Chris Graythen - Getty Images
New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees set several NFL records this year, to include the single season passing yardage record held for the last 27 years by Dan Marino.
With the 2011 NFL regular season complete, and the post season starting this week, it's time to take a look at the statistical leaders from around the league. We'll highlight the leader in each category, and any milestone or record breaking performances.

|
Stat |
Number |
Player |
Team |
Remarks |
|
Passer Rating |
122.5 |
Sets NFL Record. Drew Brees, Tom Brady, and Tony Romo all over 100 passer rating |
||
|
Passing Yards |
5,476 |
Drew Brees |
Brees set new single season passing yard record. Tom Brady and Matt Stafford also top 5,000 yards. |
|
|
Passing Yards (Rookie) |
4,051 |
Cam Newton |
Sets NFL Record |
|
|
Pass Completions |
468 |
Drew Brees |
New Orleans Saints |
Sets NFL Record |
|
Completion Percent |
71.2 |
Drew Brees |
New Orleans Saints |
Sets NFL Record |
|
Rushing Yards |
1,606 |
15 Players, including Reggie Bush, topped 1,000 yards this season |
||
|
Rushing TDs |
17 |
QB Cam Newton (14) in second place set record for QB rushing TDs |
||
|
Receiving Yards |
1,681 |
19 Players, including Brandon Marshall, topped 1,000 yards this season |
||
|
Receiving Yards (TE) |
1,327 |
Sets NFL Record |
||
|
Receptions |
122 |
New England Patriots |
Roddy White (100) also reached the 100 receptions milestone |
|
|
Receiving TDs |
17 |
Rob Gronkowski |
New England Patriots |
Sets NFL Record for TEs. Calvin Johnson tops wide receivers with 16 touchdowns |
|
All-Purpose Yards |
2,969 |
New Orleans Saints |
Sets NFL Record |
|
|
Punt Return TDs |
4 |
Ties NFL Record and NFL Record (Rookie) |
||
|
Points |
166 |
Sets NFL Record |
||
|
Field Goal Percent |
93.1 |
Connor Barth, Josh Scobee, and Rob Bironas all topped 90% |
||
|
Long Field Goal |
63 |
Sebastian Janikoski |
Ties NFL Record |
|
|
Field Goal Attempts |
52 |
Davis Akers |
San Francisco 49ers |
Ties NFL Record |
|
Field Goals Made |
44 |
Davis Akers |
San Francisco 49ers |
Sets NFL Record |
|
Punting Average |
50.9 |
San Francisco 49ers |
Shane Lechler also topped 50 yards average (Brandon Field 3rd - 48.8) |
|
|
Punting Net Average |
44.6 |
Andy Lee |
San Francisco 49ers |
Brandon Fields 4th (41.1) |
|
Punting Inside 20 |
34 |
Brandon Fields 3rd (32) |
||
|
Tackles |
166 |
Washington Redksins |
D'Qwell Jackson and Chad Greenway also top 150 tackles |
|
|
Interceptions |
7 |
3 Players |
|
Charles Woodson, Eric Weddle, Kyle Arrington |
|
Sacks |
22 |
0.5 Sacks shy of NFL record |
0 recs | 4 comments
At some stage, they're going to have to re-balance the game.
Looking at Brees, Brady and Rodgers in the air and Cam Newton in the air and on the ground AS A ROOKIE, it has simply become too easy for QBs in this league.
They’re wrapped in cotton wool by refs, and their receivers can do what they please as they know they can’t be viciously hit going over the middle or on the sideline.
Look, I love the passing game, but the running game is on life support. They need to change some rules to give defense a chance.
What Marino did in his era is still far more impressive to me than what these guys are doing.
Agumen - January 2, 2012
Two simple ways to help address your concerns:
1) Eliminate the penalty for minimal contact with receivers downfield – By doing so, defensive backs would be better equipped to measure up against the more physical and speedy receivers of the modern era.
2) Return the pass interference penalty to a 15-yard infraction – The current rule is ridiculous, basically inviting QBs to throw deep on the hopes that the DB might make enough contact to draw the flag. Also, eliminate the portion of the penalty that requires DBs to turn their heads in making a play on the ball.
ocelotfox - January 2, 2012
These are both GREAT ideas.
I was just debating that with a buddy the other night. Make the P.I. a 15 yarder again.
MMANDIA - January 2, 2012
If they are on the money & they know how to slide!
wild zion beaver - January 3, 2012
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