Watching a quarterback “in the zone” is entertaining theater. You can almost see the look of anguish on the defense’s face knowing they can’t help but submit to dissection. We’ve been blessed to see some absolutely gaudy single-game performances in the rich history of the NFL, the types of stat lines you see in video games 99.9% of the time.
But every once in a while, a gunslinger joins the rarefied air of the 500-yard club.
Most Pass Yards in a Game in NFL History
Kirk Cousins set the Atlanta Falcons’ single-game mark, and his 509 pass yards ranked T-15th in a game in NFL history. Below are the top-10 single-game passing yard performances in NFL history.
T-9) Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams
Date: Sept. 29, 2019
Pass Yards: 517
Goff threw a whopping 68 passes, completing 45 of them for 517 yards and two TDs. Much of that was cosmetic, as Goff’s three interceptions also played a role in the Rams playing from behind the whole game in an eventual 55-40 loss.
T-9) Tom Brady, New England Patriots
Date: Sept. 12, 2011
Pass Yards: 517
The only 500-yard game of Brady’s career came in the 2011 season-opener in Miami. Brady threw for 511 yards on 32 of 48 passing with four TDs. One of those was a 99-yarder to Wes Welker, which tied the longest play from scrimmage in NFL history.
Flashback to exactly eight years ago today…@TomBrady's 99-yard touchdown pass to @WesWelker. #TBT pic.twitter.com/pTNQBCJ96R
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 12, 2019
8) Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions
Date: Jan. 1, 2012
Pass Yards: 520
One of the forgotten duels in recent NFL history occurred between Stafford and Matt Flynn during the 2011 regular-season finale at Lambeau Field. Stafford threw for 520 yards and five TDs on 36 of 59 passing, but he couldn’t outduel Matt Flynn (480 pass yards, six TDs) in a 45-41 Packers win.
7) Dan Marino, Miami Dolphins
Date: Oct. 23, 1988
Pass Yards: 521
Marino’s best statistical day came against his arch nemesis, the New York Jets. Marino threw for 521 yards on 35 of 60 passing, but threw five interceptions in addition to his three touchdowns. One of those turned into a 55-yard pick-six as the Dolphins lost 44-30. To date, this remains the most pass yards in a loss in NFL history.
T-5) Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
Date: Oct. 26, 2014
Pass Yards: 522
Big Ben’s best game came during a scorching stretch in the middle of the 2014 season. Roethlisberger went 40/49 for 522 yards and six TDs against the Indianapolis Colts, one of the greatest individual passing games of all-time. He is currently the only player to pass for 500 yards, six TDs, and 80% completion percentage in a game in NFL history.
2014: QB Ben Roethlisberger absolutely terrorizes the defense of the Indianapolis Colts.
⭐️ 40/49 (81%)
⭐️ 522 passing yards
⭐️ 6 TD passes
⭐️ 150.6 passer ratingGreatest single game performance ever? #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/Yjv6vDlstB
— Steelers Network (@SteelersNetwork) May 6, 2024
T-5) Boomer Esiason, Arizona Cardinals
Date: Nov. 10, 1996
Pass Yards: 522
Better known as a Bengals MVP, Esiason’s best individual game actually came during his lone season for the Cardinals. He threw for 522 yards on 35 of 59 passing with three TDs and four INTs in a wild 37-34 overtime win over Washington.
KEEP READING: NFL All-Time QB Records, Season and Career Leaders
Esiason’s performance came out of nowhere, as he had thrown for a total of 512 yards in four games leading up to that day.
4) Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Date: Dec. 26, 2021
Pass Yards: 525
Burrow’s career day came the day after Christmas against an injury-riddled Baltimore Ravens defense. The Bengals’ second-year quarterback threw for 525 yards on 37 of 46 passing, with both Tee Higgins (194 yards, two TDs) and Ja’Marr Chase (125 yards) feasting on the Ravens.
Most passing yards in a game over the last FIVE seasons?
525 yards. Joseph Lee Burrow. Week 16, 2021.@JoeyB | @Bengals pic.twitter.com/1XSOOlFoHg
— NFL (@NFL) July 3, 2023
T-2) Matt Schaub, Houston Texans
Date: Nov. 18, 2012
Pass Yards: 527
Schaub tied the second-most pass yards in NFL history in a wild 42-36 overtime win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The game is actually most notable as one of the great receiver duels of all-time: Fifth overall pick Justin Blackmon had 236 yards in the peak of a “what if” career, while Andre Johnson had 273 yards, including the 48-yard game-winner.
14 catches. 273 yards. And a walk-off TD.
Andre Johnson WENT OFF in this 2012 divisional showdown.
(Nov. 18, 2012) @HoustonTexans @johnson80 #HOUvsJAX pic.twitter.com/U9BAYZTGKB
— NFL Legacy (@NFLLegacy) October 20, 2018
T-2) Warren Moon, Houston Oilers
Date: Dec. 16, 1990
Pass Yards: 527
The Oilers’ Run and Shoot offense peaked in December 1990, when Moon passed for 527 yards and three TDs in a 27-10 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Nearly half of those yards went to Haywood Jeffires, who had 245 yards including an 87-yard TD.
1) Norm Van Brocklin, Los Angeles Rams
Date: Sept. 28, 1951
Pass Yards: 554
One of the oldest standing records in NFL history, Van Brocklin’s record has stood the test of time despite the league becoming increasingly tilted towards passing. In the Rams’ season-opener against the New York Yanks, Van Brocklin passed for 554 yards on just 27 completions. He had five pass TDs, including three that were at least 40 yards.
72 years ago today, QB Norm Van Brocklin set an NFL record by passing for 554 yards in a single game, during the @RamsNFL's 52-14 win over the New York Yanks.
Here's more on Van Brocklin, the two-time NFL champion who was enshrined in Canton in 1971. pic.twitter.com/Hi6Eb2lmVi
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) September 28, 2023