The NFL regular season comes to an end this weekend. Not only will the playoff seedings be finalized, but a number of records can be achieved by individual players and the league as a whole. With that in mind, here is a guide of milestones to watch out for during Week 17 NFL action.
PLAYOFF TEAMS
Since the NFL playoffs expanded to 12 teams in 1990, at least four teams have qualified for the playoffs every year that were not in the postseason the year before. With one week left in the NFL season, at least three teams are headed to the playoffs after failing to reach the postseason in 2014: the Kansas City Chiefs (10-5), Minnesota Vikings (10-5) and Washington Redskins. That streak is likely to continue with both the Houston Texans (8-7) and New York Jets (10-5) able to clinch postseason spots with a win this weekend.
HIGH SCORING
Through Week 16, all teams have combined to score 10,993 points, which comes out to 45.8 points per each NFL game. If the combined scoring in Week 17 games is 658 points (about 41.1 points per game), the 2015 season will become the second highest scoring season in NFL history.
QUARTERBACKS
So far in 2015, nine different quarterbacks have thrown for 30 or more touchdowns, tied for most in a single season in NFL history with the record set just last year. That record is likely to be broken as both Matthew Stafford and Ryan Fitzpatrick have 29 touchdown passes heading into this weekend's games.
The list so far: Tom Brady (36), Blake Bortles (35), Carson Palmer (34), Eli Manning (33), Cam Newton (33), Drew Brees (31), Derek Carr (31), Russell Wilson (31), Aaron Rodgers (30).
JULIO JONES
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones leads the league with 127 receptions and 1,722 receiving yards this season. With 127 receiving yards on Sunday, Jones would surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice for the second-most receiving yards in a season in NFL history.
Jones is currently fifth on the list of most receiving yards in a season, trailing Calvin Johnson (2012 - 1,964 yards), Rice (1995 - 1,848 yards), Isaac Bruce (1995 - 1781 yards) and Charley Hennigan (1961 - 1,746 yards).
DREW BREES
Last week, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees threw for over 400 yards for the 13th time in his career, tying Dan Marino for second on the list of QBs with the most 400-yard passing games in NFL history. With just one more 400+ yard passing game, Brees will tie Peyton Manning for first on that list.
FRANK GORE
Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore needs just 109 yards to reach the 1,000 yard rushing mark. Gore has reached the 1,000 yard milestone eight times in his career. Only four other players have rushed for over 1,000 yards in nine or more seasons: Emmitt Smith (11), Curtis Martin (10), Walter Payton (10), Barry Sanders (10). All of those running backs are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
KICKERS
Sebastian Janokowski is currently tied with Jason Hanson for the most 50+ yard field goals in NFL history, having made 52 career field goals of at least 50 yards. The Oakland Raiders kicker can break that record with a 50-yard field goal at Kansas City on Sunday.
Steven Gotkowski currently leads the NFL in scoring with 147 points and has led the league four times in his career. If that holds, the New England Patriots kicker can join Don Hudson and Gino Cappelletti as the only players to lead the league in scoring five times in their career.
Gotkowski has made 32 field goals this year, tied with Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh for the league lead. Gotkowski has a chance to join Lou Groza (5), Ward Cuff (4) and Jack Manders (4) as the only players to lead the league in field goals at least four times
PLAYOFF TEAMS
Since the NFL playoffs expanded to 12 teams in 1990, at least four teams have qualified for the playoffs every year that were not in the postseason the year before. With one week left in the NFL season, at least three teams are headed to the playoffs after failing to reach the postseason in 2014: the Kansas City Chiefs (10-5), Minnesota Vikings (10-5) and Washington Redskins. That streak is likely to continue with both the Houston Texans (8-7) and New York Jets (10-5) able to clinch postseason spots with a win this weekend.
HIGH SCORING
Through Week 16, all teams have combined to score 10,993 points, which comes out to 45.8 points per each NFL game. If the combined scoring in Week 17 games is 658 points (about 41.1 points per game), the 2015 season will become the second highest scoring season in NFL history.
QUARTERBACKS
So far in 2015, nine different quarterbacks have thrown for 30 or more touchdowns, tied for most in a single season in NFL history with the record set just last year. That record is likely to be broken as both Matthew Stafford and Ryan Fitzpatrick have 29 touchdown passes heading into this weekend's games.
The list so far: Tom Brady (36), Blake Bortles (35), Carson Palmer (34), Eli Manning (33), Cam Newton (33), Drew Brees (31), Derek Carr (31), Russell Wilson (31), Aaron Rodgers (30).
JULIO JONES
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones leads the league with 127 receptions and 1,722 receiving yards this season. With 127 receiving yards on Sunday, Jones would surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice for the second-most receiving yards in a season in NFL history.
Jones is currently fifth on the list of most receiving yards in a season, trailing Calvin Johnson (2012 - 1,964 yards), Rice (1995 - 1,848 yards), Isaac Bruce (1995 - 1781 yards) and Charley Hennigan (1961 - 1,746 yards).
DREW BREES
Last week, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees threw for over 400 yards for the 13th time in his career, tying Dan Marino for second on the list of QBs with the most 400-yard passing games in NFL history. With just one more 400+ yard passing game, Brees will tie Peyton Manning for first on that list.
FRANK GORE
Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore needs just 109 yards to reach the 1,000 yard rushing mark. Gore has reached the 1,000 yard milestone eight times in his career. Only four other players have rushed for over 1,000 yards in nine or more seasons: Emmitt Smith (11), Curtis Martin (10), Walter Payton (10), Barry Sanders (10). All of those running backs are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
KICKERS
Sebastian Janokowski is currently tied with Jason Hanson for the most 50+ yard field goals in NFL history, having made 52 career field goals of at least 50 yards. The Oakland Raiders kicker can break that record with a 50-yard field goal at Kansas City on Sunday.
Steven Gotkowski currently leads the NFL in scoring with 147 points and has led the league four times in his career. If that holds, the New England Patriots kicker can join Don Hudson and Gino Cappelletti as the only players to lead the league in scoring five times in their career.
Gotkowski has made 32 field goals this year, tied with Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh for the league lead. Gotkowski has a chance to join Lou Groza (5), Ward Cuff (4) and Jack Manders (4) as the only players to lead the league in field goals at least four times
Moonlighting as a blogger to pursue my interest and enjoyment of sports. Former high school and Division I athlete (now a "retired" family man) that loves watching and discussing all sports. Follow me on Twitter (@HoldoutSports) and like Holdout Sports on Facebook.
