Following Sunday's 52-20 drubbing of the Philadelphia Eagles, the conversation should shift from the high-flyingDenver Broncoschasing the 2007New England Patriots' scoring record to matching that team's 16-0 regular season.
Picking apart an overmatched Eagles secondary, Peyton Manning broke Brett Favre's NFL record with his 24th game of at least four touchdown passes. He also broke Kurt Warner's record for most touchdown passes through four games, while matching Browns quarterback Milt Plum's 1960 start with 16 touchdowns versus zero interceptions.
After topping the 50-point marker for the first time in franchise history, the Broncos are now on pace for 716 points -- which would shatter the Patriots' 589 in 2007. Manning's on-pace numbers are even more absurd at 468 of 624 (75.0 percent) for 5,880 yards and a 64:0 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
For all of those bloated numbers, what has to keep defensive coaches up at night is that Manning's offense has yet to play a complete game. They left a few plays on the field again Sunday, including a would-be long touchdown just out of the reach of a wide open Eric Decker.
This team has not been seriously tested in 15 consecutive regular-season games. With All-Pro pass rusher Von Miller and star cornerback Champ Bailey due back soon, it could be January before any team puts a scare into the Broncos.
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- The Broncos go against backfield orthodoxy, utilizing a pedestrian but reliable veteran (Knowshon Moreno) as their "get the lead" running back before turning to a riskier playmaker (Ronnie Hillman) as the "keep the lead" back. Once Hillman and Montee Ball start earning the coaching staff's trust, this offense will be even harder to defend.
- For the second consecutive week, an inconsistent Michael Vick was able to move the Eagles' offense only to fall short in the red zone. The defense and special teams still were a bigger issue than Vick's offense. Nick Foles came on for a quick garbage-time score, but Vick is in no danger of losing his job.
- Philadelphia's linebackers and safeties are a major liability in coverage. That has been the case since the season opener.
- To put the Eagles' 166 rushing yards and a touchdown (on 35 carries) in perspective, Denver's run defense was holding opponents below 2.0 yards per carry and 50 yard per game through three weeks.
- Wes Welker is up to six touchdowns on the season. Tom Brady started Sunday night's game with just five touchdown passes.
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