Indianapolis, Indiana – As the 2023 NFL regular season comes to a close, it’s time to review the leaders of various statistical categories. While some results may come as no surprise, others will certainly raise eyebrows. Let’s delve into the key stats that shaped the season (all information sourced from Pro Football Reference unless otherwise stated).
First, let’s address the question of staggering quarterback sack totals. Young signal callers Sam Howell and Bryce Young both endured over 60 sacks throughout the season, a rare feat achieved by more than one quarterback in the past two decades. Howell led the league with 65 sacks taken, closely followed by Young with 62.
Next, let’s talk about the Offensive Player of the Year race. While the favorite among sportsbooks, Christian McCaffrey, had an outstanding season, he did not walk away with the prestigious award. McCaffrey led the league in rushing yards with 1,459, tied for the lead in rushing/receiving touchdowns with 21, and was the only player to surpass 2,000 yards from scrimmage with 2,023.
Moving on to the MVP conversation, Lamar Jackson emerged as the front-runner after leading the Baltimore Ravens to an impressive 13-4 record and a first-round bye. Although he didn’t dominate the major statistical categories, Jackson showcased his versatility and leadership by leading all quarterbacks in total rushing yards with 821 and rushing yards per attempt with 5.6.
Now let’s take a look at the leaders in passing categories. Tua Tagovailoa topped the list in passing yards with 4,624, narrowly edging out Jared Goff and Dak Prescott. Prescott, however, claimed the passing touchdowns crown with 36, while C.J. Stroud became the first rookie in over 20 years to lead the league in passing yards per game with 273.9. Brock Purdy emerged as the leader in passer rating with 113.0.
Shifting our focus to the rushing game, Raheem Mostert reigned supreme with 18 rushing touchdowns. However, few could predict that Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts would tie for second place with 15 touchdowns each. Derrick Henry continued his dominance by leading the league in rushing attempts for the second consecutive season with 280.
Christian McCaffrey’s rushing prowess was undeniable as he exceeded the second-closest player by almost 300 yards, finishing with 1,459 rushing yards. Kyren Williams secured the top spot in rushing yards per game with 95.3, while Austin Ekeler led in running back fumbles with 5. Breece Hall topped the charts in running back receptions with 76.
In the receiving department, Mike Evans and Tyreek Hill shared the lead in receiving touchdowns with 13 each, closely followed by CeeDee Lamb with 12. Hill also captured the title of receiving yards leader with an impressive 1,799 yards, with Lamb hot on his heels at 1,749. Rookie Puka Nacua set a new receiving yards record for rookies with 1,486 yards. CeeDee Lamb dominated in receptions with 135, and George Pickens reigned supreme in yards per reception with 18.1.
On the defensive side, DaRon Bland of the Dallas Cowboys emerged as the leader in defensive touchdowns with 5 after Trevon Diggs suffered a season-ending ACL tear. T.J. Watt topped the sacks leaderboard with 19, and DaRon Bland also showcased his skills by leading in interceptions with 9. Bradley Chubb and Antoine Winfield Jr. tied in forced fumbles with 6 each, while Bobby Wagner led in total tackles with an impressive 183.
These statistical leaders demonstrate the exceptional performances that shaped the 2023 NFL regular season. From standout quarterbacks and running backs to dynamic receivers and impactful defenders, these players made their mark on the league. As fans eagerly await the playoffs, the question remains: how will these leaders fare in the postseason battle for football supremacy? Only time will tell.