6 major NFL milestones, records in sight ahead of season finale
There'll be a lot at stake in the final week of the 2024 regular season for several teams and players. Here are the most notable individual milestones and records that can be achieved in Week 18.
Can Saquon break the rushing record?
Philadelphia Eagles star Saquon Barkley is only the ninth player in NFL history to rush for at least 2,000 yards in a single season. Now he has a real shot at breaking Eric Dickerson's 40-year-old record of 2,105. To make it extra special, Barkley can eclipse it with just 101 yards against the New York Giants, who let him walk away in free agency.
It's worth noting that Barkley is playing his 17th game of the season, which was only added to the schedule in 2021. Dickerson set the current mark in 16 appearances.
Rodgers going for 500 TDs
Aaron Rodgers was seemingly a lock to enter the 500-touchdown club Sunday after throwing his 499th career TD two weeks ago. Well, that didn't happen. The four-time NFL MVP - whose future after 2024 remains uncertain - has a chance of reaching that milestone against the Miami Dolphins in what could be his final Jets game. Only four other QBs - Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, and Brett Favre - have posted 500-plus career TD passes.
Rodgers is the Green Bay Packers' all-time leader with 475 touchdown passes. He's also thrown 24 TDs in 16 appearances with New York this season.
Triple crown watch
Ja'Marr Chase is close to joining a rare club of pass-catchers as he leads the NFL in receptions (117), receiving yards (1,612), and touchdown catches (16). He enters Sunday's contest versus the Pittsburgh Steelers with nine more receptions than Brock Bowers, 133 more yards than Justin Jefferson, and four more TD receptions than Terry McLaurin.
Los Angeles Rams receiver Cooper Kupp posted the NFL's most recent receiving triple crown in 2021. Steve Smith Sr. (2005) was the only other wideout to achieve that in the 2000s.
Another 1,000-yard season for Evans?
Mike Evans has a chance Sunday to extend his record 10 straight seasons of 1,000-plus receiving yards to begin his career. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers star has 915 entering the matchup versus the New Orleans Saints despite missing three games earlier this season due to injury. Evans had only 34 yards in his first game against New Orleans in 2024, but the 31-year-old has topped 90 yards in three of his last five games.
Nabers trying to pass Bowers
Bowers has a chance to add to his rookie single-season record of 108 catches this season against the Los Angeles Chargers. However, Malik Nabers is right behind him. The New York Giants receiver has caught 104 passes overall and 24 in his last three games. He plays the Philadelphia Eagles next.
Burrow seeking 5,000 yards
Joe Burrow enters Sunday's tilt against Pittsburgh 359 passing yards away from reaching the 5,000-yard mark. Only nine other QBs have achieved that, including Drew Brees, who did it a record five times. The NFL's leading passer has thrown for 359-plus yards four times this season.