An Extraordinary Coincidence

 by Nick Webster

What do you know, through week 5 of the NFL season, the two top active pass rushers named Smith (Preston and Za'Darius - no relation) are tied with precisely 70.5 sacks. In fact, between 2019 and 2021, both Smith's were rushing the passer for the same team - the Green Bay Packers. For 2025, Preston has landed back with his original team in Washington (though you may have heard they've changed their name since he left) and Za'darius has caught on with the Philadelphia Eagles

Speaking of the Washington and Philly franchises - two players who began their careers in those locals are in a similar boat. The two top active pass rushers named Sweat (Montez, who started in D.C. and Josh who started in Philly - also no relation) are also tied with 48 career sacks.

And while these two are actually related, if TJ Watt managed 3.5 more sacks before the Smith's and Sweat's tally anymore we'll have a 3rd same-name tie on the Career Sack leaderboard with TJ and his brother JJ tied at a more impressive 114.5.

TUESDAY TIDBITS: "Huge Character Win"

By TJ Troup 

Baker Mayfield

There is no doubt that every week this season there are going to be "nuggets" to share with all of you.

Ready? 

Here goes -- Baker Mayfield becomes just the third quarterback in league history to throw for at least 375 yards with less than 5 incompletions, joining Kurt Warner and Petyon Manning. Recently had an enjoyable conversation with one of the best football writers ever in Rick Gosselin and he shared his thoughts on Mayfield; his quote, "Baker Mayfield is Drew Brees with swagger". 

When Seattle took the field against Tampa Bay last Sunday, they wore the style and colors of the original uniforms from 1976. How refreshing; though wish Seattle would wear them every week. Watching the Lions demolish, destroy, overwhelm, hell you folks picks the adjective the Cincinnati Bengals this past Sunday showcases when an organization has a man of strong leadership qualities in charge. 

At the close of the 2021 season, the Lions finished 3-13-1, while the Bengals finished 10-7 and played so well in the playoffs that they earned the right to play for the Silver Trophy. Look at the records and direction of both teams now! 

Has the window closed on Cincinnati? Will Detroit advance to the NFC title game? Would relish any and all thoughts on these two teams. 

You all know my belief in team pass defense, and right now the bottom five teams in the category of the defensive passer rating category are 28) Saints, 29 Ravens 30), NYJ,  31) Cowboys, 32) Miami and the combined record of these five teams is 5-19-1. 

The October 2nd Thursday night game featured the two teams that each and every year demonstrate they are well coached and find a way to win. The 49er victory over the Rams just continues the legendary rivalry between these two teams, and the title for this week's column is a quote from Kyle Shanahan after the victory. 

Speaking of the 49ers, this coming Sunday, the 12th, marks the 73rd anniversary of one of those early-season wins that stands out. The two main contenders trying to dethrone the champion Rams in '52 are the Lions & Niners and they square off in Detroit. The 2-0 49ers put a stranglehold on the Lions offense, which gained just 65 yards on 48 offensive plays. San Francisco allows just 4 first downs to set a team defensive record that will stand for 21 years. 

Joe Perry carries against the Detroit Lions, 1952

Future Hall of Fame running backs Joe "The Jet" Perry & Hugh "the king" McElhenny combine to gain 136 yards rushing on 32 carries (Detroit allowed only 95 yards a game rushing all season). Y.A. Tittle was an efficient 13 of 18 for 90 yards passing as San Francisco built a 21-0 3rd quarter lead. 

Future Hall of Fame quarterback Bobby Layne completes just 5 of 15 for 43 yards. Lion passers are sacked five times for 49 yards, and the Leo "the Lion" Nomellini led the d-line stonewalls the Detroit ground game which gains just 40 yards on 17 rushing attempts. 49er linebacker Don Burke returns an interception 35 yards for a score in the 4th quarter, and the victory is complete. 

San Francisco registers their first shut-out in team history 28-0!

