NFL Quiz: Test Your Knowledge

Drafted second overall in 2023, C.J. Stroud delivered a historic debut season for the Houston Texans. He averaged 273.9 passing yards per game while throwing twenty-three touchdowns and only five interceptions. These statistics made him the first rookie to lead the league in both categories. His efficient performance earned him Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and led his team to a division title.

The Minnesota Vikings set this record on December 17, 2022, against the Indianapolis Colts. Trailing 33-0 at halftime, they scored thirty-six points in the second half and overtime to win 39-36. This performance surpassed the previous NFL record held by the Buffalo Bills, who overcame a thirty-two point deficit against the Houston Oilers in 1993. This victory is the largest comeback in league history.

Joe Burrow was selected first overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2020 NFL Draft following a successful collegiate season at Louisiana State University. After recovering from a major knee injury, he led the team to a division title and several playoff victories in 2021. This historic run to the Super Bowl ended a long franchise drought, earning him the Comeback Player of the Year award.

Justin Tucker completed this historic feat in September 2021 during a game against the Detroit Lions. The football hit the crossbar, the horizontal part of the goalposts, before falling through to secure a victory for the Baltimore Ravens. Tucker is widely known for his high career accuracy. This kick surpassed the previous record of sixty-four yards, which had been held by Matt Prater since the 2013 season.

Josh Allen achieved this milestone during the 2023 season, establishing his status as a dual-threat quarterback in the NFL. This record combines passing and rushing scores, reflecting the evolving role of modern passers who excel as both throwers and runners. By reaching at least forty total touchdowns in four straight years, Allen surpassed marks previously set by notable players such as Drew Brees and Patrick Mahomes.

DaRon Bland established this mark during the 2023 regular season while playing for the Dallas Cowboys. By returning five interceptions for touchdowns, he surpassed the previous single-season record of four, which was shared by several defensive players like Eric Allen and Ken Houston. A pick-six occurs when a defender intercepts a pass and returns it directly to the opponent’s end zone to score a touchdown.

Bill Belichick served as the head coach of the NFL’s New England Patriots for 24 seasons starting in 2000. During his tenure, he led the team to nine Super Bowl appearances and secured a record six championships. Known for his tactical defensive strategies, he holds the record for the most postseason coaching victories. His departure in January 2024 concluded one of the most successful eras in sports history.

Travis Kelce achieved this milestone during the 2024 AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens. By surpassing Jerry Rice’s previous mark of 151 catches, Kelce became the all-time leader in postseason receptions. The star tight end has played a central role in the Kansas City Chiefs’ multiple championship runs. This record highlights his consistent performance and durability during the high-stakes NFL playoffs.

Tua Tagovailoa finished the 2023 NFL season with 4,624 passing yards, the highest total in the league that year. This performance made him the first Miami Dolphins player to lead the NFL in passing yards since Dan Marino in 1992. Tagovailoa operated a prolific offensive system that relied on the speed of receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle to gain yardage.

T.J. Watt reached this milestone during the 2021 NFL season while appearing in fifteen games. His total of 22.5 sacks equaled the mark Michael Strahan established twenty years prior. Sacks occur when a defensive player tackles the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage before a pass is thrown. Watt’s performance earned him the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award for that season.

Brock Purdy earned the nickname Mr. Irrelevant after being selected with the last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. Despite this initial status, he rose through the depth chart to become the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. In 2024, he led his team to Super Bowl LVIII, setting a record as the lowest-drafted player at his position to start the championship game.

The Kansas City Chiefs secured their second consecutive championship by defeating the San Francisco 49ers in overtime during Super Bowl fifty-eight. This achievement ended a twenty-year drought for back-to-back winners in the National Football League. Led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the team earned its third title in five years while playing the first championship game ever hosted in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium.

Mike Evans reached this milestone during the 2023 NFL season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. By surpassing one thousand receiving yards for the tenth consecutive year, he established a new league record for consistency at the start of a career. Since his 2014 debut, Evans has remained a primary offensive target, demonstrating durability and reliability within a highly competitive and physical sports environment.

Aaron Rodgers spent nearly two decades in Wisconsin after being drafted in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft. During his tenure with the Green Bay Packers, he earned four Most Valuable Player awards and led the team to a championship in Super Bowl XLV. His move to the New York Jets in 2023 mirrored the career path of his predecessor, Brett Favre.

Tyreek Hill joined the Miami Dolphins from the Kansas City Chiefs in a major 2022 trade. Renowned for his extreme sprinting speed, he is commonly nicknamed Cheetah. By achieving over 1,700 receiving yards in both 2022 and 2023, Hill set an unprecedented NFL milestone. This metric measures the total distance a player advances after catching forward passes during professional football games.

Myles Garrett, a defensive end drafted first overall in 2017, secured the 2023 Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year award. He finished the season with fourteen sacks and thirty quarterback hits, leading a defense that ranked first in total yards allowed. This historic achievement marked the first time a Cleveland Browns athlete earned the prestigious title since the award began in 1971.

Puka Nacua set multiple records during the 2023 NFL season while playing as a wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams. Selected in the fifth round of the draft, he quickly became a primary target for his team. Nacua finished the regular season with 105 receptions and 1,486 receiving yards. These totals surpassed previous league records held by Jaylen Waddle and Bill Groman respectively.

Lamar Jackson secured his second NFL Most Valuable Player award following the 2023 season with the Baltimore Ravens. Known for his dual-threat capabilities involving both passing and rushing, Jackson led his team to the league’s best regular-season record. He previously won the honor in 2019, making him one of the youngest quarterbacks to achieve multiple MVP honors in professional football history.

Christian McCaffrey, a running back for the San Francisco 49ers, earned the 2023 Offensive Player of the Year award. He joined the team via trade in 2022. During the 2023 season, he led the league in rushing and total yards from scrimmage, which refers to ground gained by both running and catching. His performance demonstrated his ability to contribute as both a runner and a receiver.

The Detroit Lions secured the National Football Conference North title in 2023, marking their first divisional championship since winning the NFC Central in 1993. This achievement ended a three-decade drought and allowed the franchise to host its first home playoff game at Ford Field. A division title signifies that a team finished the regular season with the best record among its specific regional competitors.

Cooper Kupp achieved the receiving Triple Crown in 2021 by leading the NFL in three major categories during the regular season. This feat involves ranking first in total catches, yardage gained, and touchdowns scored. Kupp was the first player to do this since Steve Smith in 2005. This performance helped the Los Angeles Rams win Super Bowl LVI, where he was named MVP.