2021 What To Look For - Week 16
The Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings enter Week 16 with their postseason goals still within reach. Each franchise can achieve separate accolades with an all-around team performance.
The run-heavy Eagles need 175 rushing yards to become the third team in the Super Bowl era to record 175 rushing yards in eight consecutive games, joining the 1972 Miami Dolphins and 1972 Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Cowboys and Vikings have their focus set on defense. By forcing four turnovers this week, Dallas would become the fourth team since 1990 to record at least four takeaways in four consecutive games. The league-leaders in sacks, Minnesota (44) needs two sacks to become the first team to record multiple sacks in each of their first 15 games.
See below to learn which individual players can hit milestones this week:
SECOND-YEAR STARS: Indianapolis running back JONATHAN TAYLOR leads the league with 1,854 scrimmage yards, 1,518 rushing yards, 19 scrimmage touchdowns and 17 rushing touchdowns. Last week, he became the fifth player with a rushing touchdown in 11 consecutive games within a single season and can join Pro Football Hall of Famers JOHN RIGGINS (1983) and LADAINIAN TOMLINSON (2004) as the only players to do so in 12 straight games within a single season.
Additionally, with 146 scrimmage yards and a touchdown at Arizona on Christmas night (8:15 PM ET, NFLN), Taylor – who turns 23 on January 19, 2022 – will become the first player under the age of 23 with at least 2,000 scrimmage yards and 20 touchdowns in a single season all-time.
He would also join Pro Football Hall of Famer ERIC DICKERSON (1983) and DAVID JOHNSON (2016) as the only players with at least 2,000 scrimmage yards and 20 touchdowns in one of their first two career seasons in NFL history.
The players with at least 2,000 scrimmage yards and 20 touchdowns in one of their first two career seasons in NFL history:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
SEASON |
AGE |
SCRIMMAGE YARDS |
TOUCHDOWNS |
|
Eric DickersonHOF |
L.A. Rams |
1983 |
23 |
2,212 |
20 |
|
David Johnson |
Arizona |
2016 |
25 |
2,118 |
20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jonathan Taylor |
Indianapolis |
2021 |
22 |
1,854* |
19* |
|
*Entering Week 16 |
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Taylor led all rookies with 11 rushing touchdowns last season and now has 28 in his career. With two rushing touchdowns on Saturday, he will become the third player all-time with at least 30 rushing touchdowns in his first two seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers EARL CAMPBELL (32 rushing touchdowns) and ERIC DICKERSON (32).
The players with the most rushing touchdowns in their first two seasons in NFL history:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS |
|
Earl CampbellHOF |
Houston Oilers |
32 |
|
Eric DickersonHOF |
L.A. Rams |
32 |
|
Clinton Portis |
Denver |
29 |
|
Curtis MartinHOF |
New England |
28 |
|
Jonathan Taylor |
Indianapolis |
28* |
|
*In second season |
||
Taylor isn’t the only player from the 2020 NFL Draft that can make history this week. Minnesota wide receiver JUSTIN JEFFERSON needs 21 receiving yards against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, FOX) to surpass ODELL BECKHAM JR. (2,755) for the most receiving yards ever by a player in his first two seasons.
The players with the most receiving yards in their first two seasons in NFL history:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
RECEIVING YARDS |
|
Odell Beckham Jr. |
N.Y. Giants |
2,755 |
|
Justin Jefferson |
Minnesota |
2,735* |
|
Randy MossHOF |
Minnesota |
2,726 |
|
*Entering Week 16 |
|
|
Additionally, with 133 receiving yards in Week 16, Jefferson – who turns 23 on June 16, 2022 – will surpass JUJU SMITH-SCHUSTER (2,867 receiving yards) for the most receiving yards by a player under the age of 23 in NFL history.
The players with the most receiving yards prior to their 23rd birthday in NFL history:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
RECEIVING YARDS |
|
JuJu Smith-Schuster |
Pittsburgh |
2,867 |
|
Justin Jefferson |
Minnesota |
2,735* |
|
Randy MossHOF |
Minnesota |
2,726 |
|
*Turns 23 on June 16, 2022 |
||
Jefferson ranks tied for sixth in the league with 89 receptions this season and can join LARRY FITZGERALD (103 receptions in 2005), CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY (107 in 2018) and JUJU SMITH-SCHUSTER (111 in 2018) as the only players under the age of 23 to record at least 100 receptions in a single season.
CATCHING RECORDS IN LA: Los Angeles Rams wide receiver COOPER KUPP leads the league with 122 receptions, 1,625 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns. Last week, he became the first player in the Super Bowl era with at least 90 receiving yards in 10 consecutive games within a single season. Overall, Kupp has eclipsed 90 receiving yards in 13 of 14 games this season.
