List of the Day: Best Pass Receiving Seasons, 1970s AFC

Steve Largent

NOTE: Due to the adoption of the 16-game schedule as well as rules changes that had a major effect on opening up the passing game, the 1978 and ’79 seasons significantly skew the Top 10 results. Therefore, following the Top 10 is a list of the next 5 best performances that occurred exclusively from 1970-77.

TOP 10 RECEPTIONS
1- Joe Washington, 1979 Baltimore Colts*
82 rec., 750 yards, 9.1 avg., 3 TD

2(tied)- Lydell Mitchell, 1974 Baltimore Colts*
72 rec., 544 yards, 7.6 avg., 2 TD

2(tied)- Charlie Joiner, 1979 San Diego Chargers
72 rec., 1008 yards, 14.0 avg., 4 TD

4(tied)- Lydell Mitchell, 1977 Baltimore Colts*
71 rec., 620 yards, 8.7 avg., 4 TD

4(tied)- Steve Largent, 1978 Seattle Seahawks
71 rec., 1168 yards, 16.5 avg., 8 TD

6- John Stallworth, 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers
70 rec., 1183 yards, 16.9 avg., 8 TD

7(tied)- MacArthur Lane, 1976 Kansas City Chiefs*
66 rec., 686 yards, 10.4 avg., 1 TD

7(tied)- Steve Largent, 1979 Seattle Seahawks
66 rec., 1237 yards, 18.7 avg., 9 TD

9- Rick Upchurch, 1979 Denver Broncos
64 rec., 937 yards, 14.6 avg., 7 TD

10-Dave Casper, 1978 Oakland Raiders
62 rec., 852 yards, 13.7 avg., 9 TD

*Running Back


Joe Washington

NEXT 5 (1970-77)
1(tied)- Fred Biletnikoff, 1971 Oakland Raiders
61 rec., 929 yards, 15.2 avg., 9 TD

1(tied)- Bob Chandler, 1976 Buffalo Bills
61 rec., 824 yards, 13.5 avg., 10 TD

3(tied)- Cliff Branch, 1974 Oakland Raiders
60 rec., 1092 yards, 18.2 avg., 13 TD

3(tied)- Reggie Rucker, 1975 Cleveland Browns
60 rec., 770 yards, 12.8 avg., 3 TD

3(tied)- Lydell Mitchell, 1975 Baltimore Colts*
60 rec., 544 yards, 9.1 avg., 4 TD

3(tied)- Lydell Mitchell, 1976 Baltimore Colts*
60 rec., 555 yards, 9.3 avg., 3 TD

3(tied)- Bob Chandler, 1977 Buffalo Bills
60 rec., 745 yards, 12.4 avg., 4 TD

* Running Back


Charlie Joiner



John Stallworth

BEST BY FRANCHISES NOT IN TOP 10
Cincinnati Bengals: Don Bass, 1979
58 rec., 724 yards, 12.5 avg., 3 TD

Houston Oilers: Fred Willis, 1973*
57 rec., 371 yards, 6.5 avg., 1 TD

New York Jets: Clark Gaines, 1977*
55 rec., 469 yards, 8.5 avg., 1 TD

New England Patriots: Reggie Rucker, 1973
53 rec., 743 yards, 14.0 avg., 3 TD

Miami Dolphins: Nat Moore, 1977
52 rec., 765 yards, 14.7 avg., 12 TD

* Running Back


Fred Biletnikoff



Cliff Branch

TOP 10 YARDS
1- Steve Largent, 1979 Seattle Seahawks
1237 yards, 66 rec., 18.7 avg., 9 TD

2- John Stallworth, 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers
1183 yards, 70 rec., 16.9 avg., 8 TD

