Setting a record in any sport is already anincredible feat. However, doing it in theNFL is even more remarkable. There have been several historic recordssince the NFL’sorigins, but there are thosethat lookunlikely to be brokenas a result of how the game changed.
That is why we decided to put together a list of themost impressive NFL records.Most are individual, but some are team records as well. Now, let’s get started. These are themost incredible milestones in NFL history.
25.Buffalo Bills: Most consecutive Super Bowl appearances without a win
Buffalo Bills players after a Super Bowl defeat. (Getty)
Some teams have been able to win a Super Bowl on their first attempt, while others have mademultiple appearances and could not even win one of them.However, what the Buffalo Bills team of the 1990s did wasunimaginableandshockingto all fansas they would go on tolosefour straight Super Bowls.
It is a bittersweet feeling as it is already a remarkable achievement tohave reachedfour straight Super Bowls,but a tough blow for the Bills as they missed some great opportunities to win the franchise’s first Super Bowl and potentially become one of the greatestteams in NFL history.
24.Steve Young: 6 NFL passing titles
Young is the quarterback with the most passing titles.(Getty)
He had some big shoes to follow when he took over for Joe Montana, but he would go on to become one of the greatest quarterbacksin NFL historyas he helpedthe San Francisco 49ers win another Super Bowl trophy during that era.
At times, he does not get the same credit as other legendary quarterbacks, but he wasalways clutch in big games andwouldgo on tolead the league in passer rating on six occasions. He also held therecord forsingle-seasonpasser rating, which stood for several yearsuntil it was broken by Peyton Manning.
23. Longest game in NFL history:Miami Dolphins vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The Dolphins would go on to win indouble overtime.(Getty)
With the current overtime rulesbeing shorter and games now ending in ties if there is no score at the conclusion of overtime, except if it is a playoff game, it is almost impossible for an NFL game to lastlonger than the 1971 AFC divisional round gamebetween theDolphinsandChiefs, which went on for82 minutes and 40 seconds of playing time.
The game went into double overtime and it would be the Dolphins who wouldget the victoryandadvance to the next round. No other gamein NFL historyhas come even remotely close to breaking thisrecord.
22. Minnesota Vikings: Biggest comeback win
Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
TheVikings broke a long-standing record in2022. Minnesota pulled off the biggest comeback in NFL history by turning around a 33-point deficitin a regular season game against the Colts.
Indianapolis entered the second half leading 33-0, but Kirk Cousins turned up his game en route to a hard-fought, overtime 39-36 victory for the Vikings. This surpassed the Buffalo Bills‘ 32-point comeback against the Houston Oilers in 1993.
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 26 consecutive losses in 1976-1977
The Buccanneers still hold the record for most consecutive defeats.(Getty)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ early beginnings werequite extraordinary. They played their first NFL seasonin1976and would have to wait until1977 to register awin. In total, they would go on to lose26 consecutive games until theybeat the New Orleans Saintsat the Superdome.
Between both seasons, the Bucs scoreda total of 228 and allowed635 points. The only teamthat has ever come close to breaking this recordwas theDetroit Lionswhowent on to lose19 straightgamesfrom2007until2009, but they did become the first teamto go an entire seasonwithout winning a gamein a 16-game schedule.
20. Eric Dickerson: 2,105 rush yards in single-season
Dickerson set the single-season rushing record while playing for the Los Angeles Rams.(Getty)
He may not have won a Super Bowlor even playedin the NFL’s biggest game, but Eric Dickerson is one of the greatest runningbacks in the history of the league. Hemanagedto rushfor13,259 career yards, despite not playing for thebest teams.
However, while playing with the Los Angeles Rams, he would go on to set thesingle-season rushing record with a total of2,105 yards. A record thatstill stands and is unlikely to be broken.
19. Michael Thomas: Most receptionsin a single-season
Thomas broke the record during the 2019 seasons.(Getty)
This record was set in 2019 by Michael Thomas while playing for theNew Orleans Saints with a total of149 receptions, breaking the previous record, which had been set in 2002 by Marvin Harrison with143 receptions.
That season, Thomas built a good connection with quarterbackDrew Brees and would go on to get a total of1,725 yards, had11.6 yards per reception, and scored9touchdowns. Although it is a difficult record to break, with the NFL now being more of a passing league, could another wide receiver break this record?
18. Washington Redskins: Most points in a Super Bowl quarter
The Redskins hold the record for the most points scored in a Super Bowl quarter (Getty).
When the Washington Redskins (now WashingtonCommanders)scored35 points in the second quarter ofSuper Bowl XXII, they made Super Bowl and NFL history by scoring the most points in a single quarter. A remarkable achievement taking into consideration they were trailing the Denver Broncos10-0 as theybegan the second quarter.
The Redskins scoredfive touchdowns andrackedup a total of356 yards onoffense in19 plays. To no surprise, they would go on to thrash the Broncos and win by a score of42-10 as they would claim their second of three Super Bowl trophies in franchise history.