With at least 90 receiving yards at Minnesota on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, FOX), Kupp will become the first player ever with at least 90 receiving in 14 games within a single season.
The players with the most games with at least 90 receiving yards in a single season in NFL history:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
SEASON |
GAMES |
|
|
Antonio Brown |
Pittsburgh |
2014 |
13 |
|
|
Michael IrvinHOF |
Dallas |
1995 |
13 |
|
|
Cooper Kupp |
L.A. Rams |
2021 |
13* |
|
|
*Entering Week 16 |
|
|
|
|
Kupp also needs a touchdown reception to become the fourth player in league history to record at least 100 catches, 1,000 receiving yards and 15 receiving touchdowns in a single season, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers MARVIN HARRISON (2001), RANDY MOSS (2003) and JERRY RICE (1995).
The players with at least 100 receptions, 1,500 receiving yards and 15 receiving touchdowns in a single season in NFL history:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
SEASON |
RECEPTIONS |
RECEIVING YARDS |
RECEIVING TDs |
|
|
Marvin HarrisonHOF |
Indianapolis |
2001 |
109 |
1,524 |
15 |
|
|
Randy MossHOF |
Minnesota |
2003 |
111 |
1,632 |
17 |
|
|
Jerry RiceHOF |
San Francisco |
1995 |
122 |
1,848 |
15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cooper Kupp |
L.A. Rams |
2021 |
122* |
1,625* |
14* |
|
|
*Entering Week 16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver KEENAN ALLEN, who also calls SoFi Stadium home, can join Kupp in making history this week. Allen ranks fifth in the league with 92 receptions this season and his 495 catches since 2017 are the most in the NFL.
With three receptions at Houston on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, CBS), Allen will become the second player ever to record at least 95 catches in five-or-more consecutive seasons, joining ANTONIO BROWN (six consecutive seasons).
The players with the most consecutive seasons with at least 95 receptions in NFL history:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM(S) |
SEASONS |
|
|
Antonio Brown |
Pittsburgh |
6 (2013-18) |
|
|
Keenan Allen |
L.A. Chargers |
4* (2017-20) |
|
|
DeAndre Hopkins |
Houston, Arizona |
4 (2017-20) |
|
|
Marvin HarrisonHOF |
Indianapolis |
4 (1999-02) |
|
|
Jerry RiceHOF |
San Francisco |
4 (1993-96) |
|
|
*Has 92 receptions entering Week 15 |
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65 FOR 85: Since entering the NFL in 2017, San Francisco tight end GEORGE KITTLE ranks second among tight ends with 4,429 receiving yards and third with 327 receptions. This season, he ranks third among tight ends with 850 receiving yards and fourth with 63 receptions and has totaled at least 90 receiving yards in each of the past three games.
With 71 receiving yards at Tennessee on Thursday (8:20 PM ET, NFLN), Kittle – playing in his 65th career game – can join Pro Football Hall of Famer KELLEN WINSLOW SR. (4,546 receiving yards) as the only tight ends all-time with at least 4,500 receiving yards in their first 65 career games.
The tight ends with the most receiving yards in their first 65 career games in NFL history:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
RECEIVING YARDS |
|
Kellen Winslow Sr.HOF |
San Diego Chargers |
4,546 |
|
George Kittle |
San Francisco |
4,429* |
|
Rob Gronkowski |
New England |
4,379 |
|
*In 64 games |
||
With three receptions, Kittle can surpass JORDAN REED (329 receptions) for the second-most receptions by a tight end in his first 65 career games all-time. Only Pro Football Hall of Famer KELLEN WINSLOW SR. (348) has more.
The tight ends with the most receptions in their first 65 career games in NFL history:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
RECEPTIONS |
|
Kellen Winslow Sr.HOF |
San Diego Chargers |
348 |
|
Jordan Reed |
Washington |
329 |
|
George Kittle |
San Francisco |
327* |
|
*In 64 games |
||
RUN, EAGLES, RUN: The PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (7-7) enter the week with the league’s leading rushing attack, averaging 165.6 rushing yards per game. Winners of four of their past five games and within one game of the final Wild Card spot in the NFC, the Eagles have recorded at least 175 rushing yards in each of their past seven games.
With 175 rushing yards against the New York Giants on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, FOX), Philadelphia will become the third team in the Super Bowl era to record at least 175 rushing yards in eight consecutive games within a single season, joining the 1972 Miami Dolphins and 1972 Pittsburgh Steelers.
