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Updated: 11:02 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012 | Posted: 5:31 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012

Bengals to face talented Manning, Broncos

By Jay Morrison

Staff Writer

CINCINNATI —

The jersey may be new, but the results are starting to look like the numbers of old for Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning.

The 36-year-old Manning, who signed with the Broncos in the offseason after 14 years in Indianapolis, missed all of 2011 with a neck injury, and the rust was apparent in his first couple of games back.

But heading into Sunday’s contest against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium, Manning is on a five-game run that has seen him average 329 passing yards while completing 69 percent of his attempts with 14 touchdowns and one interception.

“It’s hard to say that he’s not (as good as ever),” Bengals cornerback Leon Hall said. “I think he’s pretty damn close.”

What Manning lacks in arm strength and some other physical tools, he makes up for with experience and intelligence.

“A lot of teams try to show their coverages late against him, which is obviously what you want to do, but sometimes he still knows,” Hall said. “He’s obviously big in the film room.”

Here is a look at what Manning and the Broncos will bring to Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday.

OFFENSE

Led by Manning and a talented group of receivers, the Broncos rank fourth in the NFL in passing offense, averaging 292.9 yards per game.

Third-year wide receiver Demaryius Thomas leads the team and is ranked third in the league with 679 receiving yards on 39 catches. Eric Decker, who also is in his third season, has 38 catches for 484 yards.

The running game ranks 14th in the NFL at 112.6 yards per game. Ten-year veteran Willis McGahee has 554 yards and four touchdowns and is averaging 4.5 yards per carry.

Overall the Broncos rank third in the NFL in total offense, averaging 405.4 yards.

DEFENSE

Despite being minus-3 in turnover differential, the Broncos have the NFL’s eighth-ranked defense, allowing 319.3 yards per game.

Outside linebacker Von Miller (six sacks) and defensive end Elvis Dumerville (five) have made it tough on opposing quarterbacks, holding foes to 213.3 passing yards per game, which ranks eighth in the league.

On the back end is 11-time Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey, while University of Cincinnati rookie defensive tackle Derek Wolfe has emerged as a force up front.

The Broncos rank 15th in the league in run defense, allowing 106 yards per game.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicker Matt Prater has yet to miss in 2012, but he has attempted only nine field goals because the offense has been so successful scoring touchdowns in the red zone. Prater is 2-for-2 on tries of 50 yards or more.

Britton Colquitt averages 46.9 yards per punt, which is good for 15th in the league, but his net average of 42.6 is fifth best in the NFL.

SERIES

Denver has won three in a row and leads 18-8, but the Bengals are 6-5 in Cincinnati.


Next game

Who: Broncos (4-3) at Bengals (3-4)

When: 1 p.m. Sunday

Where: Paul Brown Stadium

TV/Radio: Ch. 7, 12, pending sellout; WLW-AM (700), WEBN-FM (102.7), WTUE-FM (104.7)

Peyton Manning By The Numbers

Career

Comp.Att.Pct.YardsTDIntRating

4,8587,46765.156,94141620295.4

2012

Comp.Att.Pct.YardsTDIntRating

17625768.52,113174109.0

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