StatStories is a weekly feature about the big statistical news of the week. This week we're covering NFL Week 14 StatStories.
Dramatic enough for you?
There are few things more exciting in football that a punt return and when you layer in the intensity of overtime, it’s electric. For only the fourth time ever in the history of the NFL an overtime punt return touchdown sealed the game. Tylan Wallace was able to take his first punt return of overtime to the house for the walk off score. Even though it’s only happened four times in the NFL history, it’s the second time this year. Xavier Gipson's 65 yard return versus the Bills ended week one in similarly dramatic fashion.
49ers offense hitting on all cylinders
Deebo Samuel became the second player ever to have 100 receiving yards and both a receiving and rushing touchdown in back to back games. The other time this feat was ever accomplished was Timmy Brown way back in 1960. Samuels is taking advantage of a 49ers offense that seems to be finding its rhythm at just the right time. Brock Purdy has had a passer rating of 100+ in 12 of his last 18 starts and has thrown for 70% completions in seven straight games. Purdy becomes only the fourth quarterback to do that. One more game and he ties Joe Montana for longest streak in a season. Montana set the mark back in 1989 with a 49ers team that was similarly dynamic on offense.
The year of the back up
Joe Burrow said that the Bengals’ championship window was open as long as he was healthy. The play of his backup Jake Browning is showing the window may be open even with Burrow sidelined. Browning has a 79.3% completion percentage over his first three starts. The second quarterback since 1950 to complete 70% of his first three starts Browning has people prepared for a Bengals run in the playoffs with the most electric start since the first season quarterback starts were recorded as a statistic.
Holy kicker Batman
Brandon Aubrey of the Cowboys is 30-30 on the year after making kicks from 45, 50, 59, and 60. Aubrey became the first kicker in the Super Bowl era to make more than one kick of 59+ yards in the same game. With a kicker like this, and an offense as potent as the Cowboys half of the field is within scoring range.
1113 in first 13 games
Puka Nacua was amazing. This rookie continues an epic first season as he joins Randy Moss, Anquan Boldin, and Odell Beckham as the only players to surpass 1100 yards receiving in their first 13 games. If Nacua is able to keep this up, the Rams' Super Bowl window might actually still be open.
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