In a season when he supposedly had to deal with the Madden Curse, Lions receiver Calvin Johnson is on pace to break the NFL’s all-time record for receiving yards in a season.
The current record is owned by Jerry Rice, who gained 1,848 receiving yards in 1995. Johnson entered today’s game against the Colts on pace for 1,828 yards in 2012, but with a sensational effort today, Johnson is now on pace to eclipse Rice’s mark.
The catch that put Johnson ahead of Rice’s pace through 12 games was a sensational 46-yard touchdown grab on which he dove for the ball, caught it as he went to the ground and the 1-yard line, and then rolled into the end zone. Through three quarters, Johnson has 12 catches for 163 yards.
Detroit won’t be returning to the playoffs this season, but Johnson is having one of the best seasons that any NFL wide receiver has ever had.