Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews has six sacks in the first two games, which matches his total for the entire 2011 season. At this rate, Matthews would shatter the NFL single-season sack record.
“He’s playing awfully well,” said Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers on Friday.
Matthews burst out of the gate in 2010 with six sacks in his first two games and finished with 13.5 for the season.
At his current pace, Matthews would generate a league-record 48 sacks. He’s a little less than one-third of the way to the Packers’ single-season sack record. Here are the best single-season sackers in Packers history, with sacks becoming an official NFL individual statistic in 1982:
1. Tim Harris, 19.5 (1989)
2. Reggie White, 16 (1998)
3. Aaron Kampman, 15.5 (2006)
4. Ezra Johnson, 14.5 (1983)
Harris’ total of 19.5 ranks tied for ninth all-time in NFL annals. Here is a list of the top-10 single season sackers in the NFL, according to Pro-Football-Reference.com:
1. Michael Strahan (30) 22.5 2001 NYG
2. Mark Gastineau (28) 22.0 1984 NYJ
Jared Allen (29) 22.0 2011 MIN
4. Chris Doleman+ (28) 21.0 1989 MIN
Reggie White+ (26) 21.0 1987 PHI