The quarterback position in American football is often considered the most glamorous and high-profile position on the field. Quarterbacks are responsible for leading their teams’ offenses and orchestrating plays that result in touchdowns, which are the primary means of scoring in the game. Over the years, many quarterbacks have achieved remarkable feats, and one such record that garners significant attention is the most touchdowns thrown by a quarterback in a single season.
As of the knowledge cutoff date of September 2021, the record for the most touchdowns thrown in a single NFL season is held by Peyton Manning, who achieved the feat during the 2013 season. Manning, who played for the Denver Broncos at the time, threw an astounding 55 touchdown passes, surpassing the previous record of 50 set by Tom Brady in 2007. Manning’s accomplishment in the 2013 season is regarded as one of the most remarkable and memorable seasons in NFL history.
Peyton Manning, widely considered one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, had a storied career in the NFL. He played for 18 seasons, spending the majority of his career with the Indianapolis Colts and then finishing his career with the Denver Broncos. Manning was known for his exceptional football IQ, meticulous preparation, and precise passing, which made him a formidable force on the field.
During the 2013 season, Manning, at the age of 37, had one of the best seasons of his career. He threw for a total of 5,477 yards and completed 450 passes out of 659 attempts, with a remarkable completion percentage of 68.3%. He also had a passer rating of 115.1, which was one of the highest of his career. Manning led the Broncos to a 13-3 record, earning the top seed in the AFC playoffs.
One of the highlights of Manning’s historic season was his performance against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1 of the regular season. He threw for seven touchdowns in that game, tying an NFL record for the most touchdown passes in a single game. Manning continued his stellar play throughout the season, consistently finding the end zone and setting a new benchmark for touchdown passes in a season.
Manning had an exceptional supporting cast during the 2013 season, which helped him achieve the record for most touchdowns in a season. The Broncos’ offense was loaded with talent, including wide receivers Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker, Wes Welker, and tight end Julius Thomas. Manning’s ability to read defenses, make quick decisions, and deliver accurate passes was on full display as he orchestrated the Broncos’ high-powered offense to unprecedented success.
It’s worth noting that the NFL has evolved over the years, with rule changes and offensive strategies that have led to increased passing attempts and higher touchdown totals. However, Manning’s achievement of 55 touchdown passes in a single season remains a remarkable feat that showcases his skill and talent as a quarterback.
Prior to Manning’s record-setting season in 2013, the record for most touchdown passes in a single season was held by Tom Brady, who threw 50 touchdown passes during the 2007 season while playing for the New England Patriots. Brady’s 50 touchdown passes in 2007 were widely regarded as an outstanding accomplishment, and he held the record for six seasons until Manning surpassed it in 2013.
Brady’s 2007 season was also noteworthy as he led the Patriots to an undefeated regular season, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to throw 50 touchdown passes while also leading his team to a perfect 16-0 record. He had a remarkable season, throwing for 4,806 yards with a completion percentage of 68.9% and a passer rating of 117.2.
