FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 22, 2004

NFL PRESS BOX NOTES – WEEK 16

RECORD SIX: Six teams have captured division championships so far this season.

The six teams – Philadelphia (13-1), Pittsburgh (13-1), New England (12-2), Atlanta (11-3), Indianapolis (11-3) and San Diego (11-3) – have a combined record of 71-13 for an .845 winning percentage. That is the highest winning percentage in NFL history for the league’s top six teams through 14 games.

The highest winning percentages in NFL history for the league’s top six teams through 14 games of a season:

Season Record Winning Percentage Top Six Teams

2004

71-13

.845

Phi (13-1), Pit (13-1), NE (12-2), Atl (11-3), Ind (11-3), SD (11-3)

1968

70-13-1

.839

Bal (13-1), Oak (12-2), KC (12-2), Dal (12-2), NYJ (11-3), LA (10-3-1)

1975

69-15

.821

LA (12-2), Pit (12-2), Min (12-2), StL (11-3), Cin (11-3), Oak (11-3)

1998

69-15

.821

Min (13-1), Den (13-1), Atl (12-2), SF (11-3), Jax (10-4), NYJ (10-4)

1969

67-14-3

.815

Oak (12-1-1), Min (12-2), Dal (11-2-1), LA (11-3), KC (11-3), Cle (10-3-1)

– NFL –

MOST 12-WIN TEAMS EVER?: Three teams – the Philadelphia Eagles (13-1), Pittsburgh Steelers (13-1) and New England Patriots (12-2) – have won at least 12 games. On Sunday, the 11-3 Atlanta Falcons and the winner of the Indianapolis Colts-San Diego Chargers game can join them.

There are seven teams that can finish the season with at least 12 wins apiece, which would be the most 12-win teams in a season in NFL history.

A look at the seasons with the most 12-game winners:

Season

12-Win Teams

2003

6

1990

5

1998

5

2001

5

Many

4

   

2004

3*

* Through 15 weeks

– NFL –

 

VICK ON THE RUN: Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowl quarterback MICHAEL VICK has played a big role in leading the Falcons to their first division championship since 1998.

Vick, whose .671 winning percentage (23-11-1) is the best in franchise history for a quarterback, has been a weapon this year both passing and rushing. With two games to go, his rushing totals have him on the verge of NFL history.

Vick has run for 889 yards, averaging an NFL-best 7.6 yards per attempt. With 80 yards rushing against New Orleans on Sunday, Vick would pass Chicago’s BOBBY DOUGLASS (968) for the most rushing yards by a quarterback in a season. Vick needs 111 yards to become the first QB with a 1,000-yard rushing season.

The top five rushing seasons by a quarterback in history:

Quarterback Season Team Rushing Yards Rushes Avg. Yards Per Rush
Bobby Douglass 1972 Chicago

968

141

6.8

Randall Cunningham 1990 Philadelphia

942

118

7.9

Michael Vick 2004 Atlanta

889*

117

7.6

Michael Vick 2002 Atlanta

777

113

6.8

Steve McNair 1997 Tennessee

674

101

6.6

* Through 15 weeks

MOSS ON THE MOVE: When the Minnesota Vikings host the Green Bay Packers on Friday for the NFC North Division championship, Vikings wide receiver RANDY MOSS can achieve yet another milestone.

In his seventh season from Marshall, Moss has totaled 9,046 career receiving yards. With 27 yards against Green Bay, Moss will pass JERRY RICE (9,072) for the most receiving yards by a player in his first seven seasons.

Moss ranks third in that span with 567 receptions and second with 88 touchdown catches.


The all-time leaders in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches in a player’s first seven seasons:

Player Years Rec.   Player Years Rec. Yards   Player Years TD Rec.
Marvin Harrison 1996-02

665

  Jerry Rice 1985-91

9,072

  Jerry Rice 1985-91

93

Sterling Sharpe

1988-94

595

  Randy Moss 1998-04

9,046*

  Randy Moss

1998-04

88*

Randy Moss

1998-04

567*

  Marvin Harrison 1996-02

8,800

  Lance Alworth

1962-68

73

Keyshawn Johnson

1996-02

558

  Sterling Sharpe 1988-94

8,134

  Marvin Harrison

1996-02

73

Herman Moore

1991-97

528

  Lance Alworth 1962-68

7,973

  Terrell Owens

1996-02

72

* Through 15 weeks of seventh season

 

-- NFL --

 

TIGHT ENDS RUN AMOK: Tight ends have been major contributors throughout the NFL this season, including in San Diego, where All-Star ANTONIO GATES is the club’s primary option in the passing game and leads the team with 74 receptions and 915 yards receiving. His 12 touchdown catches tie for third most in the NFL. With a touchdown reception on Sunday against Indianapolis, Gates will enter uncharted territory for a tight end.

Gates is currently in a five-way tie for the most touchdown catches in a season by a tight end, joining, among others, Pro Football Hall of Famer MIKE DITKA, who hauled in 12 for GEORGE HALAS’ 1961 Chicago Bears.

Tight ends have been a scoring force in 2004, totaling 168 TD catches, already the most by the position in history.

The single-season tight-end touchdown leaders, and the most touchdowns by tight ends in a season:

Tight End Season Team TD Catches   Season TD Catches by Tight Ends
Antonio Gates

2004

San Diego

12*

 

2004

168*

Mike Ditka

1961

Chicago

12

 

1983

155

Jerry Smith

1967

Washington

12

 

2001

149

Todd Christensen

1983

Oakland

12

 

1984

147

Wesley Walls

1999

Carolina

12

 

1980

146

* Through 15 weeks

 

– NFL –

 

2004 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME & 2005 PRO BOWL CREDENTIAL NOTICE: The NFL is now accepting credential applications for the 2004 AFC and NFC Championship Games as well as the 2005 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl.

The championship games will be played on Sunday, January 23, 2005 while the Pro Bowl will kick off on Sunday, February 13, 2005 in Honolulu, Hawaii (ESPN, 7:30 PM ET).

The deadline to submit a credential application for the championship games is JANUARY 11. The deadline for the Pro Bowl is JANUARY 14. Applications are available on www.nflmedia.com, under "NFL Event Credentialing."

The NFL has also arranged for discounted hotel accommodations for working media interested in covering the Pro Bowl on site in Hawaii. Please contact Michael Signora (signoram@nfl.com) for more information.