Single-game performances in individual sports are some of the most thrilling experiences to witness. What’s even more exciting is watching an athlete completely dominate the field during a team game such as the NFL. Watching a man use his strength and talent to tear through his opponent never grows old.
Throughout NFL history, there have been a plethora of athletes that have put their entire team on their shoulders and carried them to victory. Whether on offense or defense, the following single-game performances are the five most incredible feats the sport has ever seen.
Willie ‘Flipper’ Anderson (L.A. Rams) – Nov. 26, 1989
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Willie “Flipper” Anderson hauled in 15 passes for 336 yards in a 20-17 win over the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 26, 1989. This single-game performance broke the NFL record for receiving yards in a game.
Some NFL purists, however, want to place an asterisk next to this record since the game went into overtime. In 2013, Detroit Lions’ Calvin Johnson amassed 329 receiving yards in a game that didn’t go beyond regulation. They argue that Johnson’s feat was more impressive.. Regardless, catching the ball for over 300 yards should be looked upon as an incredible achievement, not criticized over a technicality. Anderson deserves to be on this list.
Norm Van Brocklin (L.A. Rams) – Sept. 28, 1951
Thirty-eight years before Anderson, another Rams player, quarterback Norm Van Brocklin, had one of the greatest opening games in NFL history. He passed for a record 554 yards and five touchdowns in a 54-14 beatdown of the New York Giants on Sept. 28, 1951.
Van Brocklin had three touchdown passes before halftime, and three of his receivers each had over 100 yards receiving. He completed 27 passes on the day, averaging 20.5 yards per completion.
Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings) – Nov. 4, 2007
Just eight games into his first season in the league, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson broke the single-game NFL rushing record. On Nov. 4, 2007, the former Oklahoma Sooner ran for 296 yards on 30 carries and found the endzone three times.
Prior to Peterson’s accomplishment, the single-game rushing record had been broken twice in eight years. Baltimore Ravens running back Jamal Lewis had rushed for 295 yards in 2003. Peterson still holds the edge for the most rushing yards in NFL history.
Derrick Thomas (Kansas City Chiefs) – Nov. 11, 1990
Switching over to the defensive side of the ball, Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas had the greatest performance of his career on Nov. 11, 1990 against the Seattle Seahawks.
In a 17-16 loss, Thomas penetrated the offensive line and sacked quarterback Dave Krieg seven times, setting an NFL record that still stands today.. He would go on to record 20 sacks that season and was eventually elected into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2009. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2000 at the age of 33.
Gale Sayers (Chicago Bears) – Dec. 12, 1965
At the top of our list is Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers. On Dec. 12, 1965, the former Kansas Jayhawks football player carved his way through the muddy grass at Wrigley Field and led his team to a 61-20 bashing of the San Francisco 49ers.
Not only did he rush for 113 yards on nine carries for four touchdowns, he added two receptions for 89 yards and another touchdown. To top things off, he ran back an 85-yard punt return for his sixth score of the day.. While many NFL players have scored three or more touchdowns during a game, the way Sayers showed his versatility may never be matched.