As the 2023 NFL season gets underway, many teams and standout players are on the brink of setting historic marks and achieving monumental career milestones in Week 1. Here’s a deep dive into what fans should look for:
- Kansas City Chiefs Eye Ninth Consecutive Week 1 Win Kansas City, led by the dynamic duo of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, is seeking their ninth consecutive Kickoff Weekend win as they host the Detroit Lions in a primetime face-off. A win would position the Chiefs alongside teams like the 1984-92 Chicago Bears in the annals of Super Bowl-era season-opening victories.
- Mahomes, the 2022 NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP, boasts an enviable Kickoff Weekend record, averaging 308.4 yards per game over the past five starts. He is one four-touchdown performance away from surpassing Dan Marino for the most games with at least four TD passes in a player’s first seven seasons.
- Kelce, on the other hand, is two receptions away from overtaking Shannon Sharpe’s record for the fourth-most catches by a tight end in NFL history.
- Goff’s Pursuit of No-Interception Glory Detroit Lions’ Jared Goff enters the season with an impressive streak of 324 pass attempts without an interception. Continuing this form, he could leapfrog Derek Carr and Tom Brady in the record books.
- Cincinnati’s Dynamic Duo Quarterback Joe Burrow and receiver Ja’Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals continue their historic pace. Burrow can surpass Patrick Mahomes and Matthew Stafford for the second-most games with 400+ passing yards in a player’s first four seasons. Meanwhile, Chase is 27 yards away from outdoing Randy Moss for the third-most receiving yards in a player’s initial 30 career games.
- Allen’s Assault on Records Buffalo Bills’ quarterback, Josh Allen, could surpass Russell Wilson’s record of combined passing and rushing touchdowns in a player’s first six seasons with just two touchdowns against the New York Jets.
- Chargers’ Double Threat Chargers’ quarterback Justin Herbert is within striking distance of outpacing Matthew Stafford for the second-most passing yards in a player’s initial 50 career games. Simultaneously, running back Austin Ekeler is a touchdown reception away from joining an elite club of running backs with 30+ career touchdown receptions in the Super Bowl era.
- Dallas Stars on the Horizon Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback Dak Prescott is poised to join Aaron Rodgers in the exclusive 25,000 passing yards and 1,500 rushing yards club in a player’s first 100 games. In tandem, linebacker Micah Parsons is on the verge of joining Reggie White and other greats for the most games with 2+ sacks in a player’s initial three NFL seasons.
As the weekend unfolds, fans across the nation will be glued to their screens for the exhilaration of each game and to witness history in the making. These individual and team-based milestones serve as a testament to the dedication, skill, and passion that NFL players and organizations bring to the field every season.
As the dust settles post Kickoff Weekend, the narratives will undoubtedly shift to upcoming matches and strategies, but for a brief moment, the spotlight will shine on those players who have etched their names deeper into the annals of NFL history.
Here’s to a season of exceptional performances, surprising underdog stories, and football moments that will be cherished for years.