Manning’s 7 TDs lead Broncos past Ravens 49-27

DENVER — Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos waited eight long months, then another 33 minutes, to get the season started.

A record-tying seven touchdown passes — something no one had done in 44 years — made it worth the while.

Connecting with his most prized addition, Wes Welker, former college basketball player Julius Thomas and Demaryius Thomas for two TDs each, Manning directed Denver to a 49-27 victory over the Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night in the NFL opener, a much-anticipated rematch against the team that ended the Broncos’ playoff run in January.

Manning is the sixth QB in NFL history to throw seven TD passes in a game and the first since Joe Kapp did it for Minnesota against Baltimore on Sept. 28, 1969.

Manning was 27 of 42 for 462 yards with seven TDs and no interceptions.