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Live Commentary: Denver Broncos 41-23 New York Giants - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's coverage of the 'Manning Bowl' between Eli Manning's New York Giants and Peyton Manning's Denver Broncos.
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Peyton Manning led the Denver Broncos to a 41-23 win over the New York Giants in the NFL tonight, beating his brother's team for the third time in his career.

The Broncos quarterback completed touchdown passes to Julius Thomas and Wes Welker, while Knowshon Moreno rushed for two scores, and Trindon Holliday returned a punt for six points.

Eli Manning threw four interceptions during the contest, completing just one touchdown pass.

Read how all the action unfolded below:


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Good evening, or good afternoon if you are joining us from the States. It's around 25 minutes until kickoff at the MetLife Stadium, when Eli Manning will be looking for his first NFL win over his older brother. Let's take a quick look at the inactives for the game.

GIANTS INACTIVES: Nassib, Cox, Bradford, Diehl, Mosley, Robinson, Hankins

BRONCOS INACTIVES: Dysert, Bailey, Dreessen, Anderson, Moffitt, Kuper, Jammer

There are no real surprises on either list. The Broncos are still without cornerback Champ Bailey, is picked up a foot injury in pre-season, and tight end Joel Dreessen, who has been a long-term absentee with a knee complaint.

Naturally, all eyes will be on the quarterbacks this evening. Peyton Manning has won both of his previous games against the New York Giants since they acquired Eli in a trade with the San Diego Chargers in 2009. However, both of his victories came during his 14-season spell with the Indianapolis Colts.

After the first week of the 2013 NFL season, it's advantage Peyton. The Broncos quarterback threw seven touchdown passes during the AFC West side's win over the Baltimore Ravens last week, while the Giants were beaten by the Dallas Cowboys.

Obviously, the Mannings won't be the only players under scrutiny tonight. Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker, who was the team's leading touchdown scorer last season, admitted that he was embarrassed by his performance last week. On the home side, running back David Wilson will be out to prove a point this evening, having twice fumbled against Dallas.

If you want to catch up on all the action from the earlier games, there will be full-time reports in our dedicated NFL section as soon as the games reach the end of the fourth quarters.

As we're just minutes from kickoff, it's time for a quick prediction. The Broncos' offense looked extremely impressive last week, but are likely to face a must sterner test against the likes of Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Tuck this evening. Meanwhile, Eli Manning will almost certainly look to up his game in a bid to claim the family bragging rights. I still think this will be a Broncos win, but by less than 10 points.

The Giants kickoff the first quarter, and Trindon Holliday returns the ball 20 yards. However, Tamme is flagged for a penalty, moving the line of scrimmage back.

Peyton finds Knowshon Moreno for a first down. On second down, the quarterback looks for Julius Thomas, who had a breakout game last week. The tight end gains six yards before Moreno gets a first down again on the next snap. Slow but steady progress by the Broncos so far.

TURNOVER! Peyton completed a stunning 36-yard pass to Andre Caldwell, who is forced out of bounds just short of the end zone. He hands the ball off to Montee Ball on the next snap looking for the touchdown, but Cullen Jenkins manages to knock it out of the rookie's hands before Mundy recovers the ball.

Eli's first pass of the game finds Victor Cruz for a gain of 51 yards, the Giants' offense look pretty fired up! Brandon Jacobs rushes for first down moments later in his first carry since re-signing for the team earlier this week.

Despite last week's mistakes, Tom Coughlin is standing by David Wilson. His first carry is a one-yard gain to bring up third down. Eli fails to find a receiver on the next snap, bringing out the field goal unit.

FIELD GOAL! Broncos 0-3 Giants (Brown)

It's a straight-forward start to the night for Josh Brown, as he chips over a 36-yard effort.

On 3rd and 4, Peyton has no open options, but the Giants give him plenty of time, allowing him to complete a pass to Thomas for a first down. However, Decker is penalised for a block on cornerback Terrell Thomas, who appears to have been injured following the play.

Peyton looks downfield for Decker, who almost makes the catch, but Amukamara prevents him from taking the catch, bringing the Denver punter onto the pitch for the first time.

The Giants offense comes back out, but some strong defense by the Broncos ensure that it's a swift three and out from Eli, bringing punter Steve Weatherford out. Meanwhile, we're hearing that Terrell Thomas has just had the wind knocked out of him, and will be able to return shortly.

The Broncos fail to find a first down too, with Peyton's short pass to Decker failing to find the wide receiver's hands. The Giants offense will return after just a few moments off the field.

