There’s nothing more frustrating than watching an opposing/rival quarterback dominate your favorite NFL team on an annual basis. As a lifelong, diehard Buffalo Bills’ fan, it’s something I had to sit through for 20 years when Tom Brady was with the New England Patriots and let me be the first to tell you – it’s not fun.
It’s a feeling is something every NFL fan can relate to. It’s no secret that certain quarterbacks tend to ‘turn it up a notch’ against certain NFL teams and it usually happens against one of their divisional opponents – which makes sense, considering they see that NFL team twice in the regular season every single year.
Of course, that got me wondering – which quarterbacks have the most passing touchdowns against each NFL team? It’s a list that contains a lot of obvious names – the quarterbacks who played long enough to accumulate a history against certain teams – but I was also surprised to see some of the QBs on that list.
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Which QBs Have the Most Passing Touchowns vs. Each NFL Team?
Did you know that Tom Brady threw 60 touchdowns against the New York Jets in his legendary 23-year career? What about Brett Favre throwing 60 touchdowns against the Chicago Bears? Or Aaron Rodgers’ 54 touchdowns against the Detroit Lions? Or Dan Marino’s 50 touchdowns against the Buffalo Bills?
We can all agree that those numbers are breathtaking, right? I mean, most quarterbacks won’t throw that many touchdowns in their career, let alone against one NFL team. Then again, it’s what we’ve come to expect from those that stick around long enough – eventually, you’ll start to figure certain teams out.
What makes those numbers even more mindblowing is that they all share one thing in common – none of them will go down as the all-time leader in passing TDs against that NFL team. Not Brady’s 60 TDs vs. the Jets, Favre’s 60 TDs vs. the Bears, Rodgers’ 54 TDs vs. the Lions, or Marino’s 50 TDs vs. the Bills.
That brings us to our next burning question – if you had to guess who the all-time leader was in passing touchdowns against each NFL team, how many do you think you would get right? Don’t worry, we’re going to find out!
1. Arizona Cardinals – Russell Wilson (32 TDs)
Career Stats vs. Cardinals: 371/595, 4,428 yards, 32 touchdowns, 9 interceptions (20 games; 11-8-1 record)
Russell Wilson has played against the Arizona Cardinals 20 times (11-8-1 record) over the past 11 years. He has completed 371 of his 595 pass attempts for 4,428 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. His 32 touchdowns are the most against the Cardinals in franchise history, but it’s not the most touchdowns he has against a single NFL team – he has thrown 36 touchdowns against the 49ers.
2. Atlanta Falcons – Drew Brees (54 TDs)
Career Stats vs. Falcons: 772/1,129, 8,695 yards, 54 touchdowns, 27 interceptions (29 games; 19-10 record)
Drew Brees threw 54 touchdowns in 29 games against the Atlanta Falcons over his 20-year career. His first TD came in a 20-21 loss on October 17, 2004, while his last TD came in a 26-18 win on November 28, 2019. Of his 29 games against the Falcons, he threw at least one TD in all but three of those games and had at least three TDs in eight of them – his career-high was four TDs, which he accomplished twice.
3. Baltimore Ravens – Ben Roethlisberger (43 TDs)
Career Stats vs. Ravens: 598/971, 6,643 yards, 43 touchdowns, 25 interceptions (27 games; 17-10 record)
Ben Roethlisberger threw 43 touchdowns in 27 games against the Baltimore Ravens over his 18-year career. His first TD came in a 13-30 loss on September 19, 2004, while his last TD came in a 16-13 OT win on January 9, 2022. Of his 27 games against the Ravens, he threw at least one TD in all but three of them, at least two TDs in 11 of them, and a career-high six TDs in a 43-23 win on November 2, 2014.
4. Buffalo Bills – Tom Brady (72 TDs)
Career Stats vs. Bills: 769/1,200, 9,032 yards, 72 touchdowns, 25 interceptions (36 games; 33-3 record)
Tom Brady threw 72 touchdowns in 36 games against the Buffalo Bills over his 23-year career. His first TD against the Bills came in a 21-11 win on November 11, 2001 and his final TD came in a 33-27 OT win on December 12, 2021. Of his 36 games against the Bills, he threw at least one TD in all but six of them, at least three TDs in 12 of them, and a career-high five TDs in a 56-10 blowout on November 18, 2007.
