Now at the midway point of the 2014 NFL regular season, we are starting to come to the realization that some major statistical records may be broken around the league.
These records are mainly on the offensive side of the ball, especially considering the league has made a point of helping skill-position players while making things more difficult for defenses.
Here are five players who are currently on pace to put up some ridiculous numbers this season. You will see a combination of record-breaking numbers and others that are pretty awesome to look at.
Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Indianapolis Colts
Statistical Pace: 444 completions, 699 attempts, 5,484 passing yards, 46 touchdowns and 16 interceptions
After racking up 300-plus passing yards in each of the past seven games, Luck is now on pace to break the single-season yardage record that Peyton Manning set last year. His 26 touchdowns would also put him in place to rank in the top-five in NFL history in that category. Luck’s average of 43.7 pass attempts per outing would put him in second place on the all-time list in that category.
It goes without saying that league rules have had an impact on the success of passing games around the NFL, but Luck is a product of being asked to do a whole heck of a lot for the first-place Colts. He represents 78 percent of the team’s total yardage output and 83 percent of its total touchdowns through nine games.
Ben Roethlisberger, Quarterback, Pittsburgh Steelers
Statistical Pace: 4,836 passing yards, 39 touchdowns and five interceptions
Big Ben is the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for six touchdowns in consecutive games. Interestingly, those 12 touchdowns are more than he threw for in the Steelers first seven games. And now with 22 scores on the season, Roethlisberger is on pace to destroy his personal career-high and franchise record of 33 set in 2007. He’s also on pace to best his previous franchise record for passing yards. More good news for Roethlisberger this upcoming week. He’s going up against a New York Jets defense that has allowed 24 touchdowns while intercepting one pass on the season. Can he make it three consecutive games with six-plus touchdowns? I honestly wouldn’t put it past him.
DeMarco Murray, Running Back, Dallas Cowboys
Statistical Pace: 400 attempts, 2,014 rushing yards, 2,459 total yards and 12 touchdowns
While Murray is no longer on pace to break Larry Johnson’s single-season record for rush attempts, he’s still putting up a huge amount of carries entering the second half of the season. And with Tony Romo still hobbled, there is no real reason to believe Murray will see a major downtick in carries moving forward. In terms of total yards, Murray’s current total is set to surpass what Chris Johnson did with the Tennessee Titans back in 2009, which is still an NFL record for a running back.
With a slate of games coming up against some of the worst overall defenses in the NFL, Murray should be able to pad these ridiculous numbers. Dallas is set to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars this upcoming Sunday prior to a Week 11 bye. It will then run off a string of games against the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles (twice) and Chicago Bears. None of those defenses stand much of a chance of slownig him down.
Antonio Brown, Wide Receiver, Pittsburgh Steelers
Statistical Pace: 126 receptions, 1,771 yards and 14 touchdowns
Marvin Harrison boasts the single-season record for receptions (143) set in 2002. This is a record that is unlikely to be broken anytime soon. With that said, Brown’s 2014 performance might end up being one of the best in the history of the league.
Not only is he on pace to put up 120-plus catches, the Pro Bowler may very well best Harrison’s yardage total of 1,722 from 2002, which would rank him in the top-five in the history of the league. Other names on the top five of that list include: Calvin Johnson, Isaac Bruce and Jerry Rice. Not bad company at all.
Justin Houston, Linebacker, Kansas City Chiefs
Statistical Pace: 64 tackles and 24 sacks
Michael Strahan holds the single-season sack record of 22.5. This means that Houston needs to put up just 11 in Kansas City’s final eight games in order to become the new all-time leader in this important category. Considering that the linebacker has put up five in his last two games and will be lining up against a Buffalo Bills offensive line that has allowed the seventh-most sacks in the NFL this season, I fully expect him to add more to this impressive total in Week 10.