17. LaDainian Tomlinson:Most total touchdowns in a single-season
Tomlinson during a game with the San Diego Chargers.(Getty)
In 2006, hesetthe single-season touchdown record with a total of31 touchdowns, breaking the previous record, which had been set in 2005 by Shaun Alexander with28 touchdowns. That season, 28 were running touchdowns and three came were receptions.
It was one of the greatest individual performancesin a single-season by any player, especially for arunning back. However,it looks unlikelythat this record could be broken as teams are throwing the ball more often, which meansrunning backs are getting fewer carries. Not to mentionthe increased physical contact isshortening their careers in the NFL.
16.Derrick Thomas: Most sacks in one game
Thomas holds the record for the most sacks in a game (Photo:@KansasCityChiefs).
As a rookie in 1990, hehad the greatest performance for a defensive lineman in NFL history when he sacked Seattle Seahawks quarterback, David Krieg, a total of7 times inone game. Thomas himself almost broke his own record in 1998, but no other defensiveplayerhas been able to get more than 6 sacks in a game.
A record difficult for any current player to break as quarterbacksno longer hold on to the ball the way they use to and new rule changes are making it harder to reach the quarterback without getting a penalty.
15. Randy Moss: Single-season receiving touchdowns
Moss during a game with the New England Patriots.(Getty)
Although he didn’t win a Super Bowl ring, he has had one of the best careers for a wide receiver. His performances in big games and individual awards speak for themselves, but hisgreatest individual seasoncame in 2007 while playing for the New England Patriots where he joined forces with Tom Brady.
That season, Randy Moss caught a total of23 touchdowns passes, setting a newsingle-season touchdown record andbreaking the previousone held by Jerry Rice. The Patriots would go on to finish the regular season with a perfect16-0 record anddemolished their playoff opponents to reachthe Super Bowl, but would go on tolose to the New York Giants.
14. Tom Brady: 14appearances in the Conference Championship game
Brady has played the most conference championship games in NFL history.(Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
We could spend all day arguing about the best quarterbacks of all time, but Tom Brady is definitely oneof thegreats. His individual and collective achievements are quite remarkable, but he is noton this list for his MVP awards or Super Bowl trophies.
He has played in more conference championship gamesthan any other player in NFL history with a total of14appearances, which shows how truly great he was. 13 of them were with the Patriots, while his final one came in Tampa Bay.
13. Brett Favre: 336 career interceptions
Favre has thrown the most career interceptions.(Getty)
There is no question the Brett Favre is one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. He was alwaysclutch in big moments and never hesitated to throw the ball downfield, even if there was heavy coverage.
However, that would also have its problems as he currently holds the record for most career interceptions. A record that probably will notbe broken as quarterbacks are now more protective with the ball,do not often throw into coverage the way Favre would and scramble out of the pocketif there are no throwing options.
12. Rob Bironas: Most field goals made in one game
Bironas kicked the most field goals in a single game (Photo: @titans).
While playing for the Tennessee Titans in 2007,Rob Bironas made NFL history when he successfully converted eight field goal attemptsin a game against the Houston Texans. Hemade additionally history in that samegame by scoring atotal of26 points, the most akicker has madein a single game, which included thoseeight field goals andtwo extra points.
These kicking records aredifficult for any kicker in the current game to break as coaches are deciding to go for it in fourth-and-short situations than kick a long-range field goal. Not to mention theextended extra point hasincreased thepopularity of thetwo-point conversion.
11. Gale Sayers: 30.6 career yards per kick return
Sayers is the all-time leader in career yards per kick return.(Getty)
Sayers did not playlongin the NFL, but he would set the record for most career yards per kick return. An impressive achievement taking into consideration that some kick returners can go a few games without breaking off a 30-yard return.
During his short career, hereturned91 kicks andtook six of them back fortouchdowns. In1967, heaveraged an incredible 37.7 yards per kick return and topped 30 on twooccasions. This record is unlikely to be broken as it is more common nowfor kick returners to kneel in the endzone for touchbacks instead of running it out to gain their ownyardage.
10.Paul Krause:81 career defensive interceptions
Krause is the all-time leader in interceptions.(Getty)
Despite only leading the league in interceptionsone season, he was a constant threat on defense andalwaysknew how to pick off the football. Throughout his career, he hadat least six interceptions in eight different seasons.
He benefited from an era where quarterbacks were known for throwing the ball down the field and were not as protective of the football. It would bedifficult now for any defensive player to come evenclose to this record as quarterbacks are now more cautious and do not throw much into dangerous coverage.
9.Flipper Anderson:336 receiving yards in one game
Anderson has the most receiving yards in a single game.(Getty)
He may not be a Hall of Famer or even one of the best wide receivers of all time, but he made NFL history in a game during the1989 season while playing for the Los Angeles Rams when he caught 15 passes for a total of 336 yards, which would be a record for themost receiving yards in a single game.
