Peyton Manning
, The Canadian Press
With four touchdown passes on Sunday night, Peyton Manning became the NFL's all-time leader in touchdown throws, surpassing Brett Favre's 508. At 510 passes and counting, Manning has more than 100 touchdowns more than any active player in the league. TSN.ca breaks down the players chasing Manning and their chances of catching him.
Peyton Manning
Denver Broncos
-
Touchdowns
510
-
Age
38
-
Active Rank
1
-
All-Time Rank
1
Manning set the touchdown record on October 19, 2014 with four touchdown passes against the San Francisco 49ers, passing Brett Favre's record of 508.
Drew Brees
New Orleans Saints
-
Touchdowns
374
-
Age
35
-
Active Rank
2
-
All-Time Rank
4
Perhaps the only quarterback with a legitimate chance to pass Manning within the next decade, Brees has posted three straight seasons of 39 or more passing touchdowns in the Saints high-powered offence. Working against Brees is his age - Brees is just three younger than Manning - and his slow start to the 2014 season, Brees is on pace for 33 touchdowns this season, which would be his lowest total since 2010.
Tom Brady
New England Patriots
-
Touchdowns
372
-
Age
37
-
Active Rank
3
-
All-Time Rank
5
At the age of 37, Tom Brady is unlikely to provide competition for Manning's record. Brady has not posted a 40-touchdown season since his record-setting 50 touchdowns in 2007, and is unlikely to do so this year. Brady will, however, likely pass Dan Marino's 420 passing touchdown mark before his career is over.
Aaron Rodgers
Green Bay Packers
-
Touchdowns
206
-
Age
30
-
Active Rank
9
-
All-Time Rank
35
Considering he didn't start for three seasons after being drafted in the first round, Aaron Rodgers has scored touchdowns at a torrid pace. In his first seven seasons as the Packers quarterback, Rodgers threw 188 touchdown passes, an average of 26 per season despite missing half of the 2013 campaign. Rodgers is once again on pace for 40-touchdown season in 2014 and if the quarterback can sustain his health through the age 40 or more, he could challenge Peyton.
Matthew Stafford
Detroit Lions
-
Touchdowns
118
-
Age
26
-
Active Rank
17
-
All-Time Rank
108
Matt Stafford battled injuries throughout his first two NFL seasons, but has since started every game through his past three seasons. Earning his start at age 21 has given Stafford a jump on the field of Luck, Newton and Wilson. Considering his age and current mark, Stafford is probably the most likely active player to catch Peyton's final record first.
Andrew Luck
Indianapolis Colts
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Touchdowns
65
-
Age
25
-
Active Rank
28
-
All-Time Rank
164
It seems only right that Manning's successor in Indianapolis could be the next to set the touchdown mark. After posting 23 touchdowns in each of his first two NFL seasons, Luck has thrown 19 TDs through seven games in 2014 and appears to be ready to challenge the NFL's elite. Though the future remains unpredictable, if Luck maintains his 43-touchdown pace for this season and consistently posts 30 or more touchdowns a year moving forward, Luck could reach Manning by the time or before he hits the record holder's age at 38.
Cam Newton
Carolina Panthers
-
Touchdowns
72
-
Age
25
-
Active Rank
26
-
All-Time Rank
157
Newton has a far way to go but his 72 touchdowns since entering the league in 2011 is a strong start. However, durability concerns and working in an offence with less passing weapons than Luck could see Newton passed by another young quarterback.
Russell Wilson
Seattle Seahawks
-
Touchdowns
62
-
Age
26
-
Active Rank
29
-
All-Time Rank
170
Though Wilson is almost even with Luck in touchdowns, the 2012 third-round pick should be viewed as less likely to reach Manning than the Colts quarterback. Wilson is one year older than Luck and currently operates in a run-first offence.
Eli Manning
New York Giants
-
Touchdowns
243
-
Age
33
-
Active Rank
4
-
All-Time Rank
18
At age 32, Eli Manning is unlikely to challenge his brother's mark. Eli has also posted just one 30-touchdown season in his career.
Philip Rivers
San Diego Chargers
-
Touchdowns
238
-
Age
33
-
Active Rank
5
-
All-Time Rank
21
Philip Rivers has thrown at least 26 touchdowns in every season since 2008, yet like many others Rivers' age works against him. He also sat behind Brees for two seasons before earning his first start in San Diego.
Ben Roethlisberger
Pittsburgh Steelers
-
Touchdowns
227
-
Age
32
-
Active Rank
6
-
All-Time Rank
26
With Aaron Rodgers quickly gaining ground and several injury riddled seasons in his past, Roethlisberger should be considered a long shot to reach Manning.