Peyton Manning is Back: Broncos Win 31-19

Peyton Manning is back, and it’s like he never left. Forget all the propaganda about how he would never play again back in January and February as the Colts regime tried to soften the blow of releasing an all-time great. Manning was brilliant tonight after the Broncos coaching staff got comfortable with him and unleashed him to run his no-huddle attack. The only thing that slowed him down was not getting on the field for almost a quarter between the 2nd and 3rd periods.

When he did get the ball back in the second half, he threw the pass to Demaryius Thomas that turned into his first touchdown pass as a Bronco. He kept the Steelers off balance for the last three quarters, and was up to the chess match against Troy Polamalu. He finished by completing 19 of 26 passes for almost 10 yards per pass attempt.

Ben Roethlisberger matched for a while, but threw the late interception for touchdown to, appropriately enough, Tracy Porter that put the game away, after Manning had orchestrated a field goal drive to put Denver up 6. Good to have him back. You kind of forget how brilliant he is when he is gone.

[photo via US Presswire]