Peyton Manning Breaks Single Season Passing Yards Record
OAKLAND, Calif. (CBS4) - He had 265 yards to go, and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning was able to break Drew Brees' single season passing record on Sunday afternoon in Oakland in the first half.
Brees had held the record with 5,476 yards since 2011. Manning broke it on a touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas against the Raiders at O.co Coliseum just before halftime.
It was Manning's fourth touchdown pass of the game, and his second of the day to Thomas. At halftime Manning had 266 passing yards. The Broncos went into the locker room at halftime with a 31-0 lead and Manning didn't play in the second half.
With the touchdown, the Broncos also broke a record for most touchdowns in a single season, including defensive and special teams touchdowns. The team now has 76 touchdowns this season.
Only minutes before, the Broncos broke the NFL's single season scoring record when Thomas caught his first touchdown pass of the day.
Manning has had his best statistical season of his career. He broke Tom Brady's record of 50 touchdown passes in Houston last week and now owns the new record with 55. His credentials this season also include a tie of the most touchdown passes in a single game record, which he did in Week 1 with seven.
In addition to this season's records, Manning is close to breaking an impressive all-time passing record.
- Career games with 400 yards passing and four touchdowns: Manning is currently tied with Dan Marino for the all-time record with seven.
Former Broncos receiver Rod Smith said on CBS4's Football Preview show Saturday night Manning's energy level is surprisingly high right now. The Ring of Famer told CBS4 he stands close to the players on the sidelines during games and says Manning is "yelling and screaming and just going and going."
"The one thing that stands out to me is Peyton Manning's tenacity. This guy is fired up," Smith said. "When you get to the end of your career you want to make sure you go out with a bang, and that's what this guy is doing."
Tom Nalen, the former Broncos center and also a Ring of Famer, said he's impressed that Manning's interest level in all aspects of the game is still so high.
"He's in his 16th season and he enjoys going to work. He enjoys watching film, which is odd. I remember in my 15th year I didn't enjoy going to meetings. That was about it. He enjoys all of that, and that's what impresses me," Nalen said.
The question that may come to mind now that Manning owns two of the most prized single-season records is -- How long will they stand?
"The only person who I think (who's playing now) who could possibly exceed some of these records is Andrew Luck, because he's more of a pure pocket passer," Smith said.
Smith said a lot of the young quarterbacks in the league and the quarterbacks being drafted are more likely to leave the pocket or run with the football.
"The guys who truly stand in the pocket and just sling it all day are guys like Peyton. And I think Andrew Luck could possibly challenge them 10 years from now," Smith said.
- Written by Jesse Sarles for CBSDenver.com
