By Lydia Jane Allison
Below are teams and players that can set historic marks or reach career milestones in Week 8 of the 2023 NFL season, including:
- Carolina & Houston (Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson)
- Los Angeles Rams (Puka Nacua)
- Minnesota (Jordan Addison & Kirk Cousins)
- Philadelphia (A.J. Brown)
- Miami (Tyreek Hill)
- Jacksonville (Travis Etienne & Evan Engram)
- Philadelphia (Jalen Hurts)
- Kansas City (Patrick Mahomes & Travis Kelce)
- San Francisco (Christian McCaffrey)
TOP-THREE PICKS MEET IN CAROLINA
When the HOUSTON TEXANS (3-3) travel to meet the CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-6) on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, FOX), the top overall selections in the 2023 NFL Draft – Carolina quarterback BRYCE YOUNG (No. 1 overall), Houston quarterback C.J. STROUD (No. 2) and Houston defensive end WILL ANDERSON (No. 3) – will be on the field.
Sunday’s contest can become the first game in the common-draft era to feature the top three selections from the most recent NFL Draft in the same game and will mark the fifth time in NFL history that the top two selections in the NFL Draft will meet as starting quarterbacks in their rookie season.
The games to feature rookie starting quarterbacks that were selected No. 1 and No. 2 overall in the NFL Draft:
| DRAFT | NO. 1 SELECTION | TEAM | NO. 2 SELECTION | TEAM | WEEK | RESULT |
| 2023 | Bryce Young | Carolina | C.J. Stroud | Houston | 8 | ??? |
| 2021 | Trevor Lawrence | Jacksonville | Zach Wilson | N.Y. Jets | 16 | NYJ 26, JAX 21 |
| 2015 | Jameis Winston | Tampa Bay | Marcus Mariota | Tennessee | 1 | TEN 42, TB 14 |
| 1998 | Peyton ManningHOF | Indianapolis | Ryan Leaf | San Diego Chargers | 5 | IND 17, SD 12 |
| 1993 | Drew Bledsoe | New England | Rick Mirer | Seattle | 3 | SEA 17, NE 14 |
NACUA’S FIRST EIGHT GAMES
Los Angeles Rams rookie wide receiver PUKA NACUA leads the NFL with 58 receptions this season and ranks third with 752 receiving yards. Last week, Nacua joined JA’MARR CHASE (754 receiving yards in 2021) as the only players with at least 700 receiving yards in their first seven career games in NFL history.
At Dallas on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, FOX), Nacua can surpass SAQUON BARKLEY (58 receptions in 2018) for the most receptions by a player in their first eight games in NFL history and surpass HARLON HILL (802 receiving yards in 1954) for the most receiving yards in a player’s first eight career games in NFL history.
The players with the most receiving yards in their first eight career games in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | RECEIVING YARDS | |
| Harlon Hill | Chicago | 1954 | 802 | |
| Ja’Marr Chase | Cincinnati | 2021 | 786 | |
| Puka Nacua | L.A. Rams | 2023 | 752* | |
| *Through seven games | ||||
Nacua has recorded four games with at least 100 receiving yards this season and can become the first player in the Super Bowl era and the third player in NFL history to record at least 100 receiving yards in five of his first eight career games, joining BILL GROMAN (1960) and HARLON HILL (1954).
Nacua also has two games with at least 150 receiving yards and can become the fifth rookie in NFL history to have three games with at least 150 receiving yards, joining BILL GROMAN (four games in 1960), BILLY HOWTON (four in 1952), JA’MARR CHASE (three in 2021) and Pro Football Hall of Famer RANDY MOSS (three in 1998).
The rookies with the most games with at least 150 receiving yards in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | GAMES |
| Bill Groman | Houston Oilers | 1960 | 4 |
| Billy Howton | Green Bay | 1952 | 4 |
| Ja’Marr Chase | Cincinnati | 2021 | 3 |
| Randy MossHOF | Minnesota | 1998 | 3 |
| Puka Nacua | L.A. Rams | 2023 | 2 |
ADDISON’S FIRST EIGHT & COUSINS’ FIRST 150
Minnesota rookie wide receiver JORDAN ADDISON ranks tied for second in the NFL with six touchdown receptions this season, tied for the most by a player in their first seven career games since 1970.
