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.
Now, with the help from Elias Sports Bureau, we are rolling out our expanded season’s end lists so you can compare today’s stars with the greatest of all-time. | Return to Top 20 at the Start of 2012>>>
CAREER NOTES. Tom Brady of the New England Patriots threw 611 passes in 2011 which upped his career total to 5,321 pass attempts. That number moved him into the Top 20 all-time leaders in pass attempts and lands him at No. 14, bumping Hall of Fame QB Jimy Kelly* off the list.
Season at a glance: 2011 LEADER: Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions (663 attempts)
SINGLE-SEASON NFL RECORD: Drew Bledsoe, New England Patriots (691 attempts in 1994)
Pass Attempts (at start of 2012 NFL Season)
| 1 | Brett Favre | 10,169 |
| 2 | Dan Marino* | 8,358 |
| 3 | John Elway* | 7,250 |
| 4 | Peyton Manning | 7,210 |
| 5 | Warren Moon* | 6,823 |
| 6 | Drew Bledsoe | 6,717 |
| 7 | Vinny Testaverde | 6,701 |
| 8 | Fran Tarkenton* | 6,467 |
| 9 | Kerry Collins | 6,261 |
| 10 | Dan Fouts* | 5,604 |
| 11 | Drew Brees | 5,479 |
| 12 | Joe Montana* | 5,391 |
| 13 | Donovan McNabb | 5,374 |
| 14 | Tom Brady | 5,321 |
| 15 | Dave Krieg | 5,311 |
| 16 | Boomer Esiason | 5,205 |
| 17 | Johnny Unitas* | 5,186 |
| 18 | Jim Hart | 5,076 |
| 19 | Steve DeBerg | 5,024 |
| 20 | Jim Everett | 4,923 |
* Pro Football Hall of Fame member
Italics - players active during 2011 season
Top 20 lists courtesy of Elias Sports Bureau