Peyton Manning’s 2013 season completed one of the most unbelievable stories the NFL has seen. Not only because of the insane numbers he put up, but who he put them up for and why.
In 2012 Manning, who had already established himself as one of the games’ greatest field generals, was cut from the only franchise he ever played for. At the time he was near the top of every major passing record and was already a certain first ballot Hall of Famer. The previous season, Manning missed the entire season due to a neck injury. It wasn’t certain he would ever play again. The four-time MVP had plans for a comeback but with a hefty salary looming the Indianapolis Colts, who also had the number one draft pick, decided to part ways with the franchise’s winningest player.
It didn’t take long for manning to find a new home as he signed with the Broncos weeks later. His 2012 season was remarkable as he played all 16 games throwing for 4,659 yards and 37 TDs. However no one saw the type of record setting season he had a year later coming.
In 2013 the Broncos finished with the best record in the AFC at 13-3 and Manning captured his fifth MVP with the most prolific season in the history of the NFL. He completed 450/659 (68.3%) passes for an NFL record 5,477 yards. He set another record with 55 TDs, becoming the first QB to crack the 5,000/50 mark in the same season. He only threw 10 interceptions that season.
Good Games
Manning had four games in which he threw for over 400 yards that season. His best game was a 462 yard, 7 TD performance in an 49-27 week 1 win agains the defending champ Baltimore Ravens. The 7 TDs, which tied an NFL record, was the first of nine games in which he had four or more TDs.
Not So Good Games
As phenomenal as Manning was that season, he did have one game that stuck out like a sore thumb. Against the New England Patriots, he threw for only 150 yards and 2 TDs in a 34-31 loss in Foxborough.
Sensational Season Summary
At age 37, Manning had the best season of his career and possibly the best of all-time. As the league continues to be pass heavy, the membership in the 5,000/50 club will continue to grow. In 2018, Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes became the second to join Manning. From a stellar career with the Colts, to suffering a severe neck injury and being released after missing an entire year, to rising again and setting more NFL records in 2013, Manning’s career was nothing but sensational.