[nesn_embed service=springboard src="//cms.springboardplatform.com/embed_iframe/899/video/1576841/nesn039/nesn.com/10"]

The Denver Broncos are undefeated, but it's not because of their quarterback Peyton Manning.

The future Hall of Famer is no longer the elite performer we've been accustomed to watching for the last 15 or so years.

Entering a much-anticipated Week 8 matchup against the unbeaten Green Bay Packers, Manning leads the league with 10 interceptions and has just seven touchdown passes. He's also averaging a pedestrian 254 yards passing through six games.

Manning has thrown two touchdown passes with seven interceptions in his last three games, but the Denver defense has bailed him out each time.

His early-season performance has drawn a lot of criticism.

"(The concern) is very valid," an AFC pro scouting director told NFL Media's Albert Breer. "Teams are saying, 'Let's hit him, let's make him make throws. And later in the year, he'll have trouble. And you get him outdoors in the right spot, and he'll be done.' You can throw in the qualifier where you might get a game where he figures it out and throws for a lot of yards. But over the long haul, if you're trying to make a run, you have to do that consecutively. You can't have those bumps.

"So you might see a glimpse of the old Peyton. I don't think you'll see it on a consecutive-games basis."

An NFC pro scouting director told Breer that Manning "just doesn't consistently make the deep throws."

Denver's defense is Super Bowl-caliber. They entered Week 8 ranked second in points per game, first against the pass and fourth against the run.

But to beat the New England Patriots and the other AFC contenders, the quarterback play must improve. Turnovers kill playoff runs as fast as anything, and Manning hasn't demonstrated an ability to consistently protect the football this season.

He must improve in that area or his tenure in the Mile High City won't include a championship.

Thumbnail photo via  John Rieger/USA TODAY Sports Images