A record almost impossible to break as there have only been a handful of wide receivers that have evenbeen able to record 300 yards in one game.In fact, the player who came closest to breaking this record was Calvin Johnson in 2013, who caught14 passes for 329 yards.
8.Baltimore Ravens: Fewest pointsandrushing yards allowed
The Ravens would go on to win the Super Bowl that season.(Getty)
The2000 Baltimore Ravens hold the record forfewest points allowed,165, and fewest yards rushing allowed,970,in a 16-game schedule; and seeing how rule changes are making it harder for defensive players, this record will be difficult for any team to reach.
That Ravens’defensewas a nightmare for opposing offenses, which included the likesRay Lewis and Rod Woodson. They would holdopponents to fewer than 11 points per game and only allowedatotal of23 points in the postseason. To no surprise, they would go on to beat the New York Giants in the Super Bowl to win the franchise’s first championship.
7. Vince Lombardi: .900 postseason winning percentage
There is a reason why the Super Bowl Trophy is named after him (Getty).
There is a reason why the Super Bowl trophy is named after him. He would only lose one postseason game in10 appearances and would go on to win fivechampionships with the GreenBay Packers,threewere NFL titles andtwo were part of the Super Bowl eraafter the NFL merged with the AFL.
Although there are many great head coaches in the current game,the increased competitiveness and the constant movement of players makes it difficult for any coach to reach this win percentage in the postseason.
6.Pittsburgh Steelers: Allowed six puntsblocked
It was a disastrous season for the Steelers.(Getty)
The 1988 seasonwasdisastrousfor the Steelersas they would finishwith a5-11 record. It was a transitionalseason and many of the players on the roaster were young and inexperienced. They struggled in all areas, but their special teams unitwas arguably their worst and they would go into the record books for all the wrong reasons.
That season, the Steelersallowed an NFL-record six blocked punts. A campaign to forget for the organization and punter Harry Newsome, who also holds the individual record for most career blocked punts with a total of14 blocked – tied with Herman Weaver.
5.Emmitt Smith:18,355 career rush yards
Smith is the all-time leader in career rushing yards.(Getty)
He is one of the greatest running backs in NFL history and would be a pivotal player for the Dallas Cowboys. He wonthreeSuper Bowl trophies with the Cowboys andrushed for 1,000 or more yards in 11 of his 15 seasons in the NFL.
His record for the most career rushing yards is extremely difficult for any running back to reach, especially with the way the game is currently played. Teams are throwing the ball more, which means running backs get fewer handoffs. Additionally,with the increased physical intensity, running backs are havingshorter NFL careers.
4. Jerry Rice:22,895 career receiving yards
Rice is arguably the greatest wide receiver in NFL history.(Getty)
The greatest wide receiver of all time won three Super Bowl rings while playing for the San Francisco 49ers andset numerous records throughout his legendary career. However,the one that is extremely unlikely to be broken is his career receiving yards record.
Although teams are throwing the ball more and rule changes are gearedto protectingoffensive players, it will still be very difficult for any wide receiver to even come close to breaking it. Not to mention that wide receivers do not usually have a long career in the NFL, which makes it more than likely that this record will stand.
3.Don Shula: 347 career coaching wins
He was the coach with the most wins in NFL history.(Getty)
He waswithout a doubtone of the greatest head coaches in NFL history. During his coaching career with the Baltimore Coltsand Miami Dolphins, heled his teams to five Super Bowl appearances, winning two of them with the Dolphins,won 14 division titles, and turned in just two losing seasons.
The only coach who has a potentialshot at reaching this record is New England Patriots head coach,Bill Belichick, who reached his 300th win in 2019. Since he’s still active, Belichick could be the one that breaks Shula’s long-lasting record.
2.San Francisco 49ers: 18 consecutive road wins from 1988-1990
Jerry Rice (left) and Joe Montana during a game.(Getty)
Winning a gamein the NFL is hard, doing it ontheroad game is extremelydifficult, but winning18 consecutiveroadgamesis something of true legends. That’s what theSan Francisco 49ers did from1988 to 1990.
With players, such asJoe Montana andJerry Rice, and legendary head coach,Bill Walsh, in charge, theSan Francisco 49ers were an unstoppable force on the roadand would not lose a game during thatperiod. With future Hall of Fame talent, it is no surprise thisteam would go on to wintwo Super Bowltitles during that era.
1. Brett Favre: 297 consecutive starts
Favre started in every game from 1992 until 2010.(Getty)
Withfootballbeinga constantphysical sport, this recordis no doubt the most impressiveand the hardest to break. Brett Favre startedin every game from1992, which was his first season with the Green Bay Packers,until2010, reaching a total of 297 games (321 including playoffs).
Despite suffering all kindsof injuries, Favre played throughit and would not miss games throughout those years. It startedin Green Bay, continued in New York with theJets, and it concluded with the Minnesota Vikingswhere Favre finished his career. There is a reason why Brett Favre is one ofthe greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.
