Broncos Air Assault Taking Flight

Courtesy of AP/Jack Dempsey

Pessimism was slowly starting to build up in Bronco country.  Fans weren't doubting Peyton Manning's decision making in the first two preseason games, even though he did have three interceptions thrown already.  People understood that it was preseason and that this was a time for the Broncos to build up chemistry, understand the playbook so that everyone was on the same page for week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers...But there was a level of expectations that Bronco fans have.  Fans hadn't seen the Manning from the Colts show up yet and were growing eager to see what 96 million dollar investment looked like.

The receivers were struggling to hold on to the ball, the offense line was allowing the Seahawk D to get to Manning, the running game had their breaks but needed to show more in terms of being more consistent with picking up good yardage on every carry.  The team had their work cut out for them, and going into their game against the San Francisco 49er's in week three of the preseason, this game would be a good test to see where they really stood against a solid defense, ranked fourth in total defense in 2011.

In a nationally televised game, in front of 75 thousand plus fans at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, the Broncos had their opportunity to present the new look offense under Manning to the rest of the NFL world.  The Broncos did anything but disappoint.

On the first drive, two passes to Demaryius Thomas and Joel Dreessen, along with a couple of good runs put the Broncos deep into the Niners territory.  A bad pass to Dreessen and a pass over the middle to Stokley that was uncatchable due to holding (and a uncalled pass interference call as well) set the Broncos up for a field goal.

Following the first drive...Manning opened up the offense and worked the Niner defense in the process.  Surgical, precise, accurate, crisp, sharp and in mid season form are words that can describe the way Manning commanded the Bronco offense. 

Manning managed to take almost five minutes off the clock, slinging the ball all over the field, including a 5 wide look with RB Lance Ball lined up far right in which Manning hooked up with the RB for a 38 yard strike down the field, Manning would manage to hook up with WR Eric Decker on a five yard fade in the corner of the endzone to get Manning his "first" touchdown as Bronco.

The defense stepped up and recovered a botched snap by Alex Smith and the Niner's, putting the Broncos deep in Niner's territory again.  Four plays later, Manning would hook up and Decker again for his second score of the day as the two continue to build a rapport with each other moving towards the regular season.

Following the third drive, Manning got off the field and called it a day.  Manning's bottom line looked a little something like this...10-for-12, 122 yards, two TD's with a QB rating of 148.6.  Manning also spread the ball around to six different receivers including Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker, Brandon Stokely, Joel Dreessen, Lance Ball and Willis McGehee.  Not only was Manning and the air attack looking sharp, but Manning continues to show the level of comfort he has in this offense and with his receivers with incorporating the RB in some passing plays (and not just as a check down). 

Most notably, we saw Manning take his first hard hits in this game, there had to have been a few moments you just hope he would get up after taking a clean hit to the chin.  Manning had no problem popping right up and working the Niner defense on the following play.

Manning spoke after the game in response to how well the offense performed:

"I thought we did some good things today," Manning said. "We moved the ball pretty well and we got two touchdowns. It would have been nice to get three, had to settle to for a field goal. I thought the running game was good. Willis (McGahee) made some nice runs, had some nice holes by the offensive line, the receivers made some nice plays, as well."

With the offense looking like a well oiled machine against a stout Niner defense, the starters will take the game off against the Arizona Cardinals.  The Broncos will start preparing for the rematch with the Pittsburgh Steelers as the Steelers look to avenge their loss to the Broncos in the 2011 wildcard game in Denver.