Peyton Manning has a long way to reach “mid-season form”

If anyone needed a tune-up in the Denver Broncos third preseason game, it was Peyton Manning.

The 39-year old former NFL MVP looked in anything but “mid-season form” during the first half Saturday night, notably missing two would-be touchdown passes to Demaryius Thomas, among others.

Sure, it’s early, but that much-needed chemistry between the two is currently lacking. Which is a concern when it’s an otherworldly receiver like DT and arguably the greatest ever to play quarterback.

Of course, Thomas’ contract holdout has likely disrupted the quarterback-receiver rhythm – that part’s not Manning’s fault – but the under-throw on a go route was all Manning. DT beat his man and was running open when Manning tossed the pigskin up and about five yards short of where it should’ve been, five yards deep in the end zone. If Manning puts the ball in the middle of the end zone, it likely would have turned into a touchdown instead of an incompletion.

Later, in the second quarter, Manning threw the ball up for Thomas only to be intercepted. DT didn’t really make a play on the ball, nor did he seem to expect the ball to be coming his way.

Could the remarkable receiver have run the wrong route? Manning was off on Saturday night, but not that off. Either way, it resulted in an interception and no points during the team’s deepest drive until that point. At halftime, the Broncos led 8-3, thanks mostly due to remarkable defensive play by Wade Phillips’ unit. Manning went 14-21 for 124 yards with the one interception. They’re not terrible numbers, but nothing amazing, either. This pass, however, was amazing. Look at the sheer velocity Manning throws this one with, and how quickly it gets to Andre Caldwell. It’s a tremendous catch for Caldwell to lay-out like he does, and it’s great location by Manning, as well.

And DT wasn’t all bad either; check out this speed he turns on to get within the five yard line.

But, will the quarterback-receiver duo be ready to connect on deep balls when the real games begin?

Manning wasn’t miserable Saturday night, but the mistakes by the quarterback maestro are a bit alarming considering he won’t get any more reps the rest of the preseason. This is it, all of the game action No. 18 will see before the regular season kicks off on Sunday, September 13 against the Baltimore Ravens.

And, like an aging car, Manning is still showing rust.