With a touchdown reception on Sunday at Green Bay (1:00 PM ET, FOX), Addison will become the sixth player in the Super Bowl era to record at least seven receiving touchdowns in their first eight career games, joining CHARLIE BROWN (eight receiving touchdowns in 1982), MARTAVIS BRYANT (seven in 2014), JA’MARR CHASE (seven in 2021), MARQUES COLSTON (seven in 2006) and CALVIN RIDLEY (seven in 2018).
The players with the most touchdown receptions in their first eight career games in the Super Bowl era:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | TOUCHDOWN RECEPTIONS | |
| Charlie Brown | Washington | 1982 | 8 | |
| Martavis Bryant | Pittsburgh | 2014 | 7 | |
| Ja’Marr Chase | Cincinnati | 2021 | 7 | |
| Marques Colston | New Orleans | 2006 | 7 | |
| Calvin Ridley | Atlanta | 2018 | 7 | |
| Jordan Addison | Minnesota | 2023 | 6* | |
| *Through seven games | ||||
Minnesota quarterback KIRK COUSINS has 39,197 passing yards in 149 career games. With 101 passing yards in Week 8, Cousins will surpass DREW BREES (39,297) for third-most passing yards in a player’s first 150 career games in NFL history. Only MATTHEW STAFFORD (41,322) and MATT RYAN (39,858) have more.
The players with the most passing yards in their first 150 career games in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | PASSING YARDS | |
| Matthew Stafford | Detroit | 41,322 | |
| Matt Ryan | Atlanta | 39,858 | |
| Drew Brees | San Diego Chargers, New Orleans | 39,297 | |
| Dan MarinoHOF | Miami | 39,285 | |
| Kirk Cousins | Washington, Minnesota | 39,197* | |
| *In 149 games | |||
BROWN & HILL LOOK TO CONTINUE TO REWRITE HISTORY
Last week, Philadelphia wide receiver A.J. BROWN became the third player in NFL history with 125 receiving yards in five consecutive games, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer CALVIN JOHNSON (2012) and PAT STUDSTILL (1966). In Week 8, he can become the first player ever to do so in six consecutive games.
With 125 receiving yards on Sunday at Washington (1:00 PM ET, FOX), Brown – who has 15 career games with at least 125 receiving yards – will tie ODELL BECKHAM JR. (16 games) for the fifth-most games with at least 125 receiving yards by a player in his first five seasons in NFL history.
The players with the most games with at least 125 receiving yards in their first five seasons in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | GAMES |
| Lance AlworthHOF | San Diego Chargers | 19 |
| Justin Jefferson | Minnesota | 17# |
| Julio Jones | Atlanta | 17 |
| Randy MossHOF | Minnesota | 17 |
| Odell Beckham Jr. | N.Y. Giants | 16 |
| A.J. Brown | Tennessee, Philadelphia | 15* |
| #In fourth season | ||
| *In fifth season | ||
Miami wide receiver TYREEK HILL leads the NFL with 902 receiving yards and seven touchdown receptions this season and ranks third with 53 receptions.
On Sunday against New England (1:00 PM ET, CBS), Hill can become the first player in the Super Bowl era and fourth player in NFL history with 1,000 receiving yards in his team’s first eight games of a season, joining CHARLIE HENNIGAN (1,122 receiving yards in 1961) as well as Pro Football Hall of Famers ELROY “CRAZY LEGS” HIRSCH (1,058 in 1951) and DON HUTSON (1,032 in 1942).
The players with at least 1,000 receiving yards in their team’s first eight games of a season in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | RECEIVING YARDS | |
| Charlie Hennigan | Houston Oilers | 1961 | 1,122 | |
| Elroy HirschHOF | L.A. Rams | 1951 | 1,058 | |
| Don HutsonHOF | Green Bay | 1942 | 1,032 | |
| Tyreek Hill | Miami | 2023 | 902* | |
| *Through seven games | ||||
Hill can also become the first player in NFL history with 150 receiving yards and a touchdown reception in five games within a season and the fifth player ever with 150 receiving yards in five games within a season, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers TIM BROWN (1997) and JERRY RICE (1995) as well as ANTONIO BROWN (2017) and ROY GREEN (1984) on Sunday.
Both Brown and Hill were acquired by their current teams prior to the 2022 season and Sunday will mark their 25th regular-season game with their respective clubs. Each player has among the most receiving yards by a player in his first 25 games with a new team in the Super Bowl era.
With 14 receiving yards on Sunday, Hill will surpass ODELL BECKHAM JR. (2,625 receiving yards with the N.Y. Giants) for most receiving yards in a player’s first 25 games with a new team in the Super Bowl era.