5. Carolina Panthers – Drew Brees (55 TDs)
Career Stats vs. Panthers: 737/1,083, 7,949 yards, 55 touchdowns, 21 interceptions (28 games; 17-11 record)
Drew Brees threw 55 touchdowns in 28 games against the Carolina Panthers during his 20-year career. His first TD in an 18-21 loss on October 1, 2006, while his last TD came in a 33-7 victory on January 3, 2021. Of his 28 games against the Panthers, he threw at least one TD in all but five of them, at least three TDs in 11 of them, and a career-high five TDs against the Panthers in a 45-17 win on January 1, 2012.
6. Chicago Bears – Aaron Rodgers (64 TDs)
Career Stats vs. Bears: 611/908, 6,965 yards, 64 touchdowns, 10 interceptions (29 games; 24-5 record)
Aaron Rodgers has thrown 64 touchdowns in 29 games against the Chicago Bears over his 18-year career. His first TD vs. the Bears came in a 37-3 victory on November 16, 2008 and his final TD came in a 28-19 win on December 4, 2022. Of his 29 games against the Bears, he has thrown at least one TD in all but four of them, at least 4 TDs in seven of them, and a career-high 6 TDs in a 55-14 win on Nov. 9, 2014.
7. Cincinnati Bengals – Ben Roethlisberger (47 TDs)
Career Stats vs. Bengals: 735/1,170, 8,394 yards, 47 touchdowns, 34 interceptions (34 games; 24-10 record)
Ben Roethlisberger threw 47 touchdowns in 34 games against the Cincinnati Bengals over his 18-year career. His first TD vs. the Bengals came in a 28-17 win on October 3, 2004, while his final TD vs. the team came in a 10-41 loss on November 28, 2021. Of his 34 games against the Bengals, he threw at least one TD in all but four of them and had a career-high four TDs in a 36-10 win on Nov. 15, 2020.
8. Cleveland Browns – Ben Roethlisberger (43 TDs)
Career Stats vs. Browns: 543/874, 6,896 yards, 43 touchdowns, 23 interceptions (29 games; 26-2-1 record)
Ben Roethlisberger threw 43 touchdowns in 29 games against the Cleveland Browns over his 18-year career. His first TD vs. the Browns came in a 34-23 win on October 10, 2004 and his final TD came in a 26-14 win on January 3, 2022. Of his 29 games against the team, he threw at least one TD in all but five of them, at least two TDs in 13 of them, and a career-high four TDs in a 34-7 win on September 9, 2007.
9. Dallas Cowboys – Eli Manning (53 TDs)
Career Stats vs. Cowboys: 655/1,047, 7,560 yards, 53 touchdowns, 29 interceptions (30 games; 13-17 record)
Eli Manning threw 53 touchdowns in 30 games against the Dallas Cowboys over his 16-year career in the NFL. His first TD vs. the Cowboys came in a 28-24 win on January 2, 2005 and his final TD came in a 17-35 loss on September 8, 2019. Of his 30 games against the team, he threw at least one TD in all but six of them and had at least four TDs in three of them – once in 2007, once in 2010, and once in 2013.
10. Denver Broncos – Philip Rivers (46 TDs)
Career Stats vs. Broncos: 564/909, 6,732 yards, 46 touchdowns, 30 interceptions (29 games; 13-16 record)
Philip Rivers threw 46 touchdowns in 29 games against the Denver Broncos over his 17-year career in the NFL. His first TD vs. the Broncos came in a 35-27 win on November 19, 2006 and his final TD came in a 20-23 loss on December 1, 2019. Of his 29 games against the team, he threw at least one TD in all but four of those games and had a career-high four TDs in a 35-14 victory on November 22, 2010.
11. Detroit Lions – Brett Favre (58 TDs)
Career Stats vs. Lions: 775/1,217, 8,954 yards, 58 touchdowns, 39 interceptions (35 games; 26-9 record)
Brett Favre threw 58 touchdowns in 35 games against the Detroit Lions over his 20-year career in the NFL. His first TD vs. the Lions came in a 27-13 win on November 1, 1992 and his final TD came in a 24-10 win on September 26, 2010. Of his 35 games against the team, he threw at least one TD in all but five of them, at least three TDs in seven of them, and a career-high 4 TDs in a 28-18 win on Nov. 3, 1996.
12. Green Bay Packers – Matthew Stafford (40 TDs)
Career Stats vs. Packers: 485/793, 5,976 yards, 40 touchdowns, 21 interceptions (21 games; 7-14 record)
Matthew Stafford has thrown 40 touchdowns in 21 games against the Green Bay Packers over his 14-year career. His first TD vs. the Packers came in a 12-34 loss on November 26, 2009 and his final TD came in a 28-36 loss on November 28, 2021. Of his 21 games against the team, he has thrown at least one TD in all but two of them and had a career-high 5 TDs against them in a 41-45 loss on Jan. 1, 2012.
