You’ll notice quite a few Ben Roethlisberger numbers this week, because that’s what happens when you pass for 522 yards and tie the fourth highest single-game total in league history.
But first let’s start with a game that began in the wee hours Sunday morning, when the NFL booted its hottest mess across an ocean.
3: The number of quarterbacks since 1966 who have started three games in which their team has come back from a deficit of at least 21 points, the latest being Matthew Stafford during Sunday’s lunacy in London. That game also had the largest blown lead in Atlanta Falcons history.
8: The amount of pass attempts Geno Smith needed to throw three interceptions in his latest debacle, this time in a loss to the Buffalo Bills. He had more interceptions than completions. For some fun/depressing perspective, Peyton Manning has thrown three interceptions this season on 252 attempts.
38: The points allowed by the Chicago Bears in the first half of a 51-23 loss to the New England Patriots. It was the most points allowed during a first half in team history.
5: Tom Brady’s touchdowns in that game… and his incompletions.
320: Ben Roethlisberger’s passing yards in just the first half of his Indianapolis Colts bombardment.
1: The number of quarterbacks in league history who have thrown for over 500 yards in a game twice. Roethlisberger first reached that plateau in 2009 against the Packers, and then for a second time Sunday. He can throw a football far.
6: Roethlisberger’s final touchdown count. He joins a long but still distinguished list of quarterbacks who have thrown at least six touchdown passes in a game. The outburst is even more unexpected after Roethlisberger threw only four touchdown passes over his previous four games.
2: The amount of quarterbacks in league history to throw for over 500 yards in a game with six touchdowns and no interceptions. Roethlisberger is one and Y.A. Tittle is the other, which is some pretty nice company.
10 and 4: The first number is Kyle Orton’s completions during a win over the New York Jets. The second is the number of those connections that went for touchdowns. Passes that don’t end in points aren’t fun.
279: Sammy Watkins’ receiving yards over the past two weeks. His average per game total over the previous five weeks? Only 51.8 yards. We can safely assume he approves of the quarterback change in Buffalo.
14: The amount of points scored by the Bills in the first quarter Sunday. Prior to Week 8 they had scored only 13 points in first quarters over seven games. Or looked at from another far worse angle, the Bills had gone five straight games without scoring a single point in the opening quarter.
2: The amount of 75-plus yard completions by the Arizona Cardinals. Both went for touchdowns with John Brown and Larry Fitzgerald on the receiving end.
123: Eddie Lacy’s receiving yards in that game, an eventual Packers loss during a shootout. Lacy going boom as a pass catcher will get buried following the Packers’ loss. Prior to Week 8 Lacy had only 86 receiving this season.
137.7: The passer rating allowed by the Packers defense Sunday night. Over seven games they had allowed a rating of only 74.0, second best in the league.
3: The amount of times in league history a game hasn’t featured a punt, the latest Packers-Saints Sunday.
