Steelers WR Antonio Brown's obscure record comes to an unknown end

OK, so the title of this piece isn't entirely accurate. In fairness to Antonio Brown, who saw his five catches for at least 50 yards streak end at 35 games in the Steelers disappointing (to say the least) home loss to Baltimore Thursday night, there was some news coverage about it.

But that's because we're living in the "now." Years from now, will anyone remember Brown's rather obscure streak that seemed to be invented last season? I mean, let's be honest, it's not Cal Ripken Jr.'s 2,632 games played in row streak. It's not Brett Favre's 297-consecutive starts streak (perhaps even more impressive than Ripken's considering there's a touch more risk of injury in football). It's not Joe Dimaggio's 56-game hitting-streak. It's not Orel Hershiser's 59 scoreless innings streak.

To sort of reiterate, Brown's record was just something that sort of popped up recently, and people were like, "Oh, they keep track of that stuff?" Once Brown's record became a thing, it was something to make note of every week, but, to be honest, didn't you have to go check the box score after each game to find out if the streak was still alive?

Again, in defense of Brown and what he achieved during that streak, it is a testament to his productivity and consistency. Being "the man" as a receiver is usually a recipe for double-teams on a weekly basis, with teams trying to make those other receivers beat them--and this is especially  the case when you're without a doubt the most productive one in the entire NFL. You add Brown's comparatively diminutive size to the mix, and, as obscure as the record may be, it's a testament to his work-ethic and talent.

It is sort of a relief that Brown's streak finally came to an end. After all, for every two or three people who applauded the 5/50 streak, there must have been one or two who made fun of it (remember the flak after the Jaguars game last year)? Again, let's be honest, it's no 12 touchdown passes in two games (Ben Roethlisberger). It's no consecutive games with at least one touchdown pass (Drew Brees with 54). Also, in today's rather pass-happy (to say the least) NFL, someone was going to come along and compile such a streak as Brown's. Still, it is something to be proud of and probably something his peers are envious of. Receivers often bemoan their lack of targets in a game, which was something Brown couldn't do for over two seasons of NFL action, (In Terrell Owens' mind, his 5/50 streak should have started in 1999 and continued post-playing career.)

And just look at what it took for Brown's streak to come to an end; he was without perhaps the game's best quarterback in Roethlisberger, who was cheering on the sidelines while nursing his MCL sprain, and the very rusty Michael Vick was doing the passing against the Ravens. Despite that obstacle, Brown still came within eight yards of continuing the streak.

That would have been like Hershiser's scoreless innings streak coming to an end, thanks to a three-base error followed by a weak sacrifice fly.

Kudos to Antonio Brown for his 5/50 record. By the way, what's the streak for 5/40?