Peyton Manning shows his class as Denver Broncos remain unbeaten

Jay Asser 20:24 02/11/2015
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • The main man: Peyton Manning.

    Peyton Manning and the running game more than complemented the Denver Broncos’ dominant defensive effort as they proved their undefeated mark is for real.

    Hosting the fellow unbeaten Green Bay Packers in a matchup of 6-0 teams, Denver shut down quarterback Aaron Rodgers while their own future Hall of Famer had one of his better games of the season.

     – #360USA: Why low-key cast good and bad for MLS
    – NFL: Lewis gives Patriots a new weapon
    – NBA: Clippers add new defence dimension

    Rodgers completed 14-of-22 passes for just 77 yards, the lowest of his career for a game he didn’t exit with an injury, while being sacked three times and pressured all night.

    After entering the contest allowing the fewest yards per game in the NFL and ranking only behind Green Bay by a hair for fewest points, the Broncos’ defence cemented its status as the best in the league.

    “If people don’t think we’re the No1 defence now, I don’t know what to say,” cornerback Chris Harris Jr said. “We showed what we’re about, what we can do. And we know we have a long way to go, a lot of games left to play. We think we can be even better.”

    Against the Packers, however, Denver didn’t have to solely rely on their defence as Manning directed the offence to three touchdown drives and two field goals.

    Manning bounced back from a rough three-game stretch in which he averaged 256.3 passing yards with a 2-to-7 touchdown-interception ratio, throwing for a season-high 340 yards on 11.72 yards per attempt.

    “I’ve been very determined to get comfortable in this offense,” Manning said of coach Gary Kubiak’s scheme. “I knew this was not going to be an easy transition.

    “I can’t say that a lot of what’s happened has been a surprise to me. It was kind of what I expected, there were going to be some rough times, rough patches and rough parts of the transition.”

    The running game, meanwhile, responded with 160 yards and three touchdowns between backs C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman.

    Recommended