The Denver Broncos put another beating on an NFL team after defeating the Oakland Raiders, 37-21 in their Week 3 matchup once again on a national stage, this time on Monday Night Football. Peyton Manning took matters into his own hand, having another big game and getting his name into the record books once again.
Manning immediately set the tempo, proving he could breakdown the Raiders defense, which had been one of the best after two weeks of football. He started the game by hitting Eric Decker and he ended the first drive of the game with Decker. Manning hit No. 87 for eight catches, going for 133 yards. Wes Welker also had a typical game, going for seven catches, 84 yards and the score.
Before the end of the second half, Manning had established a new NFL record for quarterbacks. He finished the first 30 minutes with three touchdowns, giving him a total of 12 through the first three games of the NFL 2013 season. Manning had an almost perfect first half, completing 21-24 passes for 264 passing yards. He finished the game 32/37 with 374 passing yards and these three touchdowns.
The Broncos wasted no time getting their side of the scoreboard activated. Eric Decker was everywhere for Manning in the first drive of the game. Manning did an excellent job reading blitz packages in the first minutes of the game, making things look pretty easy. He found Decker wide open in the end zone for a two-yard touchdown. He then hit another wide up Wes Welker with a 12-yard touchdown to open up the scoring in the second quarter. The Broncos then answered again with a 13-yard pass to Julius Thomas.
The Raiders found a way to score on a 73-yard play that finished in the end zone. Pryor stepped into the pocket and hit Danarius Moore, who scrambled from defenders and found the field all to himself, running freely into the end zone.
An offense that came in second in the league with almost 200 rushing yards per game, could not get 60 yards on the ground as the Broncos were all over McFadden in this one. However, the Radiers' running back was able to throw the team's second touchdown of the game in the closing minutes of the third quarter, making it a 30-17 game.
Manning and the Broncos put the game away for good early in the fourth as they milked the clock. Manning was in such good graces that he allowed second-year back, Ronnie Hillman to run in their last touchdown of the game. Hillman went in for the one-yard score and he finished with 66 yards rushing on nine carries. Look for Hillman to continue getting more snaps as rookie Montee Ball fumbled for the second straight week.
With the win, the Broncos remain pefect, while the Raiders go to 1-2. The Raiders host the Washington Redskins in Week 4, while the Broncos host the Philadelphia Eagles.