With his second quarter strike to Demayrius Thomas, Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning bested Brett Favre’s mark with his 509th career touchdown pass, a new all-time record.
Manning got the record in the most Manning way possible: with a precision strike where the only man who could make a play on it was his intended target. The future Hall of Famer has had a knack for these kinds of throws through his 17-year NFL career, and has enjoyed mutually beneficial relationships with outstanding receivers like Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, both Demayrius and Julius Thomas, and many others.
It looked, for a time, like Manning’s career would be over after neck surgery in 2011 rendered him unable to throw a ball more than a few yards. He maniacally worked his way back and signed with the Broncos, and while he doesn’t have quite the same arm strength he once did, Manning is still arguably the preeminent passer in the NFL.
How many more touchdowns does he have left in him after 509? Well, he threw 55 TD passes last year at age 37, so really 600 is easily within the realm of possibility. The Broncos certainly hope so, at least.
