Peyton Manning adds three more TD passes as Broncos top Jets

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — For so long, he has been the paradigm of quarterbacking, the model of consistency.

But history must wait for another day. And for the Denver Broncos' Peyton Manning, that's just fine.

The five-time MVP threw three touchdowns Sunday against the New York Jets in a 31-17 victory. Manning, who now owns 506 TD passes, needs two more to tie Brett Favre's career record.

But no particular throw revealed as much about Manning as what he did so many times before the snap. Normally the conductor of a pass-heavy offense, he noticed something Sunday. With freedom at the line of scrimmage, Manning often audibled and let his running backs do the work.

"The way the Jets played us, my guess is they didn't think much of our running game," Manning said after the game. "When you take your two linebackers and walk them both out to our two receivers, they're basically laughing at your running game. Based on what we've been doing, that's probably a valid philosophy.

"It's tough to throw the ball when they've got eight guys in coverage every single play to disrupt some of your receivers outside. It was good to get the running game going today."

Seeing a matchup he could exploit, Manning did. The clock bled, and his shot at Favre's record waned as the Broncos logged a season-high 33 rushing attempts.

Even with Denver's No. 1 running back, Montee Ball, sidelined with a groin injury, backup Ronnie Hillman managed 100 yards on 24 carries. Third-stringer Juwan Thompson pitched in 38 more yards on eight attempts.

When Manning did throw the ball, he was efficient, completing 66.7% of his passes for 237 yards and the three touchdowns.

Broncos head coach John Fox called it a "gritty victory" and praised his quarterback's ability to adjust at the line of scrimmage.

"There are a lot of things about him that are really good," Fox said. "That's one of them. He's seen a lot in this league as far as what people throw at him defensively. He and (coordinator) Adam Gase, our offensive staff, and the rest of the players on offense I think did a good job and were able to weave our way out of that one. "

Sitting at 4-1 — with their lone loss coming on the road against to the Seattle Seahawks — the Broncos face a tough stretch in the following two weeks. Next up, they host the San Francisco 49ers, then play the division rival San Diego Chargers.

With such tough tests looming, Manning insists he's not focused on Favre.

"I don't know that any of the (records) are big, especially in the middle of the season," Manning said. "We're trying to win football games. It's tough. It's a tough schedule.

"That's all I'm thinking about."

At 38 and still playing at a level that matches the league's best, Manning has a chance to ultimately shatter Favre's standard. But as long as teams keep showing they're intent on stopping Manning from throwing the ball, his passing numbers may not be as striking.

And that's just fine.

Said Manning: "If Ronnie wants to run for four touchdowns next week, I promise you, I'm in favor of that."

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Follow Lorenzo Reyes on Twitter @Lorenzo_G_Reyes