Before taking the field in Week 1 for the Denver Broncos, there was a lot doubt surrounding four-time NFL MVP Peyton Manning and whether or not he’d be able to bounce back from multiple neck surgeries.
Fortunately for the Broncos, Manning hasn’t missed a beat in the first seven games of the 2012 NFL season leading Denver to four wins and a first place standing in the AFC West division.
Despite having no setbacks from all the neck surgeries, Manning will head into Week 9 on the injury report for the Broncos with a sore thumb on his throwing hand according to ESPN.com:
For the first time, Denver coach John Fox listed his quarterback on the team’s injury report — “Peyton Manning, right thumb, full” — but said he noticed no lingering effects.
With five straight games throwing for 300 or more yards and three touchdowns, the new face of the Broncos franchise has begun to hit his stride and might be making a case for a fifth MVP award at season’s end.
Along with putting up impressive numbers as of late, Manning has led the Broncos to three wins in the last four games with the only loss coming against the New England Patriots (31-21) in Week 5. Denver will take the current two-game winning streak into Week 9 on the road against the up-and-coming Cincinnati Bengals.
After surviving a brutal schedule in the first half of the season, the competition is nowhere near as tough in the last nine weeks before potentially heading into the playoffs. The Broncos only real challenge will be facing the Baltimore Ravens in Week 15, but other than that matchup against Joe Flacco and company, Denver has an opportunity to run the table and cruise into the postseason.