The players with the most receiving yards in their first 25 games with a new team in the Super Bowl era:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASONS | RECEIVING YARDS | |
| Odell Beckham Jr. | N.Y. Giants | 2014-15 | 2,625 | |
| Tyreek Hill | Miami | 2022-23 | 2,612* | |
| A.J. Brown | Philadelphia | 2022-23 | 2,305* | |
| Brandon Marshall | Chicago | 2012-13 | 2,294 | |
| Stefon Diggs | Buffalo | 2020-21 | 2,285 | |
| *Through 24 games | ||||
ETIENNE LOOKS TO CONTINUE TOUCHDOWN STREAK & ENGRAM LOOKS TO JOIN JEREMY SHOCKEY
Jacksonville running back TRAVIS ETIENNE ranks third in the league with seven rushing touchdowns this season, including multiple touchdowns in the each of his past three games.
With two rushing touchdowns at Pittsburgh on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, CBS), Etienne can become the first player since Pro Football Hall of Famer LADAINIAN TOMLINSON in 2006 to record at least two rushing touchdowns in four straight games.
The players with the most consecutive games with at least two rushing touchdowns since 2000:
| PLAYER | TEAM | GAMES (DATES) |
| LaDainian TomlinsonHOF | San Diego Chargers | 8 (Oct. 29, 2006 – Dec. 17, 2006) |
| Priest Holmes | Kansas City | 6 (Nov. 30, 2003 – Sept. 12, 2004) |
| Ricky Williams | Miami | 4 (Nov. 17, 2002 – Dec. 9, 2002) |
| Travis Etienne | Jacksonville | 3* (Oct. 8, 2023 – current) |
| *Active streak | ||
Tight end EVAN ENGRAM – who has 41 catches and 346 receiving yards – will join JEREMY SHOCKEY as the only tight ends with at least 40 receptions and 400 receiving yards in each of their first seven seasons in NFL history.
HURTS LOOKS TO MOVE UP LEADERBOARD
Philadelphia quarterback JALEN HURTS leads all quarterbacks with six rushing touchdowns and ranks second among quarterbacks with 274 rushing yards this season. Since Week 3, Hurts has recorded five consecutive games with at least 300 combined passing and rushing yards and two combined passing and rushing touchdowns.
At Washington on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, FOX), Hurts can become the sixth player in NFL history with at least 300 combined passing and rushing yards and two combined passing and rushing touchdowns in six consecutive games.
The players with the most consecutive games with at least 300 combined passing and rushing yards and two combined passing and rushing touchdowns within a single season in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | GAMES |
| Andrew Luck | Indianapolis | 2014 | 8 (Weeks 3-11) |
| Drew Brees | New Orleans | 2011 | 7 (Weeks 1-7) |
| Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay | 2011 | 7 (Weeks 10-17) |
| Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City | 2022 | 6 (Weeks 5-11) |
| Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City | 2021 | 6 (Weeks 1-6) |
| Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay | 2016 | 6 (Weeks 7-12) |
| Steve YoungHOF | San Francisco | 1998 | 6 (Weeks 1-7) |
| Jalen Hurts | Philadelphia | 2023 | 5* (Weeks 3-7) |
| *Active streak | |||
Hurts has 32 rushing touchdowns in his first four seasons. With two rushing touchdowns on Sunday, Hurts will surpass CAM NEWTON (33) for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in their first four seasons in NFL history.
The quarterbacks with the most rushing touchdowns in their first four seasons in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | RUSH TDs |
| Cam Newton | Carolina | 33 |
| Jalen Hurts | Philadelphia | 32* |
| Josh Allen | Buffalo | 31 |
| Kyler Murray | Arizona | 23 |
| Daunte Culpepper | Minnesota | 22 |
| *In fourth season |
With two rushing touchdowns, Hurts would also tie Newton (10) for the most games with at least two rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in NFL history.
MAHOMES LOOKS FOR 14TH WIN AGAINST DIVISION
Kansas City quarterback PATRICK MAHOMES ties for second with 15 touchdown passes and ranks third with 2,017 passing yards this season. Last week marked Mahomes’ 17th career game with at least four touchdown passes, surpassing Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO (16 games) for the most such games ever by a player in his first seven seasons, and his 10th career game with at least 400 passing yards, tied with Marino (10) for the most such games ever by a player in his first seven seasons.
