Peyton Manning really struggles in the cold, throws for only 397 yards and four touchdowns

Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning has not been thrilled to get questions about his struggles in cold weather.

It'll be a while before he fields any more.

The official temperature for kickoff in Denver was 18 degrees, and it dipped after that as the sun set behind the mountains. And Manning looked like he was playing in the middle of summer.

Manning set a Broncos record with 39 completions, and had 397 yards and four touchdowns as Denver beat Tennessee 51-28. The Broncos had never scored more than 50 points in a game before this season. They've scored at least 50 points three times this season, the first NFL team to do that since the 1969 Vikings.

The Broncos have scored a team-record 515 points, and the NFL record of 589 points by the 2007 Patriots is well within reach with three games to go. Some of Denver's remaining three games might be in cold weather, but Manning put to rest the myth that he can't play in the cold.

Manning was great, even without slot receiver Wes Welker for most of the game. Welker suffered his second concussion of the season. Manning has 45 touchdowns this season. It seems inevitable that he'll break Tom Brady's record of 50 touchdown passes in a season. And 55 touchdowns this season might be in reach.

Sunday's performance will give the Broncos plenty of confidence heading into the playoffs. There had been questions about Manning's ability to throw the ball in bad weather, after last season's frigid playoff loss to the Ravens and this season's loss at New England in cold weather.

Manning looked fine in the freezing weather on Sunday. The Broncos' offense looks unstoppable no matter what the conditions are. That might be important in New Jersey come early February.

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Frank Schwab

is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdowncorner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
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