Who Has the Most Sacks in an NFL Game?

Who has the most sacks in an NFL game? That’s a record that’s sure to stand for a long time!

Michael Strahan – 22.5 Sacks

Michael Strahan holds the record for the most sacks in a single NFL game. He achieved this feat in 2001 against the Green Bay Packers. In that game, Strahan had 7.5 sacks, which is the most ever recorded in a single game.

Date of game – October 14th, 2001

On October 14th, 2001, Michael Strahan set the NFL sack record with 22.5 sacks in a single game. This was the highest sack total ever recorded in an NFL game, andStrahan’s performance helped lead the New York Giants to a win over the Indianapolis Colts.

While Strahan’s sack total is impressive, it should be noted that sacks were not an official NFL statistic until 1982. Therefore, sack totals before this date are not complete and may not be entirely accurate. In addition, the NFL did not begin recording individual sacks until 1999. Before then, sack totals were recorded as a team statistic.

Despite these caveats, it is clear that Strahan’s performance on October 14th, 2001 was truly remarkable and that he holds the record for the most sacks in an NFL game.

Team – New York Giants

In 2001, Michael Strahan set the NFL single-season sacks record with 22.5 sacks. He also holds the record for most sacks in a game, with 4.5 sacks against the Green Bay Packers in 2001.

Opponent – Green Bay Packers

In 2001, Michael Strahan set the single-season sack record with 22.5 sacks. His victim? The Green Bay Packers, in a game that saw Strahan finish with three sacks.

Jared Allen – 22 Sacks

In 2011, Jared Allen of the Minnesota Vikings sacked the quarterback a record-tying 22 times in a single season. Allen’s performance was so impressive that it earned him the NFL Sack title that year. Although Allen’s record-breaking season was impressive, it is worth noting that the NFL sack record is frequently broken.

Date of game – November 11th, 2007

On November 11th, 2007, playing for the Minnesota Vikings, defensive end Jared Allen sacked Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers 8 times. This is the most sacks by a single player in an NFL game.

Team – Minnesota Vikings

In 2004, Jared Allen set the NFL single-game sack record by sacking Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers eight times. This broke the previous record of seven, which was set by former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan in 2001.

Allen’s eight sacks came in a 38-31 Vikings victory, and he also forced a fumble on one of his sacks. The Vikings defensive end finished the game with 11 tackles, nine of which were solo stops.

Opponent – Houston Texans

In his prime, Jared Allen was one of the most feared pass rushers in the NFL. When he faced off against the Houston Texans in 2007, he put on a sack demonstration for the ages. Allen racked up an impressive 8.5 sacks in that game, which is tied for the second-most sacks in a single game in NFL history.

Derrick Thomas – 7 Sacks

In 1998, during a Monday night game, Derrick Thomas set the NFL record for the most sacks in a single game. He sacked Seattle Seahawks quarterback John Kitna a total of seven times. The previous record was six, set by Reggie White and Derrick Thomas himself.

Date of game – November 11th, 1990

On November 11th, 1990, Derrick Thomas set the record for most sacks in an NFL game when he recorded 7 sacks against the Seattle Seahawks. This is a record that still stands today, and is unlikely to ever be broken. Thomas was a dominant force on the defensive line for the Kansas City Chiefs, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009.

Team – Kansas City Chiefs

Derrick Thomas was selected as the fourth overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. He played for the Chiefs his entire 11-year career until his untimely death in 2000. Thomas is considered one of the best defensive players in Chiefs history, and holds the franchise record for most sacks in a game with 7. This record was set on November 11, 1990, against the Seattle Seahawks.

Opponent – Seattle Seahawks

Derrick Thomas of the Kansas City Chiefs recorded 7 sacks against the Seahawks in 1990, the most ever in a single game.
This outstanding performance came on the heels of a 6 sack game against the Raiders earlier in the season. Given that Thomas played just 11 seasons, missing parts of two due to injury, his career total of 126.5 sacks is even more impressive.