One game is in the books, but we’ve got a full slate of action ahead of us on Sunday. Here are some things to watch for in Week 1.
NFL Week 1 What to Watch For
Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase Continue Historic Pace
Joe Burrow’s 35 touchdowns last season were tied for second in the NFL. His 4,475 passing yards ranked fifth. In 2022, Burrow became the first player to ever record at least 400 passing yards in five games in his first three NFL seasons. He has ammassed 11,774 passing yards since entering the league in 2020.
With 400 passing yards this weekend, Burrow can surpass Patrick Mahomes (five times) and Matthew Stafford (five) for the second-most games 400-plus passing yard performances by a player in their first four seasons. Dan Marino’s seven such performances is the most ever. Burrow can tie Marino’s record with two such performances this season and break it with three.
MORE: Joe Burrow Becomes the Highest-Paid Player in NFL History
Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase enters the 2023 season with 2,501 yards in 29 games and became the fifth player ever to record at least 2,500 receiving yards through his first two seasons. With 27 receiving yards on Sunday, Chase will surpass Randy Moss (2,527 receiving yards) for third-most receiving yards by a player in his first 30 games. Only Odell Beckham Jr. (3,035) and Justin Jefferson (2,735) have more.
Josh Allen’s Combined Touchdown Pace
Josh Allen was second among quarterbacks last season with 42 combined passing (35) and rushing touchdowns (7). Since entering the league in 2018, Allen has 176 combined passing and rushing touchdowns. That’s the second most in the NFL.
With two touchdowns on Monday against the Jets, Allen would surpass Russell Wilson (177) for the fourth-most combined touchdowns by a player in his first six seasons. Patrick Mahomes (204), Dan Marino (199), and Cam Newton (184) would be the only players with more. Allen needs 29 touchdowns to pass Mahomes this season.
Justin Herbert, Austin Ekeler …
Justin Herbert was second in the NFL last season with 4,739 passing yards and became the first player ever with at least 4,000 passing yards in each of his first three career seasons. Herbert also logged 25 touchdown passes and joined Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning as the only players ever with at least 25 touchdown passes in each of their first three seasons.
Herbert has 14,089 passing yards and 94 touchdown passes in his first 49 games. With 243 passing yards against the Dolphins this week, Herbert will pass Matthew Stafford (14,331) for the second-most passing yards by a player in his first 50 games. Patrick Mahomes leads that list with 15,370 yards.
MORE: Chargers, Justin Herbert Agree to Record-Setting Contract Extension
Herbert can also pass Browns’ QB Deshaun Watson for the fourth-most touchdown passes ever by a player in his first 50 games with two touchdown passes against the Dolphins.
Chargers running back Austin Ekeler led the NFL with 18 touchdowns (13 rushing, five receiving) in 2022 and led all running backs with 107 receptions, tied for the second-most receptions ever by a running back in a season. With a touchdown reception against the Dolphins, Ekeler will join Marshall Faulk (36), Darren Sproles (32), Keith Byars (31), James Brooks (30), and Brian Westbrook (30) as the sixth running back in the Super Bowl era with at least 30 career touchdown receptions. Ekeler can pass Faulk with eight touchdown receptions this season.
Other Notable Things to Watch For
Note: Stats courtesy of NFL Communications.