Since Week 5, Mahomes has attempted at least 30 passes and finished with a completion percentage of 75-or-higher in each game. At Denver on Sunday (4:25 PM ET, CBS), Mahomes can become the first player in NFL history to record at least 30 pass attempts and a completion percentage of 75-or-higher in four consecutive games.
Since entering the league in 2017, Mahomes has a 29-3 record as a starting quarterback against his own division, including 13 consecutive wins against the AFC West since Week 10 of the 2021 season.
With a win on Sunday, Mahomes will tie ANDREW LUCK (14) and Pro Football Hall of Famer PEYTON MANNING (14) for the second-most consecutive wins by a starting quarterback against their own division since 1970. Only JIM MCMAHON (19) has more.
The starting quarterbacks with the most consecutive wins against division opponents since 1970:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | DIVISION(S) | GAMES (DATES) |
| Jim McMahon | Chicago | NFC Central | 19 (Dec. 11, 1983 – Dec. 6, 1987) |
| Andrew Luck | Indianapolis | AFC South | 14 (Dec. 30, 2012 – Sept. 27, 2015) |
| Peyton ManningHOF | Indianapolis, Denver | AFC South, AFC West | 14 (Nov. 1, 2010 – Dec. 1, 2013) |
| Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City | AFC West | 13* (Nov. 14, 2021 – current) |
| *Active streak |
Mahomes has thrown 50 touchdown passes in the regular-season to tight end TRAVIS KELCE. On Sunday, they can surpass DREW BREES and JIMMY GRAHAM (51) for the third-most regular-season touchdowns by a quarterback-tight end combination in NFL history. Only the combinations of TOM BRADY and ROB GRONKOWSKI (90) and PHILIP RIVERS and ANTONIO GATES (89) have more.
The quarterback-tight end combinations with the most regular-season touchdowns in NFL history:
| QUARTERBACK | TIGHT END | TEAM(S) | TOUCHDOWNS | |
| Tom Brady | Rob Gronkowski | New England, Tampa Bay | 90 | |
| Philip Rivers | Antonio Gates | San Diego/L.A. Chargers | 89 | |
| Drew Brees | Jimmy Graham | New Orleans | 51 | |
| Patrick Mahomes | Travis Kelce | Kansas City | 50* | |
| *Active pair | ||||
MCCAFFREY CAN EXTEND HISTORIC TOUCHDOWN STREAK
San Francisco running back CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY leads the NFL with 598 rushing yards this season, ties for the league-lead with 11 scrimmage touchdowns and ranks second with eight rushing touchdowns. He is the only player in the league with a scrimmage touchdown in each of the first seven weeks.
Dating back to Week 13 of the 2022 season and including the postseason, McCaffrey has recorded at least one scrimmage touchdown in 16 consecutive games. With a touchdown on Sunday, he would become the second player in NFL history to score a touchdown of any kind in 17 consecutive games, including the postseason, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer LENNY MOORE (17 consecutive games from 1963-64).
He can also become the fourth player in NFL history to record a touchdown in at least 14 consecutive regular-season games, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers LENNY MOORE (18 consecutive games in 1963-65), LADAINIAN TOMLINSON (18 in 2004-05) and O.J. SIMPSON (14 in 1975).
The players with the most consecutive games with a touchdown of any kind, including the postseason, in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | GAMES (DATES) |
| Lenny MooreHOF | Baltimore Colts | 17 (Oct. 27, 1963 – Dec. 13, 1964) |
| Christian McCaffrey | San Francisco | 16* (Dec. 4, 2022 – current) |
| John RigginsHOF | Washington | 15 (Jan. 15, 1983 – Nov. 27, 1983) |
| O.J. SimpsonHOF | Buffalo | 15 (Dec. 12, 1974 – Dec. 20, 1975) |
| *Active streak | ||
The players with the most consecutive regular-season games with a touchdown in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | GAMES (SEASONS) |
| Lenny MooreHOF | Baltimore Colts | 18 (1963-65) |
| LaDainian TomlinsonHOF | San Diego Chargers | 18 (2004-05) |
| O.J. SimpsonHOF | Buffalo | 14 (1975) |
| Todd Gurley | L.A. Rams | 13 (2017-18) |
| Christian McCaffrey | San Francisco | 13* (2022-23) |
| Jerry RiceHOF | San Francisco | 13 (1986-87) |
| John RigginsHOF | Washington | 13 (1982-83) |
| George Rogers | Washington | 13 (1985-86) |
| *Active streak | ||
COURTESY NFLmedia.com
