NFL Game Summary - San Francisco at Denver
Denver, CO (SportsNetwork.com) - Peyton Manning didn't waste much time surpassing Brett Favre.
Getting a hold of the record-breaking football wasn't so easy.
Manning tossed his 509th touchdown pass in the second quarter to break Favre's NFL record and threw for four scores overall in three quarters of work as the Denver Broncos routed the San Francisco 49ers 42-17 on Sunday night.
"It was a special night," Manning said. "It's one I'll always remember."
The five-time NFL MVP Manning fired touchdown passes on three of his first four drives, with his 8-yarder to Demaryius Thomas on a 3rd-and-goal in the front right part of the end zone setting the record at the 3:09 mark of the second.
Following the score, the Broncos receivers along with Julius Thomas played a game of keepaway with Manning, not letting him have the ball before finally giving it to the future Hall of Famer.
Favre congratulated Manning on Twitter shortly thereafter.
"Well deserved Peyton, Congratulations on breaking my record. #Onto600," he said.
The Broncos also played a brief tribute on the big screen, which included messages from Favre, John Elway and several of Manning's teammates.
Manning, who threw for 399 of his touchdown passes while with the Indianapolis Colts, reached the record in his 246th game -- 56 games fewer than Favre.
"I'm humbled and I'm honored," Manning said. "I'm grateful to have all the teammates and coaches I've had over my career."
Manning finished 22-of-26 for 318 yards, while Demaryius Thomas caught eight passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns for the Broncos (5-1), who have won three straight games.
Ronnie Hillman carried the ball 14 times for 74 yards and two scores and added four receptions for 29 yards in the triumph.
Colin Kaepernick was 24-of-39 for 263 yards with a touchdown and an interception and Stevie Johnson hauled in five passes for 79 yards and a score for San Francisco (4-3), which had its three-game winning snapped.
"In all phases the Broncos were on their game, especially Peyton," said Niners head coach Jim Harbaugh.
Demaryius Thomas picked up 32 yards on a deep cross on Denver's opening 9- play, 57-yard march, which was capped on Emmanuel Sanders' 3-yard score, his first of the season.
Phil Dawson hooked a 51-yard field goal to the left on San Francisco's ensuing drive, and the Broncos needed just three plays to find the end zone again.
Manning hit an open Wes Welker along the left sideline, and Welker lunged at the 3 before diving and touching the ball against the left pylon for the 39- yard score late in the first quarter.
After both teams exchanged punts, the 49ers had to settle for a 22-yard Dawson field goal midway through the second after Anquan Boldin dropped a 3rd-and- goal pass from the 4. Dawson's boot finished off a 6:30 trek which went 83 yards in 12 snaps.
A Tramaine Brock pass interference penalty set the ball up at the 1 on Denver's next touch. Manning tripped on left guard Orlando Franklin's foot for a loss of 7 yards on 2nd-and-goal, but Demaryius Thomas was able to drag his back right foot inbounds on the record-breaking touchdown for a 21-3 Broncos advantage.
Kaepernick hit Johnson for a 25-yard gain and then hooked up with him for a 4- yard score just before halftime.
The rout was on in the third quarter.
Right after Aqib Talib intercepted Kaepernick on San Francisco's initial touch of the second half, Manning lofted a 40-yard TD pass to Demaryius Thomas along the right sideline on the very next play.
Hillman ran for scores of 37 and 1 yards, respectively, for a 42-10 Denver cushion heading into the fourth.
Blaine Gabbert fired a 20-yard TD pass to Bruce Ellington with a minute left to cap the scoring.