(Bleacher Report) Since the start of 1990 and the current NFL Playoff format, four teams have started 5-0 and missed the playoffs. The 2009 Broncos (6-0) (8-8), the 2009 Giants (5-0) (8-8), the 2003 Vikings (6-0) (9-7) and the 1993 Saints (5-0) (8-8). The Falcons could be the 5th team since 1990 as they currently sit at 6-6.
(Elias) Julio Jones has reached 100 catches by the 12th game of the season. He is the 2nd player in NFL history to accomplish the feat. The last to do so, Marvin Harrison in 2002 when he set the NFL record with 143 catches.
(ESPN) The Panthers are now the 9th team since the Super Bowl era began to start a season 12-0. Six of those teams have made the Super Bowl. Four of those teams have won it.
(PFF) Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly is missing a tackle every 41.5 attempts. The next closest to that number is Seattle linebacker KJ Wright. Who’s missing one everyone 30 attempts.
New Orleans Saints cornerback Brandon Browner is now a record holder. Browner is the most penalized defensive back in the NFL since 2007. His 19 total penalties (Defensive Holding (10), Face Mask (15 Yards) (3), Defensive Pass Interference (3), Unnecessary Roughness (2),Defensive Offside (1), Illegal Contact (1), Illegal Block Above the Waist (1)) … means he has been penalized 8 more times than the next closest NFL player. (11 for Greg Robinson…who can’t play tackle) The most penalized Falcon…Andy Levitre with 7…(4 offensive holds…3 false starts) Robert Alford with 6.
(Elias) The New England Patriots suffered back to back losses for the first time since 2012. They had gone 56 games without such a streak. The next closest is currently the Carolina Panthers with 15 games without losing back to back games.
The Philadelphia Eagles scored on a punt return, a pick six, and a blocked kick for a touchdown. Their leading rusher had 66 yards. The only team in NFL history to have scored those three ways in a game was previous…the Philadelphia Eagles.
(ESPN) Tom Brady threw the longest pick six of his career, and has thrown two pick sixes for the first time in a season since 2001.
Speaking of pick sixes, San Diego Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers threw one yesterday. That is now 5 pick sixes so far this season, the most in the NFL.
(ESPN) Marcus Mariota threw three touchdown passes yesterday and also ran for over 100 yards in the Titans victory over the Jaguars. Mariota had an 87 yard touchdown run, that’s the 3rd longest for a QB since 1970. The longest: Terrelle Pryor (93 – 2013), Colin Kaepernick (90 – 2014).
(NFL) New York Jets receiver Brandon Marshall has gone over 1,000 yards receiving. He is now the first player in NFL history to have gone over 1,000 with four different teams. Broncos – Dolphins – Bears – Jets.
Odell Beckham Jr: now five straight games with over 100 yards receiving.
(ESPN) Steelers receiver Antonio Brown caught two touchdowns and returned a punt for another. He’s the 2nd player since the merger to do that, with Browns receiver Travis Benjamin being the other this year.