Great Performance No. 1 – Peyton Manning

To read the stat lines on Peyton Manning in the comeback win over San Diego would be deceiving. The Hall of Fame quarterback completed only five passes for 69 yards in relief of Brock Osweiler in the 27-20 victory. His passer rating was a pedestrian 80.3. He had no touchdown passes.

What Manning did, however, was calm down an offense that had committed five turnovers and repeatedly coughed up great opportunities to put away the game. He protected the football (Denver had no additional turnovers) and he sparked an energy at Sports Authority Field that could be felt across Broncos Country.

Manning wasn’t flashy in his return – his longest completed pass went for 18 yards – but he checked into several plays that went for big gains, including C.J. Anderson’s 18-yard run that nearly went for a touchdown. Additionally, he goaded the Chargers into two procedural penalties that proved to be difference makers on scoring drives.

Although his numbers weren’t great, Manning’s presence was in the victory.