Peyton Manning unleashes Denver’s passing offense in first half against 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers much be pretty tired of these Mannings by now. Last time Jim Harbaugh's team was on the field in a game that counted, it was Eli Manning who sliced and diced Vic Fangio's defense in the 2011 NFC championship, completing 32 of 56 passes for 316 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions against a team that led the NFL in turnover ratio in the regular season. And in a week 3 preseason master class, older brother Peyton shredded San Francisco's starting eleven even more -- Manning the Elder completed 10 of 12 passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns in just three series. It was a triumphant performance for Manning in more than a statistical fashion -- he took a hard hit from linebacker Parys Haralson at one point, and went to the ground with Haralson's helmet placed near the shoulder that had seen four separate surgeries in the last three years. After that play, Manning got up and coolly threw one of his scoring passes. Before this game, Manning was 20 of 30 for 221 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions in preseason contests against the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks. Asked on Thursday whether the 49ers' generally excellent defense was a litmus test...