3- Wesley Walker, 1978 New York Jets
1169 yards, 48 rec., 24.4 avg., 8 TD

4- Steve Largent, 1978 Seattle Seahawks
1168 yards, 71 rec., 16.5 avg., 8 TD

5- Roger Carr, 1976 Baltimore Colts
1112 yards, 43 rec., 25.9 avg., 11 TD

6- Cliff Branch, 1976 Oakland Raiders
1111 yards, 46 rec., 24.2 avg., 12 TD

7- Otis Taylor, 1971 Kansas City Chiefs
1110 yards, 57 rec., 19.5 avg., 7 TD

8- Cliff Branch, 1974 Oakland Raiders
1092 yards, 60 rec., 18.2 avg., 13 TD

9- John Jefferson, 1979 San Diego Chargers
1090 yards, 61 rec., 17.9 avg., 10 TD

10-Frank Lewis, 1979 Buffalo Bills
1082 yards, 54 rec., 20.0 avg., 2 TD


Roger Carr

NEXT 5 (1970-77)
1- Ken Burrough, 1975 Houston Oilers
1063 yards, 53 rec., 20.1 avg., 8 TD

2- Charlie Joiner, 1976 San Diego Chargers
1056 yards, 50 rec., 21.1 avg., 7 TD

3- Marlin Briscoe, 1970 Buffalo Bills
1036 yards, 57 rec., 18.2 avg., 8 TD

4- Gary Garrison, 1970 San Diego Chargers
1006 yards, 44 rec., 22.9 avg., 12 TD

5- Paul Warfield, 1971 Miami Dolphins
996 yards, 43 rec., 23.2 avg., 11 TD


Marlin Briscoe



Paul Warfield

BEST BY FRANCHISES NOT IN TOP 10
New England Patriots: Harold Jackson, 1979
1013 yards, 45 rec., 22.5 avg., 7 TD

Cleveland Browns: Dave Logan, 1979
982 yards, 59 rec., 16.6 avg., 7 TD

Denver Broncos: Haven Moses, 1979
943 yards, 54 rec., 17.5 avg., 6 TD

Cincinnati Bengals: Isaac Curtis, 1975
934 yards, 44 rec., 21.2 avg., 7 TD


Otis Taylor



Ken Burrough

List of the Day: Best Pass Receiving Seasons, 1970s NFC

Ahmad Rashad

NOTE: Due to the adoption of the 16-game schedule as well as rules changes that had a major effect on opening up the passing game, the 1978 and ’79 seasons significantly skew the Top 10 results. Therefore, following the Top 10 is a list of the next 5 best performances that occurred exclusively from 1970-77.

TOP 10 RECEPTIONS
1- Rickey Young, 1978 Minnesota Vikings*
88 rec., 704 yards, 8.0 avg., 5 TD

2- Ahmad Rashad, 1979 Minnesota Vikings
80 rec., 1156 yards, 14.5 avg., 9 TD

3(tied)- Tony Galbreath, 1978 New Orleans Saints*
74 rec., 582 yards, 7.9 avg., 2 TD

3(tied)- Wallace Francis, 1979 Atlanta Falcons
74 rec., 1013 yards, 13.7 avg., 8 TD

5- Chuck Foreman, 1975 Minnesota Vikings*
73 rec., 691 yards, 9.5 avg., 9 TD

6- Rickey Young, 1979 Minnesota Vikings*
72 rec., 519 yards, 7.2 avg., 4 TD

7- Dick Gordon, 1970 Chicago Bears
71 rec., 1026 yards, 14.5 avg., 13 TD

8- Harold Carmichael, 1973 Philadelphia Eagles
67 rec., 1116 yards, 16.7 avg., 9 TD

9- Ahmad Rashad, 1978 Minnesota Vikings
66 rec., 769 yards, 11.7 avg., 8 TD

10-Wes Chandler, 1979 New Orleans Saints
65 rec., 1069 yards, 16.4 avg., 6 TD

* Running Back


Rickey Young

NEXT 5 (1970-77)
1- Charle Young, 1974 Philadelphia Eagles
63 rec., 696 yards, 11.0 avg., 3 TD

2(tied)- Harold Jackson, 1972 Philadelphia Eagles
62 rec., 1048 yards, 16.9 avg., 4 TD

2(tied)- Drew Pearson, 1974 Dallas Cowboys
62 rec., 1087 yards, 17.5 avg., 2 TD

4(tied)- Bob Tucker, 1971 New York Giants
59 rec., 791 yards, 13.4 avg., 4 TD

4(tied)- Charley Taylor, 1973 Washington Redskins
59 rec., 801 yards, 13.6 avg., 7 TD


