Picture this: two powerhouse NFL teams, the New England Patriots and the Green Bay Packers, lacking in one key area - big games from their playmakers. It's like watching a lion without its roar or a rocket without its fuel. These teams, my friends, are in a historic slump.
Believe it or not, the Patriots and Packers are the only teams in the entire NFL without a single 100-yard receiving game from any of their players this season. Can you imagine the frustration? JuJu Smith-Schuster's 90-yard performance in Week 14 against Pittsburgh was the closest the Patriots got, while Dontayvion Wicks' 97-yard effort against Tampa Bay was the highlight for the Packers. It's like they're stuck in an endless loop of near misses.
But wait, there's more! Not only are they struggling in the receiving department, but the Patriots and Packers also have yet to witness a player rush for 100 yards in a game. Can you feel the disappointment in the air? Rhamondre Stevenson's 98-yard dash for the Patriots and AJ Dillon's 76-yard showcase for Green Bay are the best they've got. It's a tough pill to swallow for two teams that typically dominate the field.
In fact, the only other teams that share this unfortunate record are the Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, Washington Football Team, and the New Orleans Saints. That's some exclusive company, wouldn't you say?
Meanwhile, the other 30 teams in the league have combined for a whopping 155 performances of at least 100 yards receiving and 62 performances of at least 100 yards rushing. It's like the Patriots and Packers missed the memo on how to let their star players shine.
If, by some chance, the Patriots and Packers don't break this dry spell in their final three games, it would be the first time in NFL history that a team failed to have a single 100-yard rusher or receiver in a single season of at least 16 games. Now, that's a record no team wants to hold. The last time this dubious honor was claimed was back in 1982 when the Baltimore Colts couldn't find their groove in a strike-shortened nine-game season. And before that, it happened in 1977 when Washington couldn't muster up a single 100-yard performance in a 14-game season!
But enough about the Patriots and Packers not meeting expectations, let's talk about some players who are shining bright like diamonds on the gridiron.
Enter Christian McCaffrey and Raheem Mostert, the dynamic duo who have joined the rare 20-20 club this season. These two talented backs have each scored an impressive 20 touchdowns, putting them at the top of the league. This is only the seventh time in NFL history that two players have reached the 20-touchdown mark in the same season. The last time this occurred was in 2021 when Jonathan Taylor and Austin Ekeler accomplished the feat.
Now, don't hold your breath for a triple threat in 2023. Jalen Hurts is next in line with 14 touchdowns scored this season. So, 2005's record of three 20-touchdown scorers might just remain untouched. That year, Shaun Alexander led the league with 28 touchdowns, followed by Larry Johnson with 21, and LaDainian Tomlinson with 20. Talk about a touchdown bonanza!
Speaking of records, did you know that only one season in NFL history has witnessed two players reach a whopping 22 touchdowns? O.J. Simpson (23) and Chuck Foreman (22) achieved this mind-boggling feat in a 14-game season way back in 1975. It seems like the stars aligned just right for these two explosive players.
But hold on, the excitement doesn't end there. Mostert has also become the third undrafted player in the common draft era to score 20 touchdowns in a single season. He joins the esteemed company of Ekeler and Priest Holmes, who recorded an astounding 27 touchdowns in 2003 and 24 touchdowns in 2002. Talk about defying the odds!
Now, let's shift our attention to the Detroit Lions, who had an exceptional game from their rookies last week. Tight end Sam LaPorta caught not one, but two touchdown passes, while running back Jahmyr Gibbs added two scores of his own in a resounding 42-17 victory over the Denver Broncos. These rookies are making quite the impact!
In fact, the Lions became only the third team since the merger to witness their rookies score at least five touchdowns in a single game. The Buffalo Bills achieved this feat on September 23, 1979, against the New York Jets, and the Chargers replicated it against the Browns on November 3, 1974. It's a rare occurrence that certainly warrants celebration.
Let's focus on LaPorta for a moment. His nine touchdown catches this season tie him with Junior Miller for the third most ever recorded by a rookie tight end. Only the legendary Rob Gronkowski (10 in 2010) and the iconic Mike Ditka (12 in 1961) surpassed this impressive feat. LaPorta is carving his path to greatness!
But wait, there's more excitement in store. Gibbs isn't letting LaPorta hog all the glory. With eight touchdowns so far this season, he and LaPorta have become the fifth pair of rookies since the merger to score at least eight touchdowns each in the same season. The New Orleans Saints' Reggie Bush and Marques Colston were the last duo to achieve this in 2006. It's clear that these young Lions are roaring with potential.
Now, let's switch gears to a team that went from zero to sixty in record time - the Las Vegas Raiders. Just four days after being shut out by the Minnesota Vikings, the Raiders made a triumphant comeback, setting a franchise record with a stunning 63-21 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday night. Talk about a lightning-fast turnaround!
In fact, the Raiders became only the third team in NFL history to score at least 60 points in a game following a shutout. The other two teams were the 1934 Philadelphia Eagles, who demolished the Cincinnati Reds 64-0, and the 1922 Akron Pros, who annihilated the Oorang Indians 62-0. The Raiders are certainly in elite company.
And let's not forget about the Raiders' incredible redemption story. After being held scoreless just days before, they exploded on the field, showcasing their offensive prowess like never before. The last time a team experienced such a dramatic improvement in scoring was way back in 1966 when Washington defeated the New York Giants 72-41, a week after losing 14-3 to the Browns. Now that's what we call a comeback for the ages.
But the excitement doesn't stop there. The Raiders had touchdowns from eight different players in their electrifying victory. This makes them the first team since the Rams achieved this remarkable feat in a 70-27 win over the Colts on October 22, 1950. It seems like the Raiders had an unstoppable spark, fueling their players to soar to new heights.
One particular touchdown worth mentioning is a 44-yard fumble return by none other than defensive tackle John Jenkins. And guess what? Jenkins weighs in at a mighty 300 pounds or more. This incredible play marked the fourth time since 1991 that a player of such heft has sprinted for a touchdown of at least 40 yards. Linval Joseph did it for the Minnesota Vikings in 2018, Shaun Rogers accomplished the feat for the Detroit Lions in 2007, and Jerry Ball achieved it for the Oakland Raiders in 1996. Who said big guys can't be lightning-fast?
Unfortunately, this impressive performance by the Las Vegas Raiders led to the firing of Chargers coach Brandon Staley, adding another layer of drama to an already eventful game. But hey, a little competition never hurt anyone, right?
Interestingly enough, the Raiders aren't the only team dealing with coaching shake-ups this season. The Patriots had previously fired coach Josh McDaniels after Week 8, making this the first time since 2008 that two teams in one division fired coaches during the season. Back then, it was the Rams who bid adieu to Scott Linehan after four games, while the 49ers said goodbye to Mike Nolan after seven games. The NFL certainly knows how to keep us on our toes.
And there you have it, folks. The ups, the downs, the surprises, and the disappointments. NFL history is rife with records broken and unmet expectations. But one thing's for sure - the world of football is an unpredictable and exhilarating journey. Stay tuned for more tales from the gridiron and remember, anything can happen when the pigskin is in play.