Eli looks for Randle with his first pass of the drive, but the wide receiver is too well covered. The ball is handed off to Jacobs on second down, but Ayers quickly knocks the running back off his feet for a loss of three yards. Having failed to convert either of their previous third downs, the Giants call a timeout before taking the next snap.

So far, Peyton has 132 passing yards, with 12 completions from 16 attempts, while Eli is three from six for 61 yards.

Rodgers-Cromartie makes a superb block as Eli looks for Jernigan, bringing Weatherford back onto the field to punt the ball away. Neither offense has really been able to settle in this first quarter.

Peyton comes under pressure from Jenkins, who looks for the first sack of the game, but the Broncos quarterback manages to get rid of the ball.

END OF FIRST QUARTER: Broncos 0-3 Giants

The Broncos made a strong start to the second quarter, as Peyton completed a 17-yard pass to Welker for a first down.

TOUCHDOWN! Broncos 7-3 Giants (Moreno)

Moreno is the first player to find the end zone tonight with a superb 20-yard run down the sideline. It's Denver's first rush for more than 10 yards this season. Prater's extra-point effort is good, giving the Broncos a four-point lead.

Wilson is back as returner for the Giants and brings the ball out to the Giants' 22 from Prater's kickoff.

Eli target Hakeem Nicks for the first time tonight, and the wide receiver holds off Woodyard and Irving to take the catch for a gain of 22 yards.

The Giants quarterback fakes a handoff to Jacobs before coming out of the pocket to complete a first-down pass to Cruz, but the wide receiver is penalised for going out of bounds before coming back onto the field to take the catch.

Eli just manages to get the pass away before taking a hit from Woodyard, but Nicks drops the ball, bringing the punter onto the field again.

From the first snap of the drive, Peyton looks for Demaryius Thomas, but a hit from Terrell Thomas leaves the wide receiver shaken up. He misses the next play, but quickly returns to the field.

Terrell Thomas makes another couple of brilliant tackles to ensure a three and out for the Broncos. The cornerback missed the last two season with ACL injuries, but seems to have lost none of his sharpness during that time.

Hakeem Nicks has had to go into the locker room with a hand injury. According to the initial report from the team doctor, the wide receiver has a dislocated finger, but is expected the be back in the game once he's received treatment.

Eli from Myers, who has an open field in front of him, but Ihenachio races up from behind to bring the tight end down for a gain of 27 yards.

Randal tries to force his way into the end zone, but Woodyard forces a fumble just before the line. However, the official rule that the Ihenacho makes an illegal hit on the wide receiver earlier in the move, resulting in a first down for the Giants.

Eli spots Cruz in the end zone, but Chris Harris blocks superbly to stop the wideout from getting the touchdown.

A third-down effort to Myers fails, so Brown will come back out for a field goal attempt.

FIELD GOAL! Broncos 7-6 Giants (Brown)

The 24-yard effort is easy pickings for Josh Brown, who moves his team to within one point of their opponents.

Demaryius Thomas gets his hands to a deep pass from Peyton down the sideline but he fails to take the catch. The quarterback looks for tight end Julius Thomas, but it's incomplete again, bringing the Giants offense back out.

Wilson continues to put his poor showing against the Cowboys behind him with a quick six-yard gain for the Giants before Cruz secures the first down. Eli goes long looking for Cruz again, but the wide receiver is held back just short of the end zone, saving the touchdowns, but bringout out the penalty flag.

Wilson is really working hard to prove that he is an able running back, breaking off numerous tackles before being bundled out for a three yard gain. Last year's first-round Draft pick is starting to look more confident while carrying the ball.

Wilson manages to gain another six yards on second down, but Eli can't find Myers with his next effort, bringing Brown out to kick again.

FIELD GOAL! Broncos 7-9 Giants (Brown)

Josh Brown maintain his 100% record tonight with his third field goal of the game. The 41-yard completion was his longest so far. Head coach Tom Coughlin will surely be worried by the team's reliance on the kicker so far in this game.

TWO MINUTE WARNING! Peyton secures a first down with a 19-yard completion to Julius Thomas, bringing up the two minute warning.

Wes Welker has been kept relatively quiet so far tonight, but he manages to get in space to collect a 20-yard pass from Peyton. The quarterback goes deep later in the drive looking for Julius Thomas, but the tight end can't take the catch.

Peyton looks to Welker again, but the wide receiver drops twice in a row to bring out Prater for his first field goal attempt.

FIELD GOAL! Broncos 10-9 Giants (Prater)

Matt Prater just manages to guide his kick inside the left post from 42 yards out to return the lead to Denver.

