THE WEEK THAT WAS - WEEK 8

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THE WEEK THAT WAS – WEEK 8

SO CLOSE:Through Week 8, 80 of 120 games (66.7 percent) have been within seven points in the fourth quarter, the third-most such games through the first eight weeks of a season in NFL history (81 in 2004 and 1984).

The most games within seven points at any time during the fourth quarter through Week 8:

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SCORING HIGHS:NFL teams have combined for 5,544 points in 2013, the most points through eight weeks in NFL history. The previous high was 5,384 points last season. 

That record total equates to 46.20 points per game. If the current average stays at this pace, it would rank as the second-highest of any season in history (1948, 46.48 points per game).

Teams have combined to score 614 touchdowns, the most at this point in NFL history (593 in 2002). Of the 614 touchdowns, 371 have been TD passes, the most through the first eight weeks of any season. The previous high was 356 in 2012.

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ABOVE AVERAGE:Nine teams in 2013 are averaging at least 25 points per game, which is on pace to tie for the most in a season in NFL history (2008 and 2012).

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400-CLUB:Through Week 8, there have been 14 individual 400-yard passing performances, including MATTHEW STAFFORD's 488 yards on Sunday against Dallas. Stafford now has six career games with 400 passing yards in his first five NFL seasons, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO (seven) for the most such games in the first five seasons of a career in NFL history.

The 14 individual 400-yard passing games are already the third-most in a single season of any NFL season (18 in 2011).

The most individual 400-yard passing games in a single season in NFL history:

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MEGATRON:Detroit wide receiver CALVIN JOHNSON had 14 catches for 329 receiving yards with one touchdown in the Lions' 31-30 win over Dallas. Johnson's 329 receiving yards were the second-most in a single game in NFL history. Los Angeles Rams wide receiver FLIPPER ANDERSON had 336 receiving yards against the New Orleans Saints on November 26, 1989.* *

It also marked Johnson's fifth career game with 200 receiving yards, tying Pro Football Hall of Famer LANCE ALWORTH for the most such games in NFL history.

The most receiving yards in a single-game in NFL history:

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TDS GALORE:New Orleans quarterback DREW BREES passed for 332 yards and five touchdowns in the Saints' 35-17 win over Buffalo. Brees now has eight career games with five touchdown passes, the most in NFL history.

New England's TOM BRADYthrew one touchdown in the Patriots' 27-17 victory over Miami. Brees (343) and Brady (343)*passed Pro Football Hall of FamerFRAN TARKENTON* (342) for the fourth-most touchdown passes in NFL history.

The most career touchdown passes in NFL history:

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GIANT MANNING: New York Giants quarterback ELI MANNINGpassed for 246 yards in the Giants' 15-7 win at Philadelphia. Manning, who now has 33,694 career passing yards, surpassed PHIL SIMMS (33,462) for the most passing yards in Giants history.

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RETURN RECORD: Minnesota rookie kick returner-wide receiver CORDARRELLE PATTERSON returned a kickoff 109 yards for a touchdown against Green Bay on Sunday Night Football. His 109-yard kickoff return is the longest in NFL history and tied the NFL record for longest play in NFL history (ANTONIO CROMARTIE).

With the San Diego Chargers, Cromartie returned a missed field goal 109 yards for a touchdown on November 4, 2007 at Minnesota.

The longest kickoff-return touchdowns in NFL history: