Manning Shreds the Ravens, Harbaugh Gets Contract Extension
The AFC story of the day belongs to the Denver Broncos vs. the Baltimore Ravens Thursday night game that kicked off the 2013 NFL season. Even with its more than 30-minute delay, this rematch was well worth the wait as the Broncos won 49-27.
Peyton Manning
It was a close first half as the two teams entered halftime with a 17-14 Ravens lead. But we all know it’s tough to bet against Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and once again he showed this is true as he returned with vengeance tossing five touchdown passes in the second half.
For the night, he threw a record-tying seven of them–a feat that had last been done 44-years-ago by Joe Kapp of the Minnesota Vikings. Manning went 27 for 42, 462 yards, zero interceptions and are you ready? He had an astounding 141.1 quarterback rating.
In addition, he also tied Brett Favre’s NFL record for his 23rd career game with at minimum of four touchdown throws and New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees’ record of seven career five-touchdown games.
Manning spread the love around on Thursday as his new wide receiver Wes Welker caught two touchdown passes as well as tight end Julius Thomas (five passes for 110 yards) and receiver Demaryius Thomas doing the same. Andre Caldwell caught the final pass.
The quarterback said of the night via ESPN, “It was an awesome night. Our offensive line did a heck of a job against a great pass rush, gave me good time.”
As for that other quarterback, Ravens Joe Flacco, well, he was 34 for 62 (a career high), 362 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
If there were any doubts of Manning aging, these have been thrown out the window. The Broncos sit at 5/1 to win the 2014 Super Bowl.
Harbaugh Gets A Four-Year Contract Extension
After watching his quarterback get his payday, Raven coach John Harbaugh quietly received his own this offseason. According to ProFootballTalk.com, the coach and the Ravens came to terms on a new contract that had been negotiated in the offseason. The two sides had agreed to terms in the summer but a formal announcement had never been released.
John Harbaugh
The previous contract for Harbaugh had run through the 2014 season. His new one replaces the last two years on the deal and added two years, running to the 2016 season. In the upcoming four seasons, Harbaugh will make almost $7 million per year, placing him in the company of New Orleans Saints Sean Payton, the New England Patriots Bill Belichick and the Kansas City Chiefs Andy Reid.
They all make $7 million-plus a year.
So why the hefty pay raise for Harbaugh besides that Super Bow Win? In his five seasons as the Ravens coach, he’s won a minimum of one playoff game and has coached in three AFC Championships.
After Thursday’s game, expectations may have fallen for the Ravens 2013 season. They sit at 28/1 for a repeat Super Bowl win.
History Says Bet on the Patriots for Week 1
NFL fans all love stats and an interesting one for Week 1 includes the New England Patriots.
When it comes to season-opening games, the Patriots have won nine consecutive ones, reported CBS Sports. But there’s even more impressive numbers for this: only three NFL teams in history have greater opening day win streaks. This includes the Dallas Cowboys (17 from 1965-81), the Miami Dolphins (11 from 1992-2002) and the Detroit Lions/Portsmouth Spartans (10 from 1930-39).
If you’re wondering the last time the Patriots lost, that occurred on Sept. 7, 2003 against the Buffalo Bills 31-0. Yep, the Patriots play the Bills on Sunday and will get the win (-11, 51 o/u).
…But Stay Away from the Texans
Matt Schaub
As for the Houston Texans, they’ll open the season against the San Diego Chargers. In their four matchups, the Chargers have won every time. This included two in Houston and two in San Diego. There’s been some ugly losses but the Texans will break the streak on Sunday (-3.5, 44.5)
