FIRE THE CANNONS: The TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (10-3) enter Week 15 tied for the best record in the league and seek back-to-back 11-win seasons for the first time in franchise history. With a win against New Orleans on Sunday Night Football (8:20 PM ET, NBC), Tampa Bay will also clinch its first NFC South division title since 2007. For all the Week 15 playoff scenarios, click here.
The Buccaneers are 6-0 at home this season and going back to Week 17 of 2020, have scored at least 30 points in each of their past seven regular-season games at Raymond James Stadium. With at least 30 points on Sunday night, Tampa Bay will become the third team ever to score 30 points in eight-or-more consecutive home games, joining the 2012-13 DENVER BRONCOS (11 consecutive home games) and the 1999-2000 ST. LOUIS RAMS (11).
Tampa Bay would also become the first-ever team to score at least 30 points in each of its first seven home games of a season.
The teams to score at least 30 points in the most consecutive home games in NFL history:
| TEAM | SEASONS | GAMES |
| Denver Broncos | 2012-13 | 11 |
| St. Louis Rams | 1999-2000 | 11 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 2020-21 | 7* |
| *Active streak |
Quarterback TOM BRADY leads the league with 4,134 passing yards and 36 touchdown passes. This marks his 13th season with at least 4,000 passing yards, the second-most in league history. Only Pro Football Hall of Famer PEYTON MANNING (14 seasons) has more.
Brady has recorded at least four touchdown passes in six games this season, the most in the league. His 39 career games with four-or-more touchdown passes are also the most all-time.
With four touchdown passes on Sunday night, he will become the fourth player ever to record at least four touchdown passes in seven-or-more games within a single season, joining Manning (nine games in 2013), PATRICK MAHOMES (seven in 2018) and AARON RODGERS (seven in 2020). Manning, Mahomes and Rodgers were each named Associated Press Most Valuable Player in those seasons.
The players with the most games with at least four touchdown passes in a single season in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | GAMES | |||
| Peyton ManningHOF# | Denver | 2013 | 9 | |||
| Patrick Mahomes# | Kansas City | 2018 | 7 | |||
| Aaron Rodgers# | Green Bay | 2020 | 7 | |||
| Tom Brady | Tampa Bay | 2021 | 6* | |||
| *Entering Week 15 | ||||||
| #Associated Press Most Valuable Player | ||||||
Brady can also record 40 touchdown passes for the third time in his career, also accomplishing the feat last season (40 touchdown passes) and in 2007 (50). He can join Rodgers as the only players ever to record at least 40 touchdown passes in three different seasons. He would also join DREW BREES (2011-12) as the only players in league history to register at least 40 touchdown passes in consecutive seasons.
Brady’s top targets this season have been wide receivers MIKE EVANS (885 receiving yards) and CHRIS GODWIN (1,054), who are the only pair of NFC teammates each with at least 850 receiving yards this season.
Since entering the league in 2014, Evans leads the NFL with 72 touchdown receptions and ranks third with 9,151 receiving yards. With 115 receiving yards on Sunday night, he will become the first player in league history with at least 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first eight seasons.
Godwin recorded 10 receptions for 105 yards in last week’s victory, after totaling a career-high 15 catches for 143 yards in Week 13. He can become the sixth player ever with at least 10 receptions and 100 receiving yards in three consecutive games.
The players with at least 10 receptions and 100 receiving yards in the most consecutive games in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | GAMES |
| Calvin JohnsonHOF | Detroit | 2012 | 4 |
| Michael Thomas | New Orleans | 2019 | 3 |
| Keenan Allen | L.A. Chargers | 2017 | 3 |
| Andre Johnson | Houston | 2008 | 3 |
| Brett Perriman | Detroit | 1995 | 3 |
| Chris Godwin | Tampa Bay | 2021 | 2* |
| *Active streak |
— NFL —
MVP MATCHUP: Green Bay quarterback AARON RODGERS, the 2020 NFL MVP, and Baltimore quarterback LAMAR JACKSON, the 2019 NFL MVP, will meet for the first time in their careers when the Ravens host the Packers on Sunday (4:25 PM ET, FOX) in an interconference battle between division leaders.
This will mark the third consecutive season in which the two most recent league MVPs have met as opposing starting quarterbacks.