13. Houston Texans – Peyton Manning (48 TDs)
Career Stats vs. Texans: 510/745, 5,852 yards, 48 touchdowns, 8 interceptions (20 games; 17-3 record)
Peyton Manning threw 48 touchdowns in 20 games against the Houston Texans over his 17-year career in the NFL. His first TD vs. the Texans came in a 23-3 win on September 22, 2002 and his final TD came in a 37-13 win on December 22, 2013. Of his 20 games against them, he threw at least one TD in every single one, at least two TDs in 16 of them, and a career-high five TDs in a 49-14 win on Nov. 14, 2004.
14. Indianapolis Colts – Dan Marino (54 TDs)
Career Stats vs. Colts: 624/1,030, 7,537 yards, 54 touchdowns, 17 interceptions (33 games; 22-11 record)
Dan Marino threw 54 touchdowns in 33 games against the Indianapolis Colts over his 17-year career in the NFL. His first TD vs. the Colts came in a 21-7 win on October 23, 1983 and his final TD came in a 34-37 win on December 5, 1999. Of his 33 games against the team, he threw at least one TD in all but five of them, at least two TDs in 17 of them, and a career-high four TDs on two occasions (1984, 1995).
15. Jacksonville Jaguars – Peyton Manning (40 TDs)
Career Stats vs. Jaguars: 462/710, 5,538 yards, 40 touchdowns, 14 interceptions (20 games; 15-5 record)
Peyton Manning threw 40 touchdowns in 20 games against the Jacksonville Jaguars over his 17-year career in the NFL. His first TD vs. the Jaguars came in a 43-14 win on September 25, 2000 and his final TD came in a 35-19 win on October 13, 2013. Of his 20 games against them, he threw at least one TD in all but two of them, at least two TDs in 13 of them, and four TDs in three of them (2000, 2007, 2009).
16. Kansas City Chiefs – Philip Rivers (41 TDs)
Career Stats vs. Chiefs: 630/1,011, 7,504 yards, 41 touchdowns, 39 interceptions (29 games; 14-15 record)
Philip Rivers threw 41 touchdowns in 29 games against the Kansas City Chiefs over his 17-year career in the NFL. His first TD vs. the Chiefs came in a 24-17 win on January 2, 2005 and his final TD came in a 21-31 loss on December 29, 2019. Of his 29 games against the team, he threw at least one TD in 21 of them, at least two TDs in 16 of them, and three TDs in four of them (2009, twice in 2013, and 2018).
17. Las Vegas Raiders – Philip Rivers (49 TDs)
Career Stats vs. Raiders: 603/934, 7,347 yards, 49 touchdowns, 22 interceptions (29 games; 19-10 record)
Philip Rivers threw 49 touchdowns in 29 games against the Las Vegas Raiders over his 17-year career in the NFL. His first TD vs. the Raiders came in a 27-0 win on September 11, 2006 and his final TD came in a 44-27 win on December 13, 2020. Of his 29 games against the team, he threw at least one TD in all but three of them, at least two TDs in 16 of them, and four TDs in a 31-34 loss on October 9, 2016.
18. Los Angeles Chargers – John Elway (38 TDs)
Career Stats vs. Chargers: 548/939, 6,548 yards, 38 touchdowns, 36 interceptions (31 games; 21-10 record)
John Elway threw 38 touchdowns in 31 games against the Los Angeles Chargers over his 16-year career in the NFL. His first TD vs. the Chargers came in a 30-24 OT win on November 17, 1985 and his final TD came in a 31-16 win on November 29, 1998. Of his 31 games against the team, he threw at least one TD in 17 of them and four TDs in three of them – one in 1996, one in 1997, and one in 1998.
19. Los Angeles Rams – Johnny Unitas (39 TDs)
Career Stats vs. Rams: 388/707, 5,439 yards, 39 touchdowns, 32 interceptions (26 games; 16-9-1 record)
Johnny Unitas threw 39 touchdowns in 26 games against the Los Angeles Rams over his 18-year career in the NFL. His first TD vs. the Rams came in a 56-21 win on November 25, 1956 and his final TD came in a 20-27 loss on September 21, 1969. Of his 26 games against the team, he threw at least one TD in 19 of them, at least two TDs in 12 of them, and a career-high 4 TDs in a 30-27 win on September 16, 1962.
