The final week of the season is here, and with it comes a number of single-season records that could potentially be broken. Yes, some of these will have an asterisk because of the longer season, but the accomplishments are nonetheless impressive. Here are some of the NFL records to keep an eye on in Week 18.
NFL Single-Season Records That Could Be Broken in Week 18
Who might rewrite some of the NFL record books? Some of the game’s most elite are looking to make history during the final week of the season.
Passing Yards in a Season
Current Record: Peyton Manning (2013) — 5,477 yards
The all-time quarterback records are littered with Tom Brady’s name atop most accolades. However, Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is still in a position this year to overtake one of the few records that Brady does not currently hold. The most passing yards in a single-season record is held by none other than Peyton Manning, who managed to throw for 5,477 yards in 2013 as a member of the Denver Broncos. Manning was 37 years old when he accomplished the feat — Mahomes is currently 27.
Mahomes currently has 5,048 yards on the year. It is an impressive number considering the offseason commentary surrounding the offense and lack of weapons the team had after trading away Tyreek Hill. The favorite to win this year’s NFL MVP award, Mahomes needs 430 yards to surpass Manning. That is a number Mahomes has only hit five times in his career, but it is not an impossible task considering the defense he is playing in Week 18.
If Mahomes falls short of 430 yards, his next most realistic target should be third place, surpassing Tom Brady, who threw for 5,316 yards in 2021 at 43 years old. The Chiefs QB would only need 269 yards to knock Brady out of the position.
Passing and Rushing Yards in a Season
Current Record: Drew Brees (2011) — 5,562 yards
Another single-season record that Mahomes can break this year is that of Drew Brees. Back in 2011, Brees put up a whopping 5,562 passing and rushing yards combined. Mahomes currently sits at 5,377 combined yards. That is a difference of only 186 yards. Unless Mahomes has an off game, this NFL record is likely to be broken in Week 18. Mahomes is averaging a little over 20 rushing yards per game and 315 passing yards per game.
The Las Vegas Raiders are allowing an average of 119.9 rushing yards and 246.8 passing yards per game. That is good for one of the worst statistical defenses in the NFL. Mahomes should have a field day.
Quarterback Rushing TDs
Current Record: Cam Newton (2011) — 14 TD
Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts has had one of the more impressive seasons in the NFL. Once a frontrunner for MVP, Hurts missed the last two games due to a shoulder injury which led the way for Mahomes to take over as likely NFL MVP. However, statistically, Hurts has still had an amazing season.
Even though he missed two games, the Eagles QB only needs one more rushing TD to tie Cam Newton for the most rushing TDs by a quarterback in a single season. All signs point to Hurts playing in Week 18, which gives him a good chance to at least tie the single-season record. The Eagles need to win this week to lock up the first seed in the NFC, and since they are playing a Giants team that will likely rest all their starters, Hurts could potentially have a huge game.
Quarterback Rushing Yards in a Season
Current Record: Lamar Jackson (2019) — 1,206 yards
Unfortunately for Bears QB Justin Fields, he is going to need to wait another year to try and break Lamar Jackson’s single-season rushing yard record. Fields was only 64 yards away from hitting the mark but has been ruled out of Week 18 due to a hip injury.
Receiving Yards in a Season
Current Record: Calvin Johnson (2012) — 1,964 yards
In the most exciting race of the season, Vikings WR Justin Jefferson is currently trying to surpass Calvin Johnson for the most receiving yards in the season. He needs 194 yards to hold the new record, a number he has passed once this year, back in Week 14 against Detroit.
Tight End Receiving Yards in a Season
Current Record: Travis Kelce (2020) — 1,416 yards
Patrick Mahomes is not the only Chief looking to break some records this week. Tight end Travis Kelce can surpass a record that he set on his own back in 2020 for the most single-season receiving yards for a tight end. He currently has 1,300 yards on the year and is short 117 to break the record. As mentioned above, the Chiefs are playing one of the worst defenses in the NFL, but they have been somewhat decent against the tight end position.
Tight End Receptions in a Season
Current Record: Zach Ertz (2018) — 116 receptions
Besides just yards, Kelce is also close (ish?) to breaking Zach Ertz’s single-season tight end receptions record. He needs 13 catches to overtake Ertz, a number he has never had in his career. The most single-game receptions Kelce has had comes in at 12. Could he feasibly have 13? Sure. But it isn’t something I would bet on.
Running Back Receptions in a Season
Current Record: Christian McCaffrey (2019) — 116 receptions
Los Angeles Chargers RB Austin Ekeler has not only been a fantasy darling this season but also a huge part of his team’s offensive success. Due to that, he is now potentially on track to break the single-season record for receptions by a running back. He is 14 catches away from surpassing Christian McCaffrey, who set the record back in 2019.
Unfortunately for Ekeler, he only has one game in his career with over 14 catches. Also, considering the Chargers have already locked up a playoff spot, they won’t be playing for much this week. Yes, they can improve their seeding, but that is about it.
Punting Average in a Season
Current Record: Sammy Baugh (1940) — 51.4
One record that might not be talked about enough is the punting average in a single season. The current record is held by Sammy Baugh at 51.4, set all the way back in 1940. That record has stood for 72 years. Titans punter Ryan Stonehouse is currently averaging 53 yards per punt.
Honorable Mentions
Tom Brady To Add To His Resume
Buccaneers QB Tom Brady has broken a number of all-time QB records over his long 23-year career. He currently has the record for career passing yards, passing touchdowns, and completions. Now, he can add to his list the most attempts in a season and most completions in a season.
Brady currently needs 12 more pass attempts to surpass Matthew Stafford for the most in a single season with 727. Additionally, he needs just nine completions to surpass his own record from last year of 485. Both are numbers that he will easily surpass if he plays in Week 18. The team has already locked up the NFC South, so the starters might not get a ton of playing time in Week 18.
Kirk Cousins, Comeback King?
Another quarterback looking to put his name in the record books this weekend is Kirk Cousins. The Vikings QB is looking to break two infamous (?) records this week, although he would probably prefer not to. Cousins can overtake Matthew Stafford for the most fourth-quarter comebacks in a season, both currently have eight.
Additionally, Cousins can overtake Stafford for the most game-winning drives in a season. As I said, the Vikings QB probably doesn’t want to have to break those records this week, but considering the season Minnesota has had, it wouldn’t be shocking if he has to.
