Just how good are these Broncos?
We pondered that question on the latest "Around The League Podcast" after Denver dismantled the Philadelphia Eagles 52-20 on Sunday and moved to 4-0 on the year.
Chew on this: As Peter King noted Monday on TheMMQB.com, the Broncos never ran a third-down play on Peyton Manning's final four touchdown drives against the Eagles. Over that stretch, Denver converted on an eye-popping 12 straight second downs with scoring marches of 11, 10, eight and seven plays apiece.
Those 36 plays generated 305 yards and 28 points against Philly's overwhelmed defense.
Denver's assault on the record books is off to a fast start. Check this out:
» The Broncos' 52 points against Philly are the most scored in a single game in franchise history, per NFL Media research.
» Denver's 179 points through Week 4 are the second most of any team since 1940 (the '66 Cowboys own the record with 183).
Schein: No doubting these Broncos
Forgive Adam Schein. He merely was using logic to question Denver's elite status -- a silly conceit, he now knows. **READ**
» The Broncos' four straight games with 35-plus points are second in NFL history to the six-game streak set by the St. Louis Rams in 2000.
» Denver has won 15 straight regular-season games by seven or more points. The record -- 16 games -- was set by the Bears from 1941 to '42. If the Broncos win by one touchdown against the Cowboys in Week 5, they'll have a chance to break Chicago's ancient record when the woeful Jacksonville Jaguars visit in Week 6.
» Manning's numbers are stunning. His 16 touchdown passes are the most in league history over the first four games of a season. But his hot start isn't even a personal best over a four-game stretch. Manning tossed 19 touchdown passes over four consecutive starts in November 2004.
» Manning's 201 consecutive passes without one interception are a career best.
» His 1,470 yards this season are the most he's ever thrown over a four-game span.
» Further justifying every cent the Broncos are paying him, Manning has become the first quarterback in NFL history to have 50 passing touchdowns in his first 20 games with a new team. He's also the first to pass for 6,000-plus yards with his new club over that amount of time.
» Back to the Broncos: They've started 4-0 five times in their history. Outside of an ill-fated Josh McDaniels-led campaign in 2009, Denver reached the Super Bowl each time.
The "Around The League Podcast" review every Week 4 game. Click here to listen and subscribe.