Peyton wins in debut, spoils keep-away plan

DENVER — After 611 days away, Peyton Manning couldn’t wait to get back on the field. Ben Roethlisberger seemed determined to keep him on the sideline Sunday night.

Manning overcame the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 10-minute advantage in time of possession and led a hurry-up offense that helped the Denver Broncos win 31-19 in his debut with his new team.

“It’s just one game. I try to keep it in perspective,” Manning said. “I know how hard I’ve worked to get to this point. I know how much help that I’ve gotten along the way, from a lot of people. It’s special. I will definitely say it’s special.”

The four-time MVP coming off four neck surgeries completed 19 of 26 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns. He was sacked twice and bounced up without trouble.

Manning got a big assist from another big-time free agent, cornerback Tracy Porter, whose 43yard interception return of Roethlisberger’s pass with two minutes left sealed the victory.

Manning, jettisoned by the Indianapolis Colts in March after missing all of last season, took just two snaps in the third quarter. But one was a 71-yard touchdown throw to Demaryius Thomas, Manning’s first as a Bronco and the 400th of his career.

He reached the milestone in his 208th career game. Dan Marino did it in his 227th game and Brett Favre in his 228th.

“I love those guys,” Manning said. “Brett and Dan are two of my favorite quarterbacks of all time. I don’t feel like I belong in their category. But to be sort of mentioned among them is a true honor.”

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said playing keep-away from Manning was the game plan.

“That was our intention,” he said. “We need to possess the ball, we needed to get stops, and time of possession is just that. Though you look at the scoreboard, they got it done, we didn’t. The plan didn’t come to fruition.”