FanPost

Peyton Manning: Best 4th Quarter QB in NFL History




Check it out after the jump.

I've done some digging on the statistics for game-winning drives and fourth quarter come backs for about a month now. ( Ever since the Colts started their NFL Record Streak of 5 consecutive Fourth Quarter comebacks back in Week 8) First, knowing the exact number of each of these statistics is impossible to know for sure b/c the NFL does not track this statistic. Yet from what I can find, 12-15 reputable sources, the All-Time Leader in Game-Winning Drives as well as 4th Quarter Comebacks in NFL History is actually Dan Marino. Most people when talking about fourth quarter comebacks usually cite John Elway as the All-Time leader yet apparently the popular statistic of his "47 Fourth Quarter Comebacks" isn't true. It turns out that the Broncos staff who provided the statistics gave Elway credit for drives in which he never threw a pass, wasn't behind, and sometimes was not even in the game. Not to discredit Elway. Yet, a couple of statisticians at Elias tracked the statistic and have come up with these numbers: Marino is the record holder for Game-Winning Drives with 51 (including playoffs). He also is the Record holder for 4th Quarter Comebacks with 36. Elway is 2nd with 49 Game-Winning Drives (including playoffs) and tied with John Unitas for 2nd Place with 34 4th Quarter comebacks. Now with that out of the way this brings me to Peyton Manning. Peyton is currently 3rd All-Time in Career Game-Winning Drives with 45 (including playoffs), a statistic I already knew. He recently tied the NFL Single Season record he set in 1999 and 2008 with 7 game-winning drives. Yet I just found this out today: Peyton is currently 2nd All-Time with 35 4th Quarter Comebacks in his career, one shy of tying Marino's NFL Record. He has set the NFL Single season record for most 4th Quarter Comebacks this year with 7. I fully expect Manning to at least tie the record by Season's end or else once the playoffs roll around. Keep in mind: Marino played 17 seasons and Elway played 16 and each retired at age 38 due to injury issues. Manning is in his 12th Season, is 33 years old, has never missed a start, and has missed only ONE snap of a Regular or Post-Season game due to injury. Just imagine how many comebacks he will have by the end of his career...

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.