Seniors Screening Committee Recommends 52 Semifinalists With a Chance to be in the Class of 2026

 By John Turney 

Seniors' Screening Committee Recommends 52 Semifinalists with a chance to be in the Class of 2026. The next step in the process is that a Seniors nine-person Blue-Ribbon committee (BRC) will reduce the list of 52 candidates to 25 in the next couple of weeks, then again to nine perhaps a month later ot so  Ultimately, the BRC will choose three Finalists for the Class of 2026 and they will be presented to the full Pro Football Hall of Fame Board of Selectors.

Here are the 52 -- 

QUARTERBACKS (5): Ken Anderson, Charlie Conerly, Roman Gabriel, Jack Kemp, Don

Meredith.

All but Meredith have some sort of MVP award on their wall. Conely and Kemp have rings, but probably Anderson, the final 25 for sure, likely the final 9. 

RUNNING BACKS (6): Ottis Anderson, Larry Brown, Roger Craig, Chuck Foreman, Cecil Isbell, Paul “Tank” Younger.

Larry Brown was an MVP, Craig was a Player of the Year, the first 1,000-1,000 player was key to NFL Championships and has a strong case. Isbell, to me, should be listed with the QBs, yes, he was a tailback, but he was a passer ... he just wasn't a T-formation guy ... and should be listed with them in my opinion.

WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS (9): Mark Clayton, Isaac Curtis, Lavvie Dilweg, Henry Ellard, Harold Jackson, Billy "White Shoes" Johnson, Stanley Morgan, Art Powell, Otis Taylor.

I think Dilweg is the most honored end of all these players, but he was a two-way end, as good on defense as he was on offense. But his chances are small.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (11): Jay Hilgenberg, Chris Hinton, Joe Jacoby, Mike Kenn, Bob

Kuechenberg, Marvin Powell, Dick Schafrath, Jerry Sisemore, Walt Sweeney, Jim Tyrer, Al

Wistert.

It is quite a surprise that George Kunz was off the list this year after representing well last year. Just as surprising that Jerry Sisemore essentially took his place. Sisemore was a Pro Bowler twice and was a starter on a Super Bowl team once. Seems thin.

Do we dare put Jim Tyrer's name through the process again? It would be a wasted vote. Mike Kenn and Bob Kuechenberg are two that I think should make it to the Final 9. At least I will support them in that fashion.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (4): L.C. Greenwood, Ed “Too Tall” Jones, Jim Marshall, Harvey Martin.

No defensive tackles, all edge guys. That is a bit of a surprise. Greenwood has the jewelry (four rings), more than the other three ends combined. But all of then have better sack totals. But, Greenwood had the most Pro Bowls and also consensus first-team All-Pro selections.

I think L.C. is the top candidate of the four. 

LINEBACKERS (8): Carl Banks, Maxie Baughan, Mike Curtis, Larry Grantham, Lee Roy Jordan, Clay Matthews Jr., Matt Millen, Tommy Nobis.

Matt Millen? Three second-team All-AFC selections and one Pro Bowl? That is not a lot of end-of-season honors. But he does have four rings -- two with the Raiders and one each with the 49ers and Redskins.

Baughan made it to nearly the end until snubbed by the full board of voters. He has a strong chance of advancing that far again. Lee Roy Jordan, Tommy Nobis and now Mike Curtis -- how do you order them? If you had to rank them 1-2-3? Any group of people would come up with dozens of different ranks. That does not bode well for any of them.

DEFENSIVE BACKS (8): Dick Anderson, Bobby Boyd, Pat Fischer, Lester Hayes, Albert Lewis, Eddie Meador, Lemar Parrish, Everson Walls.

Like that, Lemar Parish made it through the screening committee; his seven Pro Bowls as a cornerback and one as a returner stand out. He was a player quarterbacks avoided. Albert Lewis is right with him in terms of coverage and he had a special teams skill like Parrish, but Lewis' forte was blocking punts. The most in recent NFL history.

Among safeties, I have Meador over Anderson, even though Anderson had a high peak and played or better teams. Anderson's career was cut short by injuries. It's a tough all.

SPECIAL TEAMS (1): Steve Tasker.

I think Billy "White Shoes" Johnson belongs in this category with Tasker. As a wide receiver, he was not a Hall-worthy player, but as a returner, especially a punt returner, he has a solid case. 

