There are no magic numbers in pro football to stir the imagination the way the numbers 60, 61, 70 and 73 did in the baseball summers of 1927, 1961, 1998 and 2001, when Babe Ruth, Roger Maris, Mark McGwire and Barry Bonds broke the single-season home run record.

The seasons -- Marino in 1984, Manning in 2004 Arm strength Accuracy Mobility Playoff success Intelligence Leadership Intangibles Air time -- 8 other great seasons

But there is something pretty magical in the way Peyton Manning has thrown the football in 2004 as the Colts’ quarterback galloped past former Dolphins star Dan Marino into the NFL history books. Manning broke Marino’s single-season touchdown pass record of 48 set in 1984, and now the point after: Who’s the better gunslinger? It’s like comparing Wyatt Earp and Wild Bill Hickock. Both are great shots that hit their targets with unerring accuracy.

NBCSports.com compares two of the finest pure passers in NFL history. Marino, the Northerner who went to college at Pittsburgh but became an icon as a pro in Miami; Manning, the Southerner who went to college at Tennessee but as a pro is the pride of Indianapolis. Neither has won a Super Bowl title, but both are true superstars.

Part 1: A look at their spectacular seasons

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