Broncos kick-start year

John Riordan runs the rule over those hoping to impress in the new NFL season.

Normally the veteran player will turn the clock back on his own career when he delivers a performance of genuine greatness.

But on Thursday night in the Mile High splendour of Denver, Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning turned the entire NFL clock back a half century with an achievement for the ages against the Super Bowl champions, the Baltimore Ravens. Manning brought the NFL back to life with a bang, sending a record-equalling seven-touchdown passes through the many holes of a much changed Ravens defence. In the aftermath, as the superlatives darted around about the 49-27 win, he remained as cool and collected as ever.