PLAYOFF PUSH:
Since the 12-team playoff format was adopted in 1990, at least four teams have qualified for the playoffs in every season after failing to make the postseason the year before. In 2019, the BUFFALO BILLS (10-4), GREEN BAY PACKERS (11-3) and SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (11-3) have each clinched playoff berths after missing the postseason last year.
If the MINNESOTA VIKINGS (10-4) defeat Green Bay on Monday Night Football (8:15 PM ET, ESPN) to clinch a playoff berth, 2019 would mark the 30th consecutive season in which at least four teams qualify for the playoffs after missing the postseason the previous year.
For the full Week 16 playoff scenarios, click here.
MAKING IT LOOK EASY IN BIG BREESY:
Last Monday night, New Orleans quarterback DREW BREES made history as he threw four touchdown passes to reach 541 in his career and surpass PEYTON MANNING (539) for the most career touchdown passes in NFL history. In addition to passing Manning, Brees completed 29 of 30 pass attempts to set a single-game NFL record (min. 20 attempts) with a 96.7 completion percentage and completed his final 22 pass attempts of the game.
If Brees completes his first four pass attempts on Sunday at Tennessee (1:00 PM ET, FOX), he would set an NFL record for the most consecutive completions in league history.
The players with the most consecutive completions in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | DATE(S) | COMPLETIONS | |
| Nick Foles | Philadelphia | 12/30/18 | 25 | |
| Marcus Mariota | Tennessee | 11/18/18-11/26/18 | 25 | |
| Philip Rivers | Los Angeles Chargers | 11/25/18 | 25 | |
| Ryan Tannehill | Miami | 10/18/15-10/25/15 | 25 | |
| Donovan McNabb | Philadelphia | 11/28/04-12/5/04 | 24 | |
| Peyton Manning | Indianapolis | 12/14/08-12/18/08 | 23 | |
| Drew Brees | New Orleans | 12/16/19 | 22* | |
| *Active streak | ||||
In Week 15, Saints wide receiver MICHAEL THOMAS recorded his eighth game this season with at least 10 receptions, the most such performances in a single season in NFL history. Thomas leads the NFL with 133 receptions and 1,552 receiving yards in 2019.
With at least 11 receptions on Sunday, Thomas would surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer MARVIN HARRISON (143 receptions in 2002) for the most receptions in a single season in NFL history.
The players with the most receptions in a single season in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | RECEPTIONS |
| Marvin HarrisonHOF | Indianapolis | 2002 | 143 |
| Antonio Brown | Pittsburgh | 2015 | 136 |
| Julio Jones | Atlanta | 2015 | 136 |
| Michael Thomas | New Orleans | 2019 | 133* |
| *Entering Sunday | |||
Additionally, Thomas – who owns the league record for the most receptions through a player’s first four seasons with 454 – needs 58 receiving yards on Sunday to surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer RANDY MOSS (5,396 receiving yards) for the most receiving yards through a player’s first four seasons in NFL history.
The players with the most receiving yards in their first four seasons in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | REC. YARDS |
| Randy MossHOF | Minnesota | 5,396 |
| Michael Thomas | New Orleans | 5,339* |
| Torry Holt | St. Louis Rams | 5,088 |
| Jerry RiceHOF | San Francisco | 4,881 |
| *In fourth season | ||
