2018
Barry Switzer, Dallas
12
4
0
.750
1994
Red Miller, Denver
12
2
0
.857
1977
Chuck Knox, L.A. Rams
12
2
0
.857
1973
IN THE NFC EAST: The DALLAS COWBOYS can clinch the NFC East division title with a road win over the PHILADELPHIA EAGLES Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field (4:25 PM ET, FOX). Winning a division has proven significant this decade as the last team to advance to the Super Bowl without winning a division title was the 2010 GREEN BAY PACKERS, who won Super Bowl XLV. Since, all 16 teams to appear in the Super Bowl have won their divisions.
IN THE AFC EAST: On Saturday (4:30 PM ET, NFL Network), the BUFFALO BILLS and NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS meet with the AFC East division title on the line. With a win, the Patriots (11-3) would take the division for an 11th year in a row. They also would reach 12 wins in a season for the 13th time and match the SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (13 seasons) for the most seasons of 12-or-more wins since the 1970 merger. The DALLAS COWBOYS also have 12 seasons of at least 12 victories since 1970.
Patriots quarterback TOM BRADY (538) can surpass No. 2 PEYTON MANNING (539) on the NFL’s career passing touchdowns list. And with four touchdown passes, Brady would eclipse No. 1 DREW BREES (541) and hold the record for at least 21 hours, when Brees and the Saints meet the Titans on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, FOX).
Buffalo, meanwhile, has already clinched a playoff berth and can still win its first division title since 1995. The Bills’ bid for the division is spearheaded by quarterback JOSH ALLEN, who leads NFL quarterbacks with nine rushing touchdowns. In fact, the 2019 season has tied the single-season NFL record for the most rushing touchdowns by quarterbacks.
The seasons with the most rushing touchdowns by quarterbacks in NFL history:
SEASON
RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS BY QUARTERBACKS
2019
73
2002
73
2018
71
2017
66
2012
66
2011
66
IN THE NFC SOUTH: The NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (11-3), who clinched the division on Thanksgiving night, travel to play the TENNESSEE TITANS (8-6) on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, FOX). Including New Orleans, four NFC teams share the best record in the conference. This year marks just the second time since the NFL adopted the 16-game schedule in 1978 that four NFC clubs are tied for the conference’s best record with two-or-fewer weeks to play. It also happened in 2014, when five NFC teams were 11-4 heading into the final week.
Overall, six NFL teams have won at least 11 games, making the 2019 season just the second since 1978 in which six-or-more NFL clubs have won 11-plus through 14 games. It also happened in 2004, when six teams had at least 11 wins heading into the final two weeks.
DREW BREES, who surpassed PEYTON MANNING’s career passing touchdowns record to close Week 15 on Monday night, also recorded his 36th career game of four-or-more touchdown passes, breaking Manning’s NFL record of 35. Brees (10,093) also needs 77 pass attempts to become the all-time leader in that category; the record is held by Pro Football Hall of Famer BRETT FAVRE (10,169).
IN THE AFC SOUTH: The HOUSTON TEXANS need a win Saturday at Tampa Bay (1:00 PM ET, NFL Network) to clinch their division for a second straight season, and for the fourth time in the last five years. Houston would join New England and Kansas City as the only NFL teams with four-or-more division titles since 2015.
NFL SCHEDULE, DECEMBER 21-23
(All times Eastern)
Saturday
Sunday (cont.)
