Ohio State great Joey Bosa set a new NFL record with his 19th sack Sunday, topping Aldon Smith's mark of 18.5 through his first 20 games as a pro.
Bosa got No. 19 with 9:51 remaining in the second quarter of his Chargers' 21-13 loss to New England when he dropped Patriots quarterback – and Michigan Man Tom – Brady for a 9-yard loss.
.@jbbigbear's record-breaking sack!#LACvsNE pic.twitter.com/pOA7FNIdP5
— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) October 29, 2017
The sack gave Bosa 8.5 through his team's first eight games this season, good enough for third in the league. As a rookie last season, Bosa missed the first four games for the Chargers with a hamstring injury, but finished with 10.5 sacks in 12 games on the way to winning the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
| Rank | Player | Team | Years | Sacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JOEY BOSA | CHARGERS | 2016-17 | 19 |
| 2 | ALDON SMITH | 49ers | 2011-12 | 18.5 |
| 3 | CLAY MATTHEWS | PACKERS | 2009-10 | 17 |
| 4 | JOHN ABRAHAM | JETS | 2000-02 | 16.5 |
| 5 | VON MILLER | BRONCOS | 2011-12 | 16.5 |
Here are some other milestones to keep an eye on as Bosa's career progresses:
- Most Sacks, Single Game: 7, Derrick Thomas – Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Seattle Seahawks, Nov. 11, 1990)
- Most Sacks, Single Season: 22.5, Michael Strahan – New York Giants (2001)
- Most Sacks, Career: 200, Bruce Smith – Buffalo Bills, Washington Redskins (1985–2003)
Big numbers, no doubt – particularly that 7-sack performance from Derrick Thomas.
