Peyton Manning: Broncos QB Gives Fans Reason for Optimism vs. 49ers

The Peyton Manning we've watched embarrass secondaries for the past decade showed up at Mile High Stadium on Sunday.

He torched the San Francisco 49ers, completing 10 of 12 passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns. His impressive performance adds mystery to the Denver Broncos’ 2012 season, though, because until today, Manning hadn’t shown signs of being anything but a major flop.

In his first preseason action of the year against the Chicago Bears, he exited the game with a pitiful passer rating of 36.3. He threw one interception in that contest and two the next week vs. the Seattle Seahawks.

Having not played since the 2010 campaign, Manning’s rust surprised no one. But his struggles had to make Broncos fans wonder if a season off, as well as multiple neck surgeries, created so much rust that he’d never remotely resemble his former dominant self again.

Now, though, they can be realistically optimistic about their team’s chances this year.

Manning built a 17-point lead in a single quarter. And he didn’t do it against a bunch of scrubs, either. He torched the 49ers’ first-string defense—a unit that finished last season ranked fourth in the NFL in total yards surrendered.

On top of Manning’s individual play, his ability to develop chemistry with the Broncos’ inexperienced receiving corps was a key this preseason. While he did find his old pal Brandon Stokley twice in the quarter, he seemed to identify a new favorite red zone target as well. He connected with Eric Decker for his first and second touchdowns of the year.

At 6’3”, 218 pounds, Decker could prove to be a touchdown machine if Manning continues to target him throughout the season.

Critics will cry, “It’s just the preseason,” which is true. It’d be foolish to bank on an outstanding exhibition performance repeating itself. But the flash of brilliance Manning showed against the 49ers proves that the Broncos are indeed a playoff contender.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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