Stats from Mr. Stats: Week 04

Last week, Drew Brees recorded his 46^th consecutive game with at least one touchdown pass.  With one touchdown pass against the Packers, Brees can tie Johnny Unitas’ record of 47 consecutive games.

To me, this was always the NFL version of the DiMaggio 56-game hit streak.  Unitas—the greatest quarterback of his time—put together a streak that no one came close to for decades.  Prior to the active streaks of Brees (46 straight) and Tom Brady (35 straight), the closest anyone got was Brett Favre (36 games in a row in 2002-2004) and Dan Marino (30 straight from 1985-87).  That means from 1960-2003, no one came within 20% (9.4 is 20% of 47) and no came close to 9 or 10 games from the recordt prior to Favre in ’03.  And even he wasn’t close! 

            If I’m the Packers, I’m not going to make it easy.  Give the Saints the run. Don’t let Brees have an easy shot in the end zone. 

            I’m a big Johnny U. fan.  Please—Packers—don’t give up the TD pass.  But—if the record has to be broken—Brees is worthy.

·         The Patriots look to avoid their first three-game losing streak since a four-game skid from September 29-October 27, 2002.

·         Ryan Fitzpatrick has been sacked a league-low one time.  And the Bills should have no trouble protecting him again this week, as the Patriots have only three sacks, tied for second-fewest of any team.

·         Percy Harvin, who leads the league with 27 receptions,  has no touchdowns.

·         Ponder’s longest completion of the year was for 29 yards.

·         Dating back to last season, the Cardinals have won 10 of their last 12 games

·         Reggie Bush said he feels no sympathy toward the Jets for losing Revis for the year. “What goes around comes around.”

·         Philip Riverswill start his 100th-career and 100th-straight game Sunday in Kansas City.

·         Chargers RB Jackie Battleoriginally entered the NFL with Kansas City as an undrafted rookie in 2007 and went on to play five seasons with the Chiefs. He was Kansas City’s leading rusher in 2011 with 597 yards on 149 carries (4.0 avg.).

·         Of  Alex Smith’s 92 pass attempts, four have traveled 20 yards or more downfield (tight end Vernon Davis was targeted with the other three deep balls). Of the NFL’s 32 quarterbacks who have thrown at least 30 passes, only Buffalo’s Ryan Fitzpatrick has attempted fewer of at least 20 yards than Smith. (Mark Sanchez: 14 long attempts to WR)

·         Atlanta is seeking its first 4-0 start since 2004.  That ’04 team, led by Michael Vick, won the NFC South going 11-5 before losing to the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game.

·         Tony Gonzalez has caught a touchdown pass in each of the first three games of the season.  Gonzalez is two touchdown receptions shy of becoming the eighth receiver and first tight end to record 100 career receiving touchdowns.

·         The Titans offensive line has allowed just two sacks this season, second fewest of any team.  Only the Bills have allowed fewer (one).

·         Matt Schaub has won four of his last six starts vs. the Titans.  In those six games, he’s thrown 13 touchdown passes with just one interception.

·         Andy Dalton has completed 18 of 22 passes (81.8%) in the fourth quarter this season for 288 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions for a perfect quarterback rating (158.3).

·         Sam Bradford has been clutch on third down this year, completing 17 of 23 passes for 182 yards.

·         Bradford has been sacked 12 times this year.  Only Aaron Rodgers (16) has been sacked more often

·         The Raiders play the Broncos.  Dennis Allen was defensive coordinator for the Broncos in 2011.  John Fox was the Raiders defensive coordinator back in 1994-95.

·         These are the Raiders?  The Raiders did not commit a penalty in the first half last Sunday, and only three for the game.  For the season, Oakland has committed only 14 penalties in 3 weeks.

·         Richard Seymour versus Peyton Manning.  Where have I seen that before?

·         The Saints are 0-3, after finishing last season 13-3.

·         Redskins Executive Vice President and General Manager Bruce Allen was the Bucs general manager from 2004-2008.

·         Redskins defensive backs coach Raheem Morris worked for the Bucs from 2002-2011, serving as head coach from 2009-2011.

·         Eli Manning has faced the Eagles 17 times in his career (15 regular season and 2 postseason) and is 7-10 in those games.

·         Safety Antrelle Rolle (questionable for Sunday) has started all 35 regular-season games since joining the Giants as a free agent in 2010. That is the second-longest streak on the team after Eli Manning’s 122 consecutive starts

·         LeSean McCoy had just one carry in the first quarter last week and a total of four in the first half.

·         LeSean McCoy has scored 11 touchdowns (10 rush, 1 receiving) in his past eight home games and looks to score in his ninth consecutive game at the Linc.

By Elliott Kalb