Dick Gordon



Harold Carmichael

BEST BY FRANCHISES NOT IN TOP 10
St. Louis Cardinals: Pat Tilley, 1978
62 rec., 900 yards, 14.5 avg., 3 TD

Detroit Lions: Freddie Scott, 1979
62 rec., 929 yards, 15.0 avg., 5 TD

Green Bay Packers: Ken Payne, 1975
58 rec., 766 yards, 13.2 avg., 0 TD

San Francisco 49ers: Paul Hofer, 1979*
58 rec., 662 yards, 11.4 avg., 2 TD

Los Angeles Rams: Jack Snow, 1970
51 rec., 859 yards, 16.8 avg., 7 TD

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jimmie Giles, 1979**
40 rec., 579 yards, 14.5 avg., 7 TD

* Running Back
** Buccaneers joined NFL in 1976 as AFC team, moved to NFC in ‘77


Gene Washington



Harold Jackson

TOP 10 YARDS
1- Ahmad Rashad, 1979 Minnesota Vikings
1156 yards, 80 rec., 14.5 avg., 9 TD

2- Harold Carmichael, 1973 Philadelphia Eagles
1116 yards, 67 rec., 16.7 avg., 9 TD

3- Gene Washington, 1970 San Francisco 49ers
1100 yards, 53 rec., 20.8 avg., 12 TD

4- Drew Pearson, 1974 Dallas Cowboys
1087 yards, 62 rec., 17.5 avg., 2 TD

5- Harold Carmichael, 1978 Philadelphia Eagles
1072 yards, 55 rec., 19.5 avg., 8 TD

6- Wes Chandler, 1979 New Orleans Saints
1069 yards, 65 rec., 16.4 avg., 6 TD

7- Tony Hill, 1979 Dallas Cowboys
1062 yards, 60 rec., 17.7 avg., 10 TD

8- Harold Jackson, 1972 Philadelphia Eagles
1048 yards, 62 rec., 16.9 avg., 4 TD

9- John Gilliam, 1972 Minnesota Vikings
1035 yards, 47 rec., 22.0 avg., 7 TD

10(tied)-Dick Gordon, 1970 Chicago Bears
1026 yards, 71 rec., 14.5 avg., 13 TD

10(tied)-Drew Pearson, 1979 Dallas Cowboys
1026 yards, 55 rec., 18.7 avg., 8 TD


Drew Pearson

NEXT 5 (1970-77)
1- John Gilliam, 1970 St. Louis Cardinals
952 yards, 45 rec., 21.2 avg., 5 TD

2- Mel Gray, 1975 St. Louis Cardinals
926 yards, 48 rec., 19.3 avg., 11 TD

3- Gene Washington, 1972 San Francisco 49ers
918 yards, 46 rec., 20.0 avg., 12 TD

4- John Gilliam, 1973 Minnesota Vikings
907 yards, 42 rec., 21.6 avg., 8 TD

5(tied)- Dan Abramowicz, 1970 New Orleans Saints
906 yards, 55 rec., 16.5 avg., 5 TD

5(tied)- Sammy White, 1976 Minnesota Vikings
906 yards, 51 rec., 17.8 avg., 10 TD


John Gilliam



Wallace Francis

BEST BY FRANCHISES NOT IN TOP 10
Atlanta Falcons: Wallace Francis, 1979
1013 yards, 74 rec., 13.7 avg., 8 TD

Green Bay Packers: James Lofton, 1979
968 yards, 54 rec., 17.9 avg., 4 TD

Detroit Lions: Freddie Scott, 1979
929 yds., 62 rec., 15.0 avg., 5 TD

Los Angeles Rams: Harold Jackson, 1973
874 yards, 40 rec., 21.9 avg., 13 TD

Washington Redskins: Frank Grant, 1976
818 yards, 50 rec., 16.4 avg., 5 TD

New York Giants: Bob Tucker, 1971
791 yards, 59 rec., 13.4 avg., 4 TD

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Isaac Hagins, 1979**
692 yards, 39 rec., 17.7 avg., 3 TD

** Buccaneers joined NFL in 1976 as AFC team, moved to NFC in ‘77


Charley Taylor



Bob Tucker

List of the Day: Best Passing Yardage Seasons, 1970s AFC

Dan Fouts

NOTE: Due to the adoption of the 16-game schedule as well as rules changes that had a major effect on opening up the passing game, the 1978 and ’79 seasons significantly skew the Top 10 results. Therefore, following the Top 10 is a list of the next 5 best performances that occurred exclusively from 1970-77.

