NFL records and noteworthy achievements that could happen in 2019

Both Drew Brees and Tom Brady are within 22 touchdowns of Peyton Manning’s all-time passing touchdowns mark of 539. Neither quarterback has thrown for fewer than 22 scores in one season since Brady missed almost all of 2008. Manning’s record should fall in 2019, though the competition for the No. 1 spot between Brees and Brady may continue for several more years.

Another Brett Favre record will fall to Brees, who needs 387 throws to become No. 1 on the all-time passing attempts list. While Brees did throw the ball a lot less last season, he still recorded 489 passing attempts in 2018. He’s never had fewer than 400 attempts in 13 years with the Saints.

With a strong start, this record could fall by the end of September. Brady needs just 12 touchdown passes to set the record for most passing scores during a single season by a 42-year-old quarterback. Warren Moon holds the record with 11 touchdowns during 1998. Again, Brady hasn’t posted that few touchdown passes since missing 15 games in 2008.

Ok, last record for either Brees or Brady. I promise! The Patriots quarterback is currently tied with Merlin Olson, Bruce Matthews, Peyton Manning and Tony Gonzalez for the most Pro Bowl nominations all time with 14. Brady has been named to 10 straight Pro Bowls since 2008. Of course, he hasn’t gone to many of them. He’s skipped quite a few Pro Bowls, and no Patriots player has participated in one since 2015.

Even at 36 years old, Gore continues to set records. With 14,748 yards on the ground, he’s within 521 rushing yards of third on the all-time rushing list. Last year Gore posted his highest yards per carry average since 2012, and he’s never rushed for fewer than 600 yards in any season during his career.

“AP” is currently tied with the great Jim Brown for fifth all time on the rushing touchdowns list with 106. With five more rushing scores, Peterson will pass Brown and the late, great Walter Payton, moving into sole possession of fourth place on the list. Peterson had seven rushing touchdowns in 16 games last season.

Jerry Rice still seems a bit out of reach, but Larry Fitzgerald is 22 catches away from Tony Gonzalez, who sits second on the NFL’s all-time receptions list. Fitzgerald will turn 36 before the season starts, and last year was the first time he didn’t make the Pro Bowl since 2006. But he would have to suffer an injury not to pass Gonzalez. Entering 2019, Fitzgerald is also 246 catches away from Rice’s mark.

Of all the possible records or milestones on this list, Marshall’s is the least likely to happen. He’s only 30 catches away from 1,000, which sounds like so little, but Marshall recorded just 29 receptions in 2017 and 2018 combined. Last year he started with the Seahawks, but Seattle cut him halfway through the season. He caught on with the Saints in November but didn’t appear in a game before getting released in December. Marshall is currently not on a roster, so the first step to him becoming the 15th receiver in the 1,000-reception club is finding a new home and then getting on the field.

Von Miller and Cameron Wake are both within two sacks of the 100 mark, which only 32 players have reached in NFL history. J.J. Watt isn’t far behind with 92.0 career sacks. If healthy, all three should reach the century mark in the category this season.

The 24-year veteran already holds the record for most field-goal attempts made. With 20 more attempts, he will also pass Morten Andersen for the most attempts on field goals in NFL history. Last season, Vinatieri had 27 field-goal tries. He hasn’t had fewer than 20 in a season since his injury-plagued 2009 season.