FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Julio Jones did something no other player in the history of the NFL has ever done.
He gained over 250 receiving yards for the third time in his career, catching 12 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-20 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to help Atlanta win its third game in a row and improve to 7-4.
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To put that achievement in proper perspective, consider that only 29 players in the league's history have ever gained 250 or more receiving yards in a single game. No player outside of Jones has ever had two such games, let alone three.
The list is littered with names of legendary receivers like Jerry Rice and Steve Largent as well as some recent greats like Terrell Owens, Chad Johnson and Antonio Brown, but the name "Julio Jones" appears more than any other.
After yet another breathtaking performance by the Falcons' All-Pro receiver, let's take a look back at his 250-yard games and where they rank in NFL history.
No. 6: vs. Carolina Panthers (2016) – 12 catches, 300 yards, 1 touchdown
Last season's 300-yard performance against the Carolina Panthers earned Jones a spot at No. 6 on the all-time single-game receiving yards list. The top five are:
- Flipper Anderson (336 yards)
- Calvin Johnson (329)
- Stephone Paige (309)
- Jim Benton (303)
- Cloyce Box (302)
It's possible that Jones could have added even more yards to his total, as he played just 47 snaps – 70 percent of the Falcons' offensive plays – in Atlanta's blowout win against Carolina.
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No. 20: vs. Green Bay Packers (2014) – 11 catches, 259 yards, 1 touchdown**
Prior to his Leonidas-like effort against the Panthers, Jones firmly thrust himself in the conversation for the NFL's best receiver with a 259-yard performance on "Monday Night Football" against the Packers. He had eight catches of over 15 yards in the game, including catches of 30 yards and 79 yards.
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No. 26: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2017) – 12 catches, 253 yards, 2 touchdowns **
There was hardly anything the Bucs could do to slow down Jones on Sunday. Whether he was making a contested grab, blowing past defenders for a long reception or breaking ankles with his route-running, Jones reminded everyone in the span of one afternoon why he is one of the top athletes on the planet.
Here is the list of every 250-plus yard receiving performance in NFL history:
| Rank | Player | Yards | Team | Opponent (year) |
| 1. | Flipper Anderson | 336 | Rams | Saints (1989) |
| 2. | Calvin Johnson | 329 | Lions | Cowboys (2013) |
| 3. | Stephone Paige | 309 | Chiefs | Chargers (1985) |
| 4. | Jim Benton | 303 | Rams | Lions (1945) |
| 5. | Cloyce Box | 302 | Lions | Colts (1950) |
| 6. | Julio Jones | 300 | Falcons | Panthers (2016) |
| 7. | Jimmy Smith | 291 | Jaguars | Ravens (2000) |
| 8. | Jerry Rice | 289 | 49ers | Vikings (1995) |
| 9. | John Taylor | 286 | 49ers | Rams (1989) |
| 10. | Antonio Brown | 284 | Steelers | Raiders (2015) |
| 11. | Terrell Owens | 283 | 49ers | Bears (2000) |
| 12. | Andre Johnson | 273 | Texans | Jaguars (2012) |
| 13. | Charley Hennigan | 272 | Oilers | Patriots (1961) |
| 14. | Del Shofner | 269 | Giants | Redskins (1962) |
| 15. | Lee Evans | 265 | Bills | Texans (2006) |
| 16. | Steve Largent | 261 | Seahawks | Lions (1987) |
| 16. | Josh Gordon | 261 | Browns | Jaguars (2013) |
| 18. | Wes Chandler | 260 | Chargers | Bengals (1982) |
| 18. | Chad Johnson | 260 | Bengals | Chargers (2006) |
| 20. | Julio Jones | 259 | Falcons | Packers (2014) |
| 21. | Qadry Ismail | 258 | Ravens | Steelers (1999) |
| 22. | Billy Howton | 257 | Packers | Rams (1956) |
| 23. | Sonny Randle | 256 | Cardinals | Giants (1962) |
| 24. | Jerry Butler | 255 | Bills | Jets (1979) |
| 24. | Anthony Allen | 255 | Redskins | Cardinals (1987) |
| 26. | Julio Jones | 253 | Falcons | Buccaneers (2017) |
| 26. | Plaxico Burress | 253 | Steelers | Falcons (2002) |
| 26. | Brian Hartline | 253 | Dolphins | Cardinals (2012) |
| 29. | Miles Austin | 250 | Cowboys | Chiefs (2009) |
