Manning’s high rating

Peyton Manning’s debut as quarterback of the Broncos was a big winner for NBC – its highest-rated game on a Sunday night. The network announced the ratings Tuesday, two days after Denver defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-19. The game drew a 16.5 national household rating and 26 share. That topped the 15.7/25 ratings of last year’s Dallas Cowboys-New York Giants Week 17 finale. The ratings also tied the 2010 NFL opener of Minnesota Vikings-New Orleans Saints as NBC’s highest-rated regular-season game. The Steelers-Broncos game was seen by more than 27.5 million viewers. – Associated Press