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The 2022 NFL season is nearing its end as Week 18 approaches. This will be the final week of the regular season before the playoffs begin. While much of the focus is on the teams competing for the postseason, this year may be a historic one for several players approaching record-setting seasons.
Many NFL records have been broken over the last couple of decades, especially on the offensive side. The expansion to a 17-game season has also played a factor in many season-long records being broken.
Here are five records that could be set in Week 18.
#1, Passing yards
When the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 18, Patrick Mahomes will be seeking history. He needs just 430 passing yards to set a single-season record. Peyton Manning holds the record, throwing for 5,477 yards in 2013 with the Denver Broncos.
Mahomes also has the opportunity to set the record for most combined passing and rushing yards in a season. Drew Brees' 5,562 yards in 2011 are the most ever, with Mahomes trailing by just 186 yards entering Week 18.
#2, Completions and passing attempts
Tom Brady is on the verge of adding yet another record to his long list of accomplishments. He has already set the record for most completions in a single season in 2021 with 485, but he's just nine away from breaking his own record. He is also just 12 passing attempts away from setting another record, breaking the 727 passing attempts by Matthew Stafford with the Detroit Lions in 2012.
Brady can break each of these records in Week 18 with relative ease, but the only issue is going to be his availability. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are locked into the fourth seed in the NFC playoff picture, so there's a good chance Brady sits out against the Atlanta Falcons.
#3, Receiving yards by any NFL player
Justin Jefferson will need a big day against the Detroit Lions if he wants to set the record for most receiving yards in a single season, but that's definitely a possibility. The Minnesota Vikings wide receiver can set the mark by recording 194 receiving yards.
Calvin Johnson is the current record holder for his 1,964 yards in the 2012 season with the Detroit Lions. Jefferson could also become the first player in NFL history to record 2,000 receiving yards in a single season. He will need to record 230 yards in Week 18 to do so.
#4, Receptions and receiving yards by a TE
Travis Kelce has a chance to set two tight end receiving records, but will need a strong performance to do so. The Kansas City Chiefs face off against the Las Vegas Raiders in a potential shootout, increasing his chances. He needs 117 receiving yards to break his own record of 1,416 yards, set in 2020.
Kelce also has an opportunity to set the record for most receptions in a single season by a tight end. Zach Ertz set the record with 116 receptions in 2018, but Kelce can surpass him with 13 more receptions.
#5, Punting average
Ryan Stonehouse, a rookie, is on pace to break a record that has stood for more than 80 years. NFL legend Sammy Baugh averaged 51.4 yards per punt in 1940 with the Washington Commanders. Stonehouse is averaging 53.0 yards per punt. He has an excellent chance to put his name in the record books when the Tennessee Titans face off against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
