Peyton Manning set the single-season record for most touchdown passes…..again.
Manning threw three four-quarter touchdown passes and four overall on Sunday against the Houston Texans to reach the milestone of 51. That broke Tom Brady’s 2007 mark of 50 touchdown passes. Coincidentally, Brady broke Manning’s old record of touchdown passes (49) by one as well.
Manning now owns two of the top-three single-season touchdown passing records in NFL history. But perhaps most impressive is the fact that he accomplished this in just 15 games. The Broncos still have one more game to play in Week 17, and it is very important. Denver is vying for the No.1 seed in the AFC, and will guarantee that with a victory. The Broncos play the Oakland Raiders on the road. In the first meeting in Week 3, Manning threw for 374 yards and three touchdowns en route to a 37-21 victory.
It’s likely that we will see Manning play for as much as he is needed. Denver will be heavily favored, but the fact that the game is on the road could play a role. The Broncos will want to preserve their starters for the postseason, but they want to make sure to get the win first. The difference between being the No.1 seed and having home field advantage throughout the playoffs will be huge. This is especially true because New England would be the team in line for the top spot. The Patriots are unbeaten at home this season.
Back to Manning breaking the touchdown record, this has to feel like serious validation for him. Just two years ago he missed the entire season due to a neck injury. After departing from the Indianapolis Colts, he joined Denver and instantly took them to a Super Bowl contender. The disappointing playoff loss to the Ravens last season weighed on Manning, and coming into this year the four-time NFL MVP has looked on a mission.
The record might go largely overlooked if Manning and company do not win the Super Bowl though. As good as he has been throughout his career, his one Super Bowl championship is the only thing holding him back from being the unanimous best quarterback ever. It’s a Super Bowl or bust mentality for the Broncos, and Manning is perhaps a victim of his own successes elsewhere on the field.
The good news is that Manning will get his chance to win another Super Bowl this year. With the game being played outdoors in MetLife Stadium, at least he will have familiarity with cold weather playing in Denver.
Regardless though of how this season ends up for Manning, there is certainly a large amount of credit and respect that needs to be given to him for this accomplishment.