Sept. 9, 2012: Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning looks to pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter of an NFL football game. (AP)
DENVER – Peyton Manning made a successful NFL return from a year's sabbatical, leading the Broncos past the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-19 in his Denver debut Sunday night.
The four-time MVP coming off four neck surgeries completed 19 of 26 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns.
He got a big assist from another free agent, cornerback Tracy Porter, whose 43-yard interception return of Ben Roethlisberger's pass with 2 minutes left sealed the win.
Manning, jettisoned by the Indianapolis Colts in March after missing all of last season with a nerve injury that weakened his throwing arm, hit Demaryius Thomas with a 71-yard touchdown toss for his first score as a Bronco. It was his 400th career TD toss.
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