It’s always fun to look back through annals of history at some of the greatest fantasy football performances of all time. It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that most of the top fantasy outings by quarterbacks have come from seasons in 2010 or later, but there are two from the 90s that made the cut. Let’s take a look at which QBs sit among the top 10 for the most fantasy points scored in a single game and which score sits atop the list.
Top 10 Most Fantasy Football Points Scored in a Single Game By a QB
When it comes to analyzing historical data, we tend to only recognize stats since the merger. In this case, going back to 1970 won’t be necessary, as passing wasn’t nearly as prolific back then. As a general rule, though, these types of articles will not look at performances further back than that.
The following records are based on four-point passing touchdown scoring with -1 per interception.
10) Aaron Rodgers | 43.76 Fantasy Points
Packers vs. Raiders | Week 7 | Oct. 20, 2019
Newer fans of the NFL likely have a much different perception of Aaron Rodgers than us old-timers. Back in his heyday, Rodgers was one of the most prolific passers we’ve ever seen.
Rodgers wasn’t exactly young and spry in 2019, but he was still as elite as ever. In a 42-24 victory, Rodgers threw for 429 yards with five touchdowns against the Raiders. He also added a rushing touchdown and six yards on the ground to ensure he snuck into the bottom of this list.
9) Randall Cunningham | 44 Fantasy Points
Eagles at Patriots | Week 9 | Nov. 4, 1990
It is extremely rare to find performances like this before the rapid progression of passing that came in the 2000s (mostly the 2010s). Randall Cunningham was truly before his time.
One of the league’s earliest dual-threat quarterbacks, Cunningham threw for 240 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 124 yards and a fifth score on the ground. The Patriots stood no chance, and Cunningham etched his name in the fantasy history books.
8) Drew Brees | 44.3 Fantasy Points
Saints vs. Giants | Week 8 | Nov. 1, 2015
The shootout in the Superdome is a game that will live long in the memory of anyone who watched it, including yours truly. Two aging QBs in Eli Manning and Drew Brees went toe-to-toe in a riveting matchup that was won by the Saints with two scores in the final 40 seconds, including a 50-yard field goal as time expired.
The two quarterbacks combined for 13 passing touchdowns and more than 850 yards through the air. However, it was Brees that came out with the win and the better statistical day.
The Saints’ QB threw for 505 yards and seven touchdowns. His day would have been even better if not for two interceptions. Technically, he threw eight touchdowns on the day, but one of those was to the other team.
7) Ben Roethlisberger | 44.78 Fantasy Points
Steelers vs. Colts | Week 8 | Oct. 10, 2014
If you headed into Sunday afternoon of your 2014 Week 8 fantasy matchup needing a miracle, then Ben Roethlisberger provided exactly that. The Steelers’ QB lit up the Colts’ defense for 522 passing yards and six touchdowns. Pittsburgh walked away 51-34 victors, and Roethlisberger ensured a number of fantasy managers also walked away with that all-important win.
6) Nick Foles | 45.24 Fantasy Points
Eagles at Raiders | Week 9 | Nov. 3, 2013
Nick Foles had NFL fans around the league running their eyes in Week 9 of his second season in 2013. Foles lit up the Coliseum for 406 yards and a record-tying seven passing touchdowns. He hit five different receivers for touchdowns, with three of them going to Riley Cooper.
MORE: Highest Scoring Fantasy Players All-Time
Foles’s inclusion on this list is a close call for the most surprising name of the group. Given that he went on to win a Super Bowl, he doesn’t quite cut it as more surprising than Trubisky. Additionally, he makes for a fascinating trivia question for who is tied with Peyton Manning and Brees for the most passing touchdowns in a single game.
5) Aaron Rodgers | 45.92 Fantasy Points
Packers vs. Broncos | Week 2011 | Oct. 2, 2011
Rodgers is the only name to make multiple appearances in the top 10. While he obviously went on to have many, many more super-elite years, 2011 Rodgers hit different. This was truly the peak of his career.
Fresh off his Super Bowl victory, Rodgers turned his game to another level. Playing a big role in his career-best 26.9 fantasy points per game, he threw for 408 yards and four touchdowns against the Broncos. He was kind enough to run for 36 yards and two scores as well.
4) Peyton Manning | 46.28 Fantasy Points
Broncos vs. Ravens | Week 1 | Dec. 3, 2013
This game was memorable for several reasons. First, Manning’s performance with seven passing touchdowns — which broke the previous record of six at the time — and 462 passing yards.
However, the game also stands out for being the opening game of the 2013 season with the Ravens as defending Super Bowl champions. Rarely do we see the defending champions dismantled in quite such a comprehensive manner.
This is also remembered as a Broncos revenge game. The Ravens had defeated Denver in the playoffs the previous year in the most unlikely circumstances, culminating in Manning essentially costing his team the game with an overtime interception.
For much of his career, there were jokes about how good Angry Tom Brady was. For at least one week, we got to see Angry Peyton Manning. His doing this on the very first game of the season was a true gut punch to fantasy managers facing Manning. After waiting months for fantasy football to finally return, their Week 1 matchup was lost as quickly as it began.
3) Mark Rypien | 48.08 Fantasy Points
Washington vs. Falcons | Week 11 | Nov. 10, 1991
You may not have guessed that a performance from 1991 would beat out Manning and Rodgers for the second spot on this list. However, Mark Rypien threw the ball all over the field against the Falcons in Week 11 of that 1991 season.
Rypien completed 16 of 31 passes for 442 yards and six touchdowns. Yes, that is 14.25 yards per attempt, 27.63 yards per completion, and a touchdown every 2.7 pass attempts.
To top off his fantasy performance, Rypien also ran for a four-yard rushing TD to ensure he would top this list and remain there for nearly 20 years.
2) Michael Vick | 49.32 Fantasy Points
Eagles at Washington | Week 10 | Nov. 15, 2010
I remember exactly where I was when this game happened. On the very first play from scrimmage, Michael Vick uncorked a laser down the field to DeSean Jackson for an 88-yard touchdown. Washington never stood a chance.
Vick was the overall QB1 in 2010 and holds the record for the single greatest fantasy performance by a QB. The fact that he did it in front of a national audience on Monday Night Football is icing on the proverbial cake.
Vick led the Eagles to a 59-28 win in which he scored six total touchdowns. The Eagles’ QB completed 20 of 28 passes for 333 yards with four passing touchdowns. He then added a further 80 yards on the ground and found the end zone twice with his legs.
This performance was made all the more impactful coming on a Monday night where Vick single-handedly swung fantasy matchups in the final game of the week.
Which QB Has Scored the Most Fantasy Points in a Single Game?
1) Josh Allen | 51.88 Fantasy Points
Bills at Rams | Week 14 | Dec. 12, 2024
In a losing effort, Bills QB Josh Allen put on a masterclass against the Los Angeles Rams, setting the record for the most fantasy points by a Quarterback in NFL history. He finished the day with 3 passing TDs, 3 rushing TDs, 342 passing yards, and 82 rushing yards.
He became the first ever QB to score more than 50 fantasy points in a single game using the four-point passing touchdown scoring format.