Denver Broncos vs New York Jets Match Player Stats On Oct 12, 2014

SportsDirect Inc. staff
Oct 12, 2014

Broncos 31, Jets 17: Peyton Manning threw three touchdown passes to move within two of matching Brett Favre's NFL record of 508 as visiting Denver sent reeling New York to its fifth consecutive loss.

Manning, who went 22-of-33 for 237 yards, tossed two scoring strikes to Julius Thomas as the tight end increased his league-leading touchdown total to nine. Reigning AFC Offensive Player of the Week Demaryius Thomas (10 receptions, 124 yards) also found the end zone and Ronnie Hillman rushed for 100 yards in his first career start for the Broncos (4-1), who have won two in a row following a 26-20 overtime loss to Seattle on Sept. 21.

Geno Smith rebounded after being benched last week versus San Diego and went 23-of-43 for 190 yards while tossing two touchdown passes for the Jets (1-5), who have dropped five in a row since recording a season-opening 19-14 victory over Oakland. Rookie tight end Jace Amaro had a 2-yard touchdown reception to highlight his team-high 10-catch, 68-yard performance while former Bronco Eric Decker added a 2-yard TD grab.

After Amaro used his 6-5, 265-pound frame to reel in a fade pass for a score late in the first quarter that gave New York a 7-3 lead, Denver finally started to get its high-octane offense in gear. Manning tossed a 1-yard touchdown pass over the middle to Demaryius Thomas with 5:50 remaining in the second quarter before firing a 22-yard score down the seam to Julius Thomas with 27 seconds left.

The mammoth tight end wasn't done, snaring a 4-yard touchdown pass midway through the third quarter to surpass San Diego's Antonio Gates and Hall-of-Famer Mike Ditka for the most scores by a tight end through five games. Nick Folk booted a 30-yard field goal and Decker scored on a slant to trim Denver's lead to 24-17 with 7:56 remaining in the fourth, but Aqib Talib returned an interception 22 yards for a touchdown in the waning seconds to end the threat.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Manning (11,666 yards) passed Jake Plummer (11,631) for fourth place all-time among Denver quarterbacks ... The Jets mustered just eight rushing yards at the half, their fewest total over the first two quarters of a game since Week 2 of the 2002 season. They had nine after three quarters before finishing with 31. ... New York CB Dee Milliner did not return after suffering what coach Rex Ryan called an Achilles injury while attempting to block a 37-yard field goal by Denver K Brandon McManus in the first quarter. Denver LB Danny Trevathan exited with a left knee injury in the first and is expected to undergo an MRI on Monday.