Houston Texans at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1:00 PM
NFLN
New Orleans Saints at Tennessee Titans
1:00 PM
FOX
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots
4:30 PM
NFLN
New York Giants at Washington Redskins
1:00 PM
FOX
Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers
8:15 PM
NFLN
Detroit Lions at Denver Broncos
4:05 PM
CBS
Sunday
Oakland Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers
4:05 PM
CBS
Jacksonville Jaguars at Atlanta Falcons
1:00 PM
FOX
Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
4:25 PM
FOX
Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns
1:00 PM
CBS
Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks
4:25 PM
FOX
Carolina Panthers at Indianapolis Colts
1:00 PM
FOX
Kansas City Chiefs at Chicago Bears
8:20 PM
NBC
Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins
1:00 PM
CBS
Monday
Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets
1:00 PM
CBS
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
8:15 PM
ESPN
Press Release Courtesy of the NFL Communications Media Relations
The NFL announced today the 32 nominees for the WALTER PAYTON NFL MAN OF THE YEAR AWARDPRESENTED BY NATIONWIDE. Representing the best of the NFL’s commitment to philanthropy and community impact, each player was selected as his team’s Man of the Year and is now eligible to win the national award. Considered one of the league’s most prestigious honors, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide recognizes an NFL player for outstanding community service activities off the field, as well as excellence on the field. First established in 1970, the national award was renamed in 1999 after the late Hall of Fame Chicago Bears running back WALTER PAYTON.
“Every day, in cities and towns across America, NFL players give of themselves to make our communities better. This year, as we celebrate our 100th season and the 50th year of the Walter Payton NFL Man of Year Award, NFL players have continued to raise the bar on community engagement and impact,” said NFL CommissionerROGER GOODELL. “The 32 nominees for this year’s award are the best of the best and truly embody the spirit of Walter and his legacy of leaving the world better than he found it.”
For the second year in a row, all 32 team winners will be highlighted as nominees and recognized for their important work during the weekend leading up to Super Bowl LIV.
The 2019 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year will be announced during NFL Honors, a two-hour primetime awards special to air nationally on Feb. 1, the eve of Super Bowl LIV on FOX. NFL Honors will be at the Adrienne Arsht Center in downtown Miami.
All 32 nominees will receive a donation of up to $50,000 in their name to their charity of choice. The winner of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award will receive a $250,000 donation to the charity of their choice. All donations are courtesy of the NFL Foundation and Nationwide.
“Nationwide congratulates this year’s Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominees,” said Nationwide’s Chief Marketing Officer RAMON JONES. “Year after year, we’re amazed at the amount of time, talent and resources the NFL players give to their communities. This year’s best of the best from each team—these 32 men—recognized a need, took action and energized those around them to do more. It’s our privilege to help share their stories about making positive differences for others.”
Fans are encouraged to participate in Nationwide’s 5th annual Charity Challenge, a social media campaign designed to support and promote team nominees. Fans can vote on Twitter by using #WPMOYChallenge followed by their favorite nominee’s last name. The player whose unique hashtag is used the most between Dec. 12 and Jan. 12 will receive a $25,000 contribution to their charity of choice, while the second and third place finishers will receive $10,000 and $5,000 donations, all courtesy of Nationwide. Hashtag information and official rules can be found at nfl.com/manoftheyear.
Beginning in 2017, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year trophy silhouette came to life in uniform elements to further recognize past award winners and current nominees. The six current players who have won the award—DREW BREES, THOMAS DAVIS, LARRY FITZGERALD, JASON WITTEN, ELI MANNING and J.J. WATT—continue to wear a Man of the Year patch on their jerseys to recognize their outstanding contributions to the game and to their communities. All 2019 nominees will wear a Man of the Year helmet decal beginning Week 15 and continuing through the end of the season in recognition of their accomplishments on and off the field.
PASSING HISTORIC MILESTONES: Both New Orleans quarterback DREW BREES and New England quarterback TOM BRADY – who rank first and second in career passing yards in NFL history, respectively – can reach another historic milestone in Week 15.
If Brady has four touchdown passes on Sunday against Cincinnati (1:00 PM ET, CBS) or Brees has three touchdown passes against Indianapolis on Monday Night Football (8:15 PM ET, ESPN), they would surpass PEYTON MANNING (539 touchdowns) for the most career touchdown passes in NFL history.
