Super Bowl 57 is ripe with storylines. Andy Reid is coaching against his former team. The Kelce brothers won’t be on the field at the same time but will be on opposite sidelines. A “record” that will be broken is that this will be the first time in Super Bowl history that both teams will start Black quarterbacks. But what records could be broken within the actual game on Arizona’s Bermuda grass field?
Records That Could Be Broken in Super Bowl 57
There aren’t any wacky non-game records that may or may not be broken in Super Bowl 57. Nick Sirianni is young, but not young enough to best Sean McVay as the youngest head coach to ever win a Super Bowl.
Likewise, Reid is no spring chicken (64), but he’s not as senior as the flat cap-wearing Bruce Arians when he won the Super Bowl with Tampa Bay.
Jalen Hurts is also a very young player, but not young enough to best Ben Roethlisberger when he won the Super Bowl at 23 years old.
The Kansas City Chiefs let Tyreek Hill walk in free agency, making Travis Kelce the team’s lone elite weapon. Kansas City replaced Hill with a bevy of options, but the Chiefs’ WR corps is endlessly banged up at this point.
Despite Kelce’s back injury, he will be Patrick Mahomes’ primary target in Super Bowl 57. Reid has plenty of concepts aimed at getting Kelce the ball in the red zone, but the Philadelphia Eagles‘ outstanding cornerbacks could also have the Chiefs looking between the numbers to attack.
Additionally, Mahomes could break the record for most attempts and completions in a game. It’s unlikely unless the Chiefs fall into a significant deficit early, but Kansas City’s offense does occasionally hit an auto-pilot state where it appears they’re playing on rookie difficulty in Madden.
Mahomes attempted 68 passes in early November this year. He completed 46 of them, which would also be the record for completions in a Super Bowl. Likewise, Tom Brady set the record for consecutive completed passes with 16 back in Super Bowl 46 against the Giants.
Super Bowl Player Records
Neither team has one singular high-volume rusher that could realistically break the single-game rushing record of 204 yards. However, the longest rush is 75 yards, by Willie Parker. Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s 52-yard scamper is the longest between the two teams this year. However, the Eagles’ option run game could break off a massive run if Steve Spagnuolo’s defense gets aggressive in a short-yardage situation.
MORE: Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl History, Game Appearances, and More
Because the Eagles are a run-first team, having a player run for three touchdowns in a single game wouldn’t be insane. Hurts scored three rushing touchdowns in December against Chicago, and he did the same a season ago against the Saints. Miles Sanders scored two in the first half a week ago.
- Most touchdowns in a game: 3 — 5 players
- Jerry Rice – twice
San Francisco vs. Denver, XXIV
San Francisco vs. San Diego Chargers, XXIX - Roger Craig | San Francisco vs. Miami, XIX
- Ricky Watters | San Francisco vs. San Diego Chargers, XXIX
- Terrell Davis | Denver vs. Green Bay, XXXII
- James White | New England vs. Atlanta, LI (OT)
- Jerry Rice – twice
- Most points in a game: 20
James White | New England vs. Atlanta, LI (OT)
Which Super Bowl Passing Records Could Be Broken in 2022?
