IT’S STILL EARLY: In the first three weeks of 2014, 29 of the 32 clubs (90.6 percent) earned one or more wins, including 26 (81.3 percent) which own a 2-1 or 1-2 record. Both are the second-highest such totals in a season through three games since realignment in 2002.
The most teams with at least one win and the most with a 2-1 or 1-2 record through three games since 2002:
| YEAR | TEAMS WITH ONE OR MORE WINS
THROUGH THREE GAMES |
YEAR | MOST 2-1 & 1-2 TEAMS
THROUGH THREE GAMES |
|
| 2012 | 30 | 2012 | 27 | |
| 2014 | 29 | 2014 | 26 | |
| 2005 | 28 | 2011 | 24 | |
| Five tied | 27 | 2010 | 24 | |
| 2005 | 24 |
– NFL –
COMEBACKS GALORE: Through Week 3, comebacks have been a theme of the young NFL season.
Four times – Chicago, Dallas, Green Bay and Philadelphia – teams have overcome deficits of at least 17 points to win, tied for the most through the first three weeks of a season since 1970 (2011).
The four teams to overcome deficits of 17+ points to win this season:
| DATE | WINNER | OPPONENT | DEFICIT | FINAL |
| Sept. 7 | Philadelphia | Jacksonville | 17 | 34-17 |
| Sept. 14 | Green Bay | NY Jets | 18 | 31-24 |
| Sept. 14 | Chicago | San Francisco | 17 | 28-20 |
| Sept. 21 | Dallas | St. Louis | 21 | 34-31 |
This is the first time each of the first three weeks of a season has had at least one 17+ point comeback win since 1982.
– NFL –
PERSISTENT PATRIOTS: The NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS defeated Oakland 16-9 and have now won 31 consecutive home games against conference opponents, the longest streak since the merger.
The teams with the most consecutive home wins against conference opponents since 1970:
| TEAM | YEARS | CONSECUTIVE HOME WINS AGAINST CONFERENCE OPPONENTS |
| New England | 2009-present | 31 |
| Miami Dolphins | 1971-74 | 21 |
| Green Bay Packers | 1995-98 | 19 |
| Buffalo Bills | 1989-92 | 18 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 1995-98 | 18 |
| Denver Broncos | 1996-98 | 18 |
– NFL –
THANK DEVIN: Atlanta returner DEVIN HESTER scored his NFL record 20th return touchdown of his career on a 62-yard punt return TD in the Falcons’ win over Tampa Bay. He surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer DEION SANDERS (19) for the most in NFL history.
The players with the most return touchdowns in NFL history:
| PLAYER | MOST RETURN TDs, NFL HISTORY |
| Devin Hester | 20* |
| Deion Sanders | 19 |
| Rod Woodson | 17 |
| Rondé Barber | 14 |
| Many tied | 13 |
| *Active |
Hester’s 14 career punt-return touchdowns are also the most in NFL history.
| PLAYER | PUNT-RETURN TOUCHDOWNS |
| Devin Hester | 14* |
| Eric Metcalf | 10 |
| Brian Mitchell | 9 |
| Jack Christiansen | 8 |
| Desmond Howard | 8 |
| Rick Upchurch | 8 |
| *Active |
– NFL –
GREAT EIGHT: Chicago quarterback JAY CUTLER threw for 225 yards and two touchdowns in the Bears’ 27-19 win against the New York Jets on Monday night. Cutler has thrown eight touchdowns in the Bears’ first three games this season, breaking Pro Football Hall of Famer SID LUCKMAN’s franchise record (seven in 1946) for the most in the team’s first three games.
– NFL –
RUNNING COWBOY: Dallas running back DE MARCO MURRAY rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown in the Cowboys’ 34-31 win at St. Louis. He is the first player to rush for at least 100 yards and a TD in three consecutive games to start a season since Pro Football Hall of Famer CURTIS MARTIN (2004) with the New York Jets.
Murray became only the third Cowboy to start a season with three consecutive 100-yard rushing games, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers TONY DORSETT (1981) and EMMITT SMITH (1995).
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