The players with the most career touchdown passes in NFL history:
PLAYER
TEAM(S)
TOUCHDOWN PASSES
Peyton Manning
Indianapolis, Denver
539
Drew Brees
San Diego, New Orleans
537
Tom Brady
New England
536
Brett FavreHOF
Green Bay, New York Jets, Minnesota
508
Dan MarinoHOF
Miami
420
Additionally, if Brady – who has 19 touchdown passes in 2019 – has at least one touchdown pass on Sunday, he would surpass Manning (16 seasons) for the most seasons with at least 20 touchdown passes in NFL history. With three touchdown passes on Monday, Brees will also reach 20 for the season, tying Manning with 16 such seasons in his career.
The players with the most seasons with at least 20 touchdown passes in NFL history:
PLAYER
TEAM(S)
SEASONS WITH 20+ TOUCHDOWN PASSES
Tom Brady
New England
16*
Peyton Manning
Indianapolis, Denver
16
Drew Brees
San Diego, New Orleans
15#
Brett FavreHOF
Green Bay, New York Jets, Minnesota
15
*Has 19 touchdown passes in 2019
#Has 17 touchdown passes in 2019
— NFL —
PETERSON CONTINUES TO CLIMB: Last week, Washington running back ADRIAN PETERSON rushed for 76 yards and a touchdown, becoming the sixth player in NFL history with at least 14,000 career rushing yards (14,036) and joined Pro Football Hall of Famers EMMITT SMITH and WALTER PAYTON as the only players with at least 14,000 rushing yards and 100 rushing touchdowns (109) in NFL history.
If Peterson has at least 66 rushing yards on Sunday against Philadelphia (1:00 PM ET, FOX), he would surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer CURTIS MARTIN (14,101) for the fifth-most career rushing yards in NFL history.
The players with the most career rushing yards in NFL history:
PLAYER
TEAM(S)
RUSHING YARDS
Emmitt SmithHOF
Dallas, Arizona
18,355
Walter PaytonHOF
Chicago
16,726
Frank Gore
San Francisco, Indianapolis, Miami, Buffalo
15,306*
Barry SandersHOF
Detroit
15,269
Curtis MartinHOF
New England, New York Jets
14,101
Adrian Peterson
Minnesota, New Orleans, Arizona, Washington
14,036*
*Active
Additionally, Peterson needs one rushing touchdown on Sunday to tie Payton (110) for the fourth-most rushing touchdowns in NFL history.
The players with the most career rushing touchdowns in NFL history:
PLAYER
TEAM(S)
RUSHING TDs
Emmitt SmithHOF
Dallas, Arizona
164
LaDainian TomlinsonHOF
San Diego, New York Jets
145
Marcus AllenHOF
Los Angeles Raiders, Kansas City
123
Walter PaytonHOF
Chicago
110
Adrian Peterson
Minnesota, New Orleans, Arizona, Washington
109*
*Entering Sunday
— NFL —
STACKING WINS IN SEATTLE: Since entering the NFL in 2012, Seattle quarterback RUSSELL WILSON has led the Seahawks to at least nine wins in each of his eight seasons under center, becoming the first quarterback to accomplish the feat in NFL history.
With a win at Carolina on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, FOX), Wilson would tie TOM BRADY (86 wins) for the most regular-season wins through a quarterback’s first eight seasons in NFL history.
The quarterbacks with the most regular-season wins through their first eight seasons in NFL history:
PLAYER
TEAM
WINS
Tom Brady
New England
86
Russell Wilson
Seattle
85*
*In eighth season
— NFL —
JACK OF ALL TRADES: In addition to leading the NFL with 28 touchdown passes in 2019, Baltimore quarterback LAMAR JACKSON leads all quarterbacks with 1,017 rushing yards, becoming the second quarterback to rush for at least 1,000 yards in a single season in NFL history.
