How many 99-Yard passing touchdowns have been scored in NFL history?

It is almost impossible to throw a pass for 99 yards which results in a touchdown.

How many 99-Yard passing touchdowns have been scored in NFL history?

(Image via ESPN)

The NFL is one of the most watched sports leagues in the whole world. This is because of the massive popularity of the sport and the adrenaline it offers to the viewers.

A 99-yard passing touchdown occurs when the offensive team’s quarterback throws a pass from their own one-yard line and the receiver catches it in the opposing end zone for a touchdown, covering the entire 99 yards of the field in the process. This is a rare and impressive feat, as it requires both an accurate and powerful throw from the quarterback and a well-timed and well-executed play by the receiving player.

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The NFL field usually measures 100 yards, and it is almost impossible to throw a pass for 99 yards, which results in a touchdown. However, there are some spectacular quarterbacks and wide receivers who have made this feat possible. Although it has been done for just 13 times in the entire history of the league.

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Converting a 99-yard touchdown is not easy as it sounds. Usually, the 99-yarders are completed through the shared combination of the quarterback and the receiver. The list contains many famous and iconic QBs, including the GOAT Tom Brady and Eli Manning, as well as some lesser known QBs who have achieved this rare feat.

Keep Exploring: Is Eli Manning a Hall of Fame QB?

99-yard passing touchdowns have been scored for a record 13 times in the NFL

Brett Favre with 99-yard TD in NFL
Brett Favre with 99-yard TD in NFL (Image via Bleacher Report)

Many in the NFL believe that a 99-yard passing touchdown is only achievable through sheer luck and the teams would probably need a miracle to complete it. However, that’s not always the case, as many teams have designed a play to convert the 99-yarder and have also succeeded in doing so.

The first time a 99-yard passing touchdown was recorded in the league was way back in 1939. It was scored by QB Frank Filchock and receiver Andy Farkas from the team based in Washington. Apart from that, no other information is available on the conversion, as it happened a long time back.

Below there’s a list of all the 13 instances along with the QB and WR involved when a 99-yard passing touchdown was converted in the NFL.

  1. Eli Manning and Victor Cruz (2011) – The New York Giants vs The New York Jets
  2. Brett Favre and Roger Brooks (1995) – Green Bay Packers vs Chicago Bears
  3. Tom Brady and Wes Walker (2011) – New England Patriots vs Miami Dolphins
  4. Trent Green and Marc Boerigter (2002) – Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers
  5. Stan Humphries and Tony Martin (1994) – San Diego Chargers vs Seattle Seahawks
  6. Ron Jaworski and Mike Quick (1985) – Philadelphia Eagles vs Atlanta Falcons
  7. Jeff Garcia and Andre Davis (2004) – Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals
  8. Jim Plunkett and Cliff Branch (1983) – Los Angeles Raiders vs Washington
  9. Gus Frerotte and Bernard Berrian (2008) – Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears
  10. George Izo and Bobby Mitchell (1963) – Washington vs Cleveland Browns
  11. Frank Filchock and Andy Farkas (1939) – Washington
  12. Sonny Jurgensen and Jerry Allen (1968) – Washington
  13. Karl Sweetan and Pat Studstill (1966) – Detroit Lions vs Baltimore Colts

All the above-mentioned incidents involved a 99-yard touchdown where the play started at their own touchdown line, and the NFL athletes were able to drive the ball for a touchdown in just one play. Each of these plays was the best in their own respective seasons.

Although, there was a season in the NFL where this feat was completed a record 2 times. It was the year 2011 and QBs like Tom Brady and Eli Manning were on top of their game when both of them completed a 99-yard touchdown pass in the same season.

Tom Brady and Eli Manning were the most recent QBs to achieve this feat in the NFL

Tom Brady & Eli Manning with 99-yard TD in NFL
Tom Brady & Eli Manning with 99-yard TD in NFL (Image via Los Angeles Times)

Eli Manning and Tom Brady are regarded as legendary QBs in the league. However, Brady is way above the younger Manning brother, as he has established himself as the greatest NFL athlete of all time.

Brady and Manning achieved the 99-yard touchdown feat in the same year but in different games. The former Patriots QB did it against the Dolphins in a regular season game. The legendary QB retreated into his own end zone before releasing the throw for receiver Wes Walker around the 17-yard mark. From there, the WR took things into his own hands and made the incredible run for a touchdown while making history.

Eli Manning’s attempt for the 99-yard touchdown pass is regarded as the best of all time and for all the right reasons. The play was simple, but it was magical. The Giants were up against their local rivals Jets, where Manning released a bullet pass to Victor Cruz at the 11-yard line.

From there, Cruz managed to evade multiple defenders while facing many tackles on the way. The duo later went on to cement history in the NFL with the magnificent conversion.

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