FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 8, 2016 http://twitter.com/NFL345

THE WEEK THAT WAS – WEEK 9

CLOSE GAMES: There have been 99 games within one score in the fourth quarter through Week 9, the most such games in the first nine weeks of a season in NFL history. Four teams – BALTIMORE, DETROIT, the and WASHINGTON – have had all of their games within one score in the fourth quarter this season.

The most games within one score in the fourth quarter through Week 9:

SEASON GAMES WITHIN ONE SCORE IN THE 4TH QUARTER THROUGH WEEK 9 2016 99 2013 96 2004 93 2015 92 2010 91 2007 91

Additionally, there have been 77 games decided by eight points or fewer and 71 games decided by seven points or fewer through Week 9, both the most such games in the first nine weeks of a season in league annals.

The most games decided by eight points or fewer through Week 9:

SEASON GAMES DECIDED BY EIGHT POINTS OR FEWER THROUGH WEEK 9 2016 77 2015 73 2010 73 2012 72 1999 70 1988 70

The most games decided by seven points or fewer through Week 9:

SEASON GAMES DECIDED BY SEVEN POINTS OR FEWER THROUGH WEEK 9 2016 71 2015 68 1987 68 1988 66 1983 66

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FLYING FALCONS: Atlanta MATT RYAN completed 25 of 34 passes (73.5 percent) for 344 yards, four and no for a 144.7 passer rating in the Falcons’ 43-28 win at Tampa Bay.

Ryan, who has 3,133 career completions, surpassed (3,131) for the most completions in a player’s first nine seasons in NFL history.

The players with the most pass completions in their first nine NFL seasons:

PLAYER TEAM(S) SEASONS COMPLETIONS IN FIRST 9 SEASONS Matt Ryan Atlanta 2008-2016 3,133* Peyton Manning Indianapolis 1998-2006 3,131 Miami 1983-1991 2,798 San Diego, 2001-2009 2,697 Baltimore 2008-2016 2,686* *Currently in ninth season

Falcons had eight receptions for 111 yards and a in the victory. Jones, who was playing in his 74th career game, has 465 career receptions and surpassed (462) for the most receptions in a player’s first 75 career games.

The players with the most receptions in their first 75 games:

PLAYER TEAM(S) SEASONS RECEPTIONS IN FIRST 75 GAMES Julio Jones Atlanta 2011-2016 465* Anquan Boldin Arizona 2003-2008 462 Antonio Brown Pittsburgh 2010-2015 427 Arizona 2004-2008 421 Lionel Taylor Chicago, Denver 1959-1964 417 *Through 74 games

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REMARKABLE RAIDER: Oakland LATAVIUS MURRAY rushed for 114 yards and three touchdowns in the Raiders’ 30-20 victory against Denver.

Murray’s performance marked the third time a player has rushed for at least 100 yards and three touchdowns against the defending champions, joining DE ANGELO WILLIAMS (2008) and (2000).

The players to rush for 100 yards and three touchdowns against the defending Super Bowl champions:

PLAYER SEASON TEAM OPPONENT (SUPER BOWL) RUSH YARDS RUSH TDS Latavius Murray 2016 Oakland Raiders (50) 114 3 DeAngelo Williams 2008 New York Giants (XLII) 108 4 Warrick Dunn 2000 St. Louis Rams (XXXIV) 145 3

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RISING ROOKIES: Dallas rookie quarterback passed for 247 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions for a 141.8 passer rating in the Cowboys’ 35-10 win at Cleveland. Cowboys rookie running back EZEKIEL ELLIOTT, who leads the NFL with 891 rushing yards, rushed for 92 yards and two touchdowns in the victory.

The game marked the second time in NFL history in which a rookie passed for three touchdowns and a rookie teammate rushed for two touchdowns in the same game.

The feat was last accomplished on November 21, 1948, when New York Giants rookie quarterback CHARLIE CONERLY threw three touchdown passes and rookie running back RAY COATES rushed for two touchdowns in the Giants’ 49-3 win at Green Bay.

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MIRACULOUS MCDONALD: San Francisco VANCE MC DONALD had three receptions for 84 yards, including a 65-yard touchdown catch, in the 49ers’ 41-23 loss to New Orleans.

McDonald, who had a 75-yard touchdown reception in Week 2, became the fourth tight end since 1970, and the first since 1997, with two touchdown catches of at least 65 yards in the same season.

The tight ends with two touchdown catches of at least 65 yards in the same season since 1970:

PLAYER TEAM SEASON 65-YARD TD CATCHES Vance McDonald San Francisco 2016 2* (75 yards, 65 yards) Shannon Sharpe^ Denver 1997 2 (68 yards, 65 yards) Rodney Holman Cincinnati 1989 2 (73 yards, 65 yards) Rich Caster 1972 2 (80 yards, 79 yards) *Through Week 9 ^Pro Football Hall of Famer

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NFC NORTH DRAMA: Detroit kicker MATT PRATER converted a game-tying 58-yard as time expired in regulation to force in the Lions’ 22-16 win at Minnesota.

Prater, who is now 23 of 23 on game-tying or go-ahead field-goal attempts in the fourth quarter or overtime in his career, holds the record for the two longest game-tying field goals in the final minute of the fourth quarter in NFL history. Prater converted a 59-yarder with three seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to force overtime on December 11, 2011 with the Denver Broncos.

Before Prater’s kick, Minnesota tight end RHETT ELLISON had a one-yard touchdown run to give the Vikings a 16-13 lead with 23 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Ellison, whose touchdown run was the first carry of his five-year career, became the first player in NFL history to score a go-ahead touchdown in the final minute of regulation on the first carry of his career.

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