Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl

The NFL is a full-on passing league, so it’s no surprise the record book keeps getting rewritten when it comes to all the statistics related to that category. While the game’s elite quarterbacks continue to reach new heights, there also are more opportunities for pass catchers and pass rushers to put up astronomical numbers.

Here’s a look at 11 NFL stars who are chasing history in their attempt to break season records.

Drew Brees, QB, Saints

Record he’s chasing: Most passing yards, season (Dan Marino, Dolphins, 5,084, 1984)

Will he break it? No. This has nothing to do with whether Brees is capable of breaking it, because he has the talent and receivers to easily pull it off. He proved that by falling just 15 yards short of the mark (5,069) three seasons ago.

It’s just the Saints are also a superb rushing team, and as the schedule gets tougher in the second half, they will pound away more to put difficult opponents away in games. As much it would be fun for Brees (who has 2,477 passing yards through seven games) to surpass Marino for New Orleans fans, they’re better off if the Saints work wisely to keep Brees’ arm fresh for the playoffs.

Jared Allen, DE, Vikings

Record he’s chasing: Most sacks, season (Michael Strahan, Giants, 22.5, 2001).

Will he break it? Yes. First, it helps that he already has a whopping 11.5 sacks to his credit. And he still has rematches against three teams in his own division—Green Bay, Chicago and Detroit—that have a few issues with pass protection. Atlanta, Oakland and Washington should also provide some opportunities for more multiple-sack games.

Then there’s the fact that Allen is simply playing out of his mind. The 29-year-old looks rejuvenated and is showing it with his trademark relentless efforts. Allen won’t even need a Brett Favre-like dive to pass Strahan—he’ll earn the record-breaker at home against Jay Cutler in the season finale.

Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions

Record he’s chasing: Most touchdown receptions, season (Randy Moss, Patriots, 23, 2007)

Will he break it? Yes. The Megatron touchdown machine has slowed down a little, as he has “only” two in his past three games after scoring a pair in each of his first four games. That still gives him 10, so he’s still almost on pace to get into Moss’ rarefied air.

The Lions’ offense has slowed down a bit, and there are new health concerns with quarterback Matthew Stafford. Johnson, however, has proved he can find the end zone no matter who’s throwing him the ball. The league’s ultimate red zone target should pick up the pace with a big Week 8 game in Denver before the Lions’ bye, and he’ll go on to grab the record, finishing the season strong against San Diego and Green Bay.

Steve Smith, WR, Panthers

Record he’s chasing: Most receiving yards, season (Jerry Rice, 49ers, 1,848, 1995)

Will he break it? No. Smith, who is on record pace with his 818 receiving yards in seven games, has been outstanding at making big plays for rookie quarterback Cam Newton, averaging 21.0 yards per catch. What will prevent Smith from shooting past Rice is the volume of receptions. He’s on track to match his jersey number with 89 grabs, but that would be 33 fewer than Rice’s total when he posted his yardage record.

At some point, Smith’s YPC will go down, and as the season progresses, teams will game-plan better to stop Smith from beating them deep. He’ll still put impressive enough numbers to get some Comeback Player of the Year consideration.

Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers

Records he’s chasing: Highest passer rating, season (Peyton Manning, Colts, 121.1, 2004), and highest completion percentage, season (Brees, Saints, 70.623, 2009).

Will he break them? Yes and yes. Rodgers is the all-time leader in passer rating, at 101.9, so it’s only fitting that he also sets the season mark. He’s gone past 111.0 in every game in ’11 and is coming off a season best of 146.5 last week against Minnesota. It will be hard to bring him down much from his current 125.7.

A significant element in determining passer rating is completion percentage. Rodgers has been deadly accurate with a 71.5 mark, which would be even better if Packers receivers had been more consistent catching the ball. After this week’s bye, look for him to be helped out by surer hands to ensure he also sets that mark.

Matt Forte, RB, Bears

Record he’s chasing: Most yards from scrimmage, season (Chris Johnson, Titans, 2,509, 2009)

Will he break it? Yes. Forte has pretty much been Mike Martz’s new version of Marshall Faulk, leading the league with 1,091 yards from scrimmage (672 rushing, 419 receiving). After seven games, that puts him on pace to gain 2,494 yards—only 15 yards off the pace to catch Johnson. With how much Chicago leans on Forte to move the ball, there’s a good chance his current 23 touches per game average will increase during the second half of the season. Because the Bears will be fighting for an NFC playoff spot through Week 17, Forte should clip Johnson at the tape.

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WRITTEN BY Vinnie Iyer/Sporting News & FULL STORY HERE