What a reunion it’s going to be in Indianapolis on November 8 for Peyton Manning. Not only will he be going back to the stomping grounds he called home for the first 14 years of his career for just the second time since the Colts let him walk away and sign with the Broncos, he’ll be doing so with a chance to break the career wins record, for which he’s currently tied with Brett Favre.
Perhaps it was fitting that it came against the Packers, but getting to win No. 186 didn’t come entirely in prototypical Manning fashion, as you’ll see below.
Peyton Manning has tied Brett Favre for the most wins by a starting quarterback in NFL history, with 186. pic.twitter.com/nVNjSYs8Qk
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 2, 2015
No TDs for the NFL’s TD king…
Manning put Favre in the rearview mirror long ago in the touchdown deparment and will continue to add to his career touchdown pass record of 537 through at least the 2015 season, but he didn’t pad that number against Favre’s old team on Sunday.
On the night, Manning was 21-for-29 for 340 yards – his best effort on the year. Yet for the third time this season, Manning didn’t find someone in the end zone. All three of Denver’s touchdowns came on the ground against the Packers.
Raul Martinez of KDVR keyed in on the difference he was seeing from Manning in this game over the first six games of 2015, however, noting that Manning was taking better care of the ball.
Peyton Manning doesn't have a touchdown pass tonight, but the key is this. 0 turnovers. He also happens to have 212 yards. @KDVR
— Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) November 2, 2015
Manning eventually surrendered an interception, but its damage was limited as the team was already up big at the time.
One of the real keys for Manning was getting more players involved in the passing game.
Everyone gets in on the action…
One of the biggest knocks against the Broncos offense in the first six games of the year was that the passing game had been mostly limited to two players: Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders.
Those two remained big factors in the win over Green Bay – especially Thomas, who had 168 yards on 8 catches on the night – but Manning finally started to spread things around. For the first time this year, the tight ends played a major role in the offense.
Manning using everybody tonight, not just DT & ESanders. 7 players have caught passes now, including 5 caught by tight ends.
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) November 2, 2015
But the tight ends weren’t the biggest story on the night. On the offensive side of the ball, the night really belonged to the running backs, C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman, who together accounted for all three of Denver’s touchdowns.
Doing it on the backs of the backs…
Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak was brought to Denver to get the running game in shape. After six games, it looks like he’s starting to deliver on that promise.
Anderson and Hillman had big nights against the Packers and the offensive line, though still battling some significant injuries, is starting to open up holes.
Anderson told MHS earlier in the week he was ready to get back on track. He delivered on that promise with his first touchdown and first 100-yard game of the season.
His effort against Green Bay was not lost on the media, who have been understandably tough on him as the opening six weeks of the season played out.
The 2014 model C.J. Anderson appears to have returned. He said this week he was more hurt than anyone knew, & that the bye helped him.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) November 2, 2015
That is the CJ Anderson that made the Pro Bowl… Running w urgency. Breaking tackles. Gotta believe his foot and ankle were issue before.
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) November 2, 2015
Looks like CJ wants his JOB back. . . Good
— Gil Whiteley, Now and Then (@Gilfest) November 2, 2015
GOODBYE — big hole for C.J. Anderson and he just took off — Mathis with the final block to spring him … TOUCHDOWN
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) November 2, 2015
CJ doesn't like coming off the bench. . . Good
— Gil Whiteley, Now and Then (@Gilfest) November 2, 2015
Giant hole between Mathis and Paradis springs Anderson for 7. Great to see for the #Broncos. Big time answer to #Packers 10 straight points.
— Sam Cowhick (@SamCowhick) November 2, 2015
It takes two to tango…
Anderson’s big game was complemented nicely by another solid effort by Ronnie Hillman, who logged Denver’s first two touchdowns of the night.
Hillman ended the night with just 60 yards on 19 carries, but together they ran for nine first downs and an average of 4.7 yards per carry as a team.
#Broncos RB @cjandersonb22 "I understand his (Ronnie Hillman) play, he understands my play and we're getting in sync with the O-line."
— Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) November 2, 2015
On a day the #Broncos remember #SBXXXII, Denver's run game comes alive! Two touchdowns for @MrHillman2U!
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) November 2, 2015
Great vision and acceleration by Hillman, who bounces off Daniels, gets left and into the open field. Broncos offense is rolling. 14-0.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) November 2, 2015
It turns out that would have been all the scoring Denver needed, as the Packers mustered just 10 points on the night. But Anderson‘s touchdown did cap a night that had its own significance for the running backs, not just Manning.
First, @MrHillman2U.
Now, @cjandersonb22!#Broncos have 3 rushing TDs for just the 7th time in past 10 years! pic.twitter.com/sYln1GLzNN— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 2, 2015
The story will continue…
Manning will now lead what appears to be a revitalized offense back to Indianapolis with a chance to take sole possession of another of Favre’s records.
With the Colts struggling and the Broncos apparently finding their stride, it could make for a big celebration.
What we learned about #Broncos offense…
Manning can be very good when he has help & Kubiak is a brilliant offense mind w/great game plan.
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) November 2, 2015