Image via Complex Original
Last night Peyton Manning tied the single-game record for touchdown passes (7) in the 2013 NFL season opener. The 2012 NFL season saw Vikings running back Adrian Peterson fall just a few yards short of breaking Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards set back in 1984. Eight yards to be exact, are all that stood between AP and the single-season rushing record. AP vows to break the record this season, and considering how close he came last year after returning from an ACL tear we’d be foolish to bet against him. And while they say records are made to be broken, there have been a select few that have withstood the test of time. These marks have endured rule changes, style of game variations, and advancements in technology year in and year out. Some have been flukish, others have been freakish, and all remain not just in tact, but seemingly unattainable.
In light of Peyton's epic performance, and AP vowing to break the single-season rushing-record, we’ve decided to look back at some of the NFL’s most notable history makers, and dream chasers. From the Bills' consecutive Super Bowl appearances to Brett Favre’s Iron Man streak, check out the Most Unbreakable NFL Records of all Time.
Written by Adam Silvers (@silversurfer103)
20. Most Consecutive Winning Seasons (20)
Date: 1966-1985
Set by: Dallas Cowboys
During this unparalleled run, Tom Landry led America's team to 18 playoff appearances, 20 playoff wins, 13 NFC East titles, five NFC championships, and two Super Bowl championships. Has it dawned on anyone that perhaps the Cowboys playoff struggles of the last two decades could be a direct result of this period of outrageous achievement? Nah, it's definitely easier to just blame Jerry Jones and Tony Romo.
19. Fewest Points Allowed in a Single Season (44)
Date: 1932
Set by: Chicago Bears
The original Monsters of the Midway, the 1932 Bears racked up seven shutouts during this famed season. They allowed 44 points all year, which breaks out to an average of allowing 3.14 points per game to opponents for those keeping score at home. No team is ever going to come anywhere close to this number, and you thought the '85 Bears were nasty?
18. Greatest Single-Season Yards Per Pass Attempts (10.86)
Date: 1943
Set by: Sid Luckman
Sid Luckman didn't just set the record for greatest yards per pass attempt in 1943, he also tallied 28 touchdowns and posted a passer rating of 107.5. Luckman wasn't just a regular season wonder in '43 either. Sid turned in one of the greatest championship performances in league history by throwing five touchdowns as the Bears defeated the Redskins 41-21.
17. Greatest Single-Season Rushing Yards Averaged Per Game (143.1)
Date: 1973
Set by: OJ Simpson
No matter what your opinions of OJ are, you can't deny the talent he displayed on the football field. The first running back to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season, finishing with 2,003 in 1973. This was the same year he achieved this accolade of averaging 143 yards per contest, and he did it in just 14 games. Run, OJ, run.
16. Most Career Interceptions Thrown (336)
Date: 9/27/1992-12/5/2010
Set by: Brett Favre
Inevitably when you hold a record for longevity in the league, you're going to hold a record or two that you are somewhat less than proud of. Such is the case for Brett Favre, who has the distinction of throwing the most interceptions in NFL history. It's okay, Brett, you're still a G. Next on the esteemed list of interceptions thrown all-time is George Blanda with 277, not even close.
15. Most Receiving Yards in a Game (336)
Date: 11/26/1989
Set by: Flipper Anderson
Flipper Anderson is a name that is purely associated with this one miraculous day in history. A day when a man threw out logic and delivered one of the greatest performances in receiver history. Flipper torched the Saints secondary for 336 yards on 15 receptions, and recorded a 26-yard gain from Jim Everett that set up the winning field goal in overtime. In case you were wondering, no other receiver has even hit the 300 mark in a single game, let alone begun to touch the Flipper's number.
14. Greatest Postseason Winning Percentage (.900)
Date: 1961-1970
Set by: Vince Lombardi
A name that has become synonymous with greatness over decades, Vince Lombardi astonishingly won nine out of the 10 postseason games that he coached. Perhaps even more impressive was that it was nine wins in a row after he lost his first playoff appearance to the Eagles, 17-13 in 1960. It's only fitting that the annual winner of America's biggest game hoists a trophy that's named in the famed Packers coach's honor.