With 23 rushing yards on Thursday Night Football against the New York Jets (8:20 PM ET, FOX/NFLN/Amazon), Jackson would surpass MICHAEL VICK (1,039 in 2006) for the most rushing yards by a quarterback in a single season in NFL history.
Additionally, the 22-year-old quarterback has 3,878 passing yards and 1,712 rushing yards in 29 career games since entering the league in 2018.
If Jackson has at least 122 passing yards on Thursday, he would become the first player with at least 4,000 passing yards and 1,500 rushing yards in his first 30 career games in NFL history.
— NFL —
GOLDEN GAROPPOLO: San Francisco quarterback JIMMY GAROPPOLO completed 26 of 35 attempts (74.3 percent) for 349 passing yards and four touchdowns with one interception for a 131.7 passer rating in a 48-46 win over New Orleans in Week 14. That marked Garoppolo’s fourth consecutive game completing at least 70 percent of his pass attempts with a passer rating of 110 or higher.
By completing at least 70 percent of his pass attempts and having a passer rating of 110 or higher on Sunday against Atlanta (4:25 PM ET, FOX), Garoppolo would tie for the longest such streak of games in a single season in NFL history (min. 10 attempts).
The quarterbacks with the most consecutive games completing at least 70 percent of their passes and a passer rating of 110 or higher in a single season in NFL history (min. 10 attempts):
PLAYER
TEAM
SEASON
CONSECUTIVE GAMES
Patrick Mahomes#
Kansas City
2018
5
Russell Wilson
Seattle
2015
5
Jimmy Garoppolo
San Francisco
2019
4*
*Active streak
#Named Associated Press Most Valuable Player
— NFL —
DUCK HUNTING FOR WINS: In Week 14, Pittsburgh rookie quarterback DEVLIN HODGES led the Steelers to a 23-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals, marking his third-career win in his third-career start.
With a win against Buffalo on Sunday Night Football (8:20 PM ET, NBC), Hodges would tie VIRGIL CARTER (four wins in 1968) and PHIL SIMMS (four in 1979) for the third-longest streak of wins by a rookie quarterback to begin a career in the Super Bowl era (1966-present).
The rookie quarterbacks with the most consecutive wins to begin their careers in the Super Bowl era:
PLAYER
TEAM
SEASON
CONSECUTIVE WINS
Ben Roethlisberger
Pittsburgh
2004
13
Mike Kruczek
Pittsburgh
1976
6
Virgil Carter
Chicago
1968
4
Phil Simms
New York Giants
1979
4
Devlin Hodges
Pittsburgh
2019
3*
*Active streak
Additionally, with a win, Hodges would become the first undrafted rookie quarterback to win each of his first four starts in the common draft era (1967-present).
— NFL —
TEN AGAIN: New Orleans wide receiver MICHAEL THOMAS – who leads the NFL with 121 receptions and 1,424 receiving yards this season – had 11 receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown in Week 14, marking his seventh game with at least 10 receptions in 2019.
With at least 10 receptions against Indianapolis on Monday Night Football (8:15 PM ET, ESPN), Thomas would surpass ANDRE JOHNSON (seven games in 2008) and WES WELKER (seven in 2009) for the most games with at least 10 receptions in a season in NFL history.
The players with the most games with at least 10 receptions in a season in NFL history:
PLAYER
TEAM
SEASON
GAMES
Andre Johnson
Houston
2008
7
Michael Thomas
New Orleans
2019
7*
Wes Welker
New England
2009
7
*Entering Sunday
— NFL —
GURLEY AMONG GREATS: Los Angeles Rams running back TODD GURLEY has 10 total touchdowns this season (nine rushing, one receiving), having rushed for a touchdown in each of his past two games. Gurley, who is in his fifth NFL season, leads the NFL with 66 touchdowns since entering the league in 2015.
With a touchdown on Sunday at Dallas (4:25 PM ET, FOX), Gurley would tie ADRIAN PETERSON (67 touchdowns) for the fifth-most touchdowns through a player’s first five seasons in NFL history.
