Manning Sets TD Record

Manning torched the Texans for 4 TDs and 400 passing yards 

With a 25-yard touchdown pass to Julius Thomas yesterday, Peyton Manning notched his 51st TD pass of the year to set a new single season record. Fittingly enough, the guy Manning passed is arguably his biggest rival as well as the quarterback he is most often compared to: Tom Brady, who notched 50 during New England's undefeated 2007 regular season.

The record-setting TD was Manning's fourth of the day against Houston's defense. It came with about four and a half minutes remaining in the fourth and made the score 37-13 in Denver's favor. An absent-minded Thomas dropped the history-making ball as he went to celebrate, but thankfully Eric Decker (who hauled in a pair of Manning touchdowns earlier in the quarter) retrieved it and stuffed it in his jersey for safe-keeping.

Manning will try to add to his record on Sunday in Oakland as the Broncos, who clinched the AFC west with their win over Houston, look to clinch the top seed in the AFC (and thus secure homefield advantage throughout the playoffs). He'll also attempt to topple Drew Brees's record for most passing yards in a single season, set in 2011 (Manning needs 265 to tie). He has a great chance to do both against a soft Raiders defense.

Whatever happens in Week 17, Denver's 37 year-old signal-caller is a sure bet to take home the MVP award, which will be the fifth of his distinguished career and provide more ammunition for those who believe he is the greatest quarterback of his generation, if not all-time.