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Manning throws interception, but Broncos cruise

CHICAGO — Peyton Manning's first appearance with the Denver Broncos was brief and a bit uneven.

Manning got intercepted near the goal line on the game's opening possession and watched from the sideline the rest of the way as Denver beat the Chicago Bears 31-3 in the preseason opener on Thursday night.

All eyes were on Manning and the results were mixed for the four-time MVP. Considering he missed all of last season with a nerve injury in his neck that weakened his throwing arm and led to his tearful farewell from the Indianapolis Colts, it was hardly a surprise.

All things considered, coach John Fox was impressed.

"He was remarkable," Fox said. "He came back, he's worked very hard. He hasn't played football in (almost) two years. I thought it was a good first drive in these conditions — it was sloppy. It was sloppy by the receivers as far as the conditions, but I thought it was a very good first outing."

On a cool and rainy night, Manning completed 4 of 7 passes for 44 yards.

Another big angle never materialized. That was the Jay Cutler-Brandon Marshall reunion.

They put up big numbers in Denver and they're back together after the Bears acquired Marshall from Miami. That blockbuster trade gave Cutler the go-to target he's lacked since he arrived from the Broncos and sent expectations soaring in Chicago after a disappointing 8-8 finish. But instead of a first look, fans got a rain check.

Cutler warmed up but sat out, one day after his fiancée Kristin Cavallari gave birth to a boy named Camden Jack. Running back Matt Forte and Peppers were also in uniform but did not play. Urlacher, meanwhile, wasn't expected to play after missing time in six practices because of his injured left knee and for personal reasons, and was not on the sideline.

With their star quarterback and running back watching, the Bears managed just 41 yards in the first half and trailed 10-0 at the break.

Marshall caught just one pass for 4 yards. Jason Campbell completed 4 of 5 for 13 yards before Josh McCown relieved him, and Michael Bush carried three times for 2 yards in his first appearance as a Bear. He also lost a fumble in the first quarter that led to a field goal for Denver.

Caleb Hanie then came in for Manning and was immediately booed by Chicago fans for failing last year after Cutler suffered a season-ending thumb injury. Besides the field goal, he led the Broncos on a 57-yard touchdown drive in the second quarter and wound up going 7 for 14 for 79 yards.