The 2025 NFL season has been a showcase of elite-level talent performing at historic levels, and with five weeks still left on the schedule, some of the league’s most iconic records are officially on notice. From dominant pass rushers to breakout receivers and precision passers, the numbers being put up this season aren’t just impressive - they’re potentially record-breaking.
Myles Garrett Is Chasing Sack History
Let’s start with Myles Garrett, who’s making a strong case - again - for Defensive Player of the Year. Garrett has been nothing short of a game-wrecker for the Cleveland Browns. Even in a season where the Browns haven’t lived up to expectations in the win column, Garrett’s individual dominance has been undeniable.
With 19 sacks already on the year, Garrett is just 3.5 away from tying the official single-season sack record of 22.5, shared by T.J. Watt and Michael Strahan.
And while sacks weren’t officially tracked until 1982, the unofficial record belongs to Al Baker, who logged 23 in 1978. Garrett is within striking distance of both.
What makes this even more compelling is how Garrett is getting it done. He’s already had three games this season with three or more sacks - a feat that speaks to his ability to completely take over games. And with five games left, the runway is there for him to not just flirt with history, but surpass it.
But sacks aren’t the only category where Garrett is rewriting the defensive record books. He’s also closing in on the single-season record for tackles for loss.
J.J. Watt set the gold standard with seasons of 29, 29, and a jaw-dropping 39 tackles for loss.
Garrett is sitting at 28, just one shy of Watt’s second-best mark. With his elite burst off the line and relentless motor, that record is very much in play.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s Breakout Season Could Be Historic
In Seattle, the passing of the torch at wide receiver has been smoother than anyone could’ve predicted. With DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett no longer in the fold, Jaxon Smith-Njigba has stepped into the WR1 role and absolutely taken off.
Smith-Njigba leads the NFL in receiving yards with 1,336 - and it’s not particularly close. What’s made his rise so impressive is the complete nature of his game.
He’s not just a possession guy or a deep threat - he’s both. He runs crisp routes, has reliable hands, and consistently finds ways to create separation, whether it’s on a quick slant or a go route down the sideline.
He’s on pace for 1,892.1 yards, which would be the third-highest single-season total in NFL history. That puts him squarely in the conversation with the likes of Calvin Johnson, who holds the record at 1,964, and Cooper Kupp, who came close just a few years ago.
However, Week 13 was a bit of a setback. Smith-Njigba was held to just two catches for 23 yards - his lowest output of the season.
That dip could make the path to 2,000 yards a little steeper, but it doesn’t knock him out of contention. Through 11 games, only Josh Gordon and Tyreek Hill had more receiving yards at that stage in a season.
That’s elite company, and with the way Smith-Njigba has played, it wouldn’t be shocking to see him rebound and make another push at the record.
Denver’s Defense Is a Sack Machine
The Denver Broncos have quietly built one of the most dangerous defenses in the league, and their pass rush is leading the charge. Anchored by a deep and versatile front seven, Denver has racked up 51 sacks this season - eight more than the next closest team.
What’s wild is that 16 different Broncos defenders have recorded at least one sack. That’s the same number as the total sacks the San Francisco 49ers have as a team.
Leading the way is Nik Bonitto with 10.5, but he’s not alone. Jonathan Cooper (7.5) and Zach Allen (6.0) have been disruptive forces as well.
Earlier in the year, Denver looked like they might run away with the all-time team sack record, set by the 1984 Chicago Bears with 72. That defense, the precursor to the legendary ’85 unit, averaged 4.5 sacks per game over a 16-game season. Denver is right there at 4.25 sacks per game - and with the NFL’s 17-game schedule, they’ve got a shot.
The pace has cooled a bit lately as opposing offenses have adjusted by getting the ball out quicker. But the Broncos still have the personnel and the scheme to pressure quarterbacks consistently. The record isn’t a lock, but it’s definitely within reach.
Drake Maye’s Accuracy Is Challenging an All-Time Great
In New England, Drake Maye is making a massive leap in his second year under center. He’s not just showing promise - he’s turning in an MVP-caliber season. And it all starts with his pinpoint accuracy.
Maye is completing 71.5% of his passes, which currently ranks seventh in NFL history. The gold standard?
Drew Brees’ 74.4% in 2018. That’s the mark Maye is chasing.
And unlike some of the other names on the list - Tua Tagovailoa and Jared Goff, for example - Maye isn’t just dinking and dunking his way to efficiency.
Sure, he can hit the short throws with timing and precision, but what sets Maye apart is his willingness - and ability - to push the ball downfield. His deep ball has been one of the most effective weapons in the league this year, and he’s doing it while maintaining elite completion numbers.
If he keeps this up, Maye won’t just be in the MVP conversation - he could be rewriting the record books for quarterback accuracy.
Josh Allen Adds Another Record to His Resume
And let’s not forget Josh Allen, who’s already made history this season. The Bills quarterback broke the all-time rushing touchdown record for quarterbacks, further cementing his status as one of the most dangerous dual-threat QBs the league has ever seen.
Allen’s ability to bulldoze defenders in the red zone has always been a key part of his game, but this year, he’s taken it to another level. He’s not just a quarterback who can run - he’s arguably the best ball-carrying quarterback the NFL has ever had.
As we head into the final stretch of the regular season, the race for records is heating up. Whether it’s Garrett chasing sack history, Smith-Njigba rewriting the wide receiver record books, Denver’s defense hunting down a legendary Bears mark, or Maye and Allen carving out their own legacies, this season is shaping up to be one for the ages.
And the best part? We’re not done yet.