Peyton Manning: ‘I Stunk’ Against New England Patriots

Nov 2, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) reacts to an incomplete pass on fourth down during the fourth quarter of their 43-21 loss to the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) reacts to an incomplete pass on fourth down during the fourth quarter of their 43-21 loss to the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Peyton Manning wasn’t pleased with his own effort after the Broncos got shelled by the Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Peyton Manning didn’t mince words after his Denver Broncos got their hides handed to them by the New England Patriots. The team stunk, the effort stunk, and he stunk. Now all the Broncos can do is move on and hope for a better effort next time if they meet the Pats in the playoffs. Given the intertwined histories of Manning and the Patriots, that outcome seems likely.

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“I thought in today’s game they were better than us,” Manning said after the game, per Boston.com. “I thought we were just pretty dead average on offense, I thought I was very below average, didn’t play well. So that’s all I can speak for, is really me. I’ve got to play better.”

The Broncos lost 43-21 to the host Patriots, who were propelled by a devastating 24-point second quarter that would hold up in the frosty November matchup between old foes.

“I was talking to [Broncos radio play-by-play broadcaster] Dave Logan and he said, ‘I’ve never heard you say you stink before,’ and I said, ‘I don’t usually stink, but I stunk today,’” Manning added.

In this case, stink is a relative term. Manning threw for over 400 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, but it wasn’t even close to enough as the Broncos defense was shredded all day long by Tom Brady and the Patriots offense while Manning’s picks came at critical times. He cited the second quarter interception to linebacker Ron Ninkovich when Denver still led 7-6 as a game changer.

“Yeah, bad play; bad play,” Manning said. “I thought that was a critical play. Thought that definitely gave them a lot of momentum for whatever reason.”

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