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AFC NEWS AND NOTES

BRONCOS START FAST, MANNING CLIMBS NFL RECORD BOOKS   

Through the first four weeks of the NFL season, PEYTON MANNING and the Denver Broncos, along with the Kansas City Chiefs and the New England Patriots, remain unbeaten atop the AFC.

"If we can just keep getting better and better, that's the goal," says Broncos head coach JOHN FOX on his team's focus. "We want to be playing our best football in February."

Through Week 4, the Broncos have scored an NFL-best 179 points (44. 8 per game), the second-most points in a team's first four games in NFL history, trailing only the 1966 Dallas Cowboys (183 points).

On Sunday against the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium (CBS, 4:25 PM ET), Denver needs 39 points to set the all-time record  for the most points in a team's first five games in NFL history.

The teams with the most points in the first five games of a season:

Manning, who is in his 16th NFL campaign and second in Denver, has*led the Broncos to 15 consecutive regular-season wins, the longest active streak in the NFL. With a victory on Sunday at Dallas, Manning can join New England'sTOM BRADY* as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to win at least 16 consecutive regular-season games multiple times in a career.

Manning and Brady's winning streaks of at least 16 regular-season games as starters:

Through Week 4, Manning leads the NFL in completions (117), passing yards (1,470), touchdown passes (16) and passer rating (138). Manning's 16 touchdown passes are the most through the first four games of a season in NFL history.

"They are not nearly as good right now as they will be in November," says Manning's former head coach and NBC Sports analyst TONY DUNGY. "These receivers are still learning him and are going to be even better in a month." 

Added former NFL quarterback and CBS Sports analyst BOOMER ESIASON, "When you watch him play he's smarter than he's ever been."

With 405 passing yards on Sunday, Manning (60,957) can surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO (61,361) for the second-most in NFL history.

The quarterbacks with the most career passing yards in NFL history:

NFC NEWS AND NOTES

BIG PLAY EXCITEMENT

"Big plays equal points in this league," says Green Bay Packers head coach MIKE MC CARTHY. 

One of the biggest momentum changers in the NFL is a long touchdown. Not only does it put points on the board, but it can change the direction of the game.

"Making big plays to help the team is what I dream about," says Minnesota running back ADRIAN PETERSON, who had a 60-yard touchdown run last week in the Vikings' 34-27 win over Pittsburgh at London's Wembley Stadium. "A big run at a key moment can swing the momentum of a game."

Peterson, the 2012 NFL MVP, has 12 career touchdown runs of at least 60 yards, the most in NFL history.

"I was just being patient and letting the holes open up for me," says Peterson about his latest 60-yard touchdown run. "I was able to press it and cut it back and then take it to the house. I have to give thanks to those guys up front. They were the ones that made it happen, as well as the receivers blocking down the field. It was a big momentum shift for us."

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Minnesota wide receiver GREG JENNINGS had a 70-yard touchdown reception last week, the seventh TD catch of at least 70 yards in his career. He is tied with the New York Giants' VICTOR CRUZ for the most 70 yard touchdown receptions among active players.

"Greg made plays all game and he does a tremendous job with the run after the catch," says Vikings quarterback MATT CASSEL about Jennings' performance in Week 4. "He's strong with the ball and runs after the catch."

Cruz, who had a 69-yard touchdown catch last week against Kansas City, had a 70-yard receiving TD in Week 1 versus Dallas. In his career, he has seven touchdown receptions of at least 70 yards as well as a 68- and 69-yarder.

"Any time I get a chance to get the ball, I want to make the big play," says Cruz. "I am just trying to do the most I can when I catch the ball."

Since the 1970 merger, Jennings and Cruz are among the seven players with at least seven touchdown receptions of 70 yards. Pro Football Hall of Famer JERRY RICE has the most in the NFL during that span with nine.

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