Manning finds his comfort zone and eclipses 70000 passing yards

Jay Asser 10:24 19/09/2015
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  • In the groove: Peyton Manning.

    Two games into the season, the Denver Broncos’ attack has been at its best with Peyton Manning orchestrating an offence similar to the one he’s directed for years.

    Following a dismal Week 1 opener against the Baltimore Ravens and facing a 14-0 deficit to the Kansas City Chiefs thanks to his second pick-six of the season, Manning looked on the ropes.

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    From that point on, however, the Broncos mostly eschewed new coach Gary Kubiak’s run-heavy, under-centre offence, deviating into Manning’s comfort zone of shotgun and quick passes.

    The result was Manning finding his rhythm and coming back to life with three touchdowns, including an 80-yard, game-tying drive at the end of the fourth quarter.

    Jamaal Charles’ disastrous fumble returned for a score seconds later earned Denver the 31-24 win, but it was Manning’s turnaround which flipped the game.

    After a week of questions regarding how much the future Hall of Famer has left in the tank, he responded once settling into a familiar style of play.

    Manning’s arm strength has clearly declined and he’s undoubtedly on the downside of his career, but finding the balance between leaning on him and providing him with run support will be crucial.

    “We’re trying to help him, run the football better, do some things,” Kubiak said. “We also know what he’s very comfortable doing. We’re also trying to somehow find a meeting between the two; we think that would be good for our team.”

    In the victory, Manning became the second quarterback in NFL history to eclipse 70,000 passing yards, joining Brett Favre who holds the record with 71,838 – a mark Manning is expected to cross this year.

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