TOP 10
1- Dan Fouts, 1979 San Diego Chargers
4082 yards, 332-530, 62.6 %, 24 TD, 24 INT

2- Brian Sipe, 1979 Cleveland Browns
3793 yards, 286-535, 53.5 %, 28 TD, 26 INT

3- Terry Bradshaw, 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers
3724 yards, 259-472, 54.9 %, 26 TD, 25 INT

4- Jim Zorn, 1979 Seattle Seahawks
3661 yards, 285-505, 56.4 %, 20 TD, 18 INT

5- Ken Stabler, 1979 Oakland Raiders
3615 yards, 304-498, 61.0 %, 26 TD, 22 INT

6- Joe Ferguson, 1979 Buffalo Bills
3572 yards, 238-458, 52.0 %, 14 TD, 15 INT

7- Steve Grogan, 1979 New England Patriots
3286 yards, 206-423, 48.7 %, 28 TD, 20 INT

8- Jim Zorn, 1978 Seattle Seahawks
3283 yards, 248-443, 56.0 %, 15 TD, 20 INT

9- Ken Anderson, 1975 Cincinnati Bengals
3169 yards, 228-377, 60.5 %, 21 TD, 11 INT

10-Bert Jones, 1976 Baltimore Colts
3104 yards, 207-343, 60.3 %, 24 TD, 9 INT


Terry Bradshaw



Jim Zorn

NEXT 5 (1970-77)
1- John Hadl, 1971 San Diego Chargers
3075 yards, 233-431, 54.1 %, 21 TD, 25 INT

2- Joe Namath, 1972 New York Jets
2816 yards, 162-324, 50.0 %, 19 TD, 21 INT

3- Joe Ferguson, 1977 Buffalo Bills
2803 yards, 221-457, 48.4 %, 12 TD, 24 INT

4- Ken Stabler, 1976 Oakland Raiders
2737 yards, 194-291, 66.7 %, 27 TD, 17 INT

5- Bert Jones, 1977 Baltimore Colts
2686 yards, 224-393, 57.0 %, 17 TD, 11 INT


Ken Stabler



Joe Ferguson

BEST BY FRANCHISES NOT LISTED
Kansas City Chiefs: Mike Livingston, 1976
2682 yards, 189-338, 55.9 %, 12 TD, 13 INT

Denver Broncos: Craig Morton, 1979
2626 yards, 204-370, 55.1 %, 16 TD, 19 INT

Houston Oilers: Dan Pastorini, 1978
2473 yards, 199-368, 54.1 %, 16 TD, 17 INT

Miami Dolphins: Bob Griese, 1977
2252 yards, 180-307, 58.6 %, 22 TD, 13 INT


Ken Anderson



Bert Jones



Brian Sipe

List of the Day: Best Passing Yardage Seasons, 1970s NFC

Roger Staubach

NOTE: Due to the adoption of the 16-game schedule as well as rules changes that had a major effect on opening up the passing game, the 1978 and ’79 seasons significantly skew the Top 10 results. Therefore, following the Top 10 is a list of the next 5 best performances that occurred exclusively from 1970-77.

TOP 10
1- Steve DeBerg, 1979 San Francisco 49ers
3652 yards, 347-578, 60.0 %, 17 TD, 21 INT

2- Roger Staubach, 1979 Dallas Cowboys
3586 yards, 267-461, 57.9 %, 27 TD, 11 INT

3- Fran Tarkenton, 1978 Minnesota Vikings
3468 yards, 345-572, 60.3 %, 25 TD, 32 INT

4- Archie Manning, 1978 New Orleans Saints
3416 yards, 291-471, 61.8 %, 17 TD, 16 INT

5- Tommy Kramer, 1979 Minnesota Vikings
3397 yards, 315-566, 55.7 %, 23 TD, 24 INT

6- Roman Gabriel, 1973 Philadelphia Eagles
3219 yards, 270-460, 58.7 %, 23 TD, 12 INT

