Every weekend in the NFL, elements attract our attention regarding the forces present, the records that are within reach or in relation to certain historical marks. Here, for the 15th week of activities, are 5 elements to watch out for.
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1. Maye vs. Allen
The duel between Bills and Patriots in Foxborough promises to be one of the most captivating of the weekend. In this meeting, Drake Maye will try to guide the Patriots to an 11th straight victory. In history, the only quarterbacks 23 or younger to win 11 straight games are Dan Marino (Dolphins, 1984), Peyton Manning (Colts, 1999), Ben Roethisberger (Steelers, 2004), Dak Prescott (Cowboys, 2016) and Lamar Jackson (Ravens, 2019). His opposite number for the Bills, Josh Allen, has already accumulated 34 touchdowns (22 passing and 12 rushing) this season. Against the Patriots, he will try to pass the 35 touchdown mark for the sixth time in his career. He would join Drew Brees in second place, while Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers have already had seven seasons of 35 touchdowns or more.
2. Gibbs and grind companion
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Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs is off to a stellar start to his career with 47 total touchdowns (rushes and receptions). If he adds a touchdown Sunday against the Rams, he will pass former Lions Barry Sanders for the most touchdowns under the age of 24 and for a player in his first three seasons in the NFL. And let’s say that Gibbs decides to push further and he gets two touchdowns, this would already be for him a 12th game of two touchdowns or more in his young career. In history, only Hall of Famers Jim Brown, Earl Campbell and Eric Dickerson have had 12 games with at least two touchdowns in their first three seasons.
3. A recruit to discover…
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If I asked you, over the last 10 seasons, which player gained the most total yards after 13 games, who would you say? Christian McCaffrey? It would be a logical choice, he who had amassed 1,946 yards in 13 games for the Panthers in 2019. Saquon Barkley, with the Eagles last season, had accumulated 1,890 yards in his first 13 games. You will certainly be surprised to learn that a rookie from the poor Tennessee Titans did even better than these two monsters this season. Receiver Chimere Dike has amassed 1984 yards so far! The fourth-round pick has 284 passing yards, 18 rushing yards, 359 punt return yards and 1,323 kickoff return yards. Obviously the return figures distort the situation, but still, the Titans have unearthed a great weapon.
4. Once upon a time in the West
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The West division of the national conference features a constant battle between three of these four representatives. The Rams (10-3), Seahawks (10-3) and 49ers (9-4) are engaged in a heated battle. This is only the second time since the realignment of the divisions in 2002 that two teams in this division have claimed at least 10 victories in the first 13 games. In 2019, the 49ers dominated at 11-2 and the Seahawks were close behind at 10-3. That season, the Seahawks finished the season with an 11-5 record and were eliminated in the second round. The 49ers, with a 13-3 record, continued on to the Super Bowl, where the Chiefs beat them.
5. Among the kings of quarterback bags
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We’ve often talked to you about the exploits of Browns defensive end Myles Garrett. We can never talk about it too much, since he is now part of a select group of 13 players in NFL history to have reached the plateau of 20 quarterback sacks this season. He’s getting dangerously close to the single-season record of 22.5 sacks shared by Michael Strahan and TJ Watt. If he adds a sack on Sunday against the Bears, he will become the eighth player to exceed the 20 sack mark, after Mark Gastineau (Jets, 1984), Reggie White (Eagles, 1987), Chris Doleman (Vikings, 1989), Michael Strahan (Giants, 2001), Jared Allen (Vikings, 2011), Justin Houston (Chiefs, 2014) and TJ Watt (Steelers, 2021).
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