Eli and the Giants offense have time for one final drive before half time. The quarterback tries a long pass to Myers, but the tight end can't hold on. However, he manages to connect with Nicks for a 34-yard gain on the next play.

A holding penalty from Rodgers-Cromartie gives the Giants a first down 28-yards from the end zone.

INTERCEPTION! Eli goes for the end zone, but Rodgers-Cromartie covers Nicks before stealing the ball in the end zone to bring Denver's offense out for the final seconds of the half.

END OF SECOND QUARTER: Broncos 10-9 Giants

Peyton briefly returns to the field to take a knee before both teams head off the field for half time. It's been a cagey opening 30 minute, with neither team really looking entirely comfortable so far.

The Broncos appear to have the edge on offense. Knowshon Moreno has the only touchdown of the game so far, and gained more yardage than their opponents in the opening two quarters. However, the Giants' defense has been superb, with Amukamara, Paysinger and Thomas all making five tackles each so far tonight.

Let's take a look at the Mannings' stats from the opening half. Peyton completed 18 of 29 passes for 200 yards. His younger brother was 11 from 21 for 180 yards, but also had an interception just before the end of the second half.

Julius Thomas has continued to shine in the absence of Joel Dreessen, taking four catches for 32 yards. However, Wes Welker hasn't been able to match his performance from last week, dropping three of the five passes directed his way.

If either team are to take control of this game, the offenses need to take more risks. Both sides have been too focused on not losing so far. I still feel that the Broncos are the favourites.

The players are back out, with Denver to kick off.

SACK! Danny Trevathan gets the first sack of the game, dragging Eli down. The QB looks for Cruz on third down, but Rodgers-Cromartie tackles the wide receiver to prevent him from getting a first down, and the Giants will punt.

Trindon Holliday manages to dodge several tackles on the punt return to give Peyton a strong starting position at the Denver 47.

Moreno carves a path through the Giants' defensive line for a first down. Ball takes over at running back, but can only gain a yard. Peyton finds Eric Decker on second down for a gain of 12. It's a patient build-up by the Broncos as they seek their second touchdown of the game.

10 yards from the end zone, Peyton gets the ball to Decker again, but the wide receiver is brought down two yards short.

TOUCHDOWN! Broncos 17-9 Giants (Welker)

Wes Welker sprints into the end zone, giving Peyton Manning an easy short pass for the Broncos' second touchdown of the night, while Prater comfortably kicks the extra point.

The Giants need touchdowns if they're to get themselves back in this game. They make a good start, as Eli gets a quick first down with a 13-yard completion to Cruz before Randle adds a further seven.

Eli turns to the run game, but Wilson fails to make a gain after running into three Broncos' players. The home side have more success with their passing game though, as Cruz is found for a first down, before a 12-yard pass to Nicks moves them inside the 10-yard line.

Vickerson is penalised for illegal use of hands, giving the Giants another first down. This is the most threatening the Giants have looked so far this evening.

Eli gets the ball to Nicks inside the end zone, but a hit from Rodgers-Cromartie prevents the wide receiver from making the catch. However, the officials give the hosts a penalty. The Giants are now just one yard from the end zone.

TOUCHDOWN! Broncos 17-16 Giants (Jacobs)

A powerful run from Brandon Jacobs finally sees the Giants across the line after a lengthy drive, while Brown successful adds the extra points. The running back only signed for New York again at the start of the week, having spent last season with the San Francisco 49ers, but it looks like he still remembers how their offense works.

Both teams have really upped the ante on offense during this quarter. The Broncos have kept the Giants' defense guessing by switching between the passing and running game, while Eli Manning has completed a series of clinical first-down passes to quickly get his team into the red zone after going eight points down.

The Giants think they have a turnover, as the ball appears to be stripped from Demaryius Thomas's hands, but the officials rule that it was an incomplete pass.

Peyton almost finds himself sacked by Rogers, but the Broncos quarterback managed to keep himself upright to make the completion to Decker. He finds the wide receiver again with his next oass for a first down.

TOUCHDOWN! Broncos 24-16 Giants (Moreno)

Peyton hands the ball off the Moreno who races 25 yards down the sideline for his second touchdown of the game, before Prater easily adds the extra point.

END OF THIRD QUARTER: Denver Broncos 24-16 New York Giants

INTERCEPTION! Eli looks for Randle, but the ball bounces off Tony Carter's head and heels before falling into the hands of Chris Harris to bring Denver's offense back out. Another score here would leave the AFC West side in a strong postition.

The Broncos start their drive well, with Moreno picking up 23 yards from two carries, before Peyton connected with Decker for an eight-yard gain. However, Ball picks up a three-yard loss, before some confusion on the offensive line forces Denver to take a time out.