13. Most Sacks in a Game (7)
Date: 11/11/1990
Set by: Derrick Thomas
What makes Derrick Thomas' accomplishment of seven sacks in a single game even cooler is that he was just a rookie when he achieved the feat. We would say that we would've advised Seahawks quarterback Dave Krieg not to have shown up for work that day, but despite being put on his back seven times by Thomas, Krieg managed to escape the lineman and throw a walkoff touchdown strike as time expired for the win. A handful of dudes including Osi Umenyiora have tallied six sacks in a game, but Thomas' seven remain the gold standard.
12. Single-Season Receptions (143)
Date: 2002
Set by: Marvin Harrison
It certainly helps having the great Peyton Manning as your quarterback, but we're not taking anything away from Marvin Harrison and his 143 receptions totaled in 2002. Marvin also finished that season with 1,722 yards and 11 touchdowns en route to the Colts 10-6 finish. The closest any receiver has come to touching Harrison's mark was in 2009, when Wes Welker hauled in 123 receptions from another sure-fire Hall of Famer in Tom Brady.
11. Longest Losing Streak (26 Games)
Date: 1976-1977
Set by: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Well, a record is a record, right? That must be what Buccaneers fans say to comfort one another every time this one is brought up. It must take a certain amount of skill, or lack there off, to lose 26 straight games. Even the Browns aren't that bad. We guess some sort of pass should be given considering it was the first 26 games of the franchise's history, but sheesh, you figure you'd have to at least luck into one win in that span. The Lions have come closest by losing 19 in a row from 2007 to 2009. In 1977 Bucs quarterbacks combined for three touchdowns and 30 interceptions. We'll just let those numbers sink in.
10. Perfect Season (17-0)
Date: 1972
Set by: Miami Dolphins
Complete with two backs who each rushed for at least 1,000 yards in Mercury Morris and Larry Csonka, the Miami Dolphins steamrolled their way to the league's first and only undefeated campaign. This of course includes their Super Bowl VII victory over the Redskins. Sorry Pats fans, but it ain't perfect unless you win ALL of them. The 'Fins were led by legendary head coach Don Shula—who's featured again on this list—and sent an unparalleled nine players to the Pro Bowl that season. It's said that every year all the remaining players from the '72 squad get together and have a toast once the last undefeated team of the season goes down, we really hope that's true.
9. Most Career Coaching Victories (347)
Date: 1963-1995
Set by: Don Shula
The definition of what it means to be a winner, legendary coach Don Shula simply had the magic touch. Shula boasted a record of 328-156-6 (.678) in the regular season, and 19-17 (.528) in the playoffs. The legend is also responsible for leading the 1972 Miami Dolphins to the only undefeated season in NFL history. There's no real competition to Shula's record, and the wizard that is Bill Belichik is sitting on 205 wins for his career at age 61.
8. Career Receiving Totals (1,549 Receptions, 22,895 Yards, 197 TDs)
Date: 1985-2004
Set by: Jerry Rice
Can you say, the greatest of all time? Jerry Rice was a beast, plain and simple, and he had the numbers to prove it. Twenty seasons and 303 games gave Rice plenty of time to put his stamp on the league, and prove that Randy Moss was obviously putting something in his pipe when he made his claim. Fitzgerald, CJ, and Andre Johnson aren't even close. What makes Rice's numbers so unattainable are not just the skill he displayed throughout his career, but his ability to stay healthy. At age 40, Rice tallied 92 catches for 1,211 yards and seven touchdowns. Boom!
