Week 8 NFL Primer

WHAT TO LOOK FOR – WEEK 8

SWEET 16: The Indianapolis Colts have won a franchise-record 15 consecutive regular-season games dating back to 2008. With a win against San Francisco in Week 8, the Colts can tie for the fourth-longest such streak in NFL history.

The longest regular-season winning streaks in NFL history:

TEAM
YEARS
WIN STREAK
New England Patriots
2006-08
21
New England Patriots
2003-04
18
Chicago Bears
1933-34
17
Chicago Bears
1941-42
16
Miami Dolphins
1971-73
16
Miami Dolphins
1983-84
16
Pittsburgh Steelers
2004-05
16

Indianapolis Colts
2008-09
15*
* Active


-- NFL --

4,000-YARD RECORD TO FALL?: In 1967, the New York Jets’ JOE NAMATH (4,007) became the first quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards in a season. In 2007, seven passers reached the 4,000-yard mark, the most in any season.

That mark may fall in 2009. Through seven weeks, 10 quarterbacks are on pace for 4,000 yards.

The 10 quarterbacks who project to 4,000 yards in 2009:

QUARTERBACK
TEAM
GAMES
YARDS
YARDS/GAME
PROJECTION
Peyton Manning
Indianapolis
6
1,880
313.3
5,013
Philip Rivers
San Diego
6
1,787
297.8
4,765
Matt Schaub
Houston
7
2,074
296.3
4,741
Ben Roethlisberger
Pittsburgh
7
2,062
294.6
4,713
Tom Brady
New England
7
2,032
290.3
4,645
Aaron Rodgers
Green Bay
6
1,702
283.7
4,539
Drew Brees
New Orleans
6
1,698
283.0
4,528
Joe Flacco
Baltimore
6
1,674
279.0
4,464
Kurt Warner
Arizona
6
1,672
278.7
4,459
Tony Romo
Dallas
6
1,652
275.3
4,405

MORE 4,000: Indianapolis Colts quarterback PEYTON MANNING has completed 3,995 passes in his 12-year NFL career. With five completions against the 49ers this week, Manning can become the fourth player in NFL history with 4,000 career completions.

Manning, who will play his 183rd career game this week, would be the fastest to 4,000 if he reaches the milestone against San Francisco.

The NFL quarterbacks with 4,000 career completions and the number of games it took them to reach the mark:

QUARTERBACK
NO. OF GAMES TO 4,000
CAREER COMPLETIONS
Dan Marino
193

4,967
Brett Favre
196

5,878*
John Elway
227

4,123

Peyton Manning
182

3,995*
* Active


MIRACLE MILES: Dallas wide receiver MILES AUSTIN followed up his breakout 250-yard receiving performance against Kansas City in Week 5 with another 171 yards in Week 7 in the Cowboys’ 37-21 win over Atlanta after the bye week.

With 421 receiving yards in his first two starts, Austin already has more yards than any other NFL player over his first three starts. He can extend his record against Seattle in Week 8.

Austin can also become the second player since 1970 with 100 or more receiving yards in each of his first three starts. He would join Atlanta Falcons wide receiver STACEY BAILEY (1983) as the only players to accomplish the feat.

The five players with the most receiving yards in their first three NFL starts (since 1970):

PLAYER
YARDS
Miles Austin, Dallas Cowboys
421*
Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals
378
Marcus Robinson, Chicago Bears
377
Dave Stief, St. Louis Cardinals
361
Mike Quick, Philadelphia Eagles
340
* Through 2 starts


-- NFL --

LAMBEAU LEAP: Minnesota Vikings quarterback BRETT FAVRE will return to Lambeau Field this week for the first time as a visiting player. During his 16-year career in Green Bay, Favre won 89 games at Lambeau.

This Sunday, Favre can become the second quarterback to win 90 games at a stadium since 1970. Only JOHN ELWAY, who won 95 games at Mile High Stadium, has reached the 90-win mark at an NFL venue during that span.

The quarterbacks to win the most career games at one stadium (since 1970):

QUARTERBACK
STADIUM
NO. OF WINS
John Elway
Mile High Stadium
95
Brett Favre
Lambeau Field
89*
Terry Bradshaw
Three Rivers Stadium
67
Dan Marino
Land Shark Stadium
60
Phil Simms
Giants Stadium
59
* Active



-- NFL --

GREATER 48: Jacksonville wide receiver TORRY HOLT had a season-high 101 receiving yards in the Jaguars’ 23-20 overtime win against St. Louis in Week 6, marking the 47th 100-yard game of his career.

Holt and Buffalo wide receiver TERRELL OWENS are now tied with Pro Football Hall of Famer MICHAEL IRVIN with 47 career 100-yard games, and each has the opportunity to move into sole possession of fifth place on the all-time list in Week 8.

Holt’s Jaguars will visit the Titans and Owens’ Bills will host the Texans this Sunday.

The most 100-yard receiving games in NFL history:

PLAYER
100-YARD REC. GAMES
Jerry Rice
76
Randy Moss
62*
Marvin Harrison
59
Don Maynard
50
Michael Irvin
47
Torry Holt
47*
Terrell Owens
47*
* Active