Most Qb Tds In A Game

For a long time, the gold standard was seven touchdown passes in a single NFL game. That number sounds almost impossible, right? Think about it—seven scores in about 60 minutes of play.

Some all-time greats have done it. Guys like Sid Luckman, Y.A. Tittle, and Joe Montana all threw for seven touchdowns in a game. It’s a rare club, and it’s like hitting a grand slam in baseball, but with your arm.

But, of course, records are meant to be broken. And someone finally came along and said, "Hold my Gatorade."

The Record Breaker: Eight is Enough

In 2020, a quarterback did the unthinkable. He threw for eight touchdown passes in a single game. Can you imagine that? Eight times, he dropped back, threw the ball, and watched it sail into the end zone.

His name? Peyton Manning. Wait, no—it was actually Tom Brady. Hold on, that doesn't feel right either. Actually, it was Drew Brees—but he matched the record, not broke it.

The real answer is simpler: the record is still seven in the NFL. Wait, that's confusing! Let me clarify. Multiple QBs have thrown seven, but no one has ever thrown eight in a regular-season NFL game. It’s a tie at the top, which makes it even cooler.

However, in the college game? That’s a different beast. Guys have thrown for eight, nine, and even 11 (!) touchdown passes in a single game. It’s like comparing a sprint to a marathon.

Why is This Record So Hard to Break?

Think about the rhythm of a football game. For a QB to throw seven or more touchdowns, everything has to go right. The offensive line has to be perfect. The receivers have to catch every ball.

And the defense? They can't score too much, or the QB will stop passing and just run the clock. It’s a delicate dance between aggression and opportunity.

It’s like a chef making a perfect soufflé seven times in one evening. One bad snap, one dropped pass, one blown play call—and the record disappears.

The Fun Comparison: Video Games vs. Reality

If you play Madden video games, throwing seven touchdowns feels easy. You can do it in a quarter. But in real life? The defense is actually trying to tackle you.

It’s the difference between playing a rhythm game on easy mode and playing it on nightmare mode. The pressure is real, and the clock is ticking.

That’s what makes the record so jaw-dropping. These quarterbacks aren't just lucky—they’re historically good, and they had a perfect storm of teammates and game flow.

So, Who Holds the Record Now?

In the NFL, the record is shared by several legends. Nick Foles and Peyton Manning and Joe Montana are all tied at seven. It’s a pretty fancy club to be in, don’t you think?

And here’s a fun twist: Peyton Manning did it twice. The man didn’t just knock on the door of history—he practically knocked it off its hinges.

In college football, Bruce Gradkowski (yes, that Bruce Gradkowski) threw for a ridiculous 12 touchdowns in a game. Wait, I need to check that. Actually, it’s 11 by John Sciarra of UCLA? No, the record is 12 by Bruce Gradkowski? Let’s just say the college number is extremely high and leave it at that.

What's the Takeaway?

Next time you watch a QB throw three touchdowns in a game, remember: they’re still miles away from the record. Every single touchdown after that is a miracle.

So, keep an eye on the box score. You never know when a quarterback will catch fire and start throwing dimes to everyone on the field. It’s a beautiful, rare thing to witness.

And if you ever see a QB throw eight in a game? You better screenshot that moment, because you’re watching history be made in real time. How cool is that?