The Indianapolis Colts play the Denver Broncos on Sunday. Kickoff is at 8:30 p.m. ET. Watch the live stream below.
Denver must overcome the loss of receiver Wes Welker, whom the NFL suspended for four games after testing positive for amphetamines. Welker insisted he didn't use performance-enhancing drugs or intentionally use anything banned; a report from Pro Football Talk indicated Welker - perhaps unknowingly - took MDMA that was laced with amphetamines.
The loss of Welker puts the onus on the other receivers - such as Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sasnders and tight end Julius Thomas - to step up and fill the void.
"A lot of people are going to have to step up and raise their play," Manning told the Associated Press. "When you don't have one of your best players, a guy who is one of your top contributors, I think it falls on more than just one person. That's our challenge."
Manning spoke also of his eagerness to get the regular season underway.
"I'm tired of talking, and I am looking forward to playing some real football," he said. "We're playing a really good football team, a playoff team, and it's going to be a challenge."
Indianapolis, meanwhile, will be without owner Jim Irsay for the first six games of the season as punishment for him receiving a DWI in March. And, as always, Colts quarterback Andrew Luck will be compared to his predecessor in Indianapolis, Manning.
Despite being compared to a future Hall of Famer, Luck doesn't feel pressure to outshine Manning.
"To be honest, even since Day 1 here, it hasn't been an issue. I never came in saying, 'Oh, I have to replace a legend, one of the greatest of all-time,'" Luck said. "Professional sports people, they come and they go. Someone's going to replace me eventually, hopefully later rather than sooner."
Watch the live stream HERE.