The players with the most total touchdowns in their first five seasons in NFL history:
PLAYER
TEAM
SEASONS
TOUCHDOWNS
LaDainian TomlinsonHOF
San Diego
2001-05
80
Emmitt SmithHOF
Dallas
1990-94
75
Shaun Alexander
Seattle
2000-04
72
Jerry RiceHOF
San Francisco
1985-89
70
Adrian Peterson
Minnesota
2007-11
67
Todd Gurley
St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams
2015-19
66*
*In fifth season
Press Release Courtesy of the NFL Communications Media Relations
Nine athletes from eight countries will compete for a spot in the 2020 International Player Pathway Program, the NFL announced today.
Instituted in 2017, the program aims to provide elite international athletes the opportunity to compete at the NFL level, improve their skills, and ultimately earn a spot on an NFL roster.
The league has identified top athletes from eight countries that will compete for a place in the program. Given the program’s success to date, the NFL widened its search for international talent, hosting a Combine in Germany this past October with players from 18 countries participating.
Isaac Alarcon (Mexico), Otavio Amorim (Brazil), David Bada (Germany), Leo Krafft (Norway), Boqiao Li (China), Chris Mulumba (Finland), Sandro Platzgummer (Austria), Antoni Podgorski (Poland) and Bernhard Seikovits (Austria) will begin training in the United States next month and will have the opportunity to showcase their talents to NFL club scouts in March in hopes of being signed as a free agent or being selected for a practice squad position for next season through the International Player Pathway Program.
One of the NFL’s eight divisions, to be chosen at random, will receive the international players selected for the 2020 program should they not be signed to free agent contracts. At the conclusion of training camp, each player will be eligible for an international player practice squad exemption with his assigned team. This provides the assigned team an eleventh practice squad member who is ineligible to be activated during the season.
Players will train alongside NFL veterans and draft hopefuls in Florida.
“The International Player Pathway program is an important part of our ongoing efforts to grow the game globally and provide pathways for international players to make it to the NFL,” said Damani Leech, NFL Chief Operating Officer of International. “We are excited to have players from around the world competing for a spot in the 2020 program, including eight players who were selected after participating in the International Combine in Germany this past October.”
Players taking part in the program:
Player
Country
Current Team
Isaac Alarcon
Mexico
Tec Monterrey Borregos
Otavio Amorim
Brazil
Timbo-Rex
David Bada
Germany
Schwabisch Hall Unicorns
Leo Krafft
Norway
Eidsvoll 1814s
Boqiao Li
China
n/a
Chris Mulumba
Finland
n/a
Sandro Platzgummer
Austria
Swarco Raiders Tirol
Antoni Podgorski
Poland
Warsaw Mets
Bernhard Seikovits
Austria
Dacia Vienna Vikings
Notable International Player Pathway Program Participants Currently on NFL Rosters:
Moritz Böhringer, Tight End (Germany), Cincinnati Bengals
Currently in his second season as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad. In 2016, Böhringer was selected in the sixth round of the NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings, becoming the first player to be drafted directly from European football. He spent the 2016 season on the Vikings practice squad.
Jakob Johnson, Fullback (Germany), New England Patriots
Johnson began his football career during his youth in his hometown of Stuttgart, Germany. It was there where Johnson played for the Stuttgart Scorpions of the German Football League before moving to Jacksonville, Florida. He played one season of high school football in the United States and was recruited to continue his career at the University of Tennessee. Johnson returned to the Scorpions in 2018. He then assigned to the New England Patriots through the International Player Pathway Program. The Patriots signed Jakob Johnson to their active roster on September 21. During the season, teams can carry an International Pathway Program player as an extra 11th member of the practice squad, but because of the roster exemption, clubs cannot promote the player to the active roster during the season. In the case of Johnson, the Patriots elected to forgo that option and make him a regular member of their 10-man practice squad, which gave them the option of promoting him. Johnson’s NFL debut came in a Week 3 win against the New York Jets. His first NFL start came the following week in Buffalo where he contributed as a lead blocker. In Week 5 he made his first career reception for five yards against the Washington Redskins.
