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. Wide Receiver Randy Moss of the San Francisco 49ers is the highest ranked player who was active in 2012. He had three touchdown receptions to jump Terrell Owens on the Top 20 list to rank fourth all-time.
2012 LEADER: Arian Foster, Houston Texans (17 TDs - 15 rushing, 2 receiving)
SINGLE-SEASON NFL RECORD: LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers (31 TDs - 28 rushing, 3 receiving - in 2006)
Touchdowns (at start of 2013 NFL Season)
| 1 | Jerry Rice* | 208 |
| 2 | Emmitt Smith* | 175 |
| 3 | LaDainian Tomlinson | 162 |
| 4 | Randy Moss | 157 |
| 5 | Terrell Owens | 156 |
| 6 | Marcus Allen* | 145 |
| 7 | Marshall Faulk* | 136 |
| 8 | Cris Carter* | 131 |
| 9 | Marvin Harrison | 128 |
| 10 | Jim Brown* | 126 |
| 11 | Walter Payton* | 125 |
| 12 | John Riggins* | 116 |
| 13 | Lenny Moore* | 113 |
| 14 | Shaun Alexander | 112 |
| 15 | Barry Sanders* | 109 |
| 16 | Tim Brown | 105 |
| 16T | Don Hutson* | 105 |
| 18 | Tony Gonzalez | 103 |
| 19 | Steve Largent* | 101 |
| 20T | Franco Harris* | 100 |
| 20T | Curtis Martin* | 100 |
* Pro Football Hall of Fame member
Bold - players active during 2012 season
Top 20 lists courtesy of Elias Sports Bureau