Coming up on the halfway mark of the 2026 NFL regular season, there’s still a lot of history to be made.
Before jumping in, here’s a look at some of the milestones from the previous edition of [“Milestone Watch”](https://dailytrojan.com/2026/10/22/pairs-of-vikings-bills-race-to-career-milestones/) that were crossed in Weeks 7 and 8:
Former Trojan Makai Lemon caught his first career receiving touchdown in the NFL in his Week 7 match against the Dallas Cowboys. In his three years at USC, Lemon hauled in 14 receiving touchdowns.
In just his second week back from suspension — due to an ongoing criminal investigation for battery and criminal destruction of property — Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs turned 21 carries into 39 yards and a score against the Carolina Panthers. He officially reached 75 career rushing touchdowns, the third most among running backs since he entered the league in 2019. Jacobs has found the end zone three times in the past two weeks, with his other two scores coming off receptions.
In Week 7, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones’ lone interception fell into the hands of Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith, bringing Smith’s career total to 40. The Vikings’ defense also forced Jared Goff’s first interception of the year in Week 8.
On the other side of the ball for the Vikings, receiver Justin Jefferson eclipsed 600 career receptions in Week 7, making him just the seventh player to reach that mark through 99 career games since 1933.
Finally, with two against the Cleveland Browns in Week 8, Pittsburgh Steelers punter Cameron Johnston crossed 200 career punts downed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.
As Week 9 begins, here is another set of players nearing history to keep your eye on:
Another punter, the Cowboys’ Bryan Anger, is closing in on a similar milestone to the one Johnston hit last week. Anger is one punt downed inside the 20-yard line away from 350 in his 15-year career. This season, the Cowboys have the second-fewest punts in the league, but when they do punt, Anger has been incredibly efficient with 11 of his boots downed inside the 20 on just 19 attempts. He currently sits third all-time among active NFL punters.
The [previous edition of this column](https://dailytrojan.com/2026/10/22/pairs-of-vikings-bills-race-to-career-milestones/) highlighted the race between Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and his teammate running back James Cook III to 5,000 career rushing yards. Despite productive games against the Ravens, they each remain just short of the milestone. The chase now extends into Week 9, with Allen and Cook just 9 and 34 yards away from the mark, respectively. Facing a stifling Vikings defense, this race will likely come down to the wire.
In the AFC South, running back Jonathan Taylor has had a solid year despite the Colts’ 2-6 record through Week 8. The seventh-year back is closing in on 10,000 career scrimmage yards, currently 121 away at 9,879.
Taylor is currently seventh in the league in scrimmage yards this year with 812, averaging just over 100 per game. The Colts have a favorable Week 9 matchup against the Cowboys, who have allowed the most yards per game to opposing offenses in the league this year.
New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson is one catch away from 250 career receptions. He has been one of quarterback Tyler Shough’s favorite targets this year, having hauled in 26 catches on 38 targets. Johnson is currently the third-leading receiver for the Saints this year after finishing second in 2025 behind only receiver Chris Olave. Shough is tied for the most pass attempts per game this season, so expect Johnson to cross this milestone soon.
After a season-ending injury to Terry McLaurin, receiver Stefon Diggs now serves as the Washington Commanders’ primary pass-catcher. The veteran is one receiving touchdown away from 80 in his career, and he’s already seen the end zone five times in 2026. Currently tied for sixth in receiving touchdowns this year, Diggs is likely to hit the mark soon.
Bills linebacker Bradley Chubb is half a sack away from 50 career sacks. Chubb has dealt with various injuries in the NFL, but finished with at least 7.5 sacks in the five seasons he has played 14 or more games. Chubb has 1.5 sacks this year, but the Bills’ next two opponents — the Vikings and the New York Jets — should be great opportunities, as they have allowed 3.0 and 2.9 sacks per game, respectively, in 2026.
With the NFL trade deadline looming, teams and players alike should be especially motivated this upcoming week, so expect some extra history to emerge from the chaos.
_Finn McNamara is a junior sharing notable NFL history to watch for each week of the season in his column, “Milestone Watch.”_