Some of the biggest names at wide receiver have delivered some of the biggest games in football history. Julio Jones, Terrell Owens and Jerry Rice are only a few who make this list for biggest single-game performances.
Lee Evans
In the Buffalo Bills’ 24-21 win over the Houston Texans on Nov. 19, 2006, Lee Evans had a career day. He was targeted 16 times, caught 11 passes and went for 265 yards. In the first 10 minutes, Evans had 166 receiving yards on two 83-yard TD passes from J.P. Losman.
Del Shofner
Del Shofner was the beneficiary of more than half of the 505 yards Y.A. Tittle threw for on Oct. 28, 1962, as the Giants downed the Redskins, 49-34. Shofner caught 11 passes for 269 yards and a TD.
Charlie Hennigan
This effort sends us into the wayback machine for the AFL. Charlie Hennigan of the Houston Oilers went for 13 receptions and 272 yards as they tied the then-Boston Patriots, 31-31, on Oct. 13, 1961. The game was played on a Friday, so yes, it was Friday the 13th. An aside, the game-tying field goal was kicked by George Blanda.
Andre Johnson
Houston Texans star Andre Johnson found the perfect patsy as the 8-1 Texans faced the 1-8 Jacksonville Jaguars on Nov. 18, 2012. The game went to overtime and both teams actually kicked field goals before Johnson caught a 48-yard pass from Matt Schaub to give Houston a 43-37 victory. Johnson was targeted 19 times, caught 14 balls for 273 yards. On the other side, the oft-troubled Justin Blackmon had his career day, going for 236 yards and a score on seven catches.
Terrell Owens
Terrell Owens is no surprise on this list. The gifted WR had an astounding 20 catches for 283 yards as the Niners downed the Chicago Bears, 17-0, on Dec. 17, 2000.
Antonio Brown
Antonio Brown has checked out of Pittsburgh. He left some fond memories — and some not as fond — as a Steeler. In a 38-35 victory over his new team, the Oakland Raiders, on Nov. 8, 2015, Brown had 17 catches on 23 targets for 284 yards. He somehow did not find the end zone.
John Taylor
On Dec. 11, 1989, the Niners scored the last 20 points to overcome the Rams, 30-27. John Taylor caught 11 passes for 286 yards and two TDs. The scoring plays went for 92 and 95 yards, respectively, from Joe Montana.
Jerry Rice
The legendary Jerry Rice caught 14 of 16 targets for 289 yards and three TDs as the Niners edged the Vikings, 37-30, on Dec. 18, 1995.
Jimmy Smith
Jimmy Smith caught three TD passes on Sept. 10, 2000, as the Jacksonville Jaguars fell to the Baltimore Ravens, 39-36. Smith had a total of 15 grabs on 21 targets on the day as he piled up 291 yards in the loss.
Julio Jones
The fantastic Julio Jones continues his remarkable play for Atlanta. In the Falcons’ 48-33 victory over the Panthers on Oct. 2, 2016, the former Alabama star went for 300 yards on 12 receptions.
Cloyce Box
Cloyce Box had 12 catches for 305 yards and four TDs as the Lions scored all their points in the final three quarters of a 45-21 victory over the Baltimore Colts on Dec. 3, 1950.
Jim Benton
Jim Benton caught 10 of the 12 passes Bob Waterfield completed on Nov. 22, 1945, as the Cleveland Rams beat the Detroit Lions, 28-21. Benton went for 303 of Waterfield’s 329 yards.
Stephone Paige
An unfamiliar name joins the list as Stephone Paige had an incredible day on Dec. 22, 1985, as the Chiefs downed the Chargers, 38-34. Paige caught eight passes for 309 yards and two TDs, one each from Todd Blackledge and Bill Kenney.
Calvin Johnson
The great Calvin Johnson has the second-best game in NFL history as the Lions edged the Dallas Cowboys, 31-30, on Oct. 27, 2013. Johnson caught 14 of 16 passes thrown his way and wound up with 329 yards and a TD.
Flipper Anderson
The biggest receiving game in NFL history is by the Rams’ Willie “Flipper” Anderson. The Rams downed the Saints, 20-17, on Nov. 26, 1989 as Anderson caught 15 passes for 336 yards and a score.