Jordan Mailata, Tackle (Australia), Philadelphia Eagles
In 2017, Mailata participated in the International Player Pathway program and trained at IMG Academy. The Samoan-born Australian former professional rugby league player for the South Sydney Rabbitohs was then drafted in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles (thereby making him ineligible for the International Player Pathway Program). Converted to football full-time early in 2018, he impressed NFL scouts at various workouts with his strength, footwork and athleticism, and continued his football journey with the Eagles during the 2018 season as the youngest player on their roster. He is currently on injured reserve.
Efe Obada, Defensive End (UK), Carolina Panthers
Obada was raised in London after arriving from the Netherlands at age 10. He signed as a free agent for the Dallas Cowboys in 2015 after playing only five games of amateur football with the London Warriors. He played in the preseason for the Cowboys and spent part of the 2015 season on the club’s practice squad. He has since had spells on the rosters of the Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons before joining the Carolina Panthers practice squad as part of the 2017 International Player Pathway Program. In 2018, Obada become the first player from the NFL International Pathway program to make a 53-man roster. In Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Obada played his first regular season game, earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his one-sack, one-interception performance. Obada has continued to make an impact with the Panthers. After recording eight total tackles (solo + assisted) in 2018, he has surpassed the mark with a total of 16 tackles through Week 13 in 2019.
Press Release Courtesy of the NFL Communications Media Relations
— WINNER TO BE REVEALED AT NFL HONORS BEFORE SUPER BOWL LIV —
The eight finalists for the 2019 ART ROONEY SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD have been named, the NFL announced today. The finalists, featuring four players from each conference, are defensive lineman CALAIS CAMPBELL (Jacksonville), linebacker THOMAS DAVIS, SR. (Los Angeles Chargers), wide receiver T.Y. HILTON (Indianapolis) and wide receiver MATTHEW SLATER (New England) in the AFC, and running back ADRIAN PETERSON (Washington), quarterback MATTHEW STAFFORD (Detroit), tackle JOE STALEY (San Francisco) and safety ERIC WEDDLE (Los Angeles Rams) in the NFC.
Staley is a finalist for the fifth consecutive season, while Campbell and Weddle are finalists for the second straight year. Slater, who is a finalist for the first time, has been nominated for the past three years, and Hilton received nominations in 2017 and 2019. Davis, Sr., Peterson and Stafford are all first-time nominees in 2019.
2019 ART ROONEY SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD FINALISTS
NOMINEE
TEAM
CONFERENCE
DL Calais Campbell
Jacksonville Jaguars
AFC
LB Thomas Davis, Sr
Los Angeles Chargers
AFC
WR T.Y. Hilton
Indianapolis Colts
AFC
RB Adrian Peterson
Washington Redskins
NFC
WR Matthew Slater
New England Patriots
AFC
QB Matthew Stafford
Detroit Lions
NFC
T Joe Staley
San Francisco 49ers
NFC
S Eric Weddle
Los Angeles Rams
NFC
Each NFL team nominated one of its players for the award, which recognizes players around the league who exemplify outstanding sportsmanship on the field. The award was created in 2014 in honor of the late founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pro Football Hall of Famer ART ROONEY, SR.
A panel of former players from the NFL Legends Community selected the eight finalists from the 32 nominees. The panel is comprised of WARRICK DUNN, CURTIS MARTIN, KARL MECKLENBURG and LEONARD WHEELER. The eight finalists will be listed on the Pro Bowl ballot under the NFL Sportsmanship Award category when players begin voting today.
The winner of the NFL Sportsmanship Award is determined by a vote of current NFL players. From the eight finalists, each team’s players will submit a consensus vote of their choice for the winner. As in Pro Bowl voting, a team cannot vote for its own player.
