Allen just misses sack record: Though he made a valiant effort to break the single-season sack record on the final day of the season, Allen finished just short Week 17 against the Bears. He finished with 3 1/2 sacks on the day, giving him 22 for the season. The record is 22 1/2, set by the Giants' Michael Strahan in 2001. “It just shows how tough he is and how hard he plays," said fellow defensive lineman Kevin Williams. "It was a joy to watching him -- I don’t even know what I would do if he would've got another sack. Man, it was unbelievable to watch, he came so close.” Allen had a total of five tackles on the day, three of them solo. (Updated 01/01/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/26/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Allen was on pace to break the record earlier this season, but he slowed down toward the end, which is why he needed a season-high 3 1/2 sacks just to come close to the record. Still, 22 sacks is nothing to be ashamed of. After four straight seasons of double-digit sacks, Allen clearly took another step forward this year and is now an elite contributor in Fantasy IDP leagues. Expect him to be one of the first defenders off the board in those formats in 2012. (Updated 01/01/2012).
05/08/2012 17:00 Third-down sacks: Seeking biggest stops a defense can get
In an era when passing games rule the day, the biggest job for a defense is to get third-down sacks. Pat Kirwan says that's why finding players who can deliver those -- as the Ravens and Giants do best -- is high priority.
Defensive end Jared Allen posted another monster season in 2011, totaling 22 sacks to go with 66 total tackles, four fumble recoveries, a safety, three passes defensed and an interception. There's little doubt that Allen will be a stud IDP option again in 2011, and because his position is thin, there's no harm in taking him as a No. 1 defensive lineman with a mid-round choice. (Updated 4/24/12)
