Manning Perfect In Broncos Rout Of The Saints

Peyton Manning was almost perfect Sunday, completing 22 of 30 passes for 305 yards with three touchdowns in a rout of the New Orleans Saints. Denver laid a 34-14 beating on the Saints which highlighted a team coming into their own as much as an All-Star quarterback in the finest form.

The Saints offense had averaged 29 points a game heading into the match up in Denver. They scored 35 points last week and 31 the week before. Both those games resulted in Saints victories.

Denver stopped them in their tracks from the outset. The first two plays were incompletions, and the third was stopped in its tracks Danny Trvanthan blocking the run.

Brees threw one interception in the game but was lucky not to escape with more. He was sloppy, and his game reflected that. Almost every time he had someone open, he missed them, with the exception of his one touchdown pass.

While Manning was awesome in the game, he was supported by a fantastic running game that set the tempo early in the game.

New Orleans second punt of the game left the Broncos at their own 2 yard line. Manning handed off to Willis McGahee 4 straight times, resulting in a 26 yard gain. Manning then did what Manning does best completing a few passes, the longest one 41 yards to Demaryius Thomas. McGahee came back into the game and carried the ball one small yard for a 98 yard drive that resulted in a touchdown.

Manning said:

“I think our team has come far, especially offensively,. Our receivers, I have a better rapport for them. Our offensive line has a feel for what they like. Willis and Ronnie did a great job tonight, really opened some things up for us.”

New Orleans is just 2-5 on the season trailing both wild card teams by a game. If they don’t step it up, and soon, they will find themselves out of the playoffs.