20. Miami Dolphins – Tom Brady (72 TDs)
Career Stats vs. Dolphins: 717/1,170, 8,596 yards, 72 touchdowns, 27 interceptions (36 games; 24-12 record)
Tom Brady threw 72 touchdowns in 36 games against the Miami Dolphins over his 23-year career in the NFL. His first TD vs. the Dolphins came in a 20-13 win on December 22, 2001 and his final TD came in a 45-17 win on October 10, 2021. Of his 36 games against the team, he threw at least one TD in all but four of them, at least two TDs in 22 of them, and a career-high six TDs in a 49-28 win on October 21, 2007.
21. Minnesota Vikings – Aaron Rodgers (57 TDs)
Career Stats vs. Vikings: 624/917, 7,157 yards, 57 touchdowns, 8 interceptions (29 games; 17-11-1 record)
Aaron Rodgers has thrown 57 touchdowns in 29 games against the Minnesota Vikings over his 18-year career. His first TD vs. the Vikings came in a 24-19 win on September 8, 2008 and his final TD came in a 41-17 win on January 1, 2023. Of his 29 games against them, he threw at least one TD in all but five of them, at least two TDs in 17 of them, and four TDs in six of them (2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2020, 2021).
22. New England Patriots – Peyton Manning (43 TDs)
Career Stats vs. Patriots: 453/723, 5,316 yards, 43 touchdowns, 26 interceptions (19 games; 6-13 record)
Peyton Manning threw 43 touchdowns in 19 games against the New England Patriots during his 17-year career. His first TD vs. the Patriots came in a 6-29 loss on September 13, 1998 and final TD came in a 21-43 loss on November 2, 2014. Of his 19 games against them, he had at least one TD in all of them, at least two TDs in 14 of them, and four TDs in three of them – one in 2003, one in 2009, and one in 2010.
23. New Orleans Saints – Matt Ryan (47 TDs)
Career Stats vs. Saints: 659/1,021, 7,912 yards, 47 touchdowns, 19 interceptions (27 games; 10-17 record)
Matt Ryan threw 47 touchdowns in 27 games against the New Orleans Saints over his 15-year career in the NFL. His first TD vs. the Saints came in a 34-20 win on November 9, 2008 and final TD came in a 20-30 loss on January 9, 2022. Of his 27 games against the team, he had at least one TD in all but two of them, at least two TDs in 15 of them, and a career-high five TDs in a 37-43 OT loss on Sept. 23, 2018.
24. New York Giants – Tony Romo (41 TDs)
Career Stats vs. Giants: 386/572, 4,639 yards, 41 touchdowns, 21 interceptions (20 games; 11-9 record)
Tony Romo threw 41 touchdowns in 20 games against the New York Giants over his 13-year career in the NFL. His first TD vs. the Giants came in a 22-36 loss on October 23, 2006 and final TD came in a 27-26 win on September 13, 2015. Of his 20 games against the team, he had at least one TD in all but four of them, at least two TDs in 13 of them, and four TDs in four of them – twice in 2007, 2011, and 2014.
25. New York Jets – Dan Marino (72 TDs)
Career Stats vs. Jets: 656/1,125, 8,651 yards, 72 touchdowns, 36 interceptions (30 games; 17-13 record)
Dan Marino threw 72 touchdowns in 30 games against the New York Jets over his 17-year career in the NFL. His first TD vs. the Jets came in a 32-14 win on October 16, 1983 and final TD came in a 31-38 loss on December 27, 1999. Of his 30 games against the team, he threw at least one TD in all but two of them, at least two TDs in 22 of them, and a career-high six TDs in a 45-51 OT loss on Sept. 21, 1986.
26. Philadelphia Eagles – Eli Manning (54 TDs)
Career Stats vs. Eagles: 670/1,129, 7,994 yards, 54 touchdowns, 34 interceptions (31 games; 10-21 record)
Eli Manning threw 54 touchdowns in 31 games against the Philadelphia Eagles over his 16-year career in the NFL. His first TD vs. the Eagles came in a 27-17 win on November 20, 2005 and his final TD came in a 17-23 OT loss on December 9, 2019. Of his 31 games against them, he threw at least one TD in 25 of them, at least two TDs in 15 of them, and a career-high five TDs in a 42-7 win on December 30, 2012.
