NFL Records On Course To Be Broken in the 2023 Season

The 2023 NFL season is now into its second half, and it has already thrown up some very intriguing storylines. The Philadelphia Eagles (8-1) have the best record in the NFL and they had their bye week last weekend.

The defending champions Kansas City Chiefs returned to winning ways with a 21-14 win over the Miami Dolphins in the first ever NFL game to be played in Frankfurt before enjoying their bye week last weekend.

The NFL is nothing without its players who continue to entertain viewers week after week and this season we are seeing some extraordinary performances. At Bookies.com, we are tracking the performances of a number of players who are on course to set new NFL single-season records.

Puka Shines Bright For Misfiring Rams

It's turning into another season to forget for the Los Angeles Rams, who have a 3-6 record after losing their third successive game. A 20-3 loss to the Green Bay Packers leaves them with a lot to do to find a way into the playoffs. The sooner quarterback Matthew Stafford returns from a thumb injury, the better for the team and wide receiver Puka Nacua.

Brett Rypien had a tough game against the Packers, completing 13 of 28 passes for 130 yards. Nacua was targeted seven times, but he finished the game with three catches for 32 yards. It's the fewest receptions of his season and his 32 yards are the second fewest he's managed in his rookie season.

Despite a below par day, Nacua is still on course for an historic season. Bill Groman's record of 1,473 receiving yards for a rookie has stood since 1960, but Nacua is on target to beat it. With eight games left to play, the Rams receiver is on pace to end the season with 1,562 receiving yards. Nacua would love to have Stafford throwing passes to him, especially with the trust Stafford had built with his receiver.

Nacua could also set a new record for catches by a rookie, which currently stands at 104 by Miami Dolphins' wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in the 2021 season. Nacua ended Week 9 with 64 catches and he is on pace for 120. The Rams return from their bye this weekend with a home game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Stroud Leads By Example For Texans 

The NFL is difficult to figure out. Just ask any of the rookie quarterbacks thrown in at the deep end this season. But not for Houston Texans signal-caller CJ Stroud who is making it look so easy under center. Stroud started the season as QB1 and it's easy to see why, as the rookie has Houston relevant in November with a 5-4 record. Jacksonville's loss to the 49ers means the Texans have a shot of winning the AFC South. 

For the second successive week, Stroud put his team on his shoulders and drove them downfield to set up a game-winning 38-yard field goal from Matt Ammendola to beat the Cincinnati Bengals 30-27. Stroud threw for 356 yards and a touchdown, but he did throw his second interception of the season. Two picks in nine games is a remarkable achievement, especially at the start of his career. 

To put that into context, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts of the Eagles, who faced each other in last season's Super Bowl, have each been picked off eight times. Buffalo's Josh Allen has been picked off nine times.

It wasn't until Stroud's 193rd pass attempt that he registered his first interception, when Saints linebacker Zach Baun picked up his collector's item. Stroud was one of three rookie quarterbacks to start the season, along with the Panthers' Bryce Young and Anthony Richardson from the Colts. 

While it's been a struggle for Young and Richardson, who is now sidelined with an AC joint sprain, Stroud has been the pick of the rookie quarterbacks this year. If Stroud stays on the path he is currently on, he should take the record from Dallas Cowboys' quarterback Dak Prescott, who threw just four interceptions in his rookie campaign in 2016. Stroud, who takes on the Arizona Cardinals this weekend, is on pace to end the season with 3.7 interceptions.

Howell On Course For Unwanted Record

It was business as usual for the Washington Commanders' and their offensive line who gave up three sacks in their 29-26 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle. It takes the total of sacks on Sam Howell to 47 for the season. 

That's 14 more than the next player on that list, who is New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson. Needless to say, there is still plenty of work to do protecting Howell who is on course to set an unwanted record. Howell currently leads the league with 2,783 passing yards. 

Howell is on course to be sacked 79 times this season which would break David Carr's record of 76 in a terrible 2002 season. A home game with NFC East rivals the New York Giants is a chance for Howell to get a win.  

Hill's Living Up To Pre-Season Comment

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill said before Sunday's game with his former team, the Kansas City Chiefs, that he had a special touchdown celebration lined up. Sadly, we did not get to see this as he was kept out of the end zone by the Chiefs who won the first ever NFL game to be played in Frankfurt.

Hill had eight receptions for 62 yards to lead the team, but his fumble which was returned for a touchdown in the first half proved costly. It's a temporary setback to Hill who made it clear in the off-season that he wanted to be the first player past the 2,000 receiving yards mark. 

After Sunday's loss in Germany, Hill remains on pace for that, but only just. He's on target to end the season with 2,032 yards which will break Calvin Johnson's record of 1,964 yards set during the Detroit Lions' 2012 season. Hill and the Dolphins had their bye week last weekend but return to action with a home game against the resurgent Las Vegas Raiders.