The teams with at least 175 rushing yards in the most consecutive games within a single season in the Super Bowl era:
|
TEAM |
SEASON |
GAMES |
|
Miami Dolphins |
1972 |
8 |
|
Pittsburgh Steelers |
1972 |
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
Philadelphia Eagles |
2021 |
7* |
|
*Active streak |
|
|
Philadelphia quarterback JALEN HURTS leads all quarterbacks with 10 rushing touchdowns this season. Last week, he rushed for 38 yards and two touchdowns, his fifth career game with at least two rushing touchdowns, the most-ever by a quarterback in his first two seasons.
With two rushing touchdowns on Sunday, Hurts will tie STEVE GROGAN (15 rushing touchdowns) and KYLER MURRAY (15) for the third-most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in his first two seasons in NFL history. Only CAM NEWTON (22) and JOSH ALLEN (17) have more.
The quarterbacks with the most rushing touchdowns in their first two seasons in NFL history:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS |
|
Cam Newton |
Carolina |
22 |
|
Josh Allen |
Buffalo |
17 |
|
Steve Grogan |
New England |
15 |
|
Kyler Murray |
Arizona |
15 |
|
Jalen Hurts |
Philadelphia |
13* |
|
*In second season |
||
BALLHAWKING D IN BIG D: The DALLAS COWBOYS (10-4) have 31 takeaways this season, tied with Indianapolis for the most in the league. They enter Week 16 winners of three straight games and sit atop of the NFC East. In each of those wins, Dallas has recorded at least four takeaways.
With at least four takeaways against Washington on Sunday Night Football (8:20 PM ET, NBC), the Cowboys will become the fourth team since 1990 to force at least four turnovers in four consecutive games.
The teams to force at least four turnovers in the most consecutive games since 1990:
|
TEAM |
SEASON |
GAMES |
|
Buffalo Bills |
2004 |
4 |
|
Green Bay Packers |
2002 |
4 |
|
Buffalo Bills |
1993 |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
Dallas Cowboys |
2021 |
3* |
|
*Active streak |
|
|
Last week, Dallas cornerback TREVON DIGGS recorded his league-leading 10th interception of the season. With three games remaining, Diggs has a chance to become the seventh player in the Super Bowl era, and first since Dallas’ EVERSON WALLS in 1981, with at least 11 interceptions in a single season.
The players with the most interceptions in a single season in the Super Bowl era:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
SEASON |
INTERCEPTIONS |
|
|
Lester Hayes |
Oakland Raiders |
1980 |
13 |
|
|
Mike Reinfeldt |
Houston |
1979 |
12 |
|
|
Emmitt ThomasHOF |
Kansas City |
1974 |
12 |
|
|
Mel BlountHOF |
Pittsburgh |
1975 |
11 |
|
|
Bill Bradley |
Philadelphia |
1971 |
11 |
|
|
Everson Walls |
Dallas |
1981 |
11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trevon Diggs |
Dallas |
2021 |
10* |
|
|
*Entering Week 16 |
|
|
|
|
SACK ATTACK: The MINNESOTA VIKINGS (7-7) enter the week leading the league with 44 sacks this season. Winners of two straight games and currently holding the final Wild Card spot in the NFC playoff picture, the Vikings have recorded at least two sacks in each of their 14 games.
With at least two sacks against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, FOX), Minnesota will become the first team ever to record multiple sacks in each of their first 15 games of a season.
Pittsburgh linebacker T.J. WATT leads the league with 17.5 sacks in 2021, followed by Chicago’s ROBERT QUINN (16 sacks), San Francisco’s NICK BOSA (15) and Cleveland’s MYLES GARRETT (15). Cincinnati’s TREY HENDRICKSON (13), New England’s MATTHEW JUDON (12.5) and Dallas rookie MICAH PARSONS (12) also have at least 12 sacks with three weeks to play.
The 2021 season has a chance to become the seventh season since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic, and first since 1998 to feature five-or-more players with at least 15 sacks.
The seasons with the most players with at least 15 sacks since 1982:
|
SEASON |
PLAYERS WTH 15 SACKS |
|
|
1989 |
7 |
|
|
1986 |
6 |
|
|
1998 |
5 |
|
|
1992 |
5 |
|
|
1984 |
5 |
|
|
1983 |
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2021 |
4* |
|
|
*Entering Week 16 |
||
The Pro Football Hall of Fame will recognize individual and team “Milestones” throughout the 2021 season. Joining the Hall in celebrating the year’s accomplishments will be 11 of the health systems that are network providers providing quality medical care and services across the country in partnership with Hall of Fame Health. They are Baylor Scott & White, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, HonorHealth, Flagler Health , Tampa General Hospital, OhioHealth, NorthShore HealthSystem, Providence St. John’s, HCA Gulf Coast, UCSF Health and Array Behavioral Care.