This was Peyton Manning's career touchdown number before the game began. (USATSI)
Peyton Manning is now the all-time regular-season passing TD leader. (NFL/NBC)


Entering Sunday night's game vs. the 49ers, Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning was just three passing touchdowns short of setting the NFL's all-time career record by passing Brett Favre.

It took less than a half to get it accomplished.

The first touchdown of the night featured Denver receiver Emmanuel Sanders running San Francisco cornerback Dontae Johnson directly into a game official to get himself wide open for the 3-yard touchdown pass.

The second occurred 6 minutes later when Manning found Wes Welker on a corner route in which he beat two 49ers defenders and then hustled down the field before diving into the pylon to score the 39-yard touchdown.

The record breaker occurred on an 8-yard score to Demaryius Thomas in which he barely got both feet in.

His teammates had a little fun with him following the record play. 

As you would expect, Manning has now eclipsed some of the great quarterbacks to ever play the game.

All-time career passing touchdowns (regular season)
Rank QB Years Team(s) Passing TDs
1 Peyton Manning 1998-present Indianapolis, Denver 510
2 Brett Favre 1992-2010 Green Bay, New York (Jets), Minnesota 508
3 Dan Marino 1983-1999 Miami 420
4-T Drew Brees 2001-present San Diego, New Orleans 372
4-T Tom Brady 2001-present New England 372
Source: Pro-Football-Reference.com

For the record, this new mark only pertains to touchdowns thrown in the regular season. As for games including the playoffs, Favre still has 552 to Manning's 547. But the former Packers legend took to Twitter shortly after the moment to congratulate the Broncos quarterback.

Also, this.

And if you're looking for efficiency in your all-time great quarterbacks, Peyton's got you covered there, too.