The Most Depressing Time of the Year: A Look at the NFL’s Saddest Stats
As the holiday season approaches, NFL fans are left to wonder if their team will receive the gift of a playoff spot. For some, it’s a time of joy and celebration, but for others, it’s a period of sadness and disappointment. This week, we saw some truly dismal performances on the field, and we’re here to highlight the most depressing stats from Week 15.
The Heaviest Player to Ever Carry the Ball
T’Vondre Sweat made headlines this week by becoming the heaviest player to ever gain yardage in the NFL. Weighing in at a whopping 365 pounds, Sweat looked like a force to be reckoned with on the field. But what’s even more impressive is that he managed to beat the previous record holder, Ted Washington, by a single pound.
Big Men Doing Big Things
Sweat wasn’t the only large player making waves this week. Dan Skipper of the Lions took his 330 pounds into the endzone for a touchdown, making him the second-largest player to score this week. And let’s not forget Jonah Williams, who weighed in at 312 pounds and still managed to find the endzone.
Mason Rudolph’s Sad Touchdown
Mason Rudolph joined an elite group of quarterbacks who have thrown an official sad touchdown. To qualify, the touchdown must come at the end of the game when the team is losing by nine or more points, making the extra point attempt unnecessary. Rudolph joins the likes of Justin Fields, Daniel Jones, and Mitch Trubisky in this dubious club.
The Carolina Panthers’ Long-Awaited Touchdown
It’s been five years since the Panthers scored an 80+ yard touchdown, but Young Coker finally broke the drought this week. Unfortunately, the Panthers still ended up losing to the Cowboys, but it’s a small consolation for fans who have been waiting for a big play.
The Patriots’ Surprising Drought
Believe it or not, the Patriots have the longest 80+ yard touchdown drought in the NFL. It’s been since 2013 that Tom Brady connected with Aaron Dobson for an 81-yard score. The Packers are close behind, with their last 80+ yard touchdown coming in 2014.
Sam Howell’s Disastrous Performance
Sam Howell had a week to forget, finishing with just 5 net yards on 19 dropbacks. This is the fewest yards for any quarterback this season with a minimum of 19 dropbacks. To put it in perspective, Howell’s performance was the fifth-worst since 1999.
The Steelers’ Ineptitude
The Steelers had a disastrous second half, going “fumble lost,” “punt” to start and finish the half. This is only the sixth time in NFL history that a team has had just two drives in the second half. Mike Tomlin’s lack of in-game analytical skills is starting to show.
Anthony Richardson’s Pitch-Six
Anthony Richardson had a play that will haunt him for a while. He successfully threw a ball to his teammate, only for it to be picked off and returned for a touchdown. Technically, it’s a pitch-six, not a pick-six, but the result is still the same.
The Chicago Bears: A Team in Shambles
The Bears are a mess, and it’s hard to find the words to describe their ineptitude. From the head coach to the newly hired offensive coordinator, it seems like everyone is to blame. The team’s ability to self-destruct is still alive and well, and it’s hard to see a way out of this mess.
That’s all for this week’s sad stats. Tune in next week for more depressing performances and disappointing displays on the field.
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