7- Roger Staubach, 1978 Dallas Cowboys
3190 yards, 231-413, 55.9 %, 25 TD, 16 INT

8- Archie Manning, 1979 New Orleans Saints
3169 yards, 252-420, 60.0 %, 15 TD, 20 INT

9- Jim Hart, 1978 St. Louis Cardinals
3121 yards, 240-477, 50.3 %, 16 TD, 18 INT

10-Pat Haden, 1978 Los Angeles Rams
2995 yards, 229-444, 51.6 %, 13 TD, 19 INT


Steve DeBerg



Fran Tarkenton

NEXT 5 (1970-77)
1- Fran Tarkenton, 1975 Minnesota Vikings
2994 yards, 273-425, 64.2 %, 25 TD, 13 INT

2- Fran Tarkenton, 1976 Minnesota Vikings
2961 yards, 255-412, 61.9 %, 17 TD, 8 INT

3- Jim Hart, 1976 St. Louis Cardinals
2946 yards, 218-388, 56.2 %, 18 TD, 13 INT

4- John Brodie, 1970 San Francisco 49ers
2941 yards, 223-378, 59.0 %, 24 TD, 10 INT

5- Archie Manning, 1972 New Orleans Saints
2781 yards, 230-448, 51.3 %, 18 TD, 21 INT


Archie Manning



Roman Gabriel

BEST BY FRANCHISES NOT LISTED
Washington Redskins: Joe Theismann, 1979
2797 yards, 233-395, 59.0 %, 20 TD, 13 INT

New York Giants: Fran Tarkenton, 1970
2777 yards, 219-389, 56.3 %, 19 TD, 12 INT

Atlanta Falcons: Steve Bartkowski, 1979
2505 yards, 204-380, 53.7 %, 17 TD, 20 INT

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Doug Williams, 1979*
2448 yards, 166-397, 41.8 %, 18 TD, 24 INT

Detroit Lions: Gary Danielson, 1978
2294 yards, 199-351, 56.7 %, 18 TD, 17 INT

Green Bay Packers: David Whitehurst, 1979
2247 yards, 179-322, 55.6 %, 10 TD, 18 INT

Chicago Bears: Jack Concannon, 1970
2130 yards, 194-385, 50.4 %, 16 TD, 18 INT

* Buccaneers joined NFL in 1976 as AFC team, switched to NFC in ‘77


Jim Hart



Pat Haden



John Brodie

List of the Day: Best Rushing Seasons, 1970s AFC

O.J. Simpson

NOTE: Due to the adoption of the 16-game schedule, the 1978 and ’79 seasons significantly skew the Top 10 results. Therefore, following the Top 10 is a list of the next 5 best performances that occurred exclusively from 1970-77.

TOP 10
1- O.J. Simpson, 1973 Buffalo Bills
2003 yards, 332 att., 6.0 avg., 12 TD

2- O.J. Simpson, 1975 Buffalo Bills
1817 yards, 329 att., 5.5 avg., 16 TD

3- Earl Campbell, 1979 Houston Oilers
1697 yards, 368 att., 4.6 avg., 19 TD

4- O.J. Simpson, 1976 Buffalo Bills
1503 yards, 290 att., 5.2 avg., 8 TD

5- Earl Campbell, 1978 Houston Oilers
1450 yards, 302 att., 4.8 avg., 13 TD

6- Otis Armstrong, 1974 Denver Broncos
1407 yards, 263 att., 5.3 avg., 9 TD

7- Mike Pruitt, 1979 Cleveland Browns
1294 yards, 264 att., 4.9 avg., 9 TD

8- Mark van Eeghen, 1977 Oakland Raiders
1273 yards, 324 att., 3.9 avg., 7 TD

9- Delvin Williams, 1978 Miami Dolphins
1258 yards, 272 att., 4.6 avg., 8 TD

10-O.J. Simpson, 1972 Buffalo Bills
1251 yards, 292 att., 4.3 avg., 6 TD


Earl Campbell

NEXT 5 (1970-77)
1- Franco Harris, 1975 Pittsburgh Steelers
1246 yards, 262 att., 4.8 avg., 10 TD

