Week 8 trends: Colts try to join short list of consecutive-game winners

Cold, Hard Football Facts for Oct 29, 2009

Some Week 8 stats & trends provided by the NFL:

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

By Kerry Byrne

Read more: Cold Hard Football Facts, NFL

Forearm Shiver: the CHFF Blog

Aaron Hernandez Quizzed In Death Probe: Tough Week To Be Patriots Tight End

Former Bears WR David Terrell Says He'd Cut Off His Balls To Play W Jay Cutler

Roger Goodell Defends Redskins Name In Letter To Congress

Video: Pat Imig's FN NFL Update June 09

Chuck Norris: 'Clutch' Tim Tebow An 'Athletic Warrior'


Privacy guaranteed. We'll never share your info.