NEW YORK — Peyton Manning made his first pass at the MVP award before the rest of the NFL could start. The Broncos opened the NFL season at home on a Thursday night, Sept. 5, against the defending champion Baltimore Ravens. Manning tied a record with seven touchdown passes.
In an already marvelous 16-year career, Manning kept on chucking like never before. He threw 20 touchdown passes before his first interception.
“Unfortunately, we probably got his momentum going,” Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said Saturday during the red-carpet ceremony before the NFL honors show at Radio City Music Hall. “We didn’t play well in the back end. We played better after that, but that’s what Peyton does: He finds where to attack a defense. (Tom) Brady does it to an extent, but nobody does it like Peyton. Nobody attacks a defense better than Peyton Manning.”
The final maneuver by the Broncos quarterback was to accept his record fifth MVP award via videotape. An appointment with the Broncos’ Super Bowl on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks earned Manning an excused absence from the NFL honors program.
“This is a very special award,” Manning said. “I am extremely honored to have it presented by Joe Montana and Aaron Rodgers. I am humbled by this recognition and grateful to my family, Pat Bowlen, John Elway, John Fox and the entire Denver Bronco organization. And of course, my coaches and my teammates.”
Manning then sent word for his dad, Archie, and son Marshall to accept the award. Manning received 49 of the 50 votes.
“I’d say a no-brainer right there,” said New York Jets coach Rex Ryan. “I’m just happy I never had to go against him this year. I’ve been beat by him several times. It was good to get a break.”
“I’m up for the honor of MVP, but I’m not touching him,” said Kansas City running back Jamaal Charles.
Manning also was named offensive player of the year. His boss, football operations executive Elway, accepted that honor on Manning’s behalf.
Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno was nominated for comeback player of the year, but the award went to quarterback Philip Rivers of the rival San Diego Chargers.
Manning is the third Broncos player to win the MVP, joining Elway (1987) and Terrell Davis (1998). Manning wound up with 55 touchdown passes, 10 percent more than the previous record of 50 set by Tom Brady in 2007, and 5,477 yards, breaking the previous record set by Drew Brees in 2011 by 1 yard.
Manning led the Broncos to a 13-3 record, tied for the NFL’s best with Seattle.
It was, simply, the best single season by a quarterback in NFL history.
“It was the best I’ve seen anybody play the position,” said former NFL linebacker LaVar Arrington. “But there are rule changes, so when I say he’s as good as I’ve seen, he’s as good as I’ve seen with the rules in place. But, still, you’ve got to do it.”
At the awards show, the MVP award drew the least suspense.
“Who else is challenging him?” said former Manning teammate Robert Mathis of the Indianapolis Colts.
The vote wasn’t close, but it wasn’t unanimous, either. The lone dissenter, Jim Miller of SiriusXM NFL radio, cast his vote for New England’s Brady.
“Congratulations to Peyton for winning his fifth MVP award,” said Miller, who posted an 11-2 record as the starting quarterback with the Chicago Bears in 2001. “I’m confident in my vote. As someone who played the position, I felt Brady was on par with what Adrian Peterson did last year.”
Manning nearly won the MVP award last season, his first with the Broncos, but finished second after a late-season surge by Peterson pushed the running back past the coveted 2,000-yard rushing milestone and his Minnesota Vikings into the playoffs.
This year, it was Manning who had the historic season. It was his fifth MVP award in a league in which no other player has won more than three (Jim Brown, Johnny Unitas, Brett Favre).
“I think he’s getting better,” said Kurt Warner, a two-time MVP. “I think it was a blessing in disguise going through what he went through.”
Four neck injuries made Manning better? Warner said missing the entire 2011 season and getting released by Indianapolis forced Manning to start from the beginning with the most rudimentary of quarterback fundamentals.
“I think there’s always times when people say you can’t do it anymore,” Warner said. “Sometimes those setbacks force you to focus a little bit harder. When you talk to him about things he did during rehab — simulating games, going through every throw, making all those reads — those are things you don’t do when you’re healthy.”
Mike Klis: mklis@denverpost.com or twitter.com/mikeklis
Rewarded with awards
A look at the most prolific winners of the most valuable player award in each of the four major sports:
NHL
Wayne Gretzky 9
Gordie Howe 6
Eddie Shore 4
MLB
Barry Bonds 7
Nine tied 3
NBA
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 6
Michael Jordan 5
Bill Russell 5
NFL
Peyton Manning 5
Jim Brown 3
Johnny Unitas 3
Brett Favre 3
NFL awards
MVP
Peyton Manning, QB, Broncos
Offensive player of the year
Peyton Manning, QB, Broncos
Defensive player of the year
Luke Kuechly, LB, Panthers
Offensive rookie of the year
Eddie Lacy, RB, Packers
Defensive rookie of the year
Sheldon Richardson, DT, Jets
Comeback player of the year
Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers
Coach of the year
Ron Rivera, Panthers
Walter Payton man of the year
Charles Tillman, CB, Bears
Deacon Jones Award (top pass rusher)
Robert Mathis, LB, Colts