The past five meetings featuring the two most recent NFL MVPs:
| MVPs (SEASON) | DATE | RESULT |
| Aaron Rodgers (2020) vs. Lamar Jackson (2019) | Dec, 19, 2021 | ??? |
| Lamar Jackson (2019) vs. Patrick Mahomes (2018) | Sept. 28, 2020 | KC 34, BAL 20 |
| Patrick Mahomes (2018) vs. Tom Brady (2017) | Dec. 8, 2019 | KC 23, NE 16 |
| Matt Ryan (2016) vs. Cam Newton (2015) | Dec. 31, 2017 | ATL 22, CAR 10 |
| Matt Ryan (2016) vs. Cam Newton (2015) | Nov. 5, 2017 | CAR 20, ATL 17 |
Last week, Rodgers passed for 341 yards and four touchdowns and ranks tied for fifth in the league with 27 touchdown passes this season. With three touchdown passes on Sunday, this will mark his eighth career season with at least 30 touchdown passes, the fifth-most in NFL history.
The players with the most seasons with at least 30 touchdown passes in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | SEASONS | |
| Drew Brees | New Orleans | 10 | |
| Tom Brady | New England, Tampa Bay | 9 | |
| Brett FavreHOF | Green Bay, Minnesota | 9 | |
| Peyton ManningHOF | Indianapolis, Denver | 9 | |
| Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay | 7* | |
| *Has 27 touchdown passes in 2021 | |||
— NFL —
NO SOPHOMORE SLUMP: Four teams led by second-year quarterbacks are currently in playoff contention after missing the 2020 postseason – CINCINNATI (7-6), the LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (8-5), MIAMI (6-7) and PHILADELPHIA (6-7).
Cincinnati’s JOE BURROW, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, ranks fifth in the AFC in passing yards (3,483) and has thrown for at least 300 yards in back-to-back games. On Sunday against Denver (4:05 PM ET, CBS), Burrow can become the fourth quarterback in NFL history to have 10-or-more games with at least 300 passing yards in his first two seasons, joining JUSTIN HERBERT (15 games), PATRICK MAHOMES (10) and Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO (10).
The players with the most games with at least 300 yards passing in their first two seasons in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | GAMES |
| Justin Herbert | L.A. Chargers | 15* |
| Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City | 10 |
| Dan MarinoHOF | Miami | 10 |
| Joe Burrow | Cincinnati | 9* |
| *In second season |
Last week, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback JUSTIN HERBERT, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, became the first quarterback ever with at least 30 touchdown passes in each of his first two seasons and the fourth-youngest player all-time to reach 8,000 career passing yards. With 39 passing yards on Thursday Night Football against Kansas City(8:20 PM ET, FOX/NFL Network/Amazon), Herbert – who has 8,158 career passing yards – can surpass ANDREW LUCK (8,196 passing yards) for the most passing yards by a player in his first two seasons in NFL history.
The players with the most passing yards in their first two seasons in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | PASSING YARDS | ||
| Andrew Luck | Indianapolis | 8,196 | ||
| Justin Herbert | L.A. Chargers | 8,158* | ||
| Jameis Winston | Tampa Bay | 8,123 | ||
| *In second season | ||||
Additionally, Herbert needs 178 passing yards on Thursday to become the second player ever to reach 4,000 passing yards in each of his first two seasons, joining JAMEIS WINSTON (2015-16).
Miami’s TUA TAGOVAILOA, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, is one of four quarterbacks all-time to record three games with a completion percentage of 80-or-higher (minimum 30 attempts) in a single season. The Dolphins, who host the New York Jets (3-10) on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, CBS), have won five consecutive games and are attempting to become the first team in NFL history to reach the playoffs after winning one of their first eight games.
Philadelphia’s JALEN HURTS was a second-round selection in 2020. He ranks second among quarterbacks with 695 rushing yards this season and has 11 career games with at least 50 rushing yards. When Philadelphia hosts Washington on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, FOX), Hurts can tie KYLER MURRAY (12 games) for the third-most games with at least 50 rushing yards by a quarterback in his first two seasons in the Super Bowl era.