7. Most Consecutive Road Wins (18)
Date: 1988-1990
Set by: San Francisco 49ers
Add two Super Bowls and the 1988 NFC Championship game to this tally as well, seeing how those were won by the Niners outside of Candlestick, for a grand total of 21 consecutive away wins in this span. Giving a whole new meaning to the term road warriors, these Niners defied logic with their streak in the late '80s. Next closest in line is the Patriots, who won 12 consecutive road contests between 2006-08, but is that really that close when you count the Niners postseason wins and the Patriots postseason losses to the Colts and Giants? We think not, Mr. Brady.
6. Most Points Scored by One Player in a Game (40)
Date: 11/28/1929
Set by: Ernie Nevers
Granted the reason this record will never be touched is because the game is just too different when compared to the leagues early years. A player would never be relied upon that much in a single game, nor would a defense be taken advantage of that badly in the modern game. Doesn't mean this didn't happen, though. Ernie Nevers will forever be remembered for his 40-point performance against the Bears, in which he rushed for a record six touchdowns and kicked four extra points. This dude could do it all. The last player to even come close to this one was Clinton Portis in 2003, when he rushed for five touchdowns.
5. Largest Comeback in a Game (32 Points)
Date: 1/3/1993
Set by: Buffalo Bills
The 1992 AFC Wild Card game between the Oilers and Bills featured the greatest comeback in NFL history. Down 32 points, and with some already focusing on postgame dinner plans, Buffalo staged a furious comeback that ended with a 32-yard field goal in overtime by Steve Christie. The kick would send the Bills to their third straight Super Bowl appearance, and leave all in attendance pondering how the Oilers blew a 28-3 halftime lead. Joe Montana led the second largest comeback in history in 1980 against the New Orleans Saints. Montana erased a 28-point deficit after being down 35-7 at the half, and the Niners also won on a field goal in overtime. Go figure.
4. Most Consecutive Super Bowl Appearances (4)
Date: 1990-1993
Set by: Buffalo Bills
We're not sure which is a more incredible achievement, the fact that the Bills managed to make four straight Super Bowl appearances, or the fact that they failed to win a the big game. Arguably one of the weirdest records in NFL history, because we're not sure whether to applaud or shake our heads. The only team that's come close to matching this were the Dolphins. The 'Fins made back-to-back-to-back appearances in Super Bowls six through eight, and even managed to win two.
3. All-Time Rushing Title (18,355 Yards)
Date: 2/3/2005
Set by: Emmitt Smith
When Emmitt Smith surpassed Walter Payton's 16,726 rushing yards in 2002 he became the NFL's all-time leading rusher. Smith would tack on 1,193 more yards with Arizona before resigning with the Cowboys, in order to ensure he retired in the blue and grey of Dallas. If you think this one is touchable, think again, next in line is Steven Jackson with just over 10,000 yards. Adrian Peterson, you say? Well he's sitting on 8,849. Emmitt Smith truly was, and is, in a class of his own.
2. Longest Career (26 NFL Seasons)
Date: 1949-1975
Set by: George Blanda
George Blanda has the unique distinction of not just holding the longest tenure in NFL history, but is also known as a record-setting quarterback and one hell of a placekicker. Seriously, these guys could do it all back in the day, just think of the bruising that quarterbacks take on a weekly basis. Blanda also took home AFC Player of the Year honors at age 43! The only player in recent times to come close to reaching Blanda's unbelievable career length was kicker Morten Anderson, who retired two seasons short of Blanda's number, and he was JUST a kicker.
1. Most Consecutive Games Started (321 Including playoffs)
Date: 9/27/1992-12/5/2010
Set by: Brett Favre
Call it the Iron Man record if you please, this streak by Brett Favre is not going to be broken anytime soon. Favre made his first start on Sept. 27, 1992, and the rest as they say, is history. Favre would retire and return multiple times after leaving Green Bay, but the streak remained in tack until he called it quits, for real, on Dec. 5, 2010. Just to put this in perspective, someone would have to start every single game for 19 seasons to catch the effervescent Favre. In other words, it ain't going to happen.