Seven touchdowns. Zero interceptions. 462 yards.

Peyton Manning, then the Broncos’ quarterback, opened the 2013 NFL season with one of the most ridiculous performances ever, torching the defending Super Bowl champion Ravens and kicking off what would become a record-setting season.

Was it the best start to a season by a quarterback ever? Or maybe by any player ever?!

With Week 1 finally upon us, Tony is joined by Underscore Media’s John Jastremski to relive Peyton’s perfect start and ask a bigger question: How much should we actually believe what we see in Week 1?

Tony and JJ look back at some of the greatest season-opening performances ever, debate Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady at their absolute peaks, and look at some hypothetical Week 1 overreactions for the 2026 NFL season.

Welcome to Episode 011 of REAL DEAL! I’m Tony Reali, and I’m so happy you’re here.

Seven touchdowns. Zero interceptions. 462 yards.
Peyton Manning, then the Broncos&rsquo; quarterback, opened the 2013 NFL season with one of the most ridiculous performances ever, torching the defending Super Bowl champion Ravens and kicking off what would become a record-setting season.
Was it the best start to a season by a quarterback ever? Or maybe by any player ever?!
With Week 1 finally upon us, Tony is joined by Underscore Media&rsquo;s John Jastremski to relive Peyton&rsquo;s perfect start and ask a bigger question: How much should we actually believe what we see in Week 1?
Tony and JJ look back at some of the greatest season-opening performances ever, debate Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady at their absolute peaks, and look at some hypothetical Week 1 overreactions for the 2026 NFL season.
Welcome to Episode 011 of REAL DEAL! I&rsquo;m Tony Reali, and I&rsquo;m so happy you&rsquo;re here.

REAL DEAL with Tony Reali is a sports culture podcast built around one irresistible moment at a time. A play. A clip. A photo. A legend. The cultural touchstones of sports that never leave us. Every episode starts small and goes deep into the story behind the story, the feeling behind the moment, and the human truth that explains why it's still living rent-free in our heads years later.

 

Hosted by longtime ESPN personality Tony Reali, REAL DEAL blends storytelling, humor, nostalgia, emotional insight, and unpredictable energy with guests who complete the story. Athletes, broadcasters, superfans, comedians, journalists and the people nobody else would think to call.

 

This is neither a debate show nor a recap show. It’s an evergreen sports culture format built around the moments, stories, and emotional chaos that keep sports alive, always.

 

REAL DEAL with Tony Reali is a sports culture podcast built around one irresistible moment at a time. A play. A clip. A photo. A legend. The cultural touchstones of sports that never leave us. Every episode starts small and goes deep into the story behind the story, the feeling behind the moment, and the human truth that explains why it's still living rent-free in our heads years later.
&nbsp;
Hosted by longtime ESPN personality Tony Reali, REAL DEAL blends storytelling, humor, nostalgia, emotional insight, and unpredictable energy with guests who complete the story. Athletes, broadcasters, superfans, comedians, journalists and the people nobody else would think to call.
&nbsp;
This is neither a debate show nor a recap show. It&rsquo;s an evergreen sports culture format built around the moments, stories, and emotional chaos that keep sports alive, always.
&nbsp;

REAL DEAL with Tony Reali

Was Peyton Manning’s 7-TD Game the Greatest NFL Season Opener Ever?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a4b901dd-8553-4547-bc27-b4c10175d9df/transcript