5. Drew Brees 2011: 468/657 (71.2%) 5476 yards 8.3 ypa 46 TDs 14 int 110.6 Passer Rating
Brees combined his typical high volume numbers w/ great efficiency, setting an NFL Record for Completion % and a career high for Passer Rating. Brees threw for over 300 yards in a record 13 games and finished with a record 10 games w/ over 70% completion rate and 4 games w/ over 80% completion rate. Brees and the Saints offense produced more yards than any other offense in League History, 7474 (467.1 ypg), a Record that still stands. They also averaged 34.2 points per game good for the 6th Highest Scoring Offense in League History. Brees also led the Saints to a playoff record 626 total yards in a 45-28 win over Detroit, finishing 33/43 466 yards 3 TDs, then nearly pulled off a comeback vs San Francisco, 40/63 462 yards 4 TDs, before falling 36-32.
4. Peyton Manning 2004: 336/497 (67.6%) 4557 yards 9.2 ypa 49 TDs 10 int 121.1 Passer Rating
Before the passing era really took off, this season was considered highly unlikely to ever be repeated. It was the gold standard for passing seasons until the Pats got Randy Moss in 2007. At age 28, Peyton Manning was entering the prime of his Hall of Fame career. Already throwing to another Future Hall of Famer in Harrison, to start the year 4th year receiver Reggie Wayne broke out big time, eventually leading the team in receiving yards (1210 yards) and finishing second to Harrison in TD receptions (12). Harrison's yards per reception and reception totals were down from years past but he made up for it in the Red Zone, tying his career high with 15 TD catches. Throw in veteran Brandon Stokley breaking out too (68 catches 1077 yards 10 TDs) and the Colts were stacked at receiver even throwing in Marcus Pollard (6 TDs) and Dallas Clark (5 TDs) at TE. With so many toys and the ability to make every throw, Manning shredded teams week in and week out. Setting NFL records for most consecutive games with at least 2 TD passes (13), most 4 TD games (6), most 5 TD games (4), most consecutive games with at least 4 TD passes (5), most consecutive games with at least 3 TD passes (8), most TD passes in a Single Season (49), Highest Passer Rating in a Single Season (121.1) He then tore apart Denver for the second year in a row in the playoffs, throwing for 360 yards and 3 TDs in the 1st Half, 27/33 458 yards 4 TDs, before finishing the game with a 49-24 victory. The Colts lost the following week in Foxboro 20-3.
3. Tom Brady 2007: 398/578 (68.9%) 4806 yards 8.3 ypa 50 TDs 8 int 117.2 Passer Rating
While Brady was already a Future Hall of Famer only seven years into his career, he always lacked the eye opening numbers of his contemporaries namely Peyton Manning. He shattered that notion by authoring the Greatest Season Ever. Brady and the Patriots finished 16-0 while Brady shattered the NFL Record for TD passes set 3 years before by Manning. Brady set a slew of League and Franchise Records: most games with at least 3 TD passes (12), most games with at least 3 TD passes and 0 int (8), most TD passes in a Single Season (50). Brady was masterful to start the playoffs, shredding the Jaguars, 26/28 (92.9%) 262 yards 3 TDs 0 int, in a 31-20 before overcoming a poor showing in the AFC Championship Game, 22/33 216 yards 2 TDs 3 int, to reach Super Bowl 42. However, after an 18-0 start to the season, the Patriots fell in the final game to the upstart Giants 17-14 as Brady's offense crumbled under the relentless pressure of the Giants front four.
2. Aaron Rodgers 2011: 343/502 (68.3%) 4643 yards 9.2 ypa 45 TDs 6 int 122.5 Passer Rating
From start to finish, Rodgers was clearly not only the Best Quarterback in the NFL but also its best player. Rodgers 2011 campaign is the most efficient in NFL History, combining high completion rate and yards per attempt totals with high volume TD totals and Record int rates for absurd consistency. Rodgers threw for 2 or more TDs in 13 straight games, had a Passer Rating over 100 in 12 straight games. The Packers finished with the 2nd Highest Scoring Offense in NFL History averaging 35 pts a game. This was made even more remarkable when one considers that the Packers were 27th in rushing offense (97.4 yards per game) and dead last in Pass Defense (299.8 yards per game) and total Defense (411.6 yards per game). The fact that they were out gained by their opposition, the Packers offense was extremely efficient and often didn't take long to score resulting in 19 consecutive games with a lead.
1. Peyton Manning 2013: 450/659 (68.3%) 5477 yards 8.3 ypa 55 TDs 10 int 115.1 Passer Rating
I thought that Rodgers 2011 season would be the gold standard for years to come. Never had a quarterback been so consistent and efficient despite having to carry his team week in and week out. Peyton Manning had just been released by the Colts following the SB. After being signed by the Broncos, Manning's future was uncertain. Could he be the same player he was before the 4 neck surgeries or would he simply lack the physical tools to compete at an NFL level. Little more than two years later, Rodgers season has been topped by a QB whose arm strength would be derided at the NFL combine but whose ability to read defenses, anticipate throws, get the ball out quick and have perfect ball placement make him unstoppable. That's what Peyton Manning was until Seattle solved the rubix cube and shut him down. Peyton Manning started the season with a record-tying 7 TD passes on Opening Night vs Baltimore. He carried that momentum to the greatest start in NFL History, throwing 20 TD passes before his first pick. Manning set a slew of records during the season: most games with at least 4 TD passes (9), highest TD:Int Differential (45), most 400 yard passing games (4), most passing yards in a Single Season: 5477 yards, most TD passes in a Single Season: 55 TDs. He led the Broncos to a 24-17 victory over San Diego in the Divisional Round, not punting once on offense as the Broncos methodically churned out 363 yards, Manning: 25/36 230 yards 2 TDs, against an overanxious San Diego D. He then led Denver to a 26-16 win over New England in the AFC Title Game, racking up 507 total yards and only punting once on 8 drives. Manning shredded New England's secondary all afternoon, 32/43 (74.4%) 400 yards 2 TDs, as he guided Denver to its first Super Bowl in 15 seasons. The Broncos lost Super Bowl 48 43-8 to the Seahawks.
