Calvin Johnson Remains on Track to Break Jerry Rice’s Record

Dec. 16, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) catches a pass as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) defends during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals beat the Lions 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Lions suffered yet another disappointing loss in what is now beyond a disappointing season, but Calvin Johnson remains on track to break Jerry Rice‘s single-season receiving yards record.

Johnson entered week 15 needing to average 101 yards per game to catch Jerry Rice’s 1995 season total. That number is going down for the final two weeks thanks to his 121-yard outing against the Cardinals.

That brings his season total up to 1,667 receiving yards, 14 shy of his 2011 season total and 19 short of Herman Moore‘s Detroit Lions record. Those marks will be easily cleared in week 16 and Calvin needs to average 91 yards over his last two games to break Jerry Rice’s record.

Here are the remaining checkpoints along with where each would rank on the all-time list:
1,681 yards – 7th all-time (Calvin Johnson’s 2011 season total)
1,686 yards – 6th all-time (Herman Moore’s team record set in 1995)
1,700 yards – 5th all-time
1,800 yards – 2nd all-time
1,848 yards – Best all-time (Jerry Rice, 1995)

Here is a side-by-side comparison of Calvin Johnson’s 2012 season and Jerry Rice’s record setting 1995 season:

Or if you prefer a graphical representation:

Lost in the chase watch is the fact that Calvin Johnson has guaranteed himself to finish with a per game average over 100 yards for a second consecutive year. That hasn’t been done back to back since Lance Alworth put together three such seasons in the mid-60s.