Guard Ben Grubbs (66) of the Kansas City Chiefs attempts to tackle cornerback Chris Harris (25) of the Denver Broncos after he made an interception on a pass by quarterback Alex Smith (11) inside the Broncos’ own 10-yard line during the second half of the Broncos’ 31-24 win at Arrowhead Stadium. “I feel like that Thursday probably couldn’t come soon enough”, Manning said.
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After Knile Davis had given the Chiefs the lead with 2:27 left, Manning stoically led the Broncos down field.
With at least two years left in his career, Manning is more than likely to become the NFL’s most-yards-passed quarterback by surpassing the only other player to have gone past the 70,000-yard figure, Green Bay Packers’ Brett Favre, who threw for 71,838 yards throughout his career.
Running back Jamaal Charles has won more than his share of games for the Kansas City Chiefs over the years.
But like he has so often against the Chiefs, Manning answered by leading Denver on an 80-yard TD march late in the first half. I know I love it, because I don’t have to go back to the huddle … Two games into the 2015-16 National Football League season, it’s becoming clear that everyone around him is going to have to make Manning better.
“This one is pretty unique”, said Manning, who was thinking about overtime and looking at plays on the bench when he heard the sideline erupt with the call of “ball” when Jamaal Charles fumbled. Superbly comfortable calling the plays, pointing here, pointing there, reading the defense and putting balls right where they needed to be. I’d say this-with everything set up for the Chiefs to buck their losing trends against the Broncos and against Peyton Manning, until it was all fumbled away-does nicely.
Charles then rued his in-game decision-making and lamented himself for not putting his vast experience with the Chiefs into practice. The Broncos thwarted a late Raven’s drive when safety Darian Stewart picked off an errant pass in the end zone. In the previous two seasons under Andy Reid, the Chiefs chased Denver home in the division, making the playoffs in 2013 and missing last season.
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If you’re wondering, Manning still ended the contest with a Passing NEP of -1.08, which is brought down by his costly interception that went for a touchdown. “We just kept plugging”. He was also sacked four times resulting in a loss of 21 yards. And with just 27 seconds left, Kansas City couldn’t put together a credible effort to try and tie the game. As a team, the Chiefs had five turnovers and were penalized nine times for 60 yards. The first-round pick also had an interception last week against Houston.
