CAN’T GUARD MIKE:
Since entering the NFL in 2016, New Orleans wide receiver MICHAEL THOMAS leads the NFL with 394 receptions and ranks third with 4,662 receiving yards. This season, Thomas leads the league in receptions (73) and receiving yards (875) through the first nine weeks.
Appearing in his 56th career game on Sunday against Atlanta (1:00 PM ET, FOX), Thomas needs six receptions to become the fastest player to reach 400 receptions in NFL history.
The players to reach 400 receptions in the fewest games in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | GAMES TO 400 | |
| Odell Beckham Jr. | New York Giants | 61 | |
| Julio Jones | Atlanta | 64 | |
| Jarvis Landry | Miami | 64 | |
| Keenan Allen | San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers | 66 | |
| Michael Thomas | New Orleans | 55* | |
| *Has 394 career receptions | |||
Thomas, who is currently in his fourth NFL season, needs seven receptions on Sunday to surpass JARVIS LANDRY (400) for the most receptions through a player’s first four seasons in NFL history.
The players with the most receptions in their first four seasons in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | RECEPTIONS |
| Jarvis Landry | Miami | 400 |
| Michael Thomas | New Orleans | 394* |
| Anquan Boldin | Arizona | 342 |
| Larry Fitzgerald | Arizona | 330 |
| A.J. Green | Cincinnati | 329 |
| *In fourth season | ||
Additionally, if Thomas has 125 receiving yards on Sunday, he would join MIKE EVANS (2014-17), A.J. GREEN (2011-14) and Pro Football Hall of Famer RANDY MOSS (1998-2001) as the only players to have at least 1,000 receiving yards in each of their first four seasons in NFL history.
PARTY IN THE BACKFIELD:
Green Bay’s defense features the only pair of teammates in the NFL to each record at least eight sacks this season – linebackers ZA’DARIUS SMITH (8.5 sacks) and PRESTON SMITH (8). On Sunday against Carolina (4:25 PM ET, FOX), they can become the sixth pair of teammates to each record at least 10 sacks in their team’s first 10 games of a season since 1990.
The teammates to each record at least 10 sacks through their team’s first 10 games of a season since 1990:
| SEASON | TEAM | PLAYER | SACKS | PLAYER | SACKS | |
| 2014 | Buffalo | Marcell Dareus | 10 | Mario Williams | 10 | |
| 2000 | Miami | Trace Armstrong | 12.5 | Jason TaylorHOF | 10 | |
| 2000 | Tampa Bay | Warren SappHOF | 11.5 | Marcus Jones | 10 | |
| 1998 | San Francisco | Chris Doleman | 11.5 | Roy Barker | 11 | |
| 1992 | Kansas City | Derrick ThomasHOF | 10.5 | Neil Smith | 10.5 | |
| 2019 | Green Bay | Za’Darius Smith | 8.5* | Preston Smith | 8* | |
| *Through nine games | ||||||
