After missing offseason workouts, it seems clear the NFL offenses are way ahead of the defenses. Most of the major single-season passing and receiving records are on pace to be broken. After five weeks, here’s who is set to make history:
Passer rating
2011 season: Packers QB Aaron Rodgers 122.9
Record set in 2004: Colts QB Peyton Manning 121.1
Coming off a Super Bowl victory, Rodgers hasn’t slowed down this season. He has thrown 14 touchdowns to just two interceptions and will need to keep up that pace. The Packers’ schedule is favorable with just one game remaining against a top-10 passing defense.
Passing yards
2011 leader: Patriots QB Tom Brady 1,874 yards (on pace for 5,997)
Record set in 1984: Dolphins QB Dan Marino 5,084 yards
Brady is on pace to destroy Marino’s record, and there are four other quarterbacks — Drew Brees, Rodgers, Cam Newton and Tony Romo — who are on pace to surpass the mark this year. Brady has been here before, falling just 278 yards shy in 2007.
Receiving yards
2011 leader: Patriots WR Wes Welker 740 yards (on pace for 2,368)
Record set in 1995: 49ers Jerry Rice 1,848 yards
Welker has 45 catches and is also on pace to top the receptions record of 143 set by Marvin Harrison in 2002. Welker has been targeted 10 more times than any other receiver this season and is averaging a career-high 16.4 yards a catch. Panthers wideout Steve Smith is also on pace to break Rice’s record with 609 yards this season. But with Newton at quarterback, it seems likely his numbers will drop.
Receiving touchdowns
2011 leader: Lions WR Calvin Johnson nine TDs (on pace for 29)
Record set in 2007: Patriots WR Randy Moss 23 TDs
With Johnson’s 6-foot-5, 236-pound frame, he’s an easy red-zone target for Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford. Johnson became the first player in NFL history to score two touchdowns in each of the first four games of the season.
– Jeffrey Tomik
