Broncos VS Colts
AP PHOTO/TOM STRATTMANIndianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning calls an audible at the line of scrimmage during Sunday's 36-22 victory over the Washington Redskins.
AFC honors Colts' QB for second time this year
By STEVE HERMANTHE ASSOCIATED PRESS
INDIANAPOLIS - Three touchdown passes in a little over seven minutes isn’t necessarily Peyton Manning’s idea of a smooth and efficient offense.
Manning, who finished with 342 yards and four TD passes against Washington, was named AFC offensive player of the week Wednesday. The three quick scores all came in the third quarter of the Colts’ 36-22 victory over the Redskins.
‘‘It’s not something that you really want to do a lot of, because it means you’re probably not doing as well as you would have liked in the first half,’’ Manning said. ‘‘We need to be able to come out a little faster and be a little sharper in the first half.’’
Manning’s third-quarter touchdowns came on consecutive drives of four, four and seven plays. They erased a 14-13 halftime lead by Washington and assured the AFC South-leading Colts of their sixth straight victory. Indianapolis plays Sunday at West leader Denver, which has won five straight since a season-opening loss at St. Louis.
‘‘They certainly are impressive,’’ Manning said of the Broncos.
‘‘Just the fact that they’re keeping teams out of the end zone, that’s the one thing that jumps out at me. All of the other passing and rushing statistics are impressive, but if you’re keeping teams out of the end zone, you’re probably winning a lot of football games.’’
The Broncos have given up an NFL-low 44 points, including just two touchdowns. That’s the fewest TDs any team has allowed through the first six games since 1934, when Detroit shut out its first seven opponents.
‘‘They have good players across the board, one of the fastest linebacking crews in the league, excellent cover corners, good tackling corners and two top-notch safeties,’’ Manning said. ‘‘So it will be a tough test for us.’’
A victory by Indianapolis on Sunday would make the Colts and the 1929-30 Green Bay Packers the only teams in NFL history to start at least 7-0 in two consecutive seasons. The Packers did it a third straight year in 1931.
Denver, meanwhile, will be trying for its NFL-best 14th straight regular-season win at home.
The Broncos also have won six of seven games against the Colts in Denver.
Manning, the AFC player of the week for the second time this season, will come in as the NFL’s top-rated quarterback. His four TD passes against Washington gave him 256 for his career, moving him into 10th place in NFL history.
‘‘I consider him an alien,’’ Denver coach Mike Shanahan said Wednesday. ‘‘I mean, he shouldn’t play this game. He’s been so good consistently, it’s really amazing to watch. I’ve watched a lot of guys play this game, and everytime I watch him he amazes me.’’
By STEVE HERMANTHE ASSOCIATED PRESS
INDIANAPOLIS - Three touchdown passes in a little over seven minutes isn’t necessarily Peyton Manning’s idea of a smooth and efficient offense.
Manning, who finished with 342 yards and four TD passes against Washington, was named AFC offensive player of the week Wednesday. The three quick scores all came in the third quarter of the Colts’ 36-22 victory over the Redskins.
‘‘It’s not something that you really want to do a lot of, because it means you’re probably not doing as well as you would have liked in the first half,’’ Manning said. ‘‘We need to be able to come out a little faster and be a little sharper in the first half.’’
Manning’s third-quarter touchdowns came on consecutive drives of four, four and seven plays. They erased a 14-13 halftime lead by Washington and assured the AFC South-leading Colts of their sixth straight victory. Indianapolis plays Sunday at West leader Denver, which has won five straight since a season-opening loss at St. Louis.
‘‘They certainly are impressive,’’ Manning said of the Broncos.
‘‘Just the fact that they’re keeping teams out of the end zone, that’s the one thing that jumps out at me. All of the other passing and rushing statistics are impressive, but if you’re keeping teams out of the end zone, you’re probably winning a lot of football games.’’
The Broncos have given up an NFL-low 44 points, including just two touchdowns. That’s the fewest TDs any team has allowed through the first six games since 1934, when Detroit shut out its first seven opponents.
‘‘They have good players across the board, one of the fastest linebacking crews in the league, excellent cover corners, good tackling corners and two top-notch safeties,’’ Manning said. ‘‘So it will be a tough test for us.’’
A victory by Indianapolis on Sunday would make the Colts and the 1929-30 Green Bay Packers the only teams in NFL history to start at least 7-0 in two consecutive seasons. The Packers did it a third straight year in 1931.
Denver, meanwhile, will be trying for its NFL-best 14th straight regular-season win at home.
The Broncos also have won six of seven games against the Colts in Denver.
Manning, the AFC player of the week for the second time this season, will come in as the NFL’s top-rated quarterback. His four TD passes against Washington gave him 256 for his career, moving him into 10th place in NFL history.
‘‘I consider him an alien,’’ Denver coach Mike Shanahan said Wednesday. ‘‘I mean, he shouldn’t play this game. He’s been so good consistently, it’s really amazing to watch. I’ve watched a lot of guys play this game, and everytime I watch him he amazes me.’’
posted by WestEnd @ 9:09 AM
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