Manning brothers swap info
ENGLEWOOD, COLO. Sometimes even Peyton Manning could use a little extra help when it comes to getting ready for his next opponent. Luckily for Manning, he can lean on his younger brother, Eli.
The Manning brothers realized during a phone conversation last week that they play eight common opponents — each of the four teams in the AFC North and NFC South.
This weekend Peyton’s Denver Broncos play at the Carolina Panthers, whom Eli’s New York Giants pummeled 36-7 in September, while the Giants play the Cincinnati Bengals, whom the Broncos beat 31-23 Sunday.
“I talked to him (Tuesday) about their game,” Eli said. “Just seeing if there are any tips on certain things.”
Here’s one that likely came up: watch out for Bengals cornerback Terence Newman. He intercepted a pair of Peyton’s passes in the third quarter, helping Cincinnati briefly grab the lead.
“You’ve still got to play the game. Sometimes a team will play us differently than they did the Giants or whoever,” Peyton said. “But it’s just good to talk football with someone who’s played them before. There’s something about playing a team instead of just seeing them on film, to give you a little firsthand talk.”
Both teams have yet to play the Baltimore Ravens; they will do so on back-to-back weeks, Peyton on Dec. 16 and Eli on Dec. 23.
“I don’t know if it helps a ton, but I know it doesn’t hurt,” Peyton said.
Peyton Manning is 13-5 when he has played an opponent (in the same season) after his brother. Eli has had fewer chances, and he is 4-5. So either Eli is a better teacher or Peyton is a better listener.
Eagles lose lineman:
The Philadelphia Eagles placed right tackle Todd Herremans on injured reserve Wednesday with an ankle injury.
The Eagles are down 80% of the offensive line they had expected to have during the offseason. That leaves regular left guard Evan Mathis surrounded by substitutes King Dunlap, Demetress Bell, Dallas Reynolds and Dennis Kelly.
It’s little wonder Michael Vick was sacked seven times in a loss to the New Orleans Saints onMonday.