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In today's pass-happy NFL, yardage records do not mean much (the current record will probably be broken within a few years, if not next year). But it was still alarming to hear that the NFL was considering taking away Peyton Manning's single season passing record of 5,477 yards.
Broncos Smash Records
Broncos Smash Records
In a Week 17 game against the Oakland Raiders, Manning, Denver Broncos All-World quarterback, threw what appears to have been a backward pass to receiver Eric Decker for a seven-yard gain. The play was counted as a pass (but arguably should have been listed as a rush for Decker) and was revived by the NFL and Elias following the game.
After further review, however, Elias has stating that the play will stand as a pass—the record still belongs to Peyton.
"The stats crew at the game scored this play as a forward pass," NFL spokesman Michael Signora told the Denver Post. "During the course of the season, there are many similar plays which could be reviewed by the Elias Sports Bureau, the league's official statistician. In this case, the determination of Elias is that the fairest resolution is for the ruling of the on-sight stats crew to stand."
The yardage record was just one of many broken by Manning in 2013. The NFL's record for most touchdown passes in a single season (55) also belongs to Peyton following a year in which the quarterback threw ten or more touchdown passes to four different players.
Manning and the Broncos are on a playoff bye this week and will return to action on Sunday, January 12th in the Divisional Round of the AFC Playoffs to host either the Colts, Chiefs, or Chargers in Denver.