The award is presented each year to an NFL player who best demonstrates the qualities of on-field sportsmanship, including fair play, respect for the game and opponents, and integrity in competition.
PAST RECIPIENTS OF THE ART ROONEY SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
YEAR
PLAYER
TEAM
2018
QB Drew Brees
New Orleans Saints
2017
LB Luke Kuechly
Carolina Panthers
2016
RB Frank Gore
Indianapolis Colts
2015
CB Charles Woodson
Oakland Raiders
2014
WR Larry Fitzgerald
Arizona Cardinals
The winner, selected by the vote of the players, will be announced during the nationally televised NFL Honors show on Saturday, February 1 on FOX, the night before Super Bowl LIV. He will receive a $25,000 donation from the NFL Foundation to a charity of his choice. He will also receive a trophy that represents the important role that sportsmanship plays in the game and how NFL players that demonstrate integrity and honor on the field serve as role models for players at all levels.
Press Release Courtesy of the NFL Communications Media Relations
To help celebrate the NFL’s 100th season, each week will feature an NFL 100 Game of the Week. Each game is a nod to a momentous game played, a fierce rivalry that spans decades, a matchup of original teams and/or a game in which history was made . The NFL has designated Sunday’s CINCINNATI BENGALS-CLEVELAND BROWNS matchup as the NFL100 Game of the Week because the contest includes the teams closest to the birthplace of the NFL. In 1920, the NFL formed in Northeast Ohio, where CANTON BULLDOGS owner RALPH HAY organized the first meeting of fellow owners. Four years later, at nearby Massillon Washington High School, quarterback and future Pro Football Hall of Famer PAUL BROWN discovered the sport that would shape his life. By 1946, as the first coach of the Cleveland franchise when it launched as part of the All-American Football Conference, Brown was so synonymous with success that by popular demand he became the team’s namesake, despite his humble objections. After entering the NFL in 1950, Brown’s team won three league championships (1950, 1954-55). When the AFL placed an expansion franchise in Cincinnati during the mid-1960s, Brown joined the team as general manager and head coach, then named his new team the Bengals in time for the club’s inaugural 1968 season. One of Brown’s first Cincinnati assistant coaches was Pro Football Hall of Famer BILL WALSH.
BRADY, BREES IN RACE FOR HALLOWED MARK: As NFL teams jockey for position in the 2019 playoff race, New England quarterback TOM BRADY and New Orleans quarterback DREW BREES have one of the league’s most significant all-time records in their sights: Most career touchdown passes, currently held by PEYTON MANNING (539). Entering Week 14, Brady (535) and Brees (532) have Manning on their radar screens.
The players with the most career touchdown passes in NFL history:
Brady, whose Patriots host the KANSAS CITY CHIEFS Sunday (4:25 PM ET, CBS), is 47-12 (.797) during his career in starts following a regular-season loss.
EASTERN ILLINOIS CONNECTIONS IN THE BIG EASY: When the SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS travel to meet the NEW ORLEANS SAINTS on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, FOX) in a matchup of 10-win teams, one former Eastern Illinois quarterback, the 49ers’ JIMMY GAROPPOLO, will square off against another former Eastern Illinois field general, Saints head coach SEAN PAYTON. Also, the father of 49ers head coach KYLE SHANAHAN, former Raiders, Broncos and Redskins head coach MIKE SHANAHAN, also played at Eastern Illinois, where a serious injury ended his playing career but helped him discover his passion for coaching. The school also produced former Dallas quarterback TONY ROMO.
If San Francisco this week clinches a playoff berth, the 49ers would become the first NFL club that didn’t qualify for the playoffs last season to earn a postseason invitation. In every season since the 12-team playoff format began in 1990, at least four teams have qualified for the playoffs that were not in the postseason the year before.
