Week 10 of the 2023 NFL season promises to be an exciting one, with several teams and players on the cusp of setting historic marks or reaching career milestones. Let’s take a closer look at the notable achievements in store:
C.J. Stroud’s Rookie Brilliance
Houston Texans’ rookie quarterback, C.J. Stroud, is lighting up the NFL in his debut season. Stroud leads all qualified rookie quarterbacks with impressive stats, including 2,270 passing yards, 14 touchdown passes, 173 completions, and a 102.9 passer rating. Last week, he made history by recording 470 passing yards in a single game, the most ever by a rookie quarterback, and achieved the highest-ever single-game passer rating (147.8) with a minimum of 30 attempts.
This Sunday, when Houston faces Cincinnati, Stroud has the opportunity to join a select group of rookie quarterbacks with at least 2,500 passing yards in their first nine career starts. Justin Herbert, Andrew Luck, and Cam Newton are the only ones to achieve this feat, and Stroud is poised to join their ranks.
Additionally, Stroud is inching closer to becoming the fifth rookie quarterback in NFL history with at least three games of 300 passing yards and multiple touchdown passes. Justin Herbert, Andrew Luck, Daniel Jones, and Kyler Murray have achieved this, and Stroud is well on his way to making history.
Josh Allen’s Dual-Threat Prowess
Buffalo Bills’ quarterback, Josh Allen, is having a phenomenal season, leading all quarterbacks with 24 total touchdowns (18 passing, six rushing). Allen’s versatility is on full display as he has recorded at least one touchdown pass and one rushing touchdown in six of his past seven games.
In the Monday Night Football matchup against Denver, Allen has a chance to surpass Aaron Rodgers and Hall of Famer Steve Young for the second-most games with at least one touchdown pass and one rushing touchdown in NFL history. Only Cam Newton has more such games.
Allen’s career has been nothing short of remarkable since entering the NFL in 2018. With four combined passing and rushing touchdowns in the upcoming game, he will tie Patrick Mahomes for the most combined touchdowns in a player’s first six seasons in NFL history.
Dak Prescott’s Ascent
Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback, Dak Prescott, is making waves in the league. In his past two games, Prescott has thrown for at least three touchdown passes, showcasing his prowess. With three touchdown passes against the New York Giants, Prescott can tie Hall of Famer Brett Favre for the fourth-most such games by a player in his first eight seasons in NFL history.
Moreover, if Prescott records at least 300 passing yards and three touchdown passes in the upcoming game, he will surpass Kirk Cousins, Aaron Rodgers, and Hall of Famer Kurt Warner for the third-most such games by a player in his first eight career seasons. Only Patrick Mahomes and Hall of Famer Dan Marino have more.
AFC North Showdown
In what promises to be a historic matchup, the Cleveland Browns, boasting the league’s top defense, will face the Baltimore Ravens, who are second in total defense. This marks the first time in over a year that the top two defenses have clashed this late in the season.
Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, renowned for his rushing ability, aims to add another milestone to his resume. With 52 rushing yards, he can surpass Randall Cunningham for the fourth-most rushing yards by a quarterback in NFL history. Additionally, with 60 rushing yards, Jackson will become the first quarterback ever to have 500 rushing yards in each of his first six seasons.
Sack Masters in AFC North
The AFC North boasts some of the NFL’s premier pass rushers. Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns and T.J. Watt from the Pittsburgh Steelers are tied for second with 9.5 sacks each this season. Since entering the NFL in 2017, Watt and Garrett rank first and second, respectively, in sacks.
In Week 10, T.J. Watt has a chance to surpass his brother, J.J. Watt, for the second-most sacks by a player in his first 100 career games since 1982. Similarly, Myles Garrett, with one sack in the upcoming game, can tie Hall of Famer DeMarcus Ware for the fourth-most sacks by a player in his first 100 career games since 1982.
Garrett also aims to break records by surpassing Aaron Donald for the fourth-most career games with at least one sack in a player’s first seven NFL seasons since 1982.
Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle’s Impact
San Francisco 49ers’ running back, Christian McCaffrey, has been a touchdown machine, tying for the league lead with 13 scrimmage touchdowns. He has an opportunity to set a record with a touchdown against Jacksonville. McCaffrey could surpass Hall of Famer Lenny Moore for the longest streak ever with a touchdown of any kind, including the postseason.
McCaffrey is also on track to become the third player in NFL history to record a touchdown in at least 15 consecutive regular-season games, joining Lenny Moore and Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson.
Meanwhile, George Kittle, the dynamic tight end for the 49ers, is closing in on a significant milestone. With 57 receiving yards in the upcoming game, Kittle will become the fourth tight end in NFL history to record at least 500 receiving yards in each of his first seven seasons.
Josh Jacobs’ Rushing Feat
Las Vegas Raiders’ running back, Josh Jacobs, has been a force on the ground since entering the NFL in 2019. Jacobs ranks second in rushing touchdowns and third in rushing yards among all players. In the upcoming Sunday Night Football matchup against the New York Jets, Jacobs has a chance to join a prestigious list by recording at least seven rushing touchdowns in his first five seasons.
He could become the seventh player in NFL history to achieve this feat, joining the likes of Jim Brown, LaDainian Tomlinson, Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton, Adrian Peterson, and Nick Chubb.
Adam Thielen’s Undrafted Success
Carolina Panthers’ wide receiver, Adam Thielen, has defied the odds as an undrafted free agent in 2014. Thielen boasts an impressive career with 596 receptions, 7,292 receiving yards, and 59 touchdown receptions. With four receptions in the Thursday Night Football matchup against Chicago, Thielen will join a select group of undrafted players with at least 600 career receptions, including Antonio Gates, Wes Welker, Rod Smith, and Danny Amendola.
As Week 10 unfolds, NFL fans can look forward to witnessing these historic moments and milestones that highlight the exceptional talents and achievements of the league’s stars.