# NFL Week 18 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** football-nfl\ **Created:** [December 30, 2025, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-18/1026169 "2025-12-30T14:48:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-18/1026169/121 "2026-01-07T05:00:05Z")
> [@DKW](#): > > Are we going to keep separate single-season records for 14- and 16-game seasons No. It used to be a 12-game season, and there aren’t separate records. Just as baseball doesn’t keep separate records for 154 or 162 game seasons. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-18/1026169/122 "2026-01-07T05:03:33Z")
> [@DKW](#): > > Question re. the sack record: Are we going to keep separate single-season records for 14- and 16-game seasons, or has everyone collectively decided to pretend that it doesn’t matter It’s the latter. The NFL has not ever differentiated between season lengths when it comes to records. Occasionally, someone grouses about a single-season record being broken in more games, but the league generally doesn’t bother trying to differentiate. Also, just FYI, the NFL season is now _17_ games, having added an additional game starting in 2021. It had been 16 games from 1978 until 2020, 14 from 1961 until 1977, and 12 before that. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-18/1026169/123 "2026-01-07T05:10:16Z")
If you think Garrett’s sack record deserves an asterisk, it’s worth noting that even though he had one more game, he did it in only 432 pass-rushing snaps. That’s 100 fewer than Strahan and 200 fewer than Watt during their record-breaking years. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-18/1026169/124 "2026-01-07T05:21:26Z")
It’s also even more impressive contextually because one of the best time to get sacks is when the opposing team is down by a lot late in the game and they’re desperate to make big passing plays which gives pass rushers a big chance to make sacks. The Browns were almost never ahead of their opponents all season (and only by a lot twice) so he hardly ever had that opportunity. I saw a stat that he had a double team rate of about 55% compared to about 14% on TJ Watt’s big sack season. Pretty much every context makes him look more impressive ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-18/1026169/125 "2026-01-07T06:36:47Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > If you think Garrett’s sack record deserves an asterisk, it’s worth noting that even though he had one more game, he did it in only 432 pass-rushing snaps. Exactly. If you want to nitpick and put asterisks, it actually makes this achievement even more impressive. Who cares how long a season is? What a dominant performance and he deserves his place in the record books. ---
**Author:** ![DKW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dkw/32/3118_2.png) [@DKW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DKW)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-18/1026169/126 "2026-01-07T08:11:51Z")
All right, I was _pretty_ sure I was clear about this, but apparently not, so here it is: PLEASE, NO GODDAM ASTERISK TALK. I absolutely **loathe** the fact that endless random schlubs with zero power and less knowledge think they have carte blanche to discredit baseball record (and of course a friendly reminder that the original asterisk was a contemptible petty crybaby spite move that was later rescinded). As far as I’m concerned, either the record exists or it doesn’t, and once it’s in the books, that’s the _end_ of discussion. Yes, that holds equally for the likes of Pete Rose and Barry Bonds. You don’t have to like it. So no, I don’t want this happening in any sport, and I’m not saying for a moment that Garrett didn’t earn it (on the _Browns,_ no less). What I _would_ like to see is some acknowledgment of changing times, the fact that we do have a 17-game season now (I knew that, kenobi\_65! 🙂) and that’s what the record is, in fact, for. Note how every time an ESPN commentator cites a record low score in the NBA, they have to include the caveat “since the shot clock”? It made a difference. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-18/1026169/127 "2026-01-07T08:31:00Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > > [@ShadowFacts](#): > > > > I’m sure the rest of the league is thrilled about this. > > I’m far from a fan of the Patriots in general, but I think seeing a team turn things around with a young QB is pretty cool. Riley Leonard looked better this past week than Philip Rivers did for Indianapolis. Late-round draft pick. I don’t think he’ll be Tom Brady or anything, but he showed enough glimpses of talent to make me hopeful and optimistic. ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-18/1026169/128 "2026-01-07T09:09:34Z")
and now Haslam is now part-owner of Bucks ---
**Author:** ![Clawdio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d07c76/32.png) [@Clawdio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clawdio)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-18/1026169/129 "2026-01-07T11:00:20Z")
If the Garrett record deserves an asterisk, i think it should be because he somehow recorded 9 sacks in two games, and his team lost both of those games. I’m not sure if that makes it more impressive, or less. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-18/1026169/130 "2026-01-07T13:37:32Z")
