Peyton Manning had to wait for history and the Denver Broncos had their worst first half of the season as they trailed the Kansas City Chiefs 19-0, looking like a team in complete disarray.
The Broncos received the ball first and on third and seven Manning underthrew Vernon Davis on the third play of the game. Marcus Peters turned it into a heartbreaking interception. Kansas City responded immediately with a five-play, 31-yard touchdown drive capped by a four-yard Charcandrick West touchdown run.
On his very next touch, Manning fumbled the football under pressure. Thankfully, Ronnie Hillman was there to scoop it up. Manning finally connected with Hillman on the next play, passing Brett Favre for the NFL’s all-time passing yards record.
Even with the pressure of the record-breaking pass behind him, Manning and the Broncos couldn’t get into rhythm, going three-and-out on their next two possessions.
Kansas City, meanwhile posted another three points and led 10-0.
Denver would finally earn a pair of first downs after trading punts, but Manning was intercepted for a second time, this time by Sean Smith. It’s hard to believe, but the future Hall-of-Fame quarterback was being booed by the home crowd in the very same quarter that he broke the NFL’s all-time passing record.
Early in the second quarter, Chiefs kicker Cairo Santos hit a 49-yard field goal to put Kansas City ahead 13-0.
Denver responded with another three-and-out. At the time, they had amassed just 29 yards of total offense on five possessions.
After finally getting a stop, Denver took over with 6:02 left on the clock. After just three plays, Manning had thrown yet another pick and the boos from the stands were impossible to ignore. On social media, the calls for Brock Osweiler couldn’t be ignored either.
Manning was called for an intentional grounding on the Broncos’ next possession. By the time Denver gave the ball back to Kansas City after yet another three-and-out, Manning had a passer rating of 0.0 and was just four-for-15 with 30 yards passing.
To add insult to injury, Alex Smith led Kansas City on a 12-play, 46-yard scoring drive to ice the half and send the Broncos to the locker room to lick their wounds.
When it was all said and done, Denver trailed 19-0. It was the first time the Broncos have been shut out in the first half of a game since Jan. 1, 2012. Coincidentally, it was against Kansas City.
Here’s what all of the first-half storylines looked like as they unfolded on social media via the Mile High Sports team and the greater-Denver media:
Manning picked on first passing attempt…
Apparently the record can still wait… Manning throws 14th pick of year. Has thrown pick in every game this season.. #Broncos
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) November 15, 2015
Awful read, awful pass, awful.
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) November 15, 2015
Intercepted. Manning looking deep for Davis, picked off by Marcus Peters. Manning's streak of games with at least one INT continues.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) November 15, 2015
Bad decision, trying to do too much, had the check down wide open. #Broncos
— Delano White Jr (@bigdeewhite) November 15, 2015
Had Manning checked down to Hillman he'd have a record and a first down right now…
— Zach Fogg (@zachfoggsports) November 15, 2015
Manning fumbles on his next touch…
Disaster!!! Manning fumbles. Hillman recovers though.
— Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) November 15, 2015
This is just bad football.
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) November 15, 2015
Manning passes Favre, finally…
#Manning passes by #Favre! pic.twitter.com/FK2L2qNF9c
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 15, 2015
https://twitter.com/MikeKlis/status/666008198504013824
Here's a look at the Top 10 recipients of Peyton Manning passing yards. pic.twitter.com/UPqiQ49kpp
— NFL (@NFL) November 15, 2015
There is the historic pass. Manning actually tried to wave the officials off. Think he was a little embarrassed pic.twitter.com/v5nZJLCJ7h
— Darren McKee (@DMacSportsCO) November 15, 2015
But Manning wasn’t the only one having a tough start. The defense also lost its first quarter edge…
After allowing 0 points in the first quarter through 7 games Broncos defense has given up 17 in the past 2. #KCvsDEN
— cover32 Broncos (@cover32_DEN) November 15, 2015
#Broncos offense hasn't been good at all, but this "great" defense hasn't been much better.
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) November 15, 2015
The rest of the offense didn’t do much to help…
.@Broncos' last five first-quarter possessions: 4 punts, 3 first downs, 1 INT.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) November 15, 2015
#Broncos offense so far: 2 possessions and 5 yards of total offense.
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) November 15, 2015
Third straight three and out. Broncos look bewildered on both sides of the ball right now. 4:59 in the 1st Q. Chiefs 10-0. #KCvsDEN
— cover32 Broncos (@cover32_DEN) November 15, 2015
There's not one facet of this offense that is working well in any way right now.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) November 15, 2015
.@Broncos staring at being shut out in the first half for the first time at home since 1/1/12 (Tebow's last regular-season start in DEN).
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) November 15, 2015
Just how bad did things get for Manning?
Peyton Manning's stats so far:
2/5 passing. 5 yards. 1 interception. rating 8.3.Chiefs lead 10-0. #KCvsDEN
— Lionel Bienvenu (@lionelbienvenu) November 15, 2015
Manning totally bailed out by an AMAZING Demaryius Thomas catch right there.
— Spano (@BrandonSpano) November 15, 2015
Peyton picked…again! This is brutal
— Arran Andersen (@arranandersen) November 15, 2015
#Broncos INT is on Sanders falling down, not Manning…. But on the previous play that should have been INT.. All on Manning.
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) November 15, 2015
Don't know if PM is hurt or just way off today. Little zip on passes and (shockingly) doesn't seem to see the field well. Bewildering
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) November 15, 2015
Yep. pic.twitter.com/o649OulM8a
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) November 15, 2015
40 total yards for the @Broncos in the first half — 19 on the ground, 21 through the air. A 30-minute debacle. No other way to put it.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) November 15, 2015
Clearly, worst half of offense all season. All types of issues,line, drops,etc but it's clear Father Time is kicking #PFMs butt right now!
— Chad Brown (@chadbrown94) November 15, 2015
And the calls for Brock ensued…
Injury or not, if you go to Brock there might not be any going back from it. #Broncos
— Adam Kinney (@adamrkinney) November 15, 2015
How do you bench Manning on day he sets passing yardage record? Tough but Kubiak needs to do it.
— Mark Kiszla (@markkiszla) November 15, 2015
Not being able to run the ball puts all the pressure on the QB. 18 is hurt and struggling. That's the scenario you want Brock thrown into?
— Delano White Jr (@bigdeewhite) November 15, 2015
Brock Osweiler now on the Broncos bench with his iPad. Studious fellow. Nobody talks to him though. How lonely. #brockwatch
— Nick Groke (@nickgroke) November 15, 2015
That's enough. Time to make a change. Manning ain't right.
— Rod Mackey (@RodMackeySports) November 15, 2015
Peyton Manning's passer rating now down to 0.0. 4 completions for 30 yards and 3 picks. Brock Osweiler has to start the 2nd half.
— Lionel Bienvenu (@lionelbienvenu) November 15, 2015