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR’S NIGHTMARE: In one of Week 14’s premier games, the BALTIMORE RAVENS put the league’s longest winning streak, eight games, on the line when they face the BUFFALO BILLS on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, CBS). The contest not only matches two of the AFC’s best teams, it also matches two of the NFL’s best dual-threat quarterbacks. Baltimore’s LAMAR JACKSON, whose 977 net rushing yards are more than five NFL teams this year, also ranks fourth in the NFL with a 109.6 passer rating. Buffalo’s JOSH ALLEN, who ranks third among NFL quarterbacks with 430 rushing yards, has a fourth-quarter passer rating of 114.0.
Sunday’s game will have more combined rushing yards (1,407) by starting quarterbacks than any contest in NFL history.
Additionally, Jackson needs 23 rushing yards to become the second quarterback in NFL history with a 1,000-yard rushing season, and 63 to post the most rushing yards in a single season by an NFL quarterback, surpassing MICHAEL VICK, who had 1,039 in 2006.
As a team, the Ravens are on pace for one of the most prolific rushing campaigns in the NFL’s 100 seasons. Since the league moved to a 16-game schedule in 1978, Baltimore’s 207.8 net rushing yards per game are on pace to finish 10 yards better than any other team in that span.
The teams with the most net rushing yards per game since 1978:
TEAM
SEASON
GM
ATT
YARDS
YDS/GM
Baltimore Ravens
2019
12
445
2,494
207.8
New England Patriots
1978
16
671
3,165
197.8
Kansas City Chiefs
1978
16
663
2,986
186.6
Chicago Bears
1984
16
674
2,974
185.9
Atlanta Falcons
2006
16
537
2,939
183.7
THE FOURTH QUARTER: As the NFL makes its final turn toward the regular-season finish line, each club has just four games remaining, and 26 teams remain in contention for a trip to Super Bowl LIV. Two of those teams, the TENNESSEE TITANS and OAKLAND RAIDERS, battle in a key AFC contest Sunday (4:25 PM ET, CBS).
The game features several of the NFL’s top rookies. Oakland’s JOSH JACOBS leads all NFL rookies in rushing yards (1,061), rushing touchdowns (seven) and scrimmage yards (1,207). Tennessee wide receiver A.J. BROWN leads AFC rookies with 626 receiving yards. On defense, Oakland’s MAXX CROSBY (7.5) and CLELIN FERRELL (3.5) are the NFL’s only pair of rookie teammates with three-or-more sacks each.
ROOKIE QUARTERBACKS CONTINUE TO WIN GAMES: Arizona’s KYLER MURRAY, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2019 NFL Draft, leads the ARIZONA CARDINALS at home against the PITTSBURGH STEELERS on Sunday (4:25 PM ET, CBS). Murray and the Steelers’ DEVLIN HODGES, an undrafted rookie, are two of the six rookie quarterbacks to win a game this season. Last week, Denver’s DREW LOCKjoined a group that includes Washington’s DWAYNE HASKINS, the Giants’ DANIEL JONES and Jacksonville’s GARDNER MINSHEW. That group of six represents the second-highest number of rookie quarterbacks to win an NFL start in league history, trailing only the 1987 season (seven). Detroit’s DAVID BLOUGH, who plays at Minnesota Sunday (1:00 PM ET, FOX), gives the 2019 rookies an opportunity to tie the single-season league record.
BATTLE OF OHIO: When the CINCINNATI BENGALS make the cross-state trip to play the CLEVELAND BROWNS on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, CBS), the teams will meet for a 92nd time. Sunday marks the first Bengals-Browns game in 35 years in which each club has a first-year head coach. Cincinnati’s ZAC TAYLOR and Cleveland’s FREDDIE KITCHENS are the first rookie head-coaching pair in the series since December 2, 1984, when the Bengals’ SAM WYCHE beat the Browns’ MARTY SCHOTTENHEIMER on an overtime field goal, 20-17.
