The Greatest Passing Day Ever

In a season in which three quarterbacks are on a pace to put up 5,000 passing yards, it is worth noting that the NFL record for most passing yards in a game is over 60 years old:

One of the greatest opening day performances came in 1951 when Hall of Fame quarterback Norm Van Brocklin of the Los Angeles Rams threw for a record 554 yards. The mark still stands as the greatest single passing effort in National Football League history.
Van Brocklin received the start that day when veteran Bob Waterfield, also a member of the Hall, was injured. The two quarterbacks were entrenched in a fierce battle for the starting role.

The "Dutchman," as Van Brocklin was nicknamed, made the most of his opportunity. He completed 27 of 41 passes and tossed five touchdowns - four of which went to fellow Hall of Famer Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch - en route to a easy 54-14 win over the New York Yanks.

How exceptional was that game?  He exceeded the previous record by 86 yards (Johnnie Lujack), or 18%   After that, only one quarterback threw for more than 500 passing yards prior to 1982 (Y.A. Tittle, 505 yards), only 11 total have ever passed for 500 yards in a game and only one has come within 30 yards of the record (Warren Moon, 527).  Finally, for the 12 game season, Van Brocklin completed 100 of 194 passes for 1725 yards and 13 TDs while splitting time with Waterfield.  The team threw for 3296 yards total.