BRONCOS WIN BIG IN “MANNING BOWL 3”
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) – Peyton Manning again beat younger brother Eli, throwing two touchdown passes in leading the Denver Broncos past the New York Giants 41-23 on Sunday. The older Manning is 3-0 in the NFL against his sibling, with the other two victories coming when Peyton was with the Colts. He got this win with a huge boost from Knowshon Moreno, who rushed for two touchdowns and 93 yards. Denver (2-0), which has won 13 straight regular-season games, rushed for 109 yards altogether.
Peyton Manning didn’t need to match his record-tying seven touchdown passes from the Broncos’ season-opening victory. Not with the Giants (0-2) being charitable again with three more turnovers after they had six in last’s week loss. They also allowed Trindon Holliday’s spectacular 81-yard punt return for a touchdown, the first such score in the league this season.
NEW YORK (AP) – The latest meeting between the Manning brothers drew a big television audience. CBS’s national game Sunday, highlighted by Denver’s win over the New York Giants, earned a 17.8 overnight rating and 34 share. The network said Monday it was the highest preliminary rating for its first national game of the season since CBS reacquired NFL rights in 1998. Peyton’s Broncos beat Eli’s Giants 41-23 in Manning Bowl III. Ratings represent the percentage of all homes with televisions tuned to a program. Shares represent the percentage of all homes with TVs in use at the time. Overnight ratings measure the country’s largest markets.
ENGLEWOOD (AP) – The Denver Broncos have signed backup tackle Chris Clark to a two-year extension through 2015. Clark is the second offensive lineman to sign a two-year extension in the last week, joining center Manny Ramirez, who signed his deal after making his first NFL start at center in Denver’s opener. Clark is a fifth-year pro who has played in 42 regular-season games, including six starts at tight end in 2011.
He was the Broncos’ left tackle all offseason while Ryan Clady was rehabbing from shoulder surgery and awaiting the big contract extension he signed in July.
Clark, who spent his first two NFL seasons on Minnesota’s practice squad, has played in all of Denver’s games since 2011, mostly on special teams.
ELSEWHERE IN SPORTS…
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) – Tonight’s game in St. Petersburg, Fla., is a big one when it comes to the wild card race in the American League. The contest has Tampa Bay playing host to Texas, and in the standings the Rays and Rangers currently hold down the two spots with several teams breathing down their necks.
CINCINNATI (AP) – The NFL game this evening is being played in Cincinnati with the Bengals playing the Steelers. This is of course an AFC North game with each team coming in winless after one week of play. The last time they met was last December with the Bengals winning in Pittsburgh, 13-10.
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) – The Jets have waived punter Robert Malone and replaced him with Ryan Quigley. Malone, who beat out Quigley in training camp, was in his second season with the Jets after setting the franchise record last year with a 45.8 gross average. He had the second-best net average in team history at 38.5.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) – Race car driver Juan Pablo Montoya is leaving NASCAR for IndyCar next season. Montoya has agreed to join Team Penske next season, leaving behind Chip Ganassi’s (ghuh-NAS’-ees) NASCAR team. He joins a power-house as the team includes current IndyCar points leader Helio Castroneves (EHL’-ee-oh cas-troh-NEHV’-us) and Will Power.
LONDON (AP) – Former top-10 tennis player Marin Cilic (CHIHL’-ihch) has been suspended nine months for a doping violation. The International Tennis Federation says he tested positive for a stimulant and that an independent tribunal found that Cilic ingested the stimulant inadvertently while taking glucose tablets. He has been ranked as high as No. 9 in the world in early 2010.