Manning breaks Favre’s TD record in rout of 49ers

Broncos QB sets

TD record in rout

Associated Press

Denver

Peyton Manning’s receivers played keep-away with his milestone memento and the NFL’s new leader in career touchdown passes toyed with the San Francisco 49ers in the Denver Broncos’ emphatic 42-17 victory Sunday night.

Manning went into the showdown two TDs shy of Brett Favre’s record of 508 and threw four touchdown passes, giving him 510.

He surpassed Favre’s mark with an 8-yard strike to Demaryius Thomas late in the second quarter. As he went to retrieve the football, his teammates decided to have some fun.

Thomas tossed the historic ball over Manning and to Emmanuel Sanders, who then lobbed it to Wes Welker. From there, Welker dished it back to Sanders, who then flipped it to Julius Thomas — all of Manning’s favorite targets getting into the act.

Finally, Manning got the ball along with congratulations from his teammates and coaches.

The souvenir won’t end up on Manning’s mantle, however.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has a nice spot all ready for it.

During the celebration on the sideline, Manning watched the giant scoreboard high above him in the south end zone as his boss, GM John Elway, and then Favre, offered their kudos.

Manning added a 40-yard TD throw to Thomas after Aqib Talib’s interception in the third quarter that made it 28-10, and then Thomas set up another score with a 49-yard catch.

This time, running back Ronnie Hillman darted through the line for a career-long 37-yard run that made it 35-10. He added a 1-yarder as the Broncos (5-1) finally found a ground game to go with Manning’s passing prowess.

Manning completed 22 of 26 passes for 318 yards and four TDs.