TUESDAY TIDBITS: "I'm Pretty Ruthless Back There"

By TJ Troup 

George Atkinson

Four weeks into the season, and so many storylines have led to plenty of compelling drama in the weeks to come. Which teams off to a hot start can continue to win? Which teams that have struggled can correct their issues, and put themselves back in the play-off hunt? The quote in the title of my short saga today comes from Marcus Jones after his impressive day returning punts. 

I wonder if Marcus would be impressed if he looked in the 1970 Record Book and saw the number of yards returned on punts by George Atkinson of the Raiders, or the Lions' Jack Christensen and Tom Watkins, as they had set the standard for both the AFL & NFL as the league headed into the merger? 

Jack Christensen

Our journey back in time today for October 5th, deals with a rivalry that was highlighted by Steve Sabol at NFL Films; the Eagles and Giants. We return to 1947 and the New York Giants have beaten the Eagles 19 of the 26 times they have played each other entering this game. Philadelphia is at home coming off its high-scoring victory over the Redskins. 

Earle "Greasy" Neale's defense has come to play today, as the Giants gain just 39 yards on the ground in shutting out New York 23-0 (just the second shut-out of the Giants). Philadelphia will allow just 80 yards rushing a game in their eight victories. 

Steve Van Buren

The Eagle ground game is in fine form as future Hall of Famer Steve Van Buren gains 105 yards on 16 carries (the third time he has gained 100 rushing against New York). Van Buren will win the rushing title and become just the second runner in league history to gain over 1,000 yards in a season, as the Eagles earn their first division title.

Packers Start Strong, Settle for a Tie in Dallas

 By Eric Goska

The 1940 Packers

If a football game consisted solely of first quarters, your Green Bay Packers would be undefeated.

For the fourth time this season, the Packers dominated early. But in Dallas, as in Cleveland, Green Bay could not sustain that effort and had to settle for a 40-40 overtime tie with the Cowboys Sunday night.

In the spirit of “if you can’t say something nice …,” we’ll focus on Green Bay’s historic first-quarter run. We’ll leave the unpleasantries that played out in the heart of Texas for others to sort through.

Historic, when invoked here, is not hyperbole. The Green and Gold have outgained their competition in first quarters by a wide margin, breaking a record that had stood for 85 years.

Green Bay’s early-bird ways were on display for all to see at AT&T Stadium. Jordan Love and his offensive mates posted 149 yards on 17 plays in the first quarter. The Cowboys managed 26 on eight snaps.

The Pack possessed the ball for 10 minutes, two seconds. They earned six first downs to the Cowboys’ one. They ran six plays beyond the fifty to zero for Dallas.

And, of course, Love hit Romeo Doubs with a 2-yard TD pass that put Green Bay up 7-0 heading into the second quarter.

The first quarter in Dallas was typical of what the Packers did against the Lions, Commanders and Browns in Weeks 1 through 3. Here’s how Green Bay fared in the first quarter against those teams – in order – in the opening 15 minutes.

   Offensive yards:              104 to 46; 151 to 11; 51 to 46
   Time of possession:        8:28 to 6:32; 10:10 to 4:50; 8:28 to 6:32
   First downs:                     6 to 2; 7 to 0; 3 to 2
   Plays beyond the 50:      11 to 0; 9 to 0; 7 to 3
   Score:                                10 to 0; 7 to 0; 0 to 0

Let’s pretend these first quarters made up one game. How would that look statistically?

   Offensive yards:              455 to 129
   Time of possession:        37:08 to 22:52
   First downs:                     22 to 5
   Plays beyond the 50:      33 to 3
   Score:                                 24 to 0

Packers coach Matt LaFleur

Pretty heady numbers. And the type that, posted over the course of an entire game, one would expect to result in victory.

Much of Green Bay’s early superiority has come through the air. Love has 29 completions in 39 attempts for 385 yards and three touchdowns (130.8 rating). His counterparts – Jared Goff, Jayden Daniels, Joe Flacco and Dak Prescott – combined for 14 completions in 17 attempts for 70 yards (83.8).

