Thomas and Manning Make History Together, 2013
After the stunning divisional loss to end the Denver Broncos’ 2012 season against the Baltimore Ravens, the Denver Broncos were surely hungry to avenge that loss in the 2013 season opener in Denver, where they would take on the defending Super Bowl champion Ravens, a title the Broncos surely felt could have belonged to them.
The Broncos got their revenge, beating the Ravens 49-27 in a game that would prove to be historic for both Peyton Manning and a certain receiver he would prove to develop a very special bond with.
Just a year prior, Demaryius Thomas had taken a 78-yard screen pass to the house for a touchdown in Week 1 in 2012. History would repeat itself, and Thomas did just that again to further cement the Broncos’ victory. However, what was so special about this particular touchdown was that it was Peyton Manning’s seventh touchdown pass of the night.
This would tie him for most touchdown passes in a single game in NFL history.
DT finished the day with five receptions, 161 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. Thomas saw his name go down in the Broncos’ history books once again, as his receiving yards on the day were good for second-most in franchise history in a season opener, just trailing his friend and mentor, Shannon Sharpe.
What was so special about this day was not that they both found their names in the history book, but that they accomplished it together, especially considering the deep friendship the two would prove to form. Broncos Country knows the bond, especially the bond DT had with Peyton Manning’s son, Marshall.
Though the Manning to Thomas connection was electrifying on-field, the one off of the field was even more special.