NFL: 5 records that could fall during the 2014 season

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Jan 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) signals at the line of scrimmage in the second half against the New England Patriots during the 2013 AFC championship playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

Most passing yards

Current record: 5,477 yards (Peyton Manning)

This record could get smashed annually for the next little while, the likely ending if the league really intends to flag defensive backs every time their fingernail touches a receiver. Through two weeks of the preseason yellow flag tossing is up 44 percent, and of the 230 additional penalties called, 134 have been due to the increased emphasis on defensive holding and illegal contact.

Even without that extra help and the space generously created by the league’s heavy legislative hand, passing numbers have ballooned significantly over the past three seasons since the lockout. Prior to 2011 — when new defenseless receiver rules were also implemented — only two quarterbacks had topped the 5,000 yard mark in a season (Dan Marino and Drew Brees).

Now over only the past three years six more have followed. That’s beyond a spike, and is instead a right-angled turn. With the new rules emphasis which will nearly erase grappling by defensive backs, there’s no reason to think that trend won’t continue.

Manning shattered seemingly every passing record with his juggernaut Broncos offense in 2013. But remember, he bested Brees in this category by one measly yard.

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