Love’s favorite targets have been Doubs (6-68-2) and Tucker Kraft (5-109-1). No. 10 has connected with 10 different receivers in the first quarter.

In clamping down on those it has faced while running rampant itself, Green Bay has amassed 326 more yards in the first quarter than its opponents. That differential is a team record, 35 better than the 1940 squad that previously held the mark.

First and Foremost
The six seasons in which the Packers outgained their opponents by more than 200 yards in the opening quarters of their first four games.
 
     Difference      Year      GB Yards    Opp Yards
           +326              2025           455                 129
           +291              1940            497                 206
           +284              2015            461                 177
           +256              1995            364                 108
           +206              1947            399                 193
           +206              2019            421                 215
 

Note: Numbers from 1940 and 1947 are unofficial. Numbers from 1921, 1922 and 1941 are unavailable.

Rams New Front Making Waves Like the Old Ones

 By John Turney 

Byron Young, Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske and Jared Verse.

While they haven’t replicated that nine-sack outburst in a single regular-season game yet, opponents are clearly wary of their relentless pressure. Protection schemes have adjusted, but the Rams' defensive line, bolstered by players like nose tackle Poona Ford—who excels when shifted to a 3-technique role—continues to dominate.

The Los Angeles Rams' pass rush erupted late in the 2024 season, culminating in a historic performance on January 13, 2025, when they sacked the Minnesota Vikings' quarterback nine times in a Wild Card playoff game, tying the NFL record for sacks in a postseason contest. This game signaled that the Rams' defensive front was a force to be reckoned with.

While they haven’t replicated that nine-sack outburst in a single regular-season game yet, opponents are clearly wary of their relentless pressure. Protection schemes have adjusted, but the Rams' defensive line, bolstered by players like nose tackle Poona Ford—who excels when shifted to a 3-technique role—continues to dominate.

The Rams' defense, under rookie coordinator Chris Shula, started 2024 sluggishly but gained momentum as Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse and standout Braden Fiske found their rhythm. Quarterbacks began to feel the heat, and the sacks piled up. Over an eight-game stretch, dating back to 2024 and through their most recent game in Philadelphia, the Rams recorded 35 sacks. This places them tied for tenth in franchise history for sacks in an eight-game span since 1963, with only nine Rams defenses having surpassed this mark:

The Rams' defense, under rookie coordinator Chris Shula, started 2024 sluggishly but gained momentum as Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse and standout Braden Fiske found their rhythm. Quarterbacks began to feel the heat, and the sacks piled up. Over an eight-game stretch, dating back to 2024 and through their most recent game in Philadelphia, the Rams recorded 35 sacks.

This places them tied for tenth in franchise history for sacks in an eight-game span since 1963, with only nine Rams defenses having surpassed this mark:

Source: Pro Football Reference.

The current Rams squad has a chance to climb higher. Their next game against the Indianapolis Colts, led by Daniel Jones, replaces a 2024 game against the New York Jets where they managed just one sack on Aaron Rodgers. Adding more than one sack in this matchup could push them into the top five—or even higher—on the franchise’s all-time list. However, the Colts’ offensive line has been stingy, allowing only two sacks this season, presenting a tough challenge.

Historically, the top three spots for sacks in an eight-game span belong to the 1988 Rams (with some games from late 1987), who notched 39 sacks. That year, injuries decimated the defensive line, prompting coordinator Fritz Shurmur to deploy his innovative “Eagle/Hawk” scheme, using two defensive linemen and five linebackers. Led by Kevin Greene’s ferocious blitzes, this unit overwhelmed quarterbacks and secured the franchise record.

Kevin Greene.

Tied with 39 sacks is the legendary Fearsome Foursome from late 1968 to early November. Featuring Hall of Famers Deacon Jones and Merlin Olsen, alongside Pro Bowler Roger Brown and Lamar Lundy, this front four was relentless, achieving their sack total against fewer pass attempts than modern teams. They also stifled the run, allowing just 3.3 yards per rush attempt, showcasing their all-around dominance.

Deacon Jones and Merlin Olsen.

