You know things are going well for the Denver Broncos when Peyton Manning is an afterthought in a blowout win on the road.
Denver's defense manhandled Cam Newton and the Carolina offensive line in a convincing 36-14 victory over the Panthers. You can't pin this one on Carolina's defense.
Until a garbage time touchdown, Manning's offense actually only put up ten points. But Trindon Holliday had a controversial punt return touchdown, Broncos safety Tony Carter returned a Newton interception forty yards, and for a score Mike Adams recorded a safety.
Don't misread us: Manning was very, very good in this game. (301 yards and a score on 38 throws.) Von Miller just was better. Miller absolutely dominated play for a second straight game with a sack, four tackles for loss, and a quarterback hit. His pressure on Newton forced the pick six. When Elvis Dumervil left the game with a shoulder injury, Robert Ayers came on strong.
AFC foes have to be concerned that the Broncos have added another pass rusher. Their defense is legitimately a weapon.
Suddenly, the Broncos look as balanced as any team in the conference.
Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.