- Most passes attempted in a game: 62
Tom Brady | New England vs. Atlanta, LI (OT) - Most passes completed in a game: 43
Tom Brady | New England vs. Atlanta, LI (OT) - Most consecutive passes completed in a game: 16
Tom Brady | New England vs. New York Giants, XLVI - Highest completion percentage:
- Game (min 20 attempts): 88.0
Phil Simms | New York Giants vs. Denver, XXI
- Game (min 20 attempts): 88.0
- Most passing yards gained in a game: 505
Tom Brady | New England vs. Philadelphia, LII - Longest completion: 85 yards
Jake Delhomme to Muhsin Muhammad (TD), XXXVIII - Highest average gain:
- Career (min 40 passes): 11.1
Terry Bradshaw | 3 games - Game (min 20 passes): 14.71
Terry Bradshaw | Pittsburgh vs. Los Angeles Rams, XIV
- Career (min 40 passes): 11.1
- Touchdown passes: 6
Steve Young | San Francisco vs. San Diego Chargers, XXIX - Most passes attempted in a game without an interception: 48
- Tom Brady – twice
New England vs. Giants, XLII
New England vs. Philadelphia, LII
- Tom Brady – twice
Rushing Records
- Most rushing yards in a game: 204
Timmy Smith | Washington vs. Denver, XXII - Longest run from scrimmage: 75 yards
Willie Parker | Pittsburgh vs. Seattle, XL (TD) - Most touchdowns in a game (3)
Terrell Davis | Denver vs. Green Bay, XXXII
Receiving Records
- Most receptions in a game: 14
James White | New England vs. Atlanta, LI (OT) - Most yards gained in a game: 215
Jerry Rice | San Francisco vs. Cincinnati, XXIII - Longest reception: 85 yards
Muhsin Muhammad | Carolina vs. New England, XXXVIII - Highest average gain:
- Career (min 8 receptions): 24.4
John Stallworth | Pittsburgh, 4 games (11-268) - Game (min 3 receptions): 40.33
John Stallworth | Pittsburgh vs. Los Angeles Rams, XIV (3-121)
- Career (min 8 receptions): 24.4
- Touchdowns in a game: 3
- Jerry Rice – twice
San Francisco vs. Denver, XXIV
San Francisco vs. San Diego Chargers, XXIX
- Jerry Rice – twice
Current Defense and Special-Teams Super Bowl Records
Defenders aren’t as valuable as the quarterback, but in a one-game sample, a defensive player can provide their team with a performance that truly decides the game. Whether it be racking up sacks, stealing interceptions, or Peanut-punching footballs into oblivion, the term “defense wins championships” has merit.
The defensive records could be a bit more difficult to break. The record for single-game interceptions is three. Mahomes has thrown three interceptions in a game three times, and Hurts has done it once. But even if they do, it’s unlikely a single player is able to be the lone recipient.
MORE: List of Most Super Bowl Wins by Team
Frank Clark is 2.5 sacks off the career Super Bowl record of 4.5, set by Von Miller and Charles Haley. Clark has a knack for exploding in the playoffs. The single-game record for sacks is three, set by Reggie White, Kony Ealy, and Darnell Dockett.
Pick a player. Chris Jones, Haason Reddick, Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, Josh Sweat, or Clark could all break the single-game record.
The strength of both defenses is on the defensive line. The Eagles have the best offensive line in the NFL, and the Chiefs have an outstanding interior with underrated tackles. Additionally, Mahomes is one of the best at escaping pressure, although his lame ankle will hurt his mobility.
Super Bowl Records on Defense
- Most safeties in a game: 1 — 7 players
Dwight White, Pittsburgh vs. Minnesota, IX
Reggie Harrison, Pittsburgh vs. Dallas, X
Henry Waechter, Chicago vs. New England, XX
George Martin, New York Giants vs. Denver, XXI
Bruce Smith, Buffalo vs. New York Giants, XXV
Chris Culliver, San Francisco vs. Baltimore Ravens, XLVII
Cliff Avril, Seattle vs. Denver, XLVIII - Career interceptions: 3 — 3 players
Chuck Howley | Dallas (2 games)
Rod Martin | Oakland-Los Angeles Raiders (2 games)
Larry Brown | Dallas (3 games) - Game interceptions: 3
Rod Martin | Oakland vs. Philadelphia, XV - Longest return: 100 yards
James Harrison | Pittsburgh vs. Arizona, XLIII (TD) - Touchdowns: 2
Dwight Smith | Tampa Bay vs. Oakland, XXXVII - Sacks career: 4.5
Charles Haley | San Francisco & Dallas (5 games) - Sacks game: 3.0 — 3 players
Reggie White | Green Bay vs. New England, XXXI
Darnell Dockett | Arizona vs. Pittsburgh, XLIII
Kony Ealy | Carolina vs. Denver, L
Kicking and Punting Records
Special-teams records appear a bit more unbreakable for Philadelphia and Kansas City. It’s unlikely that either team scores seven touchdowns. Neither team is too keen on kicking field goals, either. They’d rather go for fourth downs if they’re “manageable.”