The 1999 St. Louis Rams, the Super Bowl-winning “Greatest Show on Turf” team, rank fifth with 34 sacks over eight games. Often overshadowed by their explosive offense, this defense—led by Kevin Carter, D’Marco Farr, Ray Agnew, and Grant Wistrom—topped the NFL in sacks that year.

Kevin Carter, D'Marco Farr, Ray Agnew and Grant Wistrom.

Other notable Rams defenses on the upper regions of the list feature icons like Jack Youngblood, Olsen, Larry Brooks, and Fred Dryer, cementing the franchise’s legacy of elite pass rushing both in late 1973 early 1974 as well as the last half of 1979 (sans Olsen).

Jack Youngblood, Fred Dryer, Merlin Olsen and Larry Brooks

But that was then. This is now.

Last year, the 2024 Rams, powered by young stars Verse, Fiske, Byron Young, and Kobie Turner, totaled 38 sacks—a strong but not jaw-dropping figure. However, their current pace suggests they could reach 50 or 60 sacks in 2025, a mark that would place them among the franchise’s all-time greats.

Note: Ignore the yards per rush allowed for the op team and the current Rams. Stopping the run is a work-in-progress. To a degree, the 1988 teams got it under control and if the last three games are an indication, the 2025 Rams won't be pushed around too often and not give up piles of yards to the likes of Saquon Barkley and others.

What to Watch For Tomorrow:

One sack against the Colts keeps the Rams tied for tenth in franchise history for an eight-game span.

Two sacks tie them for seventh.

Five sacks matches the franchise record of 39.

Six sacks would give the 2025 Rams sole possession of the record with 40 sacks in eight consecutive games.

With their young talent and relentless momentum, the Rams are poised to continue climbing the ranks of the franchise’s storied pass-rushing legacy.

Keep an eye out.

UPDATE: 9/28/25—Rams sacked Daniel Jones twice in a 27-20 win, so they are tied for seventh in Rams hisotry for sacks over any eight-game span.

Like a Fine Wine

By Nick Webster

Calais Campbell, the 39-year-old defensive lineman for the Arizona Cardinals, has already recorded three sacks through the first four games of the 2025 NFL season. He started in every one of those games, and with 13 games still left on the schedule, Campbell is on pace to finish the season with 12.5 sacks if he maintains his current level of production.  This would surpass all previous records for players in his age bracket. Of course, it’s a long season and injury, opponent matchups and the rise of youngsters on the roster could dramatically impact outcomes.

Whether considering official sacks, tabulated since 1982, or unofficial sacks compiled back to 1960, no player aged 39 or older has ever reached 10 or more sacks in a single NFL season. The leaders in this age group are Doug Atkins of the Saints with nine sacks in a 14-game season at age 39 in 1969 and Bruce Smith of the Redskins who notched nine sacks in 16 games at age 39 in 2002.

Other notable performances feature Andy Robustelli, with 6.5 sacks for the Giants in a 14-game season at age 39 in 1964 and Clay Matthews with 6.5 sacks at age 40 in 1996 for the Atlanta Falcons, appearing in 15 games but starting just one. Jim Marshall recorded four sacks in 14 games at age 39 in 1976 and another four in 16 games at age 41 in 1978 for the Minnesota Vikings

An interesting case is Coy Bacon who tallied three sacks in just the first three games of 1981 at age 39 for the Redskins.  After repeated tardiness and missed meetings and practices, young Joe Gibbs sent Bacon home after a Thursday meeting before week four, the next day Bacon was released and never played another down in the NFL, prompting the AP to publish the following:

James Harrison also notched three sacks at age 39 in 2017 across six games for New England and Pittsburgh, without any starts. Harrison notched one in just 40 snaps playing sporadically for the Steelers. After dressing but not playing in the Steelers Week 15 tilt against the Patriots, Harrison was cut, only to sign with the Pats and log 2 sacks in 27 snaps in his final NFL game. Talk about right-player, wrong-uniform!

Throughout his career, Campbell has earned great recognition as a six-time Pro Bowler, and he remains a key starter and influential leader within the Cardinals' defensive unit. If he continues at his current pace, he could become the geriatric sack leader of all time.  Perhaps paving his way to Canton.