TOUCHDOWN! Broncos 31-16 Giants (J Thomas)

Peyton tosses an 11-yard pass to tight end Julius Thomas, who just manages to hold on to the ball long enough to break the plane before getting hit. Giants head coach Tom Couglhin is livid that the officials chose not to review the play, but he doesn't throw his challenge flag.

Da'Rel Scott produces a strong run to bring up a Giants first down, but he's blocked by Jackson on the next play for a loss of one. Eli tries an ambitious deep pass to Randle, but it goes out of bounds.

There's a bit more urgency about the Giants now. Eli Manning is known for his strong fourth-quarter performance, but he's three and out.

TOUCHDOWN! Broncos 38-16 Giants (Holliday)

Trindon Holliday returns the Giants' punt 81 yards for a touchdown, showing blistering pace to out-run the home team. The Broncos must surely feel like the win is in the bag now.

Eli completes a 25-yard pass to Myers, but the tight end is injured when he's tackled by Moore. After a couple of minutes of treatment on the field he manages to jog to the sideline.

Eli come sunder pressure from Ihenacho, and heads backward to avoid the sack, just managing the get the ball back to the line of scrimmage before being dragged down. The Denver defense is working really hard to make sure they don't let the Giants back into this game, and they're doing a good job of it at the minute.

Ihenacho appeared to pick up an injury in the last play and had to be helped to the sideline. It looks like he's picked up a knee injury. He'd been having an impressive night up until then.

Eli tries a deep pass to Cruz, who finds his way into the end zone, but Carter manages to stop the wide receiver from making the catch.

INTERCEPTION! Rahim Moore picks off an Eli pass inside the end zone, with the Giants having gone for it on fourth down. Randle managed to find his way back, but the safety managed make the interception.

It's a quick three and out for the Broncos, as Colquitt comes out to punt. Eli tries to find Nicks with his first pass of the drive, but the wide receiver is left on the ground after taking a hard hit from Moore on the sideline.

Cruz secure a first down for the Giants, before Eli completed an 11-yard effort to Donnell. The quarterback's next attempt is incomplete, but Carter is judged to have been holding prior to the snap.

TOUCHDOWN! Broncos 38-23 Giants (Scott)

Having relied on the passing game for much of the evening, Eli returns to the running game, handing the ball off to Da'Rel Scott. The running back initially looks to get out of bounds after securing the first down, but with no-one ahead of him, he goes for the end zone, and managed to sneak in before the Broncos' defensive players can catch up.

Brown tries an onside kick to get the Giants back on offense, but Donnell took the ball a yard too early, giving a penalty to the Broncos.

After a timeout, Peyton completed a pass to Decker, giving the Broncos a first down, leaving Denver 32 yards from the end zone. Both quarterbacks have now completed over 300 passing yards this evening.

Peyton can't gain the yardage for another first down, so Prater comes back out for his second field goal attempt of the night.

FIELD GOAL! Broncos 41-23 Giants (Prater)

Prater completes his longest kick of the night from 47 yards to give the Broncos an 18-point lead heading into the final few minutes of this Manning Bowl.

TWO MINUTE WARNING! Manning finds Donnell twice in quick succession to gain 20 yards before the two minute warning sounds. Realistically, the Giants aren't playing for the win anymore, but Eli will be keen to reduce his brother's lead before full time.

Eli find himself in trouble and has to head backwards to avoid the sack. The attempts a short pass to Scott, but the running back is caught napping, and it's incomplete.

The quarterback tries a deep pass to Randle, but Carter commits a personal foul on the wide receiver to move the Giants to the 20-yard line. Eli looks for Scott on the edge of the end zone, but the running back is pushed out of bounds by Carter before he can get his feet down.

INTERCEPTION! Eli makes his fourth interception of the night as Carter collects the ball inside the end zone. The Denver offense will come back out to run the clock down.

FULL TIME: Denver Broncos 41-23 New York Giants

Peyton Manning take a knee to end the game. He exchanges a quick handshake with his younger brother before they both head off the field. Eli will no doubt be disappointed to have lost to his sibling for the third time. The Giants and Broncos aren't scheduled to play again in the regular season for four years, when Peyton will be 41, so this may have been the Giants' quarterback's last chance to beat his brother.

That's all from the MetLife Stadium, but check out our NFL page for reports from all of tonight's games, and join us again tomorrow for live coverage of the Cincinnati Bengals' clash with AFC North rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers. Thanks for joining me this evening, goodbye.

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