The National Football League (NFL) started the new season with Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning throwing 7 touchdown passes, and tying an NFL record, against the defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens 49-27. His performance tied an NFL record held by 5 other quarterbacks, but the latest occurrence was back in 1969. Only New York Giants quarterback Y.A. Tittle in 1962, had 7 touchdown passes and no interceptions like Manning did in this game.
I wonder if Manning playing the whole game had anything to do with their American Football Conference (AFC) Championship game loss to the Ravens back in January. It was surprising to see him still in the game until the end. especially after his neck surgery 2 years ago. The Ravens actually led the game at halftime, 17-14, before the Broncos exploded for 35 points in the second half.
Denver should have even had another touchdown, if not for the bone-headed play by Bronco linebacker Danny Trevathan. He intercepted a pass from Ravens’ quarterback Joe Flacco, and was returning it for a touchdown, when he dropped the ball before crossing the goal line. Rather than scoring a touchdown, the Ravens got the ball back at their own 20 yard line, because when the ball went out of the end zone, it was a touchback.
While the Ravens were expected to take a step back from their Super Bowl Champion team of last year, because of losing eight starters from last year to free agency or retirement, I don’t think anyone expected them to give up 35 points in the second half of a game to start the season. Manning tore up their secondary at will, throwing for 462 yards in the game.
The questions that will be answered as the season goes on will be, are the Broncos this good, is the Ravens’ defense that bad now, or was it a combination of both in the season’s opening game? To me it has to be a combination of both. I don’t think Manning will pass for anywhere near the 112 touchdown passes that he is on pace for after one game. I also don’t think the Ravens will give up even close to 49 points per game.
The NFL season was kicked off to a crazy start, and I am so glad that it finally started. The Broncos were already the favorite in the AFC before Thursday night, and that certainly hasn’t changed. In the NFC, the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks are mostly seen as the favorites, but only time will tell. But as for me, I’m Ready For Lots Of Football!
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Sports With Frank Thomas
