Top 20 Series. There are many ways in which a player's success in the NFL is measured. One of the most obvious is a comparison of statistics. Each week during the NFL's regular season Profootballhof.com featured updated Top 20 lists for four main statistical categories.
Here, thanks to the help of Elias Sports Bureau, is an expanded look at Top 20 leaders in multiple NFL statistical categories. Check out where today’s stars compare to NFL greats at the start of the 2013 NFL Season. | Return to Top 20 at the Start of 2013>>>
CAREER NOTES. After being sidelined in 2011 due to injury, Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning didn’t miss a beat in 2012 as he registered single-season franchise bests in passing yards (4,659), touchdown passes (37) and passer rating (105.8). Manning now has 12 seasons in which he has passed for 4,000 yards, extending his NFL record.
2012 LEADER: Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints (5,177 yards)
SINGLE-SEASON NFL RECORD: Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints (5,476 yards)
Passer Yards (at start of 2013 NFL Season)
| 1 | Brett Favre | 71,838 |
| 2 | Dan Marino* | 61,361 |
| 3 | Peyton Manning | 59,487 |
| 4 | John Elway* | 51,475 |
| 5 | Warren Moon* | 49,325 |
| 6 | Fran Tarkenton* | 47,003 |
| 7 | Vinny Testaverde | 46,233 |
| 8 | Drew Brees | 45,919 |
| 9 | Tom Brady | 44,806 |
| 10 | Drew Bledsoe | 44,611 |
| 11 | Dan Fouts* | 43,040 |
| 12 | Kerry Collins | 40,922 |
| 13 | Joe Montana* | 40,551 |
| 14 | Johnny Unitas* | 40,239 |
| 15 | Dave Krieg | 38,147 |
| 16 | Boomer Esiason | 37,920 |
| 17 | Donovan McNabb | 37,276 |
| 18 | Jim Kelly* | 35,467 |
| 19 | Jim Everett | 34,837 |
| 20 | Jim Hart | 34,665 |
| * Pro Football Hall of Fame member Bold - players active during 2012 season Top 20 lists courtesy of Elias Sports Bureau |