Manning, Broncos win big, 37-21
DENVER — Two dropped passes. Two fumbles. Three field goals.
OK, so Peyton Manning and the Broncos' offense weren't exactly flawless.
Hard to imagine what that scoreboard might look like if they ever do play the perfect game.
Even with a mistake here and there, Manning finished 32 for 37 for 374 yards and three scores to lead Denver to a 37-21 runaway over the Oakland Raiders on Monday night.
Manning's 12 touchdown passes this season are one more than Tom Brady's old record for the first three games, set in 2011. Manning still has yet to throw an interception, which matches a record held by Michael Vick, who also threw 12 touchdowns before his first pick in 2010.
“Just good play-calling,” Manning said. “Trying to make good, smart, sound decisions. I think guys are doing a good job getting open on time.”
Eric Decker, Julius Thomas and Wes Welker each caught a touchdown. No Oakland defender was within three steps of them when they made those catches.
The Raiders (1-2) made their share of big plays, including a 73-yard touchdown pass from Terrelle Pryor to Denarius Moore that briefly cut their deficit to 17-7.
But on the next play from scrimmage, Manning hit Decker for 61 yards. Three plays later, the Broncos (3-0) were ahead by 17 again and the rout was on.
Denver has scored 127 points this season. Only the 1968 Dallas Cowboys scored more (132) over their first three games.
Nobody can break down an NFL defense better than No. 18.
He stands at the line, sees what the defense presents, makes whatever adjustments are necessary and knows exactly where he wants to throw the ball. His 86.5 percent completion rate was a career high in any game in which he's thrown at least 20 passes.
Hard to keep up this pace? Probably so, but Manning has shredded the first three defenses he has seen so far. Next up, the Philadelphia Eagles, who have given up an average of 340 yards passing through three games.
Pryor showed he can throw a little bit, too, finishing 19 of 28 for 281 yards and one touchdown.
