NFL Predictions: 5 Quarterbacks Who Are Locks for 30 Touchdown Seasons

One of the most telltale signs that indicates whether or not a quarterback is elite is their ability to create points, or in other words throw touchdown passes. 

Many quarterbacks can throw the average amount of touchdown passes in a season, but the benchmark that really states that a quarterback is a top-shelf passer is 30 touchdown passes. 

If a quarterback has 30 touchdown passes in a season, then it's safe to assume that they were a top five quarterback for that season. 

But some quarterbacks get lucky every now and then—even Daunte Culpepper had a couple seasons where he had over 30 touchdown passes.

However, the truly great quarterbacks leave no doubt in our minds. Unless they miss games due to injury, then they will meet their quotas.

Here are five quarterbacks that will throw 30 touchdowns, whether we like it or not... 

5. Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers)

Aaron Rodgers had only 28 touchdowns in 2010, so you might be wondering why he is such a sure thing in 2011. 

He only had 28 touchdowns in 2010, but he also missed the Week 14 game against the Detroit Lions weak secondary, and he also missed the Week 15 game against the New England Patriots. 

It's hard to imagine that someone with a 101.2 passer rating wouldn't have been able to muster two touchdowns between those two games. 

Rodgers will be entering his fourth season as the starter for the Packers, but after his Super Bowl win last February the 27-year-old already has the confidence of a ten year veteran, and he also has a great supporting cast on offense. 

Rodgers is probably the most risky player on this list to be considered a lock for 30 touchdowns, but it's still a small risk. 

4. Philip Rivers (San Diego Chargers)

Despite missing the playoffs entirely in 2010, the San Diego Chargers still ranked No.1 in both offense and defense. 

Scientists and mathematicians are losing sleep, still trying figure out how it was physically possible for them to miss the playoffs, but we'll hear back from them when they have an answer. 

In the meantime, at least Philip Rivers still got his personal stats.

He had his fourth consecutive 4,000 yard season in 2010, as well as his second career 30 touchdown season.

You may be wondering why Rivers is a lock for 30 touchdowns if he has only done it twice in five years as a starter, and it's a fair concern.

But keep in mind that Tom Brady didn't have his first 30 touchdown season until he threw 50 in 2007.

It takes time for quarterbacks to master the complexity of an NFL offense, but Rivers becomes more experienced after every season.

Combine that with the return of wide receiver Vincent Jackson, and Rivers should have no problem throwing for 30.  

3. Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints)

The high-powered New Orleans offense will likely be at it again in 2011, and Drew Brees will once again be the front man. 

Brees finished his third consecutive 30 touchdown season in 2010, and he also has 101 touchdowns in the past three seasons combined, which isn't an easy accomplishment for any quarterback on any team. 

Brees has the ability to make no name receivers into reliable NFL targets, which helps his chances because he'll be able to produce no matter what—even if he loses some of his top targets to injury, Brees will still be able to make the replacements look like solid receivers. 

Brees will continue his success into 2011, and the most beloved resident of New Orleans will once again have great numbers. 

2) Tom Brady (New England Patriots)

Tom Brady will have no problem putting together another spectacular season. 

If you can believe it, 2010 was only the second time his career he has thrown over 30 touchdowns in a season.

But even though throwing for more than 30 touchdowns is not a terribly common thing for Brady, it will still almost certainly happen in 2011.

The 2010 Patriots were as good as any Patriots team in the last decade, despite not making it to the Super Bowl, so Brady has the surrounding talent to support him.

He has two second-year tight ends in Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. Both were deadly targets as rookies in 2010, but they are only going to get better.

Also, Brady's favorite receiver Wes Welker was coming off a major knee injury in 2010, so he was not yet 100 percent, but he should be at that point by the 2011 season. 

Combine those weapons with the other guys, such as Danny Woodhead, Julian Edelman, Brandon Tate, Deion Branch and BenJarvus Green-Ellis, and there is clearly no shortage of firepower at Brady's disposal.

Expect the Patriots to be a serious Super Bowl threat in 2011, and expect Brady to post monster numbers.  

1. Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts)

The endless and constant quarterback debate has focused on Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, and the argument asks which of them is the better quarterback. 

There is no right or wrong answer, but it's clear that Brady's claim to fame is his ability to win the big game, while Manning is known for his consistent ability to post monster statistics. 

One side states that Brady's rings don't make him a better quarterback on their own, because winning the Super Bowl is a team effort. Also, there have been average players who have multiple Super Bowl rings, but that doesn't mean they are automatically some of the best to ever play their position (not that Brady is average). 

But the counter to that states winning the Super Bowl is the ultimate goal for any team, or any individual player. So none of Manning's stats can compare to Brady's three rings.

What don't know whether Manning or Brady will be the one remembered as the better quarterback, but one thing we do know is that Peyton Manning is one of the best to ever play the game.

He has over 30 touchdowns in five of his last seven seasons, and he has done it six times in his career. There may not be a player in NFL history who has posted such gaudy stats so consistently.

As sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, Peyton Manning will throw for 30 touchdowns in 2011.