Tom Brady's Touchdown Record In Danger Of Being Broken By Peyton Manning This Weekend
BOSTON (CBS) -- Ultimately, the Patriots' 2007 season ended in great disappointment, but the 16-0 record, Tom Brady's 50 touchdown passes and Randy Moss' 23 touchdown receptions at least cemented that team in the record books in several areas.
But now, one of those records stands to fall, and it could happen as soon as Sunday.
Peyton Manning will head into Houston on Sunday afternoon with 47 touchdown passes already to his name this season. That puts him just three shy of tying Brady's single-season record of 50, and therefore four shy of setting a new mark.
The Texans are 2-12 and have the third-worst point differential in the NFL, as they've been outscored by 122 points through 14 games. In terms of giving up passing touchdowns, they're in the middle of the pack, having allowed 25 on the year, or just under two per game.
Manning has averaged more than three touchdowns per game this season, and he's thrown four or more in seven games.
Even if Brady's record does survive the weekend, it likely won't hold for long. Manning and the Broncos face the Oakland Raiders in Week 17. The Raiders have allowed 28 touchdown passes this season, third-most in the NFL.
Brady set the record in Week 17 of 2007 with a 65-yard pass to Moss in the fourth quarter against the Giants. The touchdown broke the previous record of 49, which set by Manning in 2004. Prior to Manning setting the record, Dan Marino's 48 touchdowns in 1984 stood as the single-season record for two decades.
UPDATE, Dec. 22: Peyton Manning set a new record on Sunday with a four-touchdown performance against the Texans, which brought his season total to 51.
