Was Peyton Manning’s 7-TD Game the Greatest NFL Season Opener Ever?

Seven touchdowns. Zero interceptions. 462 yards. Peyton Manning, then the Broncos’ quarterback, opened the 2013 NFL season with one of the most ridiculous performances ever, torching the defending Super Bowl champion Ravens and kicking off what would become a record-setting season. Was it the best start to a season by a quarterback ever? Or maybe by any player ever?! With Week 1 finally upon us, Tony is joined by Underscore Media’s John Jastremski to relive Peyton’s perfect start and ask a bigger question: How much should we actually believe what we see in Week 1? Tony and JJ look back at some of the greatest season-opening performances ever, debate Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady at their absolute peaks, and look at some hypothetical Week 1 overreactions for the 2026 NFL season. Welcome to Episode 011 of REAL DEAL! I’m Tony Reali, and I’m so happy you’re here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.