Michael Rothstein, ESPN Staff Writer 8y

Chasing Megatron: Julio Jones, Antonio Brown fall off pace, trail DeAndre Hopkins

Two weeks ago, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones and the Pittsburgh Steelers' Antonio Brown were tearing up opposing defenses throughout the NFL.

And the chase of the Detroit Lions' Calvin Johnson's season receiving record was officially starting up.

Now, though, Jones and Brown are showing just how difficult Johnson's mark really is to attain. Through three weeks, both were on a pace to blast through his record of 1,964 yards.

Then Jones got hurt and might miss Thursday's game against the New Orleans Saints. Brown's quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, has been injured and that has clearly hurt his production since his replacement, Michael Vick, isn't in the same class as a passer. Brown had less than 50 yards receiving in both Weeks 4 and 5. Jones has fewer than 70 yards receiving in both of those weeks.

Now, both are behind Johnson's pace, his mark and the Houston Texans' DeAndre Hopkins, the new NFL receiving leader. Hopkins has had an outstanding three weeks --enough to put himself ahead of where Johnson was after five games this season. If he keeps it up, it could be one of the great wide receiver seasons in history.

So here's a look at where Hopkins, Jones and Brown are right now, where Johnson was at this point during the 2012 season and what it would take for Jones to break Johnson's mark. Coincidentally, Johnson broke Jerry Rice's record of 1,848 yards against Atlanta.

DeAndre Hopkins:

  • Games:5

  • Receptions: 42

  • Yards: 578

  • Yards per game: 115.6

  • On pace for: 1,849

  • Yards per game needed to break Johnson's record: 126.0

  • Yards needed to reach 1,965: 1,387

Julio Jones:

  • Games: 5

  • Receptions: 43

  • Yards: 545

  • Yards per game: 109.0

  • On pace for: 1,744 yards

  • Yards per game needed to break Johnson's record: 129.0

  • Yards needed to reach 1,965: 1,420

Antonio Brown:

  • Games: 5

  • Receptions: 37

  • Yards: 523

  • Yards per game: 104.6

  • On pace for: 1,673 yards

  • Yards per game needed to break Johnson's record: 131.1

  • Yards needed to reach 1,965: 1,442

Calvin Johnson through five games in 2012:

  • Yards: 558

  • Yards per game averaged by Johnson during the 2012 season: 122.75

  • 100-yard games Johnson had in 2012: 11

  • 200-yard games Johnson had in 2012: 2

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