TheSTN – Peyton Manning Finding Comfort In Denver

PEYTON MANNING and the Denver Broncos, who are atop the AFC West with a 6-3 record, will host their long-time rivals the San Diego Chargers on Sunday (CBS, 4:25 PM ET).

In his 15th NFL campaign and first season in Denver, the four-time NFL MVP has quickly acclimated to his new teammates and developed a strong chemistry with his receivers.

Manning has completed at least 70 percent of his passes in six straight games, the longest streak in NFL history (minimum 20 att.). Through Week 10, Manning ranks second in the AFC with 2,705 passing yards and is first in the conference with 21 touchdown passes. With 295 passing yards on Sunday, Manning can become only the third player in NFL history to reach 3,000 yards in the first 10 games with a team. He can also challenge the top five for the most touchdown passes in the first 10 games with a team.

“Peyton Manning will beat you with experience,” says CBS analyst and former NFL quarterback PHIL SIMMS. “He’s been in control of offenses for so long. He knows the style of offense that is going to work in the NFL. He has a group of plays that he knows is going to work in the NFL. He knows them better than anybody. That is a great head start on most NFL teams. The Broncos already have it built in. It’s just about them going out there and executing.”

The most passing yards and touchdown passes in the first 10 games with a team:

Manning, who became the NFL’s all-time leader in 300-yard passing games (69) this season and now has the most come-from-behind victories in the fourth quarter or overtime (48) of any quarterback since 1970, continues his rise up league’s record books. On Sunday, Manning (420) can surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO (420) for the second-most touchdown passes in NFL history.

“He has made a tremendous impact by playing the quarterback position at such a high level for so many years,” says CBS Sports’ NFL TODAY analyst Dan Marino.

With a win on Sunday, Manning can also surpass Marino (147) and tie Broncos EVP of Football Operations and Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback JOHN ELWAY (148) for the second-most regular-season wins as a starter in NFL history.