In
American football ,
passing , along with
running (also referred to as rushing), is one of the two main methods of advancing the ball down the field. Passes are typically attempted by the
quarterback , but any
offensive player can attempt a pass provided they are behind the
line of scrimmage . To qualify as a passing play, the ball must have initially moved forward after leaving the hands of the passer; if the ball initially moved laterally or backwards, the play would instead be considered a running play. A receiving
touchdown is scored when a player catches the ball in the field of play and advances it into the
end zone , or catches it while already being within the boundaries of the end zone.
The National Football League (NFL) did not begin keeping official records until the 1932 season. Since the adoption of the 14-game season in 1961 , only one season (the strike-shortened 1982 season ) has had a receiving touchdowns league leader record fewer than 10 touchdown catches. The record for receiving touchdowns in a season is 23, set by Randy Moss during the 2007 season ; only one other player (Jerry Rice ) has recorded 20 or more receiving touchdowns in a season. In addition to the overall NFL receiving touchdown leaders, league record books recognize the receiving touchdown leaders of the American Football League (AFL), which operated from 1960 to 1969 before being absorbed into the National Football League in 1970.
Don Hutson led the league in receiving touchdowns nine times, the most of any player in league history; Rice ranks second with six league-leading seasons. Hutson also holds the record for the two longest streaks leading the league in receiving touchdowns, doing so for four consecutive seasons (1935 to 1938 ) and then doing it for five consecutive years from 1940 to 1944 .
NFL annual receiving touchdowns leaders
Don Hutson led the NFL in touchdown receptions nine times, the most of any player.
Mark Clayton 's 18 touchdown receptions in 1984 broke Don Hutson's 42-year-old record.
Jerry Rice led the NFL in receiving touchdowns six times.
Cris Carter and Minnesota Vikings teammate Randy Moss alternated in winning the title from 1997 to 2000.
Rob Gronkowski 's 17 touchdown receptions in 2011 is the highest single-season total among tight ends .
Davante Adams led the NFL in receiving touchdowns in 2020 and in 2022.
AFL annual receiving touchdowns leaders
Most seasons leading the league
Count
Player
Seasons
Team(s)
Refs
9
Don Hutson
1935 –1938 , 1940 –1944
Green Bay Packers
6
Jerry Rice
1986 , 1987 , 1989 –1991 , 1993
San Francisco 49ers
5
Randy Moss
1998 , 2000 , 2003 , 2007 , 2009
Minnesota Vikings (3) / New England Patriots (2)
3
Lance Alworth
1964 –1966
San Diego Chargers
Cris Carter
1995 , 1997 , 1999
Minnesota Vikings
Terrell Owens
2001 , 2002 , 2006
San Francisco 49ers (2) / Dallas Cowboys (1)
See also
Notes
References
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^ "Nat Moore Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College" . Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023 .
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^ "Andre Rison Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College" . Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023 .
^ "Chris Carter Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College" . Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023 .
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^ "Don Maynard Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College" . Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023 .
^ "Al Denson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College" . Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on March 4, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023 .
^ "Otis Taylor Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College" . Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on June 5, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2023 .
^ "Karl Noonan Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College" . Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023 .
^ "Warren Wells Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College" . Pro Football Reference . Archived from the original on November 27, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023 .
General Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Defense
Special teams
Scoring