27. Pittsburgh Steelers – Tom Brady (30 TDs)
Career Stats vs. Steelers: 334/489, 3,897 yards, 30 touchdowns, 5 interceptions (13 games; 9-4 record)
Tom Brady threw 30 touchdowns in 13 games against the Pittsburgh Steelers over his 23-year career in the NFL. His first TD vs. the Steelers came in a 30-14 win on September 9, 2002 and his final TD came in an 18-20 loss on October 16, 2022. Of his 13 games against the team, he threw at least one TD in all but one of them, at least two TDs in nine of them, and four TDs in three of them (2007, 2013, and 2015).
28. San Francisco 49ers – Johnny Unitas (40 TDs)
Career Stats vs. 49ers: 397/728, 5,725 yards, 40 touchdowns, 25 interceptions (28 games; 18-10 record)
Johnny Unitas threw 40 touchdowns in 28 games against the San Francisco 49ers over his 18-year career in the NFL. His first TD vs. the 49ers came in a 17-30 loss on December 16, 1956 and his final TD came in a 17-20 loss on November 16, 1969. Of his 28 games against the team, he threw at least one TD in all but four of them, at least two TDs in nine of them, and four TDs in two of them (1965 and 1966).
29. Seattle Seahawks – John Elway (44 TDs)
Career Stats vs. Seahawks: 547/957, 7,013 yards, 44 touchdowns, 27 interceptions (30 games; 20-10 record)
John Elway threw 44 touchdowns in 30 games against the Seattle Seahawks over his 16-year career in the NFL. His first TD vs. the Seahawks came in a 19-27 win on November 6, 1983 and his final TD came in a 28-21 win on December 27, 1998. Of his 30 games against the team, he threw at least one TD in all but six of them, at least two TDs in 13 of them, and four TDs in three of them – 1987, 1989, and 1998).
30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Drew Brees (61 TDs)
Career Stats vs. Buccaneers: 745/1,083, 8,248 yards, 61 touchdowns, 27 interceptions (30 games; 20-10 record)
Drew Brees threw 61 touchdowns in 30 games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over his 20-year career in the NFL. His first TD vs. the Bucs came in a 31-24 win on December 12, 2004 and his final TD came in a 38-3 win on November 8, 2020. Of those 30 games, he threw at least one TD in all but one of them, at least two TDs in 18 of them, and and four TDs in four of them (twice in 2012, 2013, and 2020).
31. Tennessee Titans – Peyton Manning (35 TDs)
Career Stats vs. Titans: 448/638, 4,956 yards, 35 touchdowns, 13 interceptions (19 games; 14-5 record)
Peyton Manning threw 35 touchdowns in 19 games against the Tennessee Titans over his 17-year career in the NFL. His first TD vs. the Titans came in a 15-23 loss on November 3, 2002 and his final TD came in a 51-28 win on December 8, 2013. Of his 19 games against the team, he threw at least one TD in all but two of them, at least two TDs in 11 of them, and four TDs in two of them (2005 and 2013).
32. Washington Commanders- Charlie Conerly (38 TDs)
Career Stats vs. Commanders: 261/474, 3,416 yards, 38 touchdowns, 33 interceptions (26 games; 19-6-1 record)
Charlie Conerly threw 38 touchdowns in 26 games against the Washington Commanders over his 14-year career in the NFL. His first TD vs. the Commanders came in a 21-28 loss on December 12, 1948 and his final TD came in a 24-21 win on October 1, 1961. Of his 26 games against the team, he threw at least one TD in 22 of them, two TDs in 10 of them, and four TDs in a 51-21 win on October 10, 1954.
Which NFL Team Has Thrown the Most Passing Touchdowns Since 1966?
Now that we know which quarterbacks have the most passing touchdowns against each NFL team, let’s answer another question that doesn’t get enough attention – which NFL team has thrown the most passing TDs since 1966? For context, I chose 1966 because that’s when the Super Bowl era began.
It’s the Green Bay Packers, who have thrown 1,377 passing touchdowns since 1966. A strong majority of those touchdowns came from Aaron Rodgers (475 TDs), Brett Favre (442 TDs), Lynn Dickey (133 TDs), and Bart Starr (55 TDs). Looking at that group, it’s no surprise that the Packers are on top.
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The San Francisco 49ers are the next closest with 1,294 passing touchdowns since 1966 – in large part thanks to Joe Montana, Steve Young, John Brodie, and Jeff Garcia. The Cowboys, Raiders, Chargers, and Patriots each have at least 1,280 passing touchdowns throughout the history of their franchises.
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