Many teams have tried to keep Peyton Manning and his high-powered Indianapolis Colts' offense off the field.
Many have failed.
It is the Denver Broncos' turn to try to pass the test as the two 1-1 teams meet Sunday in Denver.
Manning is off to fast start with six touchdowns and no interceptions and has completed 60 of 83 passes (72 percent). His top three receivers - Dallas Clark (16 catches, 163 yards, two touchdowns), Austin Collie (15-188-2) and Reggie Wayne (14-195-2) - have all shared the load.
Injuries in the Broncos’ secondary could make Manning’s job easier. Starting cornerbacks Champ Bailey (right heel) and Andre Goodman (right thigh) were injured in the Broncos’ 31-14 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2. Bailey went home on crutches.
If Bailey and Goodman can’t play – neither practiced Wednesday - rookies Perrish Cox and Cassius Vaughn should see significant playing time.
The Colts, though, showed they can also run effectively. They gained 160 yards on the ground in their 38-14 victory over the New York Giants in Week 2, and their 43 rushing attempts were the most since Manning became starting quarterback in 1998.
Stopping the run could be another story. The Colts allowed Arian Foster to run for 231 yards and three touchdowns in their 34-24 loss to the Houston Texans in Week 1, and yielded 120 yards to the Giants. They are last in the NFL in run defense.
It will be harder, though, for the Broncos to take advantage. Running back Knowshon Moreno will not play after pulling his left hamstring in practice this week. Moreno missed all four preseason games with a pulled right hamstring. Laurence Maroney will make his Broncos debut. He and Correll Buckhalter will split most of the carries. Andre Brown is the third back. The Broncos rank last in the NFL in yards per carry (2.4).
The Broncos have been more effective through the air. Kyle Orton has completed 46 of 68 passes, with three touchdowns and one interception.
The Broncos may try to keep rookie Demaryius Thomas' hot hands going. He caught eight passes for 97 yards and a touchdown in his NFL debut against the Seahawks. Wide receiver Eddie Royal (13-163-1) is also off to a fast start for the Broncos.
Broncos offensive linemen Chris Kuper (knee, ankle) and Ryan Harris (ankle) both missed last week’s game. Both practiced Wednesday, and coach Josh McDaniels is hopeful they’ll play Sunday.
The Colts secondary will be without Bob Sanders (biceps).
The Broncos are mourning the loss of wide receiver Kenny McKinley, who died Monday in his suburban Denver home from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. McKinley was on injured reserve following knee surgery in August.
The Colts have won three straight against the Broncos, including a 28-16 victory at Indianapolis in 2009. Manning has 14 touchdown passes and three interceptions in his last four games against the Broncos.
The Broncos are 6-2 all-time against the Colts at home.