There’s many NFL records that seem impossible to break, but could Earl Thomas break the single-season INTs record of 14 in 2019 with the Baltimore Ravens?
There was a point in time where I firmly believed I’d never see the NFL record for touchdown passes in a single-season fall. 50 was a ridiculous number, so when Peyton Manning broke it in 2013 I was flabbergasted. Now, I’m wondering if any NFL records are safe, like the single-season interceptions record; one that Baltimore Ravens safety Earl Thomas could be interested in breaking.
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It’s a tall order to accomplish, as the record was set in 1952 by Hall of Fame defensive back Dick Lane (a.k.a. “Night Train”) with 14 interceptions. Fun fact: Lane did that as a rookie…
What makes this feat so impressive is that no one has even gotten close to that number since Lester Hayes notched 13 in 1980. In fact, the only player to even get double-digits in the 2000s was Champ Bailey, who stole ten passes in 2006. Seems pretty unbreakable.
But, that’s the thing about records: they’re meant to be broken. So, if any player were to break this gaudy record, it would be Earl Thomas. With the ball-hawking skills he possesses, can we really doubt him?
From a historical standpoint, obviously yes we should doubt ANYONE could accomplish this. However, from a pure talent standpoint no other safety in the league matches his skills (with the exception of Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard).
Thomas is off to a good start, too, as he recorded his first interception with the Baltimore Ravens in his first game of the season last week vs. the Miami Dolphins. It was classic Earl Thomas, as he glided to the ball and then immediately tried to make a play with it!
Realistically, if Thomas broke this record not only would he be a slam dunk for a plethora of NFL honors, but he’d be an MVP candidate with a very strong case. Add an MVP award with a Pro Bowl, First-Team All-Pro, Comeback Player of the Year, and Defensive Player of the Year… that’s the makings for the best season ever for a defender.
Perhaps that’s why it seems so unrealistic… The greatest safety to ever play the game in Ravens legend Ed Reed never had double-digit interceptions in a single-season… It would simply be beyond amazing if Thomas did it. Then again, stranger things have happened…
So, what are we to make of this claim? The easy answer is to cast it aside and say “No way in hell.” You’d be justified in your response, and even I have serious doubts. At the end of the day, however, if you had to pick one player in the NFL to break that record this season it would be Earl Thomas. With his talent, we shouldn’t put it past him, either.