2- Lydell Mitchell, 1976 Baltimore Colts
1200 yards, 289 att., 4.2 avg., 5 TD

3- Lydell Mitchell, 1975 Baltimore Colts
1193 yards, 289 att., 4.1 avg., 11 TD

4(tied)- Don Woods, 1974 San Diego Chargers
1162 yards, 227 att., 5.1 avg., 7 TD

4(tied)- Franco Harris, 1977 Pittsburgh Steelers
1162 yards, 300 att., 3.9 avg., 11 TD


Otis Armstrong



Mike Pruitt



Mark van Eeghen

BEST BY FRANCHISES NOT LISTED
Kansas City Chiefs: Tony Reed, 1978
1053 yards, 206 att., 5.1 avg., 5 TD

New England Patriots: Sam Cunningham, 1977
1015 yards, 270 att., 3.8 avg., 4 TD

New York Jets: John Riggins, 1975
1005 yards, 238 att., 4.2 avg., 8 TD

Cincinnati Bengals: Essex Johnson, 1973
997 yards, 195 att., 5.1 avg., 4 TD

Seattle Seahawks: Sherman Smith, 1978*
805 yards, 165 att., 4.9 avg., 6 TD

* Seahawks joined NFL in 1976 as NFC team, switched to AFC in ‘77


Franco Harris



Delvin Williams



Lydell Mitchell

List of the Day: Best Rushing Seasons, 1970s NFC

Walter Payton

NOTE: Due to the adoption of the 16-game schedule, the 1978 and ’79 seasons significantly skew the Top 10 results. Therefore, following the Top 10 is a list of the next 5 best performances that occurred exclusively from 1970-77.

TOP 10
1- Walter Payton, 1977 Chicago Bears
1852 yards, 339 att., 5.5 avg., 14 TD

2- Walter Payton, 1979 Chicago Bears
1610 yards, 369 att., 4.4 avg., 14 TD

3- Ottis Anderson, 1979 St. Louis Cardinals
1605 yards, 331 att., 4.8 avg., 8 TD

4- Wilbert Montgomery, 1979 Philadelphia Eagles
1512 yards, 338 att., 4.5 avg., 9 TD

5- Walter Payton, 1978 Chicago Bears
1395 yards, 333 att., 4.2 avg., 11 TD

6- Walter Payton, 1976 Chicago Bears
1390 yards, 311 att., 4.5 avg., 13 TD

7- Tony Dorsett, 1978 Dallas Cowboys
1325 yards, 290 att., 4.6 avg., 7 TD

8- Ricky Bell, 1979 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1263 yards, 283 att., 4.5 avg., 7 TD

9- Lawrence McCutcheon, 1977 Los Angeles Rams
1238 yards, 294 att., 4.2 avg., 7 TD

10-Wilbert Montgomery, 1978 Philadelphia Eagles
1220 yards, 259 att., 4.7 avg., 9 TD


Wilbert Montgomery

NEXT 5 (1970-77)
1- Larry Brown, 1972 Washington Redskins
1216 yards, 285 att., 4.3 avg., 8 TD

2- Delvin Williams, 1976 San Francisco 49ers
1203 yards, 248 att., 4.9 avg., 7 TD

3- Ron Johnson, 1972 New York Giants
1182 yards, 298 att., 4.0 avg., 9 TD

4- Lawrence McCutcheon, 1976 Los Angeles Rams
1168 yards, 291 att., 4.0 avg., 9 TD

5- Chuck Foreman, 1976 Minnesota Vikings
1155 yards, 278 att., 4.2 avg., 13 TD


Tony Dorsett



Ricky Bell



Lawrence McCutcheon

BEST BY FRANCHISES NOT LISTED
New Orleans Saints: Chuck Muncie, 1979
1198 yards, 238 att., 5.0 avg., 11 TD

Green Bay Packers: John Brockington, 1973
1144 yards, 265 att., 4.3 avg., 3 TD

Detroit Lions: Steve Owens, 1971
1035 yards, 246 att., 4.2 avg., 8 TD

Atlanta Falcons: William Andrews, 1979
1023 yards, 239 att., 4.3 avg., 3 TD


Larry Brown



Ron Johnson



Chuck Foreman