The 54-yard record for the longest field goal could be in danger. Teams are far more willing to give long attempts a shot, and the wind won’t be a factor in Arizona. The longest punt would require a bit of luck. However, Tommy Townsend has a 76-yarder on his ledger this season.
The Eagles and Chiefs are almost certainly not going to punt 17 times between them, and neither team will punt 11 times in the game. However, if Kansas City is forced to punt four times, Townsend’s 50.4 average on the year would be enough to break the record for average in a game.
Punt and kick returns have become rarer by the year. Teams are kicking the ball through the end zone, and punt units have figured out how not to see a high number of returns. Neither team boasts an elite return unit that could swing the game.
- Most PATs made in a game: 7 — 3 players
Mike Cofer | San Francisco vs. Denver, XXIV (8 att)
Lin Elliott | Dallas vs. Buffalo, XXVII (7 att)
Doug Brien | San Francisco vs. San Diego Chargers, XXIX (7 att) - Most field goals made in a game: 4 — 2 players
Don Chandler | Green Bay vs. Oakland, II
Ray Wersching | San Francisco vs. Cincinnati, XV - Longest field goal (54 yards)
Steve Christie, Buffalo vs. Dallas, XXVIII - Longest punt: 66 yards
Johnny Hekker, Los Angeles Rams, LIII - Most punts in a career: 17 — 2 players
Mike Eischeid | Oakland & Minnesota (3 games)
Mike Horan | Denver & Rams (4 games) - Most punts in a game: 11
Brad Maynard | New York Giants vs. Baltimore Ravens, XXXV - Highest average yardage:
- Career (min 10 punts): 46.5
Jerrel Wilson | Kansas City (2 games) - Game (min 4 punts): 50.2
Tom Rouen | Seattle vs. Pittsburgh, XL
- Career (min 10 punts): 46.5
Punt-Return Records
- Punt-return yards gained:
- Career: 94
John Taylor | San Francisco (3 games) - Game: 90
Desmond Howard | Green Bay vs. New England, XXXI
- Career: 94
- Longest punt return: 61
Jordan Norwood | Denver vs. Carolina, L - Average yards per punt return:
- Career (min 4 returns): 15.7
John Taylor | San Francisco (3 games) - Game (min 3 returns): 18.7
John Taylor | San Francisco vs. Cincinnati, XXIII (3-56)
- Career (min 4 returns): 15.7
Kickoff-Return Records
- Most kickoff returns:
- game: 8 (2 players)
- Yards gained
- career: 283 — Fulton Walker
- game: 244 — Andre Coleman
- longest: 108 — Jacoby Jones
Fumbles
- Most Super Bowl fumbles:
- Career: 5 — 2 players
Roger Staubach | 4 games
Tom Brady | 10 games - Game: 3 — 3 players
Roger Staubach | Dallas vs. Pittsburgh, X
Jim Kelly | Buffalo vs. Washington, XXVI
Frank Reich | Buffalo vs. Dallas, XXVII
- Career: 5 — 2 players
- Fumble recoveries:
- Career: 2 – 15 players
Jake Scott | 3 games (1 own, 1 opp)
Fran Tarkenton | 3 games (2 own)
Franco Harris | 4 games (2 own)
Roger Staubach | 4 games (2 own)
Bobby Walden | 2 games (2 own)
John Fitzgerald | 4 games (2 own)
Randy Hughes | 3 games (2 opp)
Butch Johnson | 2 games (2 own)
Mike Singletary | 1 game (2 opp)
John Elway | 5 games (2 own)
Jimmie Jones | 2 games (2 opp)
Kenneth Davis | 4 games (2 own)
Kurt Warner | 3 games (2 own)
Danny Trevathan | 2 games (1 own, 1 opp)
Patrick Mahomes | 2 games (2 own) - Game: 2 – 7 players
Jake Scott | 3 games (1 own, 1 opp)
Roger Staubach | 4 games (2 own)
Randy Hughes | 3 games (2 opp)
Butch Johnson | 2 games (2 own)
Mike Singletary | 1 game (2 opp)
Jimmie Jones | 2 games (2 opp)
Danny Trevathan | 2 games (1 own, 1 opp)
- Career: 2 – 15 players