Close games, losing records and Jason Witten's next milestone

With the playoff race beginning to take shape, even teams with losing records have some hope down the stretch. Since the current playoff format began in 1990, 21 teams with a losing record after nine games still reached the playoffs. That includes at least one team in each of the last four seasons: the Panthers (3-5-1 after nine games) in 2014; the Chargers (4-5) and Eagles (4-5) in 2013; the Bengals (4-5) and Redskins (3-6) in 2012; and the Broncos (4-5) in 2011.

Jason Witten nears 1,000 catches

Cowboys perennial Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten almost certainly won't catch Tony Gonzalez (1,325) for the most receptions by a tight end, but the Dallas star is closing in on an important milestone nonetheless.

Witten needs eight catches to join Gonzalez as the only tight ends in NFL history to have 1,000 receptions. Witten holds a sizable lead over the Chargers' Antonio Gates (816) and former Ravens and Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe (815). Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome is next with 662.

Close games continue

There have been 76 games this season decided by seven points or less (eight in Week 10). That's the most ever through Week 10, surpassing 1999 when 73 games were decided by seven points or less by this time.

Six teams won last week after trailing in the fourth quarter. Teams have won after trailing in the fourth quarter 43 times so far, the second most through Week 10 in NFL history (44 in 1989).

By Bob Glauber

Special to NewsdayBobGlauber

Bob Glauber retired in 2022 after covering the NFL for nearly 40 years. He was selected in 2021 for the Bill Nunn Career Achievement Award by the Pro Football Writers of America, and is a three-time winner of the New York State Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. President of the PFWA for the 2018-20 seasons, he is the author of “The Forgotten First” and “Guts and Genius.”