It was vintage Peyton Manning, served up Sunday night to a national television audience and choked down by an outwitted Detroit Lions defense.
Fourth quarter, 2:32 remaining. Broncos leading 17-12. Third-and-6 at Detroit's 13. In the balance is a one- or two-possession game.
The century's most prolific quarterback lines up in the shotgun, four receivers spread wide. The Lions show blitz.
Manning spies defensive end Devin Taylor to his left. With the play clock winding down, he runs over to center Matt Paradis and barks a new protection scheme: "Brown! Brown! Brown!" NBC's field microphone picks up.