1. Hello Wes Welker, Goodbye Eric Decker - Peyton Manning and Wes Welker quickly found chemistry. Welker caught 9 of his 11 targets. (The second most catches by a Bronco receiver was 5. Welker almost caught double more than any other Bronco!) Welker has got Manning's respect and Manning will look for him often the rest of the season.
Eric Decker has lost his spot as an every down receiver. He only caught two of his seven targets, and some of this drops were very costly. He dropped an easy touchdown pass. Then, to put the game away, the Broncos needed a first down. It was second down, and Peyton put the ball right in Deckers hands for a first down, and he dropped it again. Luckily for the Broncos, different receivers stepped up the next play both times and saved the drives. Manning obviously cannot trust Decker. And now the Welker is here, he doesn't have too. I expect Decker to have a very low season in terms of stats. Oh yeah, and here's another reason Decker isn't going to have a lot of targets. Meet Julius Thomas.
2. Julius Thomas - Hello Julius Thomas! 5 catches (tied for second most on the team) and two touchdowns. He is talented and very physical gifted. Peyton has new toy, and he has big plans for him. I expect DeMaryius Thomas and Wes Welker to have better overall season, but Julius Thomas will have a good season as well.
3. Peyton Manning - Peyton looked better than he has since 2007, maybe even better than ever. What a historic night for Peyton Manning. If anyone still thinks Peyton is slowing down because of age or injury, you're wrong. Simple as that. He is playing at 100%.
Peyton's best talent was never his physical talent. You do not see Peyton fitting the ball into tiny windows like Tom Brady or scrambling like Brett Favre. Peyton's biggest strength is his mind. He knows exactly where the ball should go. He coaches his receivers to where they should be. Peyton could play quarterback until he is sixty years old. Tom Brady can fit a football threw the tiniest window, but Peyton Manning never needs to. He creates giant windows for himself. His superpower was, is, and always will be his brain. And if anything he's getting better, not worse, over time. He's getting smarter and more experienced.
4. Fast-paced offence - This game was the first of many games this season that will feature such a fast paced offence. Offences statistics will be through the roof this year. Since football began, teams have focused on having a high 'time of possession.' Over the last few years, teams have been getting more and more away from this. In 2011, three QB's threw over 5,000 yards (Brady, Brees, and Matthew Stafford). Prior to that, only two QB's had ever thrown for that many. In 2012, more QB's threw for over 4000 yards than ever before (11. Previous record was 10 set in 2009 and 2011). Offensive stats over the last 5 years have been skyrocketing.
Chip Kelly said it before the season even started. "Time of possession is overrated." Peyton Manning was the first QB to throw 7 touchdowns in a single game since 1969. I wouldn't be surprised to see him or another QB do that again this season. This season is going to be high scoring all year.
On a fantasy football note: I want players that play for or against fast offences. I am starting DeSean Jackson over Mike Wallace this week. If Chip Kelly's offence as fast as the Broncos were, then I expect Jackson to have numbers similar to DeMaryius Thomas last night. Faster offence means more opportunity to score for both sides.
And if you thought yesterday was fun, that was just one game!
Ravens/Broncos box score - http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=330905007
3 QB's over 5000 yards 2011 - http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/01/drew-brees-tom-brady-matthew-stafford-all-top-5000-yards/
11 QB's over 4000 yards 2012 - http://www.sportsgrid.com/nfl/more-quarterbacks-threw-for-4000-yards-in-2012-than-any-other-season/
Time of possession overrated - http://sportsusamedia.com/nfl-football-news/eagles-coach-chip-kelly-time-of-possession-overrated/
I agree with most of what you said except what you said about Eric Decker. It was only one game. Let's not forget how amazing he has been in the past and will be in the future. :)Being there at the game myself I was THRILLED!!! Even in the first half of the game it was easy to have the mindset of "This is gonna be OK... we're a second half team anyway," we needed that first half to get our game together and once our offence showed up... oh buddy! Let's just hope our offence can show up for the rest of the season.
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