NFL offenses on pace for historic gains

Doesn’t anybody play defense anymore?

One look at the NFL’s offensive statistics so far might prompt that question. Through the first 13 weeks, teams are on a record pace both in combined total yards (679.2) and combined passing yards (453.0) — and that’s not all because of the porous Houston Texans secondary.

A look at where this season ranks with the highest yards-per-game averages in NFL history (*through week 13):

Year, Total Year Net pass

2009 670.3 1995 441.6

1981 669.0 2009 436.9

1983 668.7 2007 428.6

1984 659.6 1994 427.2

1985 658.9 1999 424.6

1995 657.8 2002 424.5

2010 679.2* 2010 453.0*

Source: NFL

Who can clinch?

Heading into the fourth quarter of the season, nobody in either conference has clinched a playoff spot. But if everything falls the right way for them, four teams have an opportunity to do so this weekend.

A look at how it could happen, according to the NFL:

New England clinches a playoff spot with: 1) New England win or tie; 2) Miami loss or tie + Jacksonville loss or tie.

Note: There are other scenarios in which the Patriots may clinch a playoff spot if they clinch the strength of victory tiebreaker over certain teams this weekend.

New York Jets clinch a playoff spot with: Jets win + San Diego loss or tie + Jacksonville loss or tie.

Pittsburgh clinches a playoff spot with: Pittsburgh win + Jacksonville loss or tie + New England win or tie + Miami loss or tie.

Note: There are other scenarios in which the Steelers may clinch a playoff spot if they clinch the strength of victory tiebreaker over certain teams this weekend.?

Atlanta clinches a playoff spot with: 1) Atlanta win + Giants loss + Philadelphia loss; 2) Atlanta win + Giants loss + Green Bay loss; 3) Atlanta win + Philadelphia loss + Green Bay loss; 4) Atlanta tie + Giants loss + Philadelphia loss + Green Bay loss + Tampa Bay loss or tie.

Note: There are other scenarios in which the Falcons can clinch a playoff spot if any of the games involving the New York Giants, Philadelphia or Green Bay end in a tie.

Under the radar

It’s amazing to think Houston’s Arian Foster went undrafted in 2009, considering he leads the league with 1,230 yards rushing.

If he wins the rushing title, Foster will join Priest Holmes as the only undrafted players to do so. In 2001, Holmes led the league with 1,555 yards for the Kansas City Chiefs.

As of Wednesday, Foster was eighth in overall Pro Bowl ballots with 414,033.

“I really don’t look too much into that,” he said, according to the Baltimore Sun. “I think it’s a nice gesture and it shows that the fans are appreciative of your game, but I think my ultimate goal is to win. I know that sounds cliched, but you don’t really get excited about a lot of the individual accolades if your team isn’t winning. Hopefully, we can get these things together, and I can enjoy both of them at the end of the season.”

The undrafted players with the most yards rushing and rushing touchdowns in a season:

PLAYER, TEAM, YEAR, YARDS

Priest Holmes, Kansas City, 2002, 1,615

Priest Holmes, Kansas City, 2001, 1,555

Willie Parker, Pittsburgh, 2006, 1,494

Priest Holmes, Kansas City, 2003, 1,420

Willie Parker, Pittsburgh, 2007, 1,316

PLAYER, TEAM, YEAR, TD

Priest Holmes, Kansas City, 2003, 27

Priest Holmes, Kansas City, 2002, 21

Priest Holmes, Kansas City, 2004, 14

Willie Parker, Pittsburgh, 2006, 13

Cookie Gilchrist, Buffalo, 1962, 13

Source: NFL?