The Week That Was - Week 13

THE WEEK THAT WAS – WEEK 13

COMEBACKS GALORE: There have been 57 games won by teams that trailed in the fourth quarter through Week 13, the fourth-most such games in the first 13 weeks of a season in NFL history.​

Five teams – ARIZONA, DALLAS, KANSAS CITY, OAKLAND and TAMPA BAY – were victorious in Week 13 after trailing in the fourth quarter.

Oakland scored 29 unanswered points in the second half to defeat Buffalo 38-24. Raiders quarterback DEREK CARR became the first player in NFL history with five game-winning touchdown passes in the fourth quarter or overtime in a season.  

The most games won after trailing in the fourth quarter through Week 13 in NFL history:

SEASON	GAMES WON AFTER TRAILING IN 4TH QUARTER THROUGH WEEK 13
1989	60
2012	59
2015	58
2016	57
2011	54

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EXCITING FINISHES: There have been 143 games within one score in the fourth quarter through Week 13, the most such games in the first 13 weeks of a season in NFL history.

Seven games were within one score in the fourth quarter in Week 13, including Kansas City’s 29-28 win at Atlanta. Chiefs safety ERIC BERRY intercepted a two-point conversion attempt and returned it for the go-ahead score with 4:32 remaining in the fourth quarter, marking the first game-winning defensive two-point conversion when a team was trailing since the rule was adopted last season.

The most games within one score in the fourth quarter through Week 13 in NFL history:

SEASON	GAMES WITHIN ONE SCORE IN 4TH QUARTER THROUGH WEEK 13
2016	143
2013	135
2007	135
2015	134
2004	134

Additionally, there have been 133 games within seven points in the fourth quarter through Week 13, the most such games in the first 13 weeks of a season in NFL history.

The most games within seven points in the fourth quarter through Week 13 in NFL history:

SEASON	GAMES WITHIN SEVEN POINTS IN 4TH QUARTER THROUGH WEEK 13
2016	133
2015	129
2013	129
2011	128
2007	128

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CLOSE GAMES: There have been 111 games decided by eight points or fewer and 102 games decided by seven points or fewer through Week 13, both the most such games in the first 13 weeks of a season in league annals.

The most games decided by eight points or fewer through Week 13 in NFL history:

SEASON	GAMES DECIDED BY EIGHT POINTS OR FEWER THROUGH WEEK 13
2016	111
2012	107
2015	106
2002	105
2013	104​

The most games decided by seven points or fewer through Week 13 in NFL history:

SEASON	GAMES DECIDED BY SEVEN POINTS OR FEWER THROUGH WEEK 13
2016	102
2015	100
2012	97
2013	96
2011	96
2003	96

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ROCKING THE RECORD BOOKS: Arizona wide receiver LARRY FITZGERALD, who ties for the NFL lead with 88 receptions, had 10 catches for 78 yards in the Cardinals’ 31-23 win over Washington. Fitzgerald has 1,106 career receptions and surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famers MARVIN HARRISON (1,102) and CRIS CARTER (1,101) for the third-most catches all-time.

The players with the most receptions in NFL history:

PLAYER	CAREER RECEPTIONS
Jerry Rice^	1,549
Tony Gonzalez	1,325
Larry Fitzgerald	1,106
Marvin Harrison^	1,102
Cris Carter^	1,101
^Pro Football Hall of Famer

Indianapolis running back FRANK GORE rushed for 79 yards in the Colts’ 41-10 win at the New York Jets on Monday Night Football. Gore, who has 12,789 career rushing yards, surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer TONY DORSETT (12,739) for the eighth-most rushing yards in NFL history.

The players with the most rushing yards in NFL history:

PLAYER	CAREER RUSHING YARDS
Emmitt Smith^	18,355
Walter Payton^	16,726
Barry Sanders^	15,269
Curtis Martin^	14,101
LaDainian Tomlinson	13,684
Jerome Bettis^	13,662
Eric Dickerson^	13,259
Frank Gore	12,789
Tony Dorsett^	12,739
^Pro Football Hall of Famer

Green Bay linebacker JULIUS PEPPERS had a sack in the Packers’ 21-13 win over Houston. Peppers has 142.5 career sacks and surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer MICHAEL STRAHAN (141.5) for the fifth-most sacks since the sack became an official statistic in 1982.

The players with the most sacks since 1982:

PLAYER	CAREER SACKS
Bruce Smith^	200
Reggie White^	198
Kevin Greene^	160
Chris Doleman^	150.5
Julius Peppers	142.5
Michael Strahan^	141.5
^Pro Football Hall of Famer

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VALIANT VICTORIES: The DALLAS COWBOYS defeated Minnesota 17-15 on Thursday night and became the first team in the NFL to clinch a postseason berth after Washington’s 31-23 loss at Arizona on Sunday.

Dallas’ victory marked their 11th consecutive win, tying the longest winning streak in franchise history. The Cowboys previously won 11 consecutive games spanning the 1968 and 1969 regular seasons.

The NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS defeated Los Angeles 26-10 to improve to 10-2, marking the club’s 14th consecutive season with at least 10 wins, the second-longest streak of 10-win seasons in NFL history. Only the 1983-1998 San Francisco 49ers (16) had more consecutive 10-win seasons.

Patriots quarterback TOM BRADY passed for 269 yards and a touchdown in the victory, which was his 201st career win (including the postseason) as a starting quarterback. Brady’s 201 overall victories are the most by a starting quarterback in NFL history.  

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CATCHING ON: Miami wide receiver JARVIS LANDRY had 11 receptions for 87 yards in the Dolphins’ loss at Baltimore. Landry, who is in his third NFL season, has 269 career receptions, the most through a player’s first three seasons. New York Giants wide receiver ODELL BECKHAM JR., who is also in his third season, ranks second with 262 career receptions.

The players with the most receptions through their first three seasons:

PLAYER	TEAM	SEASONS	RECEPTIONS IN 1ST 3 SEASONS
Jarvis Landry	Miami	2014-present	269*
Odell Beckham Jr.	New York Giants	2014-present	262*
A.J. Green	Cincinnati	2011-2013	260
Anquan Boldin	Arizona	2003-2005	259
DeAndre Hopkins	Houston	2013-2015	239
*In third season​

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MARVELOUS MONDAY: Indianapolis tight end DWAYNE ALLEN had three touchdown receptions in the first half of the Colts’ 41-10 win at the New York Jets on Monday Night Football.

Allen joins Pro Football Hall of Famer JERRY RICE (December 18, 1995) as the only players to have three touchdown catches in the first half of a Monday Night Football game. Rice had 14 catches for 289 receiving yards and three touchdowns in the 49ers’ 37-30 victory over Minnesota.

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- NFL Communications