Harbaugh (John) OUT. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-18/1026169/131 "2026-01-07T16:21:38Z")
> [@DKW](#): > > What I _would_ like to see is some acknowledgment of changing times, the fact that we do have a 17-game season now (I knew that, kenobi\_65! 🙂) and that’s what the record is, in fact, for. You’re not getting that because it doesn’t seem relevant. The length of a season is meaningless. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-18/1026169/132 "2026-01-07T16:29:11Z")
> [@DKW](#): > > What I _would_ like to see is some acknowledgment of changing times, the fact that we do have a 17-game season now And just how do you propose to do this? Have 4+ entries for each record, based on 12, 14, 16, or 17 game seasons? Look, any sports fan who is devoted enough to care about single-season records knows that the number of games in a season has changed over the years. Just as playoff records are changing because the number of playoff games today is far greater than it was before the playoffs expanded. > [@DKW](#): > > once it’s in the books, that’s the _end_ of discussion. I agree, which is why I find it curious that you feel the need to have > [@DKW](#): > > some acknowledgment of changing times ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-18/1026169/133 "2026-01-08T02:11:59Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > It’s sad that I have no idea who [the Jets’] QBs were, who their HC was. I knew nothing about them. They fell off the radar. They are the only team in the NFL that at this point, I know absolutely nothing about. Even sadder that I’m right there with you despite their logo being part of my avatar. I think I only watched the first couple games of theirs this season; I just couldn’t force myself to care about Justin Fields. > [@Railer13](#): > > Speaking of passing, Matthew Stafford led the league in passing with 4,707 yards. Jared Goff was second with 4,564, and Dak Prescott was third with 4,552. > > This continues an amazing (to me, anyway) stat: a Cowboy quarterback has never led the league in passing yards. The craziest part of this is that they sat Dak at halftime. With hindsight, he would have only needed 156 yards in the second half, which is an attainable number. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-18/1026169/134 "2026-01-08T03:41:32Z")
I wonder if his contract had any incentives around that. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-18/1026169/135 "2026-01-08T03:42:45Z")
Cynical me felt like they were trolling the Giants to fuck up their draft pick. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-18/1026169/136 "2026-01-08T03:48:14Z")
“Why not both?” ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-18/1026169/137 "2026-01-08T05:48:15Z")
> [@JoePockets](#): > > Mark Gastineau will be happy about that! He always harbored feelings to Brett Farve handing a free sack to Mike Strahan! On Monday’s PTI (I’m just catching up now) they were making the point that Garrett’s sack on Burrow was only barely better than Strahan’s sack on Favre. They showed the clip, and, yeah, it was pretty lame. Then later in the segment they showed Strahan’s sack and it was not as lame as I remembered it being. Not that either one was particularly satisfying. Regarding Strahan’s sack, people always talk about Favre laying down for him but it was like 7 yd into the backfield moments after the ball was snapped. If anyone should get shit about that it should be the offensive lineman that just let Strahan walk past him. Favre really didn’t have anywhere to go even if he wanted to, which to be clear, it did not look like he wanted to avoid that sack. ---
**Author:** ![DKW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dkw/32/3118_2.png) [@DKW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DKW)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-18/1026169/138 "2026-01-08T06:48:46Z")
I fail to see what would be so hard about that, but I don’t care enough about the subject to get into the intricacies of fan expectation, so I’ll leave it there. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-18/1026169/139 "2026-01-08T09:25:09Z")
> [@DKW](#): > > I fail to see what would be so hard about that Well, you’re the one who wants to see it happen, so I asked how you would do it. If it would be easy to do, it shouldn’t be hard to explain. But if you’re not willing to discuss it further, that’s fine with me. I’m okay with the way things are currently done. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-18/1026169/140 "2026-01-08T12:19:36Z")
I suspect the rule changes in favor of more offense have had the same or more impact on the records than the length of the season. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-18/1026169.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-18/1026169.md?page=8)