Seventh heaven for Manning as Broncos thrash Ravens

The Denver Broncos have started the NFL season with an impressive 49-27 win over reigning Super Bowl champions the Baltimore Ravens.

Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning threw seven touchdown passes to equal the NFL’s record for most TD passes by an individual in one game, while Denver’s Julius Thomas, Wes Welker and Demaryius Thomas all claimed a pair of catches to reach the end zone.

Denver blew the game open in the third quarter when Manning threw three TDs, including two to Walker in the space of four minutes, as the Broncos moved 35-17 ahead with a term to play.

Manning threw 27 completed passes for 462 yards on Thursday as Denver’s season began in the best possible fashion, while Baltimore’s NFL championship defence looked far from likely on the opening day.

The Ravens led at the end of the first quarter at Mile High in Denver, after Baltimore quarter-back Joe Flacco found Vonta Leach with a two-yard pass at the end of an 80-yard drive.

The two teams traded touchdowns in the second quarter with Julius Thomas making two catches for Denver; before a blitz of three TDs in the third stanza saw the hosts take control.

The best touchdown of the third quarter came in the third minute when Manning found Andre Caldwell in the left channel with a 28-yard pass and the wide receiver stretched to make the catch before powering into the end zone.

When Manning threw a similar 26-yard pass to Demaryius Thomas at the start of the final quarter, the Broncos stretched their lead to 25 points.

Although the visitors reduced that to 15 with 5:33 left on the clock, Manning’s quick outlet pass to Demaryius Thomas allowed the 25-year-old wide receiver to sprint over 70 yards for Denver’s seventh touchdown and clinch the Broncos’ victory.