Clutch Resume: Eli Manning’s top 10 career-defining moments

7. Manning passes Fran Tarkenton for 7th all-time passing TDs – September 30, 2018

In 18 NFL seasons, the former Minnesota Viking and New York Giants signal caller, Fran Tarkenton, threw 342 touchdown passes, earning him the distinction of throwing the most NFL touchdown passes all-time at the time of his retirement in 1978.

By 2018, this football legend had been surpassed by six quarterbacks (Dan Marino, Bret Favre, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Tom Brady, and Philip Rivers).

Then, in Week 4 of the 2018 season and at the age of 37, Eli Manning reached the career mark of 343 touchdown passes, giving him sole possession of seventh place all-time in passing touchdowns above Hall of Fame quarterback Tarkenton, after tying him the week before against the Houston Texans.

Early on in the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints, Manning would orchestrate a 10-play drive, culminating in a three-yard pass to wide receiver Sterling Shepard that would further burnish his credentials for Canton, Ohio and give his team a 7-0 lead.

Although the Giants would ultimately fall short of a win this day, this career moment seemed to be the only bright spot for a dysfunctional Giants football team this season, and one that was well-deserved for Big Blue’s longtime signal-caller.

Through Week 15 of the 2019 season, Manning is still No. 7 all-time for touchdown passes with 364, but is close to being leapfrogged by Ben Roethlisberger (363) and Aaron Rodgers (361).