The quarterbacks with the most games with at least 50 rushing yards in their first two seasons in the Super Bowl era:
| PLAYER | TEAM | GAMES |
| Lamar Jackson | Baltimore | 18 |
| Cam Newton | Carolina | 15 |
| Kyler Murray | Arizona | 12 |
| Robert Griffin III | Washington | 11 |
| Jalen Hurts | Philadelphia | 11* |
| *In second season |
— NFL —
MINNESOTA MILESTONES: In seven road games this season, Minnesota quarterback KIRK COUSINS has passed for 2,027 yards (289.6 per game) and 16 touchdowns against only one interception. Dating back to Week 16 of last season, Cousins has recorded at least two touchdown passes in nine consecutive road games.
With at least two touchdown passes at Chicago on Monday Night Football (8:15 PM ET, ESPN), it will mark the sixth time ever that a player has recorded at least two touchdown passes in 10 consecutive road games.
The players with at least two touchdown passes in the most consecutive road games in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASONS | GAMES |
| Tom Brady | New England | 2010-12 | 14 |
| Peyton ManningHOF | Denver | 2013-14 | 12 |
| Matt Ryan | Atlanta | 2018-19 | 11 |
| Tom Brady | New England | 2003-04 | 11 |
| Brett FavreHOF | Green Bay | 2001-02 | 11 |
| Kirk Cousins | Minnesota | 2020-21 | 9* |
| *Active streak |
For the second-consecutive season, Cousins’ top target has been wide receiver JUSTIN JEFFERSON. After setting the NFL rookie receiving record last year (1,400 receiving yards), Jefferson ranks second in the league with 1,288 receiving yards in 2021.
With 68 receiving yards on Sunday, Jefferson will 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 |
| Randy MossHOF | Minnesota | 2,726 |
| Justin Jefferson | Minnesota | 2,688* |
| *Entering Week 15 |
— NFL —
PACE SETTERS: Indianapolis running back JONATHAN TAYLOR and Los Angeles Rams wide receiver COOPER KUPP each enter Week 15 on historic streaks.
Taylor leads the league in scrimmage yards (1,684), rushing yards (1,348), scrimmage touchdowns (18) and rushing touchdowns (16), and is one of five players all-time with a rushing touchdown in 10 consecutive games within a single season.
With a rushing touchdown against New England on Saturday night (8:15 PM ET, NFLN), Taylor will tie PRIEST HOLMES (11 games in 2002) and Pro Football Hall of Famer EMMITT SMITH (11 in 1995) for the third-longest streak of games with a rushing touchdown within a single season in NFL history. Only Pro Football Hall of Famers JOHN RIGGINS (12 in 1983) and LADAINIAN TOMLINSON (12 in 2004) have a longer streak.
The players with a rushing touchdown in the most consecutive games within a single season in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | GAMES |
| John RigginsHOF | Washington | 1983 | 12 |
| LaDainian TomlinsonHOF | San Diego Chargers | 2004 | 12 |
| Priest Holmes | Kansas City | 2002 | 11 |
| Emmitt SmithHOF | Dallas | 1995 | 11 |
| Jonathan Taylor | Indianapolis | 2021 | 10* |
| *Active streak |
Since entering the league last season, Taylor – who turns 23 on January 19, 2022 – leads all players with 30 touchdowns. With a touchdown on Saturday, Taylor will surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer BARRY SANDERS (30 touchdowns) and tie CLINTON PORTIS (31) for the second-most touchdowns scored by a player prior his 23rd birthday. Only Pro Football Hall of Famer EDGERRIN JAMES (35) has more.
The players with the most touchdowns prior to their 23rd birthday in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | TOUCHDOWNS | |
| Edgerrin JamesHOF | Indianapolis | 35 | |
| Clinton Portis | Denver | 31 | |
| Barry SandersHOF | Detroit | 30 | |
| Jonathan Taylor | Indianapolis | 30* | |
| *Turns 23 in January, 2022 | |||
Kupp enters Week 15 leading the league in receptions (113), receiving yards (1,489) and touchdown receptions (12), and is the third player in the Super Bowl era to total at least 90 receiving yards in nine consecutive games, joining ODELL BECKHAM JR. (2014) and Pro Football